By unconditional election Calvin meant that some are elected to Heaven, while others are elected to Hell, and that this election is unconditional. It is wholly on God's part and without condition. By unconditional election Calvin meant that God has already decided who will be saved and who will be lost, and the individual has absolutely nothing to do with it. He can only hope that God has elected him for Heaven and not for hell.
This teaching so obviously disagress with the oft-repeated invitations in the Bible to sinners to come to Christ and be saved that some readers will think that I have overstated the doctrine. So I will quote John Calvin in his "Insitutes," Book III, chapter 23,
"....Not all men are created with similar destiny but eternal life is foreordained for some, and eternal damnation for others. Every man, therefore, being created for one of the other of these ends, we say, he is predestined either to life or to death."
So Calvinism teaches that it is God's own choice that some people are to be damned forever. He never intended to save them. He foreordained them to go to Hell. And when He offers salvation in the Bible, He does not offer it to those who were foreordained to be damned. It is only offered to those who were foreordained to be saved.
This teaching insists that we need not try to win men to Christ because men cannot be saved unless God has planned for them to be saved. And if God has planned for them to be eternally lost, they will not come to Christ.
There is the Bible doctrine of God's foreknowledge, predestination and election. Most knowledgeable Christians agree that God has His controlling hand on the affairs of men. They agree that according to the Bible, He selects individuals like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David as instruments to do certain things He has planned. Most Christians agree that God may choose a nation-particularly that He did choose Israel, through which He gave the law, the prophets, and eventually through whom the Saviour Himself would come - and that there is a Bible doctrine that God foreknows all things.
I have often said, "Did it ever occur to you that nothing ever occurred to God?". God in His foreknowledge knows who will trust Jesus Christ as Saviour, and He has predestined to see that they are justified and glorified. He will keep all those who trust Him and see that they are glorified. But the doctrine that God elected some men to Hell, that they were born to be damned by God's own choice, is a radical heresy not taught anywhere in the Bible.
I have in my hand a booklet entitled "TULIP" written by Vic Lockman,. In the booklet Mr. Lockman attempts to prove the five points of Calvinism. Under the point, Unconditional Election, he quotes Ephesians 1:4, but he only quotes the first part of the verse: "He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world." However, that is not the end of the verse. Mr. Lockman, like most Calvinists, stops in the middle of the verse. The entire verse reades: "According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." The verse says nothing about being chose for Heaven or Hell. It says we are chosen (in him..ie "Christians") that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
Under the same point, Unconditional Election, Mr. Lockman quotes John 15:16, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you." Again, Mr. Lockman, like most Calvinists, stops in the middle of the verse. The entire verse reads: "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you."
The verse says nothing about being chosen for Heaven or Hell. It says we are chosen to go and bring forth fruit, which simply means that every Christian is chosen to be a soul winner. The fruit of a Christian is other Christians. Proverbs 11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."
Nowhere does the Bible teach that God wills for some to go to Heaven and wills others to go to Hell. No. The bible teaches that God would have all men to be saved. Second Peter 3:9 says that He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." First Timothy 2:4 says, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Those who teach that God would only have some to be save, while He would have others to be lost are misrepresenting God and the Bible.
Does God really predestinate some people to be save and predestinate others to go to Hell, so that they have no free choice? Absolutely not! Nobody is predestined to be saved, execpt as he chooses of his own free will to come to Christ and trust Him for salvation. And no one is predestined to go to Hell, except as he chooses of his own free will to reject Christ and refuses to trust Him as Saviour. John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Nothing could be plainer. The man who goes to Heaven goes because he comes to Jesus Christ and trusts Him as Saviour. And the man who goes to Hell does so because he refuses to come to Jesus Christ and will not trust Him as Saviour.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Keeping it simple - Total Inability
By total inability Calvin meant that a lost sinner cannot come to Jesus Christ and trust Him as Savior, unless he is foreordained to come to Christ. By total inability he meant that no man has the ability to come to Christ. And unless God overpowers him and gives him that ability, he will never come to Christ.
Total depravity simply means that there is nothing good in man to earn or deserve salvation. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17.9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."
While the Bible teaches the depravity of the human race, it nowhere teaches total inability. The Bible never hints that people are lost because they have no ability to come to Christ. The language of Jesus was, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40).
Notice, it is not a matter of whether or not you can come to Christ; it is a matter of whether or not you will come to Christ.
Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept and said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37). Here again notice, He did not say, "How often would I have gathered you together, but you could not." No. He said, "Ye would not!" It was not a matter of whether they could; it was a matter of whether they would.
Revelation 22:17, the last invitation in the Bible, says, "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."
