Sovereignty of God Ground Work 1 First

Sovereignty of God

Ground Work 1. First – apology to new and young Christians: – For causing confusion to you • Such confusing argument and confusing terminologies . . – However, we feel the need to address this because some have just heard about it and they are asking for some enlightenment.

Ground Work 2. This is a minor doctrine – Let us not allow it to divide us – Otherwise • • we will not please God wants unity for His children we will not encourage one another the world will not listen to us

Ground Work 2. This is a minor doctrine – The major doctrines are: • • Salvation by grace through faith in Christ Trinity, Deity of Christ Authority of the God’s Word Blessed Hope of Christ’s Return

Ground Work 3. This issue is centuries old – We cannot expect to resolve it now in NVBC – Best Bible teachers in the world are still in disagreement until today • The good thing about it, they respect each other

List of Some Proponents • Calvinists James White RC Sproul John Piper Martin Luther John Mac. Arthur Martin Lloyd Jones John Gill Arthur Pink John Bunyan Warren Wiersbe Jonathan Edwards George Whitfield Charles Spurgeon Matthew Henry • Balance of Sovereignty & Free Will John/Charles Wesley James Mac. Donald Charles Stanley Dave Hunt Adrian Rogers David Jeremiah Ravi Zaccharias A W Tozer Billy Graham William Mac. Donald Vernon Mc. Gee James Dobson Norman Geisler Hank Hanegraaff

3 Options on the Subject of Sovereignty 1. Focus on Free Will (Arminianism) Main proponent: Jacobus Arminius 2. Focus on God’s Sovereignty (Calvinism, Sovereign Grace) Main proponent: John Calvin, Augustine 3. Focus on both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will No proponent: Direct from Bible

Focus on Free Will (Arminianism) • Acknowledges God’s sovereignty but the final say on man’s destiny belongs to man. • God gets some credit but most of the credit goes to the man. • We will not talk much about this as most of us are clear that this is not Biblical.

Focus on God’s Sovereignty (Calvinism, Sovereign Grace, Reformed) • Salvation is all of God. • God chose and predestined some who will be saved without any criteria other than His sovereign will and pleasure. • Man has no role, not even his faith is a factor in God’s choice or election. • Much emphasis on election and predestination. • All those elected are regenerated then gifted by God with faith to be saved.

Focus on both God’s Sovereignty & Free Will • Accepts God’s sovereign plan of salvation where God elects people according to His foreknowledge. • God designed and completed the plan of salvation – to pay for the sins of the world through the death and resurrection of his Son. • God offers the gift of eternal life to all people. • He calls, commands, convicts, draws, enlightens all men – those who will respond in faith get saved.

Ground Work 4. NVBC stand: we accept both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will as they are both in the Bible – We don’t require all members to take this stand, we respect members’ stand – We request members to also respect the stand of NVBC by refraining from speaking against it

Ground Work 5. The goal of this study is to: a. Present the reasons why NVBC accepts both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will (Balanced View). b. In the process, we cannot help but also present the reasons why we do not agree with Calvinism / Reformed Theology / Sovereign Grace. c. If you are not convinced of NVBC’s stand after the presentation, we respect that.

Ground Work 6. The ideas here a result of research from various books from both sides of the issue – In case there is something here that you think is not accurate, I would appreciate if you bring it up to my attention.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? 1. Because both are taught in the Bible • We cannot accept some of God’s Word and reject others 2. This option makes the most sense • • This is the most natural way to interpret and understand God’s Word This is in line with “biblical interpretation” principle 3. This option has the least problems and complications and with least questions that have no answers

1. Both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will are taught in the Bible Passages on God’s Sovereignty Eph 1: 5 -11 Romans 9: 15 -21 John 1: 13 John 6: 44 Acts 13: 48 Passages on Free Will Eph 1: 13 Romans 10: 13 John 1: 12 John 3: 16 John 12: 32 Acts 16: 31

Sample Passages on God’s Sovereignty Eph 1: 5, 9 5 Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself

Sample Passages on God’s Sovereignty Romans 9 As 13 it is written, acob I have loved, but Esau I have hated. “ J ” 15 For He says to Moses, will have mercy on whomever I will have “ I mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. 6 then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who ” So 1 runs, but of God who shows mercy. For 17 the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, this very purpose I have raised you up, that I “ For may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. 8 ” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, 1 and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “ hy 19 W does He still find fault? For has resisted His will? 0 who ” But 2 indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? ill the thing W formed say to him who formed it, “ hy have you made me like W this? 1 ” Does not the have power over the clay, from the 2 potter same lump to make vessel for honor and another for one dishonor?

