AN ARMINIAN EXPLAINS CALVINIST TERMINOLOGY

By Russell E Kelly, PHD

February 15, 2024

 

1.       TOTAL DEPRAVITY:

 

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

Westminster Confession: “Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation, so as a natural man, being altogether averse from good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.”

 

This is the Calvinists’ foundational doctrine. They emphasize it as if nobody else agrees with them. The sinner is dead, blind and deaf to the things of God. His will is in bondage to his evil nature. He cannot choose good over evil and does not seek God. Charts Christian Theology and Doctrine, H. Wayne House, Zondervan, 1992, page 99. House is a Calvinist.

 

There is much agreement among Baptists, Evangelicals, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Reformed concerning total deravity.  It is not disputed in this document.

 

 

 

2.  UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION:

 

Almost the entire disagreement between Calvinists and Arminians revolves around the definitions of “foreknowledge” and “the elect.” Calvinists believe that God has “foreknowledge” because of His sovereignty and because He has caused sinners to believe apart from personal faith. Arminians believe that God has “foreknowledge” because He knows “the end from the beginning” (Isa 46:10) and elects those whom He knows will freely choose to believe.

 

Calvinists teach that “the elect” are “individuals” whom God has specifically predestined to be saved before creation. Arminians teach that God gave up some of His sovereignty when He gave both the angels and mankind (Adam and Eve) free will. Arminians believe that “the elect” are the “category” of persons who God foreknows will freely choose to believe in Christ. Every major difference is related to these two biblical words.

 

Acts 13:48; John 1:13; Romans 8:28-30; 9:25-26; Eph 1:4, 5; 1 Peter 1:2; James 1:18

 

THE CALVINIST DOCTRINE OF UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION:

 

God’s choice of certain individuals to salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response or obedience on their part such as repentance, etc. On the contrary, God sends grace and gives faith and repentance to each individual He selects. These acts are the result, not the cause, of God’s choice. Those whom God sovereignly elects, He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus, God’s choice of the sinner, not the sinner’s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation. House, ibid, page 99.

 

ONE ARMNIAN’S REPLY:

 

A.  Acts 13:48 as many as were ordained (appointed) to eternal life believed

 

The Gentiles were “ordained” because God foresaw that they would believe (Rom 8:29). God told them earlier “for unto you is peached the forgiveness of sins” and “by him all that believe are justified” (13:38-39). Such would be unnecessary if God had already regenerated them as Calvinists teach. Preaching would be unnecessary.

 

B. John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

In context, God sent John, a preacher-prophet, to point out His light of Jesus (v6) to stir up faith (v7). Jesus’ light was in every man (v9). Those who continuously believed on Jesus received authority from God to become sons of God (v12). God chose them to have authority because He foresaw that they would continuously believe on Christ (v13).

 

C.  Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

 

Verse 28 describes the “called” as those who “continuously love” God (see the participle). This is extremely important. Veres 29 tells us that God predestinated those He “foreknew.” Arminians use verse 29 to teach that foreknowledge is future knowledge of man’s freewill faith.

 

D.  Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

 

It is the “will of God” to “choose” these whom He foreknows will “continuously believe” (John 6:40). None of the texts prove the Calvinist definition of the elect being “individuals” rather than the “category” of those who chose to love God and believe in Christ. The Calvinist teaching that regeneration does not involve man does not fit here; God predestined believers to be holy.

 

E.  Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

…

Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

 

While these texts appear imposing, John 6:40 explains how they work, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

 

F.  1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

 

Again, the Calvinist view that foreknowledge did not involve man is refuted. God’s foreknowledge included sanctification of the Spirit.

 

G.  James 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

This contradicts Calvinist doctrine because it involves the “word” in regeneration. Their initial doctrine only involved the sovereignty of God.

 

H.  Conclusion: The strongest point of Calvinism is their own non-biblical definition of the identity of the elect and the definition of foreknowledge. These are also its weakest points. The “elect” are not individuals, but are the “category” of those God foresees will chose to continuously love Him (Romans 8:28-29).

 

 

 

3.  LIMITED ATONEMENT:

 

Mt 1:21; 20:28; 26:28; Jn 10:11, 15; Acts 13:48; 20:28; Rom 8:32-34; Eph 5:25-27; Heb 2:17; 9:15, 28; Rev 5:9

 

CALVINISM:

 

Christ’s redeeming work was intended to save only specific elect individuals and actually secured salvation for them. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ’s redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore, guaranteeing their salvation. House, ibid, page 100.