If it is true that no person has the ability to come to Christ, then why would Jesus say in John 5:40, "Ye will not come to me." why didn't He simply say, "You cannot come to me."?
The only thing that stands between the sinner and salvation is the sinner's will. God made every man a free moral agent. And God never burglarizes the human will.
Some Calvinists use John 6:44 in an effort to prove total inability. Here the bible says, "No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." But the Bible makes it plain in John 12:32 that Christ will draw all men unto Himself. Here the Bible says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
All men are drawn to Christ, but not all men will trust Christ as Saviour. Every man will make his own decision to trust Christ or to reject Him. The Bible makes it clear that all men have light. John 1:9 says, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Romans 1:19,20 indicates that every sinner has been called through the creation about him. And Romans 2:11-16 indicates that sinners are called through their conscience, even when they have not heard the Word of God.
So in the final analysis, men go to Hell, not because of their inability to come to Christ, but because they will not come to Christ "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
The teaching that men, women and children are totally unable to come to Christ and trust Him as Saviour is not a scriptual doctrine. The language itself is not scriptual.
Total depravity simply means that there is nothing good in man to earn or deserve salvation. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17.9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."
While the Bible teaches the depravity of the human race, it nowhere teaches total inability. The Bible never hints that people are lost because they have no ability to come to Christ. The language of Jesus was, "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:40).
Notice, it is not a matter of whether or not you can come to Christ; it is a matter of whether or not you will come to Christ.
Jesus looked over Jerusalem and wept and said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem ...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37). Here again notice, He did not say, "How often would I have gathered you together, but you could not." No. He said, "Ye would not!" It was not a matter of whether they could; it was a matter of whether they would.
Revelation 22:17, the last invitation in the Bible, says, "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."
If it is true that no person has the ability to come to Christ, then why would Jesus say in John 5:40, "Ye will not come to me." why didn't He simply say, "You cannot come to me."?
The only thing that stands between the sinner and salvation is the sinner's will. God made every man a free moral agent. And God never burglarizes the human will.
Some Calvinists use John 6:44 in an effort to prove total inability. Here the bible says, "No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him..." But the Bible makes it plain in John 12:32 that Christ will draw all men unto Himself. Here the Bible says, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
All men are drawn to Christ, but not all men will trust Christ as Saviour. Every man will make his own decision to trust Christ or to reject Him. The Bible makes it clear that all men have light. John 1:9 says, "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." Romans 1:19,20 indicates that every sinner has been called through the creation about him. And Romans 2:11-16 indicates that sinners are called through their conscience, even when they have not heard the Word of God.
So in the final analysis, men go to Hell, not because of their inability to come to Christ, but because they will not come to Christ "Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
The teaching that men, women and children are totally unable to come to Christ and trust Him as Saviour is not a scriptual doctrine. The language itself is not scriptual.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Let's Make it Simple
The term "Calvinism" is used by people who hold to Calvin's misinformed teachings.
Dr. Loraine Boettner in his book, "The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" says,
"The Calvinistic system especially emphasizes five distinct false doctrines. These are technically known as "The Five Points of Calvinism" and they are the main pillars upon which the philosophy rests."
Dr. Boettner further says,
"The five points may be more easily remembered if they are associated with the word T-U-L-I-P, T, Total Inability(depravity); U, Unconditional Election; L, Limited Atonement; I, Irresistible (efficacious) Grace; and P, Perseverance of the Saints."
These are the points of Calvinism.
I have heard preachers say, "I am a one-point Calvinist." I have heard others say, "I am a two or three-point Calvinist." I want us to look at all five points of Calvinism as taught by John Calvin, then see what the Bible has to say on each point. If one point is wrong then the whole system falls!!!
Dr. Loraine Boettner in his book, "The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" says,
"The Calvinistic system especially emphasizes five distinct false doctrines. These are technically known as "The Five Points of Calvinism" and they are the main pillars upon which the philosophy rests."
Dr. Boettner further says,
"The five points may be more easily remembered if they are associated with the word T-U-L-I-P, T, Total Inability(depravity); U, Unconditional Election; L, Limited Atonement; I, Irresistible (efficacious) Grace; and P, Perseverance of the Saints."
These are the points of Calvinism.
I have heard preachers say, "I am a one-point Calvinist." I have heard others say, "I am a two or three-point Calvinist." I want us to look at all five points of Calvinism as taught by John Calvin, then see what the Bible has to say on each point. If one point is wrong then the whole system falls!!!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Predestination
The doctrine of predestination DID NOT come from the fierce belief that “God knows”.... In fact, that’s where all the trouble lies, as Calvinism denies that God chooses a man or not because God “knows” he will be a believer or not. Don’t you remember, Calvinism teaches that God chose a man, or not, NOT ACCORDING TO FOREKNOWLEDGE of anything in that man.