Sample Passages on God’s Sovereignty John 1: 13. . who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Sample Passages on God’s Sovereignty John 6: 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Sample Passages on God’s Sovereignty Acts 13: 48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will Eph 1: 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, were sealed with the Holy you Spirit of promise.

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will Romans 10: 13 For hoever calls the name of the “ w on Lord shall be saved. ”

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will John 1: 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the to become children of right God, to those who believe in His name.

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will John 3: 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will John 12: 32 And I, am up from the earth, will if I lifted draw all peoples to Myself. ”

Sample Passages on Human Choice and Free Will Acts 16: 31 Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved…

Fundamental Issue Both sides aim to explain these seemingly contradicting passages. However, each side has a totally different approach. Now: All of us have free will to choose which approach to take.

Calvinist’s way to explain the seemingly contradicting passages 1. Proposes that the verses in the Bible about man’s ‘choice or free will’ do not really speak of human choice and free will, especially on the matter of his salvation. 2. Men have no real choice or free will. 3. Whenever men seemingly make a choice or seemingly exercises his will, it is God controlling them – through His sovereign power. 4. Bottom line: God is Sovereign and He is in control of everything and everyone. 5. God’s Sovereignty and free will are not compatible.

Balanced View’s way to explain the seemingly contradicting 1. Proposes that all verses in the Bible about man’s choice or free will are real. 2. God gave men freedom to choose and exercise free will. 3. In God’s sovereignty, He designed the plan and set up the rules, including the rule for salvation 4. His sovereign plan for salvation is: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” – there is no other way. 5. Key to all of this is “election according to God’s foreknowledge” (1 Pet 1: 2 and Rom 8: 29) 6. God’s sovereignty and free will are compatible.

Where the Difference Lies? Three Primary Issues: 1. Definition of Sovereignty 2. Definition of Foreknowledge 3. Definition of Faith All 3 issues are inter-connected.

Where the Difference Lies? 1. Definition of Sovereignty Calvinism: God is in Sovereign control of everything and everyone, including human will. In addition, if God desires or plans something, it will absolutely happen. If it does not happen according to his plan, His sovereignty is impaired. This is particularly true with God’s plan of salvation. According to them, Christ died only for the elect. They say this because they know that not all people will be saved. And if Christ died for all – and not all will be saved, then Christ’s blood is weak or inefficient.

Where the Difference Lies? 1. Definition of Sovereignty Our Reply: God’s sovereignty is not impaired if God’s plan or will is rejected by man. God did not desire Adam and Eve to fall into sin. But they fell into sin – yet God’s sovereignty was not harmed or reduced. There are many passages that tell us that Christ died for all men and we cannot ignore them: • • John 3: 16, 1 John 2: 2, John 1: 29, 2 Cor 5: 15 Christ even died for false teachers – 2 Pet 2: 1 The blood of Christ is not wasted even if people reject it.

Where the Difference Lies? 2. Definition of Foreknowledge 1 Pet 1: 2 says “elect according to the foreknowledge of God. . ” (Read also Romans 8: 29) Calvinism: Says “foreknowledge” does not mean that God elected based on what He saw in advance. They interpret foreknowledge as “predetermined” or “foreordained”. They say “God did not see anything good in us that made him choose us, not even our faith. ” His election is based purely on God’s pleasure and will. (Eph 1: 5)

Where the Difference Lies? 2. Definition of Foreknowledge Our Reply: ‘Foreknowledge’ means ‘foreknowledge, that is ‘knowing something in advance. ’ The irony of it is – if you ask the Calvinists “do you believe in God’s omniscience, do you believe that God can see things before they happen? ”. Their reply is “yes. ” And this is true – God can see everything (Isa 46: 10). However, because they have incorrectly defined “sovereignty”, they have to painstakingly ignore God’s ability to see things in advance.