 

Examples of how Calvinists interpret the Bible:

 

A.  Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

 

In context, “save his people” only refers to Israelites. In Calvinist context, it means “only the elect from all nations.” In Arminian context, it means “whosoever chooses” to freely have faith (believe) in Christ.

 

B.  Matt 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

…

Matt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

In Calvinist context, “many” means only elect individuals. In Arminian context, “many” means “whosoever freely chooses to have faith (believe).”

 

C.  John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

 

Calvinists limit “sheep” to elect individuals who are not aware when God causes them to be “born again,” or regenerated.

 

D. Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Calvinists interpret “flock,” “church” and “purchased” as references only to elect “individuals.” Arminians interpret them as the “category” of believers who compose the elect.

E. Rom 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

Calvinists interpret “us” as only a reference to elect individuals.

…..

 

ONE ARMINIAN REPLY:

 

Again, the strong point of this doctrine is the Calvinists’ own definition and interpretation of what they think it means. It is also the weak point of the doctrine with no texts which clearly and literally teach their limited atonement.

 

While reading these texts, remember that Calvinists teach that God’s first act was to cause (force, compel) the elected sinner to become regenerated, or born again, apart from faith or free will. Outside of Calvinism, almost every major denomination teaches that Christ died for all sins of all men for all time (Heb 9:26) AND that God would like to redeem all mankind, but does not force free will. Even though the price has already been paid, each individual must accept God’s offer through faith in order to be saved (Eph 2:8). Adding “and has already been regenerated as an elect individual” to the above texts is absolutely ludicrous and illogical. It mocks God’s literal interpretation.

 

Calvinists erroneously teach that Jesus did not die on the crosse to provide a means of redemption for all mankind. They teach that Jesus only died for the preselected predestined specifically chosen individuals whom they erroneously define as the “elect.” This is very wrong and makes God a respecter of persons.  “Limited atonement” changes God’s inspired “whosoever will” to “whosoever cannot.”

 

Arminians admit that God’s sovereign special election allows for the preselection of national Israel (which, they teach,  God later replaced with the church) (Ex 19:5-6) and persons like Abraham (Gen 12:1-4), Samuel (1 Sam 1:20), Jesus (Isa 42:1) and Paul (Gal 1:15). However, because God is not a respecter of persons (Rom 2:10-11), the vast majority of believers all have an equal opportunity of being saved (John 1:9; Rom 2:14-16).

 

The following texts teach that Christ died for all and wants all to be saved. Calvinists ignore these and portray God as a jokester only pretending to offer salvation to all. For them, “God so loved the world” is not sincere and is not true. The commands are meaningless if God only compels certain individuals to be the elect.

 

Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them …

 

Mk 16:15 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

Lk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

John 3:16 whosoever believeth should have everlasting life

 

Acts 17:30 …  now commandeth all men everywhere to repent

 

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

 

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

 

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

1 Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved …

 

Titus 2:11 grace that brings salvation has appeared to all men

 

Heb 2:9 Jesus … by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

 

Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world (cosmos) but now once in the end of the world (ages) hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

 

1 Pet 3:18 Christ once suffered, the just for the unjust

 

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord … is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.   

 

] Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

 

 

 

4. IRRESTIBLE GRACE:

 

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

 

“In addition to the outward general call to salvation, which is made to everyone who hears the Gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call (which is made to all without distinction), can be, and often is, rejected whereas the internal call (which is made only to the elect) cannot be rejected; it always results in conversion. By means of the special call, the Spirit irresistibly draws sinners to Christ. He is not limited in His work of applying salvation to man’s will, nor is he dependent upon man’s cooperation for success. The Spirit graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come freely and willingly to Christ. God’s grace, therefore, is invincible. It never fails to result in the salvation of those to whom it is extended.” House, ibid, page 100.

 

Calvinists teach that, after the unregenerate have been supernaturally regenerated without their knowledge or participation, God gives them irresistible faith and “causes” them to accept Jesus, repent, become justified and have initial sanctification. Since God changes their will from natural to spiritual, the elect must obey God.