As we know, the mystery of God is “Christ in you”, the hope of salvation. Calvinism denies that God chose any man for salvation “because” of his foreknowledge of Christ in him.
Calvinism teaches that God is unfair, not judging anyone before the foundation of the world ‘before’ he decreed their eternal fate. That’s the WHOLE trouble with Calvinism, the idea that no man was judged by God before their fate was sealed....and the reason Calvin’s unbelievers reject him and choose to believe in the Judge of all mankind, Jesus instead.
See Isaiah 59:14,15...why God was displeased...He saw no judgment.
Jesus says...”...as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just....” Jesus keeps the Law perfectly...”Doth our law judge any man, “before” it hear him, and “know” what he doeth?” John 7:51 Calvinism makes Jesus (the Sovereign God) the Lawless One (unrighteous).
“Woe unto them that decree “unrighteous” decrees....” Isa 10:1
If you believe in Calvin’s version of predestination, can you tell me what “WAS” God’s Standard of Judgment for salvation or condemnation? Calvinism can’t.
As we know, the mystery of God is “Christ in you”, the hope of salvation. Calvinism denies that God chose any man for salvation “because” of his foreknowledge of Christ in him.
Calvinism teaches that God is unfair, not judging anyone before the foundation of the world ‘before’ he decreed their eternal fate. That’s the WHOLE trouble with Calvinism, the idea that no man was judged by God before their fate was sealed....and the reason Calvin’s unbelievers reject him and choose to believe in the Judge of all mankind, Jesus instead.
See Isaiah 59:14,15...why God was displeased...He saw no judgment.
Jesus says...”...as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just....” Jesus keeps the Law perfectly...”Doth our law judge any man, “before” it hear him, and “know” what he doeth?” John 7:51 Calvinism makes Jesus (the Sovereign God) the Lawless One (unrighteous).
“Woe unto them that decree “unrighteous” decrees....” Isa 10:1
If you believe in Calvin’s version of predestination, can you tell me what “WAS” God’s Standard of Judgment for salvation or condemnation? Calvinism can’t.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Limited Atonement
Let's review Calvinism's equally confused position on Limited Atonement, the L in the T.U.L.I.P. First, according to the Bible, the definition of Limited Atonement is as follows: God sent His Son into the world so that salvation can be provided to all those who choose to believe. John 3:16 states:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
AND
1John 3:23 adds: "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."
Keeping this in mind, Proverbs 8:13 defines the fear of the LORD in the following manner: "...to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, etc."
As we can see, the fear of the LORD is man's inward expression of humility and the hatred of sin. Moreover, Proverbs 1:29 reveals that this is a choice. Therefore, according to the Bible's definition of Limited Atonement, Jesus died only for those that God foreknew would display these attributes. Upon our sincere expression of humility, hatred of sin, pride and arrogance, i.e. 'fear of the LORD,' Psalm 25:12-14 reveals that God points us in the direction of salvation and toward His covenant.
In retrospect, Calvinism's position on Limited Atonement is quite convoluted. It teaches that Christ died only for those that God unconditionally or arbitrarily elected before the foundation of the world. Sad, isn't it?
That pretty much summarizes the differences between Calvinism and the teachings in the Bible. As you can see, the Scriptures wilt the T.U.L.I.P., i.e. the Reformed Movement. Those who embrace the teachings promoted by John Calvin centuries ago need to reconsider their position. And that's the Gospel truth!
In conclusion, God loves each and every one of us in spite of our sins. There might be some who find this hard to believe, but it's true! Does everyone know that before God made Himself known to Moses, Exodus 2:11-12 reveals that Moses murdered a man? And how about King David, who God described as a man after His own heart? David actually slept with another man's wife and, when Bathsheba became pregnant as a result of their affair, David intentionally sent her husband Uriah to the front lines in battle, and Uriah was killed. And after that, David married Bathsheba.
Both Moses and David were sinners. Yet, God knew their hearts. He knew that deep down in their hearts, they feared Him.
How many of us would love to be like Moses, or King David? But our sins convict us, and we feel unworthy and sorry for ourselves. If anyone feels unworthy and conviction in their sin, that's a good thing because they fear God. They are expressing both humility and hatred for their sins. They are just the kind of people that God is looking for.