Where the Difference Lies? 3. Definition of Faith Calvinism: Defines faith as “good work. ” Our Reply: This is a major mistake which leads to other mistakes. Faith is not good work. Gal 2: 16 contrasts faith and work. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but faith in by Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not works of the law; for by the works by the of the law no flesh shall be justified. ” Read also Eph 2: 8, 9 – we are saved by grace through faith…not of works.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? 1. Because both are taught in the Bible 2. This option makes the most sense 3. This option has the least problems and complications, least questions and all questions have clear answers from the Bible.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? 1. Because both are taught in the Bible • We have already seen some of the passages for both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? 2. This option makes the most sense • • God loves the world, He desires all men to be saved, He sacrificed His Son to die for the sins of the world, now He is offering the gift of eternal life to everyone. (1 Tim 2: 4, 2 Pet 3: 9) Anyone who responds in faith to the invitation shall be saved. (John 3: 16, Ro 10: 13) If anyone rejects the offer, he is condemned. (John 3: 18) God, through His omniscience, saw all of these things before they happened. (1 Pet 1: 2, Ro 8: 29)

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? 3. This option has the least problems and complications, least questions and all questions have clear answers from the Bible. – Some questions against the Balanced View a. If God’s decision to save a person is partly dependent on man’s choice and will, then our salvation is not secure. Our reply: We believe in eternal security. Free will does not affect our eternal security. Though we are not always faithful, God remains faithful (2 Tim 2: 13). Also, our salvation is in God’s hands, not ours (John 10: 28 -29).

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View b. If our salvation is based on man’s faith, then man gets credit. Our reply: God is the one who set the rule: “those who believe shall be saved. ” So, if we believe and are saved, God gets the credit, not us. (Illustration: 100 men on death row. )

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Illustration – Assuming 100 men are on death row. All 100 were proven guilty beyond any doubt. The Governor declared that all who will acknowledge their sin and come to him will be pardoned. Five men came and were pardoned. – Do we say “how great are those 5 men”, or do we say “what a great and merciful Governor!”

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View c. Election has nothing to do with exercise of our faith because God elected us before the foundation of the world. Our reply: Faith cannot be ignored by God because it was him who declared “without faith, it is impossible to please God. ” (Heb 11: 6). God have seen this faith through His foreknowledge.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View d. Man is dead in sin (Eph 2: 1), therefore he cannot do anything of himself, not even to exercise faith. Our reply: True, man is dead spiritually but not physically. Though spiritually dead, God did not remove man’s capacity to exercise faith. Otherwise, he would not have commanded us to believe (1 John 3: 23 and many other passages).

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View e. “You did not choose me, I chose you” (John 15: 16). Our reply: This simply means that God took the initiative or the first step (1 John 4: 19 We love him because he first loved us. ) But God clearly gave us a choice to receive or reject his Son (John 3: 16, 18). He took the first step by sending His Son into the world and presented the Good News to us.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View. f. “Many are called but few are chosen. ” (Matt 22: 14). Our reply: True, but God chooses those who believe in Him. God will not choose those who will not believe in him (John 3: 16 -18).

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View g. God’s basis for election is his pleasure, will and grace (Eph 1: 5). Our reply: True, but God’s pleasure is based on faith (Heb 11: 6 without faith it is impossible to please God); God’s will is that everyone who believes shall be saved (John 6: 40) and “we are saved by grace through faith” (Eph 2: 8). Hence, we cannot separate election from faith.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View. h. God controlled the heart and will of Pharaoh by hardening his heart (Exp 4: 21, 7: 13). Our reply: Before God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, Pharaoh had already hardened his heart as you can find earlier in Exo 1 – wherein he tortured the Hebrews and killed countless babies.