 

ONE ARMINIAN REPLIES:

 

While Calvinists place “unconditional election” first because it does not involve faith, it means the same thing as “irresistible grace.”

 

The vast majority of Christian denominations totally reject this as heresy. (1) The Bible says that grace is always resistible. Again, the strong (and weak) point is Calvinism’s own definition of “the elect.” (2) John 6:44 does not exclude free will rejection of God’s call. (3) Their so-called “outward general call” is a farce; their depiction of God is insincere and a respecter of persons in offering salvation to those He does not intend to save. (4) If the “special call” is “irresistible,” then it is not a “call” at all, but a “compulsion.” (5) If the Spirit causes the will to be changed after God forces the unregenerate to be born again, then God is merely reprogramming His robots. (6) Although the Bible is over-running with the necessity of “faith” (believing), faith does not really exist in Calvinism because God begins by forcing a new birth which cannot fail.

 

Arminians totally reject this doctrine. Calvinists do not provide any clear literal texts which prove that the elect cannot resist God’s grace. It makes no sense to teach that, following regeneration and the new birth, God requires anything from man, who is nothing more than a programmed robot mindlessly obeying His Creator. Even John 6:44 says nothing about irresistible grace. In the third verse following (John 6:47), the requirement for having everlasting life is continuously believing in Christ (see the participle). This contradicts the man-not-involved formula for regeneration.

 

In John 8:31 Jesus told the Jews who already had a perfect faith (see the participle) to “continue” in order “to be His disciples indeed.” The Bible is full of these examples ignored by Calvinists.

 

See the section on ”Free Will.” There are at least 48 texts which could be interpreted as examples of falling from grace. If even one of them is correct, the doctrines of irresistible grace and eternal security fall.

 

 

 

5.  PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS:

 

“All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by the Spirit are eternally saved. They are kept in faith by the power of Almighty God and thus persevere to the end.” House, ibid, page 100.

 

Calvinists teach that, those whom God has specifically and individually chosen before the foundation of the world have been elected solely by His sovereign will to salvation apart from their own knowledge or involvement. These can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved. Some have added that this does not mean that a person who is truly saved will never lose faith or backslide at any time. 

 

CALVINIST TEXTS FOR PERSEVERANCE:

 

John 10:28-29 “Neither shall any pluck them out of my hand.”

 

Plucking is from the outside. The texts do not prevent free-will removal of self from God’s hand because of disbelief (Mt 10:33; 24:13).

 

John 17:11,24 Father, keep them that they may be one.”

 

If the elect were already “kept” and could not fall, this prayer would be unnecessary.

 

John 17:24 “I will that … they be with me.”

 

Because God has created man with free choice, His “will” is not “His “command.” God is also not willing that any perish (2 Pet 3:9).

 

Rom 8:38-39 “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

 

This is true because the “us” in Romans 8 refers to Paul’s friends who are continuous believers in Christ.

 

Eph 1:13, 4:30  sealed with the Spirit

 

True believers were “being sealed” only after they “heard the word of truth,” “trusted in Christ” and “had continuously believed” [participle]. Those who do not continue believing in Christ are not being sealed.

 

Phil 1:6 “He which hath begun, will perform.”

 

God begins “performing” His will and calls those He foreknows will continuously love Him and believe in Him (John 6:40; Rom 8:28-29).

 

1 Thess. 3:3 “No man should be moved by these afflictions; appointed.”

 

“Should” is conditional subjunctive which means some could be moved.

 

Heb. 7:25 “He is able to save them that come to God.”

 

“Come” is a participle and means “continuously come.”

 

Heb. 10:14 “Perfected forever those who are sanctified.”

 

The Greek is “are being sanctified.” As long as believers are continuously believing, they continuously stand perfected before God by faith.

 

Heb. 13:20-21 “May the God of peace make you perfect to do His good will.”

 

If God has done this already, the prayer is meaningless.

 

1 Pet 1:5 “Who are kept by the power of God through faith.”

 

As long as man’s faith is continuous, God keeps the believer (Jn 1:12; 3:16; Rom 1:16).

 

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

 

“Might” is a conditional subjunctive.

 

1 Peter 1:9 “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

 

Compare Matthew 24:13 and 10:33.

 

1 Peter 1:15 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.”

 

This challenge makes no sense if man cannot fall from grace; God would keep him holy.

