Calvinism John Calvin

Introduction  John Calvin1508 –  One of the leading reformation thinkers.  Re-taught Augustinian ideas. Augustine was Bishop of Hippo (north Africa) and lived 354 – 430 AD.  Calvin has been very influential on Baptist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Anglican and many other groups.  Sometimes called “reformed theology.”

“T.U.L.I.P.”  Total depravity  Unconditional election  Limited atonement  Irresistible grace  Perseverance of the saints

1. Total Depravity Doctrine  No good in fallen man  All actions before conversion are sinful and selfish  Salvation is completely from God – man has no part in the conversion process  Only when God’s Spirit “quickens” a man and enables him can he be saved

Total Depravity Supporting passages  Eph 2.1  Rom 3.12 Biblical emphasis  Sinfulness and lostness of man  This lacking in religious world today

Total Depravity Weaknesses  Man is sinful, but to say there is no good in an unsaved person is going too far.  Rom 5.7  Cornelius (Acts 10.2,35).  Drowning man must grab the lifebelt!  Seems to miss the reality that man has free will.

2. Unconditional Election Doctrine  Decision about who saved is 100% God’s  We cannot change God’s mind Supporting passages  Eph 2.8-9Grace saves, faith is a gift  Acts 13.48Appointed for eternal life  Rev 20.15Book of life  Rom 8.29Predestination

Unconditional Election Biblical emphasis  Emphasis on God’s sovereignty  All races, classes etc. Can be saved – salvation unconditional in this sense

Unconditional Election Weaknesses:  Eph 2.8-9Faith not the gift, salvation is.  Acts 13.46, 48Man is justly responsible for accepting or rejecting the gospel.  Rev 20.15See passages in Rev 3.5, Psalm shows that the names can be erased.  Rom 8.29Christians are predestined to become like Christ, not the same as being predestined to salvation.  Free will:Under-appreciated

Weaknesses – continued. Issue of predestination is complex and yet a biblical doctrine. Illustrations may help: I. A train destination. You board a London train, and the destination is clearly marked “Heathrow airport”. This destination has been decided in advance. Heathrow airport is its “predestination”. As long as you stay on the train, you are fine. If however you choose to leave the train, you forfeit your “predestination.” The train still goes to the airport, but you will miss it – unless of course you manage to get back on the train. Ii. An aerial view. From the top of a tall building, you are able to view two intersecting streets. Down the first street a speeding sports car approaches the deadly intersection, while down the other street zooms a motorcycle. From your vantage point, you can “see” the accident before it happens. But are you responsible for the collision? Foreknowledge does not imply predestination.

Unconditional Election Weaknesses - continued.  God does call us (2 Thess 2.14), but this is through the gospel. There is an inseparable link between the gospel and the “sanctifying work of the spirit” – 2 Thess 2.13, 1 Peter 1.2. No one is saved in a vacuum (see also Rom ).  Unconditional election is unfair! If, despite all your sincere attempts to be saved God has already decided that you are to be damned, this seems to goe against all the Bible teaches regarding God’s just and compassionate nature.

3. Limited Atonement Doctrine  The cross is only for the saved  Christ bore the sins of the elect, not all mankind Supporting passages  Matt 26.28Forgiveness for “many”  Eph 5.25Christ gave self for the church  Acts 20.28God bought the church with his blood

Limited Atonement Biblical emphasis  Enhances the success and victory of the crucifixion  Affirms that God does nothing in vain  Shows that salvation is bought at a price

Limited Atonement Weaknesses:  Rom 5.18All men are potentially saved - through the cross.  1 Tim 2.4God wants all men to be saved.  Matt 26.28“Many” does not imply a set number.  Eph 5.25Does not imply that Jesus’ blood could only save a few. 1 Tim 4.10 – anyone willing to believe and repent can be saved.

4. Irresistible Grace Doctrine  Spirit of God draws men to Christ and it is impossible to resist this Supporting passages  John 6.44God draws men to Christ  Acts 16.14Lydia Biblical emphasis  The Spirit’s power

Irresistible Grace Weaknesses:  John 6.44God draws men, but this passage does not state the basis of that calling. God draws people who will accept him on his terms (John , 8.31 etc.).  LydiaGod opened her heart through the message (Acts 16.13, c.f. also Rom 10.17)  GraceCan be resisted (Acts 7.51, Gal 5.4, Heb , 12.15)  Free will exists.

5. Perseverance of the Saints Doctrine.  Once saved we cannot become “unsaved”. Someone leaving God shows they were not really saved in the first place. Supporting passages.  John 10.29No one can steal the sheep.  Rom Nothing can separate us from Christ’s. Love. Biblical emphasis.  Security of salvation.

Perseverance of the Saints Weaknesses  Jn 10.29We can still choose to walk away  Rom 8.38Still need to do our part (Jude 21)  James 5.19Can wander from the truth  John 15.6Obedience essential  2 Pet 2.20Can leave God  Matt 28.19Evangelism is irrelevant if this is true

Calvinism’s Correct Concepts  Sinfulness of man  Sovereignty of God  Success of the crucifixion  Spirit’s power  Security of grace

Calvinism’s Clear Contradictions  Maintains too negative a view of man  Denies effective free will  Provides little incentive for evangelism  Creates an unjust God  Runs contrary to experience  Breeds lukewarm commitment  Can be refuted by many verses

Conclusion to Calvinism  Calvin had a tremendous impact on the religious world of his day and his influence continues down the ages.  His stand for what he saw as the truth was courageous.  Many doctrines of Calvin are contradicted by many scriptures.  Make up your own mind by studying for yourself!

Calvinism John Calvin