Christ or Calvin
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Christ or Calvin
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Christ or Calvinby Al J. Horne, President, Southern Africa Bible College, 2007 Introduction: A golden-voiced singer of yesteryear, Doris Day, popularized the song Que Sera, Sera. The theme of the song was “what will be, will be” or fatalism. Many people subscribe to this philosophy. Fatalism is the doctrine that all future events in one’s life are determined by fate. It teaches that one has no control over the future but is the victim or the beneficiary of a whimsical deity. Eastern fatalism was called kismet – a word of Turkish origin. It held that six weeks before a baby was born, an angel touched the back of his neck and that act determined every future event of the child’s future life whether good or evil. This was later incorporated into the Islamic religion (and might just explain the motivation for suicide-bombers). In AD 430, Augustine of Hippo started the process to introduce this doctrine into Christianity. During the Middle Ages, the renowned Catholic theologian and philosopher Thomas Aquinas further developed it until the time of the Reformation. John Calvin, a Frenchman, who fell under the influence of Martin Luther, was driven out of France by the Catholicism of his day. In Switzerland, he founded what is known as the Presbyterian church in 1535. Under his influence “fatalism” became known as predestination. Calvin wrote, “Predestination we call the eternal decree of God, by which He has determined in Himself what He would have become of every individual of mankind. For they are not all created with a similar destiny; but eternal life is foreordained for some and eternal death for others. Every man, therefore, being created for one or other of these ends, we say, he is predestinated to life or death.” (Institutes, Vol. III, Chap. XXI, sec. 5). The Westminster Confession of Faith declared, “…a number so certain that it cannot be either increased or diminished.” The obvious implication of this is that nothing can be done by any individual whether of good or evil to alter the number of the saved or the lost even by so much as one. Calvin’s doctrine may be codified into the “Five Pillars of Calvinism.” Each tenet of his teaching depends upon the previous point to sustain his doctrinal structure. The mnemonic used by theological students to identify this structure is the word (flower) T-U-L-I-P. T—Total Hereditary Depravity. This is the first tier or foundation upon which his doctrine rests. Calvin believed that humans were totally depraved. This condition was inherited from their parents. Modern views of this are expressed in terms such as “the sin of Adam,” “original sin” or “the Adamic nature.” This eventually gave rise to the “baptism” of infants. Among other passages, the whole of Ezekiel 18 destroys this erroneous viewpoint. The key verse is Ezekiel 18:20 U—Unconditional Salvation. Calvin taught that a man was so depraved that he could not even desire salvation, so God had to take the initiative to work on him. Thus, salvation became “unconditional.” Terms such as “there’s nothing you can do” and the “finished work of Christ” show remnants of that teaching today. This view becomes unilateral depending on grace alone, which is not a Biblical concept. God himself made grace conditional without any inference to man’s earning it. Man has no bargaining power in the problem and atonement of sin. Man’s response is simply meeting the condition that God has set by his obedience. Among many passages that state that God’s grace is conditional, we note Acts 2:40, Philippians 2:12-13, 2 Peter 1:10. L—Limited Atonement. Calvin believed that man could play no role in his salvation. The process was supposedly unconditionally God’s prerogative, so the atonement in terms of numbers was settled and unalterable. God made up the quotas so to speak. I—Irresistible Grace. God now was seen as the only one to bring about this salvation through his own intervention--“the direct operation of the Holy Spirit on the sinner’s heart.” This view leads people to believe that they have additional revelation from God today even though God has closed the Apostolic canon, Jude 3-4, 1 Corinthians 13:9-10. Pentecostals claim such “direct-operation” powers in addition to “healing” and their “prosperity doctrine.” This view is a denial of the verses that tell us that God is no respecter of persons, see Acts 10:34. P—Perseverance of the Saints. If God has saved you unconditionally, how could you ever be lost or lose your salvation? This doctrine is now popularly called, “Once saved, always saved.” Among many passages that refutes this, note 1 Corinthians 9:27. You will recognize that many denominations practice one or more of these teachings while rejecting the others. The trouble with such a stance is that the whole structure stands or falls together. One cannot pull out the foundation and expect the superstructure to remain intact. It simply can’t be done! It is either all or nothing at all. But note what Peter says: 2 Peter 3:9 – “the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all [not some] should come to repentance. Who is right? Christ or Calvin? Is salvation fixed or free? Obviously, Christ is right and salvation is free to “whomsoever will.”
Reasons why Calvinism cannot be sustained Biblically.
Conclusion: The conclusion of the matter is that it definitely cannot be Christ and Calvin but Christ or Calvin. The views of Calvin and the doctrine of Christ are diametrically opposed to one another. Anyone who wishes may come to the Lord. God is not a respecter of persons nor is he the author of sin. The gospel exhorts us to improve daily, Hebrews 3:10.The preaching of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, Romans 1:16. In commenting on the concept of “election” or being among the “chosen,” Marshall Keeble is reported as saying, “The Lord votes FOR you; the Devil votes AGAINST you; YOU cast the deciding vote.” Be sure to make your calling and election sure! 2 Peter 1:10.
Direct questions or comments to: Al Horne |
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