 

1 Peter 1:17 “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.”

 

True believers do continuously call on the Father. If God only calls a special elect, He would be a respecter of persons.

 

1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.”

 

God should not have to command His very elect to “love one another” unless they could fall from grace.

 

2 Pet. 1:10 “Make your calling and election sure; never fall.”

 

Fall from what?

 

1 John 2:19 “If they had been of us, they would have continued.”

 

Only continuous believers have righteousness by faith (Rom 3:22).

 

1 John 3:9 “Born of God does not sin, cannot sin.”

 

Literal or habitual? Even Calvinists unexplainably sin after being born again with a new nature.

 

ONE ARMINIAN VIEW:

 

See the section on “Falling From Grace.” There are at least 48 texts which could be interpreted as examples of falling from grace. If even one of them is correct, the doctrines of irresistible grace and eternal security fall.

 

 

 

6.  FAITH:

 

The “new birth” and “righteousness by faith” are essentially terms for the same change in a sinner’s nature from one opposing God to one sharing God’s holiness by faith.

 

Continuous faith, or believing (the Greek participle) causes the sinner to become equally as righteous (good) or justified (innocent of sin) as God. That is the deep meaning of texts like Romans 3:22, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.”

 

God Himself was on trial for forgiving Old Testament sins which had not been paid for by the historical death of Christ. Christ’s death both allowed God to declare His own righteousness, but also to legally justify the sinner --- to declare him innocent of all his sins. “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom 3:25, 26).

 

“Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith. … Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith” (Rom 3:28, 30).”

 

Because the Calvinist begins by God regenerating the elect apart from faith, these texts have little or no impact in the theological discussion. He ignores the huge roll of faith in salvation and teaches that God saved selected sinners apart from faith through compelled regeneration. Such explanation mocks the entire plan of salvation and, especially the Gospel message.

 

Abraham’s faith, not God’s so-called predestined new birth, was “counted unto him for righteousness” (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:3; Gal 3:6). Removing Abraham’s free will from this formula makes God insincere. God chose to make Abraham “the father of all them that believe” and “the heir of the world” --- not Himself (Rom 4:11). Five chapters before Romans 9:15-16, God made it clear that His grace is appropriated by man’s faith, “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed” (Rom 4:16). If God is true (and He is), peace with God is the result of our legal innocence before Him by faith in Jeus Christ (Rom 5:1).

 

Because believers have been justified by Christ’s blood, “we will also be saved

from the wrath of God” (Rom 5:9 1:16-18). This is the same reason Calvinists teach that God regenerated sinful man, but without the faith component.

 

Romans 9:30 teaches that the Gentiles “have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.” They did not attain it because of God’s pre-creation regeneration apart from faith; they attained it by faith.

 

Romans 10:1 reads “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” If Paul had believed the Calvinist interpretation, his prayer would be that Israelite individuals would be among God’s special election. His prayer would have been that they had been salved already.

 

Romans 10:9-10 disagrees with the Calvinist interpretation. The formula for being saved there is “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” The formula is not, “God will regenerate you without your knowledge. Romans 10:13 requires calling “upon the name of the Lord” in order to be saved.” Romans 10:14-17 requires hearing the preaching of the Gospel in order to be saved. Romans 10:16 teaches that justification is by faith.

 

Galatians continues the true doctrine of salvation involving man’s free-will faith (believing). In 3:2, 14 and 22, the Spirit is received through “the hearing of faith” and not because God first regenerated the sinner without his knowledge. Galatians 3:26 sums it up, “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. There is no mention of a pre-creation new birth requirement.

 

Ephesians 2:8 is used by both sides of the salvation controversy, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; it is the gift of God.” It is difficult for an Arminian to understand how a Calvinist can use a text which includes faith to justify God’s initial regeneration of the sinner apart from faith. If such is the result of God’s sovereign will, John 6:40 makes it clear that God’s will allows for foreknowledge of who will continuously believe.

 

Ephesians 3:17 clearly teaches that “Christ dwells in your hearts by faith”; He does not dwell in our hearts because God forced the new birth upon us apart from faith. First Peter 1:5 says we “are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.”

 

Heb 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  Calvinists teach that  God has already decided that He will regenerate man without his knowledge and He forces man to please Him.