A lot of you might be thinking that this is too good to be true, how can this be? You may say, "Do you mean to tell me that all I have to do is choose to accept Jesus as my Savior and my sins are forgiven and I have everlasting life?" According to the Bible, the answer is 'absolutely yes.' So, it boils down to this: Eternal life, or eternal damnation? Eternal life, or eternal damnation? For the intelligent person, that really isn't much of a choice, is it?
Tell that to the Calvinists...they don't believe that men are capable of making the right salvational choices. This is because they deny what the Bible teaches, that God has given mankind free will. This is why Calvinism’s positions on Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, Total Depravity and Limited Atonement absolutely insult the very nature and character of our Beloved Creator. He continually reaches out to every single man, woman and child in hope that they make the decision to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him.
Always remember that the choice is up to you!
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
AND
1John 3:23 adds: "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."
Keeping this in mind, Proverbs 8:13 defines the fear of the LORD in the following manner: "...to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, etc."
As we can see, the fear of the LORD is man's inward expression of humility and the hatred of sin. Moreover, Proverbs 1:29 reveals that this is a choice. Therefore, according to the Bible's definition of Limited Atonement, Jesus died only for those that God foreknew would display these attributes. Upon our sincere expression of humility, hatred of sin, pride and arrogance, i.e. 'fear of the LORD,' Psalm 25:12-14 reveals that God points us in the direction of salvation and toward His covenant.
In retrospect, Calvinism's position on Limited Atonement is quite convoluted. It teaches that Christ died only for those that God unconditionally or arbitrarily elected before the foundation of the world. Sad, isn't it?
That pretty much summarizes the differences between Calvinism and the teachings in the Bible. As you can see, the Scriptures wilt the T.U.L.I.P., i.e. the Reformed Movement. Those who embrace the teachings promoted by John Calvin centuries ago need to reconsider their position. And that's the Gospel truth!
In conclusion, God loves each and every one of us in spite of our sins. There might be some who find this hard to believe, but it's true! Does everyone know that before God made Himself known to Moses, Exodus 2:11-12 reveals that Moses murdered a man? And how about King David, who God described as a man after His own heart? David actually slept with another man's wife and, when Bathsheba became pregnant as a result of their affair, David intentionally sent her husband Uriah to the front lines in battle, and Uriah was killed. And after that, David married Bathsheba.
Both Moses and David were sinners. Yet, God knew their hearts. He knew that deep down in their hearts, they feared Him.
How many of us would love to be like Moses, or King David? But our sins convict us, and we feel unworthy and sorry for ourselves. If anyone feels unworthy and conviction in their sin, that's a good thing because they fear God. They are expressing both humility and hatred for their sins. They are just the kind of people that God is looking for.
A lot of you might be thinking that this is too good to be true, how can this be? You may say, "Do you mean to tell me that all I have to do is choose to accept Jesus as my Savior and my sins are forgiven and I have everlasting life?" According to the Bible, the answer is 'absolutely yes.' So, it boils down to this: Eternal life, or eternal damnation? Eternal life, or eternal damnation? For the intelligent person, that really isn't much of a choice, is it?
Tell that to the Calvinists...they don't believe that men are capable of making the right salvational choices. This is because they deny what the Bible teaches, that God has given mankind free will. This is why Calvinism’s positions on Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, Total Depravity and Limited Atonement absolutely insult the very nature and character of our Beloved Creator. He continually reaches out to every single man, woman and child in hope that they make the decision to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him.
Always remember that the choice is up to you!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Irresistible Grace
Let's take a look at Calvinism's view on Irresistible Grace: They believe that God regenerates and spiritually draws to His Son only those who He arbitrarily chose, or unconditionally elected before the foundation of the world. With all due respect, this concept likens God to a spiritual caveman who sees a pretty girl, hits her over the head with a rock, and drags her off to a cave, giving her no choice at all. That's nonsense! I didn't have to do that to my wife, and God doesn't have to do that to His!
According to the Bible, Calvinism's claim that a person's spiritual regeneration takes place before faith in Christ is incorrect; and, Titus 3:4-6 provides the evidence. It reads as follows:
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
This passage teaches that one's faith in Jesus as Savior is the catalyst or springboard to receiving the Holy Ghost, and it is He who does the regenerating. So, man's regeneration comes after confessing Christ, not before!
The Fear of the LORD
In summary, Proverbs 1:29 states that fearing God is a choice. And Psalm 25:12-14 reveals that, upon choosing to fear God, He will show us His covenant. Additionally, Acts 10:34-35 and Acts 13:26 confirm that the message of salvation is sent to all those who fear God. Upon one's acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, Titus 3:4-6 reveals that the born-again and regeneration process begins through the Holy Ghost.