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View. i. Faith is God’s gift to man. (Eph 2: 8, Heb 12: 2) Our Reply: • Romans 6: 23 The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (not faith). • If God gives faith to the elect, how come Christ was amazed at the faith of the Centurion (Matt 8: 10)? Unless He was just pretending to be surprised. • How come Christ was amazed at the unbelief of some people (Mark 6: 6)? Why would he be surprised if He did not give them faith?

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View. j. John 6: 44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. Our Reply: • John 12: 32 And I, if I am up from the earth, will lifted draw peoples to Myself. all

Why NVBC believes both God’s Sovereignty and Free Will? Some questions against the Balanced View. k. God actually chose many people to go to hell, that is what He created hell for. Our Reply: • Matt 25: 41 God did not create hell for people but for the devil and his fallen angels. If any man goes to hell, it is his choice and it is because of his sins – and absolutely not because God ordained him to go there.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 1. It focuses too much on Sovereignty and ignores the many passages on free will. 2. Inaccurate understanding of Sovereignty 3. Their ‘Sovereignty’ contradicts with other attributes of God. 4. There are many contradictions and questions that have no answer. 5. There are some strange teachings. 6. There are many adverse possible consequences. 7. Other reasons…

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 1. It focuses too much on Sovereignty and ignores the many passages on free will. How can they explain all these verses? – John 3: 16 whoever believes should not perish – Rom 10: 11 whoever believes will not be put to shame – Rom 10: 13 whoever calls on the Lord shall be saved – John 4: 14 whoever drinks of the water…will never thirst again – John 11: 26 whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die – Acts 2: 21 whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved – Acts 10: 43 whoever believes in Him will receive remission sins. of ”

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 2. Their understanding of Sovereignty is not accurate - as already discussed earlier. • • In addition, let me illustrate: Example 1: God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2: 4) – but we all know that not all men are saved. • Does this mean that God is weak? NO! • It means God’s sovereignty includes free will. • Example 2: God desires Christians to marry only fellow Christians (2 Cor 6: 14) – but we all know that not all Christians marry Christians. • Does this mean that God is weak? NO! • It means God’s sovereignty includes free will.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 3. Their understanding of Sovereignty contradicts with other attributes of God. • God is Just/Fair/Impartial (Rom 2: 11, Acts 10: 34) • • God is Love • • In Calvinism, God chose some to be saved and many to be doomed – at His own pleasure. Those who were not chosen have no chance. This does not sound just/fair. In Calvinism, God banned most people from heaven. This does not sound very loving. God is True/Honest/Sincere • In Calvinism, God invites everyone to come to him for salvation (Matt 11: 28) but in His mind, he planned to save only some. This does not sound very sincere.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions and many questions that have no answer. a. T: total depravity – Man is dead and has no capacity to do anything, not even to choose or exercise faith and will. – Question to Calvinists: If God removed the capacity to do respond in any way, exercise will or trust in Jesus, why did the Lord command people to: » » » » Choose: Josh 24: 15 Receive: John 1: 12 Believe: Acts 16: 31 Seek & Call: Isa 55: 6 Come: Matt 11: 26 Repent : Acts 2: 38 Open heart’s door: Rev 3: 20 (Calvinist’s response to the above is “regeneration”. We will deal with this separately later. )

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions and many questions that have no answer. b. U: unconditional election – When God elected some to be saved, there was no condition other than his own pleasure and will. To Calvinists, not even man’s faith has role in election (Eph 1: 4 -8, Rom 9: 15 -21, John 6: 44). – Our Reply: The phrase “unconditional election” itself is a contradiction. Even in their belief, there are conditions, namely God’s pleasure and His will. But the question is: what is it that is pleasurable or pleasing to God? • • • FAITH! Heb 11: 6 Without faith it is impossible to please God Election is according to God’s pleasure, and the primary basis for God’s pleasure is faith.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions and many questions that have no answer. c. U: unconditional election – Again, one of the bases of God’s election is “God’s will” (Eph 1: 5) – Our Reply: – What is God’s will? – John 6: 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life. – Very clear: God elects people according to the pleasure of his will, but we cannot ignore His that ‘pleasure and will’ always take into account man’s faith.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions as well as questions that have no answer. d. About God’s fairness: Calvinists are divided – Some Calvinists admit that God is not fair • John Calvin himself said: “All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation. ’ (ICR page 568) Our Reply: This is clearly a contradiction of God’s word – God is not partial – Acts 10: 34, Romans 2: 11 (ICR = Institute for Christian Religion by Calvin. You can download a copy of this from the internet for free. )