 

CONCLUSION: Calvinists err by overemphasizing their own definition of the elect (13x) and election (6X) while under-stressing the importance of faith (245x) and believing (270x). In reality, if their view of election is true, there is no need for compelled faith. They do not include main’s faith (belief) in the initial plan of salvation when God causes (compels) the totally depraved un-regenerate sinner to seek after Him and become regenerate, or born again. Ephesians 2:8 belongs to an event following regeneration. They teach that fallen man cannot respond to God’s call until after becoming born again. Faith itself is a gift of God compelled (they say) upon the newly elect after they have become born again.

 

Arminians teach that all of the initial salvation process is simultaneous: (1) the Holy Spirit supernaturally pricks the heart of the totally depraved sinner (Jn 14:26; 16:8, 9, 13, 14), (2) the Holy Spirit convicts the awakened-heart to seek God, (3) the Holy Spirit offers God’s gift of faith (believing) (Eph 2:8), (4) the convicted sinner hears the call of God and chooses to love God (Rom 8:28), (5) the convicted sinner returns God’s gift of faith (Rom 3:22) and (6) God wills that the convicted sinner be born again (Jn 6:40). Like human birth, all of this is one event. Although, it is still God’s sovereign decision whether or not to accept man’s counteroffer of faith, God is faithful to His promises to save the believing ones.

 

 

 

7.  FALLING FROM GRACE:

 

Matt 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

 

Matthew 5:29-30 must be addressed to the righteous because the wicked were destined to hell already.

 

2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Pet 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

 

In order for verse 21 to be true, verse 20 must refer to the truly righteous.

 

There are at least 48 texts which could be interpreted as examples of falling from grace. Most are very powerful and easy to understand. If even one of them is correct, the doctrines of irresistible grace, perseverance of the saints and eternal security fall.

 

Ex 32:32, 33; Eze 3:20; 18:24 Mt 5:13, 27-29; 6:15; 10:33; Lk 8:13; 9:62; 13:8; Jn 15:2-6; 1 Cor 3:17; 8:10-12; 9:27; 1 Cor 10:1-12; Gal 3:1-4; 5:1, 4, 19, 21, 24; 1 Tim 1:18-19; 4:1-2; 2 Tim 2:12; 4:10; Heb 3:12, 18,19; 4:1, 6, 11; 6:4-6; 10:26; 10:38-39; 12:8, 13-15, 17; James 5:12; 1 Pet 5:8-9; 2 Pet 2:1, 20-22; 3:17; 2 John 8-9; Jude 5-6; Rev 2:4-5; 3:2, 4, 5, 16-17).

 

 

 

8.  FREE WILL/RESISTIBLE GRACE:

 

Calvinists teach that, because of the sovereignty of God, man has no real free will.  After God regenerates fallen man, his will is only “free” to obey God. Why the regenerated elect still with a new spiritual nature disobey God and sin is beyond this discussion.

 

Many non-Calvinists agree that fallen man is so depraved that he has no free will and does not seek God.

 

GOD CREATED ANGELS AND ADAM AND EVE WITH FREE WILL..

 

Eze 28:15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

 

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

 

Jude 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate , but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

 

Unfallen angels walked fully in the knowledge and glory of God as sinless beings (Eze 28:15). Since they could choose to rebel, they evidently had free will. They sinned, fell from grace and cannot be redeemed (Isa 14:12). This is a very good example of beings who wholly loved God falling from His grace; it contradicts Calvinist doctrine.

 

GOD’S GRACE CAN BE RESISTED BY THE ELECT:

 

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

 

Calvinist doctrine is wrong because the Bible is full of examples of God’s especial election with new natures seriously resisting His grace.

 

Abraham was a special-elected man of God. He resisted God and lied to Pharoah about his wife (Genesis 12).

 

Balaam was a true prophet of the LORD (Yahweh). He began by obeying Yahweh and became a false prophet (Numbers 22 all).

 

King David was an anointed special-election prophet-king of Yahweh. He resisted God’s will and murdered Uriah the Hittite to marry his wife, Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11).

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT STIRS THE UNREGENETATE TO BE SAVED:

 

Matt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

“All ye that labor and are heavy laden” is a description of all humanity, not just a few individuals. Jesus did not lie. Also, this makes no sense if the elect have already been regenerated.

