Calvinism Exposed

by Jay McMullan
© 2004

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Calvinist Point #2

Unconditional Election.

     Calvinists believe that only certain men are called by God to be saved and that they were called by God for this salvation before the beginning of the earth. Many use the term “predestination” to explain election. The Calvinist does not believe that man has any “free will” in becoming a born-again Christian. Believing such a doctrine would negate the need for the preaching of the gospel for if God already knows who will be saved and a man has no decision in the matter, why would the gospel of Christ be necessary?

     It was God’s design and plan that all of mankind would believe on Christ and benefit from the atonement but it is clear that not all will believe and be saved. The very nature of God makes it clear that He did not make one group of people to be saved and another group to be raised only to suffer eternal damnation. Even in the time of the law, as God had chosen the seed of Abraham, the Hebrews, there were provisions for non-Hebrews to be able to be justified. Let us examine some scriptures that the Calvinists use to try and prove their point that some men are ordained to be saved and some are ordained to suffer eternal damnation:

Romans 11:28
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
This is just simply referring to those who have followed God’s plan for salvation; believing in Christ and receiving eternal salvation.
Acts 13:48
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
The Greek word for “ordained” here is tasso which means that God has simply appointed and determined that EVERY man should receive eternal life.
Romans 9:15-16
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. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Moses was referring to God being sovereign over His mercy. God has laid down His terms for mercy and will deal with man accordingly. If a man follows God’s terms for salvation, God will have mercy upon him, if man does not follow God’s terms for salvation, God will not have mercy upon him.
Romans 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.
God knew all of us before we were born and it is clear in the Word of God that God wants us all to be saved. The only thing predestined is God’s plan for salvation and that He wants all to accept His free offer.

     The Bible tells us that we must rightly divide the Word of Truth. To do so we must look at the Bible as a whole. Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” By picking and choosing just a few scriptures, without understanding the nature of God and without looking at the Bible as a whole will cause you to err in doctrine almost all of the time. Let’s examine some scripture that show us that salvation is not just for a select few.

Hebrews 2:9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
1 Tim. 2:6
Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
John 1:29
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
Isaiah 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.
John 16:8-9
And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: [9] Of sin, because they believe not on me;
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
1 Tim. 2:4
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

     Now, let us examine some scriptures showing the validity of man’s “free-will”:

John 5:40
And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Rev. 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Rev. 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

     “It is the plan of God that is elected, chosen, foreknown, and predestined—not the individual or national choice of man to conform to that plan. The plan is the same for all alike; and everyone without exception is invited, chosen, elected, foreknown, and predestined to salvation, on the sole basis of the individual's choice and total conformity to the gospel to the end of life” F.J. Dake

Calvinist Point #3

Limited Atonement.

     The “Atonement” refers to Christ’s work on the cross which cancels our debt of sin and brings all of the benefits of salvation to those, as we have proven earlier in this study, who have believed on Christ and received eternal salvation. Calvinists believe that the atonement is limited in it’s scope because there were only certain people that Christ died for. Yes, the true Calvinist believes that there are those that God chooses to create just so they may suffer eternal damnation. Is this really the nature of God? Certainly not! From the scriptures we have studied heretofore, it is VERY clear that Jesus Christ died for ALL of mankind, not just a chosen few. Romans 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?” If you sincerely believe Calvin’s theology, then you must consent to the fact that there is absolutely no need for preaching because God has already chosen whom He will save and there is nothing man can do, not even believe, for that salvation to be achieved. But, if you believe the scriptures, you will see that it is necessary for someone to preach, or proclaim, the Word of God, so that the un-saved can hear the Word of God, so that they may believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, so that they may call upon Him and receive Him.

     From PRCA.org's website, they state, "But a man who is totally depraved can not will to be saved. He hates God and wants nothing to do with Christ's death. So it must not be said that Christ died for all men."  This is nothing short of heresy. Jesus died for ALL who will believe in Him and God put a vacuum inside of every person that is born on this earth that can only be filled with Christ. That is why we urgently preach the gospel to every corner of the earth so we may introduce Christ to people. Then those people can cry out to the Lord for forgiveness of their sin and be saved. They do that through their "free will" God has given to each and every one of them

     Even though not everyone accepts Christ, God sent Jesus to die FOR EVERYONE and the Bible tells us that God is no respecter of persons. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Acts 10:34. Just this one scripture alone should be enough to refute the Calvinist's point of Limited Atonement!

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