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions as well as questions that have no answer. – Some Calvinists say God is fair because he chose some among all who are equal sinners Our Reply: This is not a sound argument. How could God be fair if he chose most people to go to hell (or banned them from hell) before they committed any sin. (Calvinists cannot use “foreknowledge” because they do not believe that God uses it in His election. ) Conclusion: We know God is just and fair because He gives everyone a fair and equal chance to come to Christ for salvation.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 4. There are many contradictions and many questions that have no answer. e. If man has no free will and choice, how can he be held accountable for his sins? – Romans 1: 20 says, those who rejected God despite the many ways that God had revealed himself are “without excuse. ” – However, in Calvinism, they have a very good excuse, i. e. , “they rejected God because they were not elected, they were not granted the gift of faith, they were banned from heaven even before they committed any sin. ”

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. Calvinism has some strange doctrines: a. God’s Secret Will Some Calvinists claim that God revealed some things to men but He did not reveal many things. Example: “He desires that all men should be saved, and that none perish; yet we know, that few are saved, and that most men perish”. (Jonathan Warne, Calvinist) In the docrtine of “Secret Will”, God makes it appear that He desires all men to be saved – but in His secret will, He does not desire all men to be saved. (Otherwise, if God desires all will be saved, they will all be saved). Our Reply: We believe that God did not reveal everything to us but whatever those thing He did not reveal, cannot contradict that which He has revealed.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. Calvinism has some strange doctrines: b. Calvinistic Regeneration Man is dead in sin and cannot do anything of himself, not even to repent and believe in Christ for salvation. God must first “regenerate (born again)” a person then grant that person the gift of faith. (John 1: 13, Eph 2: 1) (Taught by Mac. Arthur and Sproul. ) Gospel - regeneration – repentance – faith - salvation “Regeneration precedes faith and salvation” ( Sproul, Mac. Arthur among others)

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. Calvinism has some strange doctrines: b. Calvinistic Regeneration Our Reply: Eph 1: 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, were sealed with the you Holy Spirit of promise. Gospel – repentance – faith – regeneration - salvation “Faith precedes regeneration and salvation” John 3: 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life. This is the opposite of the Calvinism model.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. Calvinism has some strange doctrines: b. Calvinistic Regeneration • Major Dilemma for Calvinists • Geisler: In their model of regeneration, a person can be born again and still be unsaved • This puts Calvinism’s in a very awkward position, so they offer an awkward solution: “regeneration and salvation happen at the same time” • This is self contradiction: At first they said “regeneration precedes faith”, now they are saying both happen at the same time? ? ?

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. Calvinism has some strange doctrines: c. Christ did not die for everyone, God does not love all men. Our Reply (among many passages) • • • John 3: 16 For God so loved the world…. John 1: 29 Behold the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world. John 4: 42 …Christ the Savior of the world. 1 Tim 1: 15 …Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (all are sinners – Romans 3: 23) 1 John 2: 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but for the whole world. also

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 5. In order to force the issue of Calvinistic sovereignty, they need to introduce some strange doctrines: d. Many Calvinists say “everything is fixed by God – including all actions, all thoughts and time table”, otherwise, if things do not happen according to God’s plan, things get out of His control. Our Reply • • God fixed his plan and program but not every specific detail. The perfect example is Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20 God said Hezekiah will die any moment but Hezekiah prayed and God extended his life for 15 years. Calvinists claim that Hezekiah was not truly about to die – but this claim makes God a liar and his prayer meaningless.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 6. Adverse consequences of Calvinism: a. Lack of passion for soul winning – We admit that many Calvinists are passionate soul winners but if we are honest, there are many Calvinists who have no motivation for soul winning (e. g. Pastor of William Carey) – If Calvinism is true, then soul winning is a waste. If the person is elected, he is already chosen before the foundation of the world; if he is not chosen, no amount of preaching can save him. – How would people respond if you open your sermon with “God does not love everyone, or Christ did not die for all men, God chose some to go to heaven and most of you to hell? ”