 

In John 3:16 and scores of other texts, God’s commands make no sense if they are not directed to those having free will. “Believe,” “choose,” “abide,” “remain,” “seek,” “stand fast,” “endure” and “continue” do not fit Calvinist theology where God removes free will.

 

If the “natural” man has been completely replaced with the born-again regenerated “spiritual” man, the Calvinist “elect” should be sinless.

 

 

 

9.  GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION:

 

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

 

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Rom 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

 

The Calvinists’ teaching that God’s universal call of the gospel is insincere because God never intended to save those and because He does not equally “cause” them to be regenerated. God is a respecter of persons.

 

They also teach that a different kind of special calling is only to specific elect individuals --- God “savingly” loves only the elect. This Calvinist doctrine is wholly dependent upon their unbiblical definition of “the elect” as those God saves apart from their knowledge.

 

ONE ARMINIAN VIEW:

 

With their interpretation of the universal call, Calvinists make God into an insincere jokester commanding saving faith that is not actually available. The many texts which state that God wants to save everybody are ignored and make no sense whatsoever (2 Pet 3:9). Again, according to Romans 8:28, the “elect” is the “category” of those who freely choose to continuously love God (see the participle).

 

 

 

10.  HOLY SPIRIT:

 

John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

John 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

 

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth …

 

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

 

Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound . But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

 

First, God supernaturally and sovereignly initiates salvation by making enough grace through faith available for man to be saved (Rom 5:20; Eph 2:8). Second, the Holy Spirit supernaturally stirs the heart and conscience of the unregenerate (John 16:8). Third, the unregenerate sinner asks “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Fourth, he accepts God’s offer of salvation by faith (believing). Fifth, God chooses to accept man’s faith response and, sixth, the sinner is instantly born again with a new nature (John 1:12; 3:16; Rom 1:16). This is far superior to the Calvinist teaching that man is regenerated apart from any faith response.

 

 

 

11.  NEW BIRTH/REGENETATION

 

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

 

1 John 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

“Regeneration” is the preferred Calvinist word for the “new birth,” or “being born again.”

 

Calvinists teach that God supernaturally initiates salvation by regenerating (making born again, replacing natural with spiritual) unregenerate sinners. He does this without the knowledge or participation of the sinner. “Whosoever” can only believe because he has already been born again. God’s sovereign pre-selection to regeneration is the only acceptable explanation. Therefore, man’s faith (belief) is not involved in the new birth.

 

Arminians teach that (1) Jesus’ disciples preach the Word (Acts 2:1-36). (2) The Holy Spirit supernaturally pricks the hearts of the un-regenerate (2:37). (3) Convicted un-regenerate sinners ask “What shall le do?” (2:37). (4) God’s answer to the convicted un-regenerate is, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for [because of] the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (5) ” God regenerates the repentant believer and the Holy Spirit now resides within the believer. (6) The promise is also extended to all others who similarly believe. These actions are almost simultaneous. 

 

Arminians disagree because scores of texts teach that “continuous believing” (faith) must be somehow included in being “born again.” They reverse the order: because God foreknows the sinner will continuously believe, He sovereignly causes him/her to be “born again.” Although faith does not compel God to save, faith accepts God’s offer and is the conduit, or vehicle of the action. The is the sequence of God’s will (John 6:40) and allows for free will “faith” (believing) (Eph 2:8).

 

 

 

12.  PREACHING:

 

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

 

Calvinists make a mockery of the clear literal teaching of God’s Word. These texts clearly teach that sinners must hear the gospel from preaching in order to call upon God in order to be saved.  Since (they teach) these events follow God compelling the sinner to be regenerated, these texts become meaningless. Therefore, God’s call to salvation using preachers is to those who have already been saved. Thus, Romans 10:14-15 make no sense.

 

 

 

 

13.  PREVENIENT GRACE:

 

Calvinists criticize the Arminian usage of the term “prevenient grace” because it is not found in God’s Word. It literally means grace that “pre-cedes,” or “comes before” regeneration and is a theological term for the supernatural pre-salvation prodding of the un-regenerate’s heart by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8-9). Yet, while “prevenient” is not a biblical term, neither is “irresistible,” “compelling” or “casual” grace.

 

Although Calvinists want others to think that their own view is the only logical one, both views explain how God initially and supernaturally reaches the totally depraved unregenerate who do not seek God. Free Will Baptist theologian Robert Picirilli points out in his book, Grace, Faith and Free Will that all aspects of initial salvation are simultaneous. If this is not also true in Calvinism, the lack of faith in the initial salvation process presents a serious problem.

