Calvinists are 40% wrong
The other day, I was speaking with a self-professed Calvinist. And the more we talked, the more he led me to believe that Calvinists read the Bible in a vacuum.
Here’s what I mean.
Most, if not all, of us are guilty of taking scripture out of context to support our point(s). However, Calvinists have taken this to a whole new level.
Their entire belief system (TULIP) is based on taking various scriptures to support their point while ignoring others that contradict them.
The title of this article is that Calvinists are 40% wrong. In actuality, they’re 100% wrong when it comes to salvation.
What Calvinists believe
Calvinists, taken from the 16th-century theologian John Calvin, use the acronym TULIP as the tenets for their faith (aka belief system). It stands for:
- Total Depravity (aka Total Inability)
- Unconditional Election
- Limited Atonement
- Irresistible Grace
- Perseverance of the Saints
Total Depravity
“Due to sin all of mankind is completely sinful, or depraved. Every part of fallen man is corrupted by sin. He is a creature that is incapable of obeying the law of God.” (The Five Points of Calvinism – Defining the Doctrines of Grace)
According to the first tenet in the acronym TULIP, Calvinists believe that mankind is 100% sinful and are therefore incapable of making any good decisions on their own – ever. Unfortunately, that’s an extreme view of what Romans 3:10 and 3:23 say.
The Bible clearly states that there is none righteous, and we’ve all sinned. Romans 6:23 even tells us that the cost of sin is death.
On our own, we’re not righteous, but through Christ we are. However, that doesn’t mean that non-saved individuals can’t do good. On the contrary, people from all walks of life are very generous with their time and money. Look at many of the Satanist millionaires (people as far from God as one could get) who give to various charities and their communities.
We are sinful beings living in a sinful world. However, that doesn’t mean we’re not capable of doing good deeds. Total Depravity means all of mankind is nothing but a body and mind of evil and sinful desires. When we know that’s simply not true.
Let’s see what else the Bible has to say about that. Here’s just one example.
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul tells us we should learn to control our bodies. Even though, as we see in verse 8, God’s given us (as believers) His Holy Spirit. Something that we have to do. In other words, it’s something we can do on our own.
Total means complete. Many Calvinists have drawn back from this stance. In that, it’s not “total” but partial. They then reference Romans 8:7-8 regarding the body being in rebellion against God.
But their stance is a misinterpretation of the scripture. That passage says we rebel against God’s law in the flesh. We can get a better understanding of that by looking at Romans 7:5. Verse 6 implies in Christ we are free from that bondage.
That’s why God, according to John 6:44, has to draw us to Himself. Which means we’re capable of making the decision for good. Romans 10:9 says we have to choose to believe.
Therefore, Total Depravity doesn’t stand up to scrutiny unless they take certain passages of scripture by themselves. The Bible was written by God. Not most of it – all of it.
Because the rest of TULIP rely on this tenet, they’re all wrong. However, as a non-Calvinist, I’m going to break them apart and look at them as unique and not reliant upon the other tenets.
Related article: Calvinism: A Chronicle and a Warning.
Unconditional Election
According to the same article, Unconditional Election “Also known as ‘sovereign election,’ is the teaching that God’s rescuing of sinners is entirely due to His own will and good pleasure (Ephesians 1:5). Salvation is not brought about in any way by our actions or decisions.”
Of course, verse 11 of that same chapter reiterates what Paul is saying in verse 5. He decided that believers by faith would become (predestined) adopted heirs in His family. This means adoption is something to look forward to; not predetermined before we could choose to believe.
For Calvinists, Unconditional Election is only for those “He selected.” This same argument is used in Limited Atonement.
Paul says, Ephesians 2:8-10, that our salvation is by God’s grace so that no one may boast. This piggybacks on verses 1-3. Our sinful nature is what separates us from God.
This is part of where Calvinists agree with most Christians. However, they’ve hijacked it to mean something that scripture doesn’t say.
The next tenet in their belief system is Limited Atonement. And this is where the train goes off the rails.
Limited Atonement
According to this tenet (extracted from the same article), “Calvinism is distinctive in that it teaches Jesus’ death on the cross did not merely make salvation possible for those who choose to receive it, but that it made salvation definite for those who have been elected by God.”
Here’s a video of RC Sproul explaining what Calvinists believe about Limited/Definite Atonement. In this video, he takes apart one passage of scripture (2 Peter 3:8-9). As I mentioned earlier, when anyone reads the Bible in a vacuum, they can make it say whatever they want.
John’s gospel, in chapter 6, says “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” – John 6:44
So, who are “the called” or “the elect”?
Take the most popular verse in the Bible for instance.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Limited Atonement is the idea that only certain people will be called by God and therefore be saved. Which completely contradicts the Bible.
“Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.” – 1 John 4:14
“For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.” – Titus 2:11-12
“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” – Romans 5:18
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” – 2 Peter 3:9
And that’s not even close to exhausting the number of passages throughout the Bible that say the same thing. God knows who will accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. But He didn’t limit it to select individuals.
Of course, just like 2 Peter infers, not all people will choose the right path. One place Jesus lays it out is in chapter 7 of Matthew’s gospel.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:13-14
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23
Understand, that there wouldn’t be a need for a separation between Heaven and Hell if everyone went to the same place.
God wanted to make a way for everyone to Him. But in His omniscience, He knew not everyone would choose Him.
“Therefore, God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:24-25
The final two tenets of Calvinism are Irresistible Grace and Perseverance of the Saints. Both of those are held beliefs by pretty much all Bible-believing Christians. Again, you must remove the concepts of Total Depravity, Unlimited Election, and Limited Atonement for them to be agreeable. Otherwise, Calvinists are 100% wrong.
Unfortunately, I can’t agree with Calvinists because the Bible teaches many things that are contrary to their Augustinian gnostic belief system.
If you found value in this, consider reading “Christian” Pastors Who Are Like Cult Leader?
About The Author