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 6. Adverse consequences of Calvinism: b. Lack of zeal for prayer. – Why pray when God has already fixed everything? c. God’s character and integrity are put to question.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism a. The questionable integrity of John Calvin: • Calvin was responsible for the death of Michael Servetus because Servetus did not agree with his doctrine of infant baptism (among others). b. The questionable doctrines of Calvin: • • • Infant Baptismal regeneration God is not fair, not all are created equal (ICR p 568) Post-tribulation Replacement Theology (Church replaced Israel, ICR p 268)

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism c. Worst doctrine of Calvin: God chose many people to go to hell at His pleasure. “We say, then, that Scripture clearly proves this much, that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those whom it was his pleasure one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was his pleasure to doom to destruction. ” (ICR p 571) • Our Reply • • • God desires all men to be saved (1 Tim 2: 4). He is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet 3: 9). ‘ I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked from his way and live (Eze 33: 11). turn

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism c. Worst doctrine of Calvin: God chose many people to go to hell at His pleasure. Some Calvinists claim they are “moderate” and they only believe that God predestined some to go to heaven – but not the part that God predestined most people to go to hell. Our Reply: This is rhetoric. If a person was not chosen by God for heaven, where else is he going – but hell!

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism d. Calvinism implies that faith is not as important as God’s sovereignty • God chose men without regard to his faith. Our Reply: this is a major problem: • The object of our faith is Jesus Christ. • Our faith rests on the death and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15: 3, 4) • If they say “faith is not that important”, then in essence, they are saying “the death and resurrection of Christ is not as important” as God’s sovereignty or the doctrine of election.

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism e. Calvinists will have a hard time presenting the Gospel • • • How can they preach John 3: 16? They have a hard time quoting John 3: 16 and many other passages because in their mind – Christ did not die for everyone. A prominent Calvinist, took 43 minutes to explain that the “world” does not mean “everyone” and “whosoever” does not mean ‘anyone’. ) Another prominent Calvinist was asked – “How do you tell people that Christ did not die for them? ” He cannot answer directly. All he said was “tell them whatever the Bible tells you to tell them. ”

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism Two disturbing observations: – – – On Youtube: A prominent Calvinist (preacher and author), took 43 minutes to explain that the “world” does not mean “everyone” and “whosoever” does not mean ‘anyone’. Imagine, every time you preach on John 3: 16, you have to pause at the words “world” and “whosoever” to explain that their meaning are opposite of what they say? ? ? Imagine how that preacher would handle Romans 10: 13 and John 1: 12?

Why we do not accept Calvinism? 7. Additional reasons why we do not accept Calvinism Two disturbing observations: – – On Youtube: Another prominent Calvinist (radio preacher) was asked – “How do you tell people that Christ did not die for them? ” He cannot answer directly. All he said was “tell them whatever the Bible tells you to tell them. ” Then he spent 7 minutes in rhetoric that did not have anything to do with the question. In the end, the facilitator (sensing that he did not answer the question) asked him again: “so what is your answer to the question? You know why can he not give a direct answer? He cannot even preach Calvinism to his gospel contacts.

A personal plea: This presentation is made with only one purpose: to help enlighten the brethren. Everyone is welcome to respond, raise a question or comment. If you think there is something in this material that is not accurate, I would appreciate a healthy and brotherly exchange of ideas with you. If this material was used by God to enlighten you, please let me know as well. There is nothing more joyful to a servant of God than to be enlightened and to be used by God to enlighten others.

P. S. I have read many books on this subject from both sides of the issue. However, in my opinion, the best book I have read was that of Norman Geisler, entitled “Chosen But Free. ” This book is available at www. cbd. com.