 

 

 

14..  RESPECTER OF PERSONS:

 

Rom 2:10 But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Rom 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

Rom 2:13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

 

Eph 3:3-6 mystery, Gentiles fellow heirs

 

Calvinists teach that God has pre-selected and pre-determined which specific individuals will be saved before the creation of the world.

 

Arminians teach that the Calvinist teachings makes God a respecter of persons; some are saved and others spend eternity in hell without an opportunity to be saved. The Calvinist view mocks man with God’s  insincere promises. Romans 1:16 “… the gospel of Christ: for is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that (continuously) believeth.” Matt 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” A loving God would not promise salvation to all mankind if they have no choice. It would be a waste of time and words.

 

 

 

15.  SALVATION:

 

A.  If salvation is unconditional through the sovereign decree of God, it cannot include man’s faith.

B.  It the atonement is limited and applied only to individuals by the Holy Spirit, it can only be a work of grace and not faith.

C.  If the only way for depraved man to be saved is through an act of God wherein He regenerates fallen man without his knowledge, there is no need for faith.

D.  If election is not by faith, neither is salvation.

E.  If regeneration is not by faith, neither is salvation.

Grace, Faith, Free Will, Robert Picirilli, page 171.

 

In a theological sense, election, regeneration, being born again, imputed righteousness, justification, redemption and initial sanctification are synonymous and simultaneous. The Holy Spirit enters and indwells the believer at the instant one is born again, or regenerated. At the same instant, the Holy Spirit imputes righteousness/justification to the believer and he/she is as holy and innocent of sin as God --- by faith. At the same instant, the believer has been redeemed by Christ and is in a state of sanctification.

16.  SOVEREIGNTY:

 

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

John 15:16 ye have not chosen me; I have chosen you and ordained; fruit

 

Rom 9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

 

By creating man with free will, God has relinquished part of His sovereignty … at least temporarily.

 

 

17.   WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH:

 

Calvinists teach that, because of total depravity, “Whosoever cannot believe” unless miraculously called by God to be one of the elect. Therefore, “the one believing” is only believing because God has “caused” grace and faith to be received.

 

ONE ARMINIAN REPLY:

 

It is wrong to imply that God is insincere and to assume that His inspired Word is not to be literally understood. The literal reading means that God really did love the world and sent Jesus to provide redemption. Peter 3:9 shouts over and over that “God is … not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” A loving personal God does not “want” any to perish and suffer in hell! Also, John 3:16 contains conditional subjunctive elements --- “should” instead of “would” --- which means that some believers might not continue to believe.

 

 

 

 

18.  DANIEL 2:34, 44

 

Dan 2:34 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.

 

Dan 2:35 … and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

…

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

 

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city …

 

Calvinists erroneously interpret the stone in Daniel 2 to represent the beginning of the Church in the early first century.

 

The Correct Interpretation: (1) Daniel is about Isael, not the Church (9:24). (2) The stone hit the image on its feet 2:34). (3) The stone grew and filled the whole earth (2:35). (4) This will begin to occur during the days of the weak confederated 10-king Roman Empire (2:44).

 

The Calvinist Error: (1) The 10-part weaker confederated Roman Empire did not exist in the first century A. D. (2) The Western Roman Empire did not peak until the time of Marcus Aurelius around A. D. 180. (3) The Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople did fall until 1453 A. D. (4) The 10-king revived empire will exist in the last days during the time of Antichrist (Daniel 7:24; Revelation 17:12). (5) The stone does not represent the beginning of the Church; it represents the second coming of Christ and the literal coming Messianic Age on Earth.

 

 

 

 

19.  ISREAL:

 

Jer 31:35 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:

Jer 31:36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

 

Acts 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

 

Rom 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.

 

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

 

Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

 

There are scores of unconditional promises to national Israel in God’s Word. In Jeremiah 31:35-36 God promised that, as long as the moon and stars exist, so will Israel exist as a nation before Him. The fate of Israel was the last great question to Jesus before He ascended (Acts 1:6).

 

Calvinists are seriously wrong on prophecy. They ignore God’s unconditional promises to national Israel, replace them with themselves, and call themselves “spiritual Israel.”