Regarding salvation, these are the Scriptures! But unfortunately for those who embrace Calvinism, they rely on a completely different view, their own make-believe version, which is an insult to God’s nature and character. My goodness, regarding Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election, Calvinism's position sounds convoluted!
According to the Bible, Calvinism's claim that a person's spiritual regeneration takes place before faith in Christ is incorrect; and, Titus 3:4-6 provides the evidence. It reads as follows:
"But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
This passage teaches that one's faith in Jesus as Savior is the catalyst or springboard to receiving the Holy Ghost, and it is He who does the regenerating. So, man's regeneration comes after confessing Christ, not before!
The Fear of the LORD
In summary, Proverbs 1:29 states that fearing God is a choice. And Psalm 25:12-14 reveals that, upon choosing to fear God, He will show us His covenant. Additionally, Acts 10:34-35 and Acts 13:26 confirm that the message of salvation is sent to all those who fear God. Upon one's acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, Titus 3:4-6 reveals that the born-again and regeneration process begins through the Holy Ghost.
Regarding salvation, these are the Scriptures! But unfortunately for those who embrace Calvinism, they rely on a completely different view, their own make-believe version, which is an insult to God’s nature and character. My goodness, regarding Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election, Calvinism's position sounds convoluted!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION
If you think Calvinism's position on Total Depravity is scripturally baseless, take a look at what it teaches about Unconditional Election. According to Calvinism, God has unconditionally or arbitrarily elected those to be saved before the foundation of the world solely on the basis of the counsel of His will, not taking anyone's accountability into consideration. As a result, no matter what anyone does, some are pre-destined to salvation, and the rest are pre-destined to damnation. This view is not only without merit, but also quite ludicrous. But there's more! This is where their position on Irresistible Grace kicks in. Regarding Irresistible Grace, they believe that God spiritually draws to Him only those who He has unconditionally pre-selected for salvation before the foundation of the world. According to Calvinism, as far as God is concerned, the rest can burn in hell...and God doesn't care!
Have you ever heard anything like that in your life? These doctrinal positions insult God’s very nature and character to the highest possible degree, portraying Him as a sadistic monster.
Let us further explain why Calvinism's positions on Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election are so silly. Back in the days of the Old Testament, God likened His relationship with the children of Israel as a marriage. For example, in Jeremiah 3:14, God pleads with the house of Israel to return to Him. This is what it says:
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."
In Jeremiah 31:32, God refers to Himself as Israel's husband and, when the house of Israel turned to other gods, God described their act as adultery, giving her a bill of divorce. For the sake of illustration, this is how Jeremiah 3:8 reads:
"And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also."
Keeping this in mind, according to the New Testament, Jesus' relationship with His church is no different. In Matthew 22:2, Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son." And, in Matthew 22:8, Jesus continues as follows: "Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy."
For final emphasis, Revelation 19:7-9 states that all the saints of God will take part in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
So, both Old and New Testaments clearly liken God's relationship with His people as a marriage. In the Old Testament, God is likened to a husband, while in the New Testament, Jesus is likened to a bridegroom. In the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as God's wife, while in the New Testament, the church is referred to as Christ's bride.
Remembering this, let us think about a relationship within a marriage. Isn't it about two parties choosing to be together? For example, I'm married, and I have a wonderful wife. We both chose to be married. Before we took our vows, I didn't force my wife to be with me, and she didn't force me to be with her. Our marriage was by mutual consent. It was a free will decision for the both of us.
Calvinism's views on Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election completely violate this clear Bible principle. First, let us take a look at its position on Unconditional Election. As we have seen, it claims that God has pre-selected certain individuals for salvation before they were even born, thus denying salvation to those He didn't select. My goodness, I don't know about you, but Calvinism's position on this matter is infuriating! We at the King Messiah Project believe that, if God left it solely up to Himself, He would choose to save everyone. But like any marriage, God wants a relationship with those who want a relationship with Him. For example, before I married my wife, I didn't force her to be with me. She is with me because she chose to be with me. And vice versa!
To prove this point, Acts 10:34 tells us that God is "no respecter of persons," and Acts 10:35 continues, "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Though God loves everyone, He chooses to have a relationship only with those who choose to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him. To demonstrate God’s heart for everyone, according to Ezekiel 33:11, He pleads with those who rejected Him to return. This is what He said:
"...As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
From these illustrations, we remain hopeful that everyone who reads this article will agree that Calvinism's position on Unconditional Election is absolute nonsense.
Have you ever heard anything like that in your life? These doctrinal positions insult God’s very nature and character to the highest possible degree, portraying Him as a sadistic monster.
Let us further explain why Calvinism's positions on Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election are so silly. Back in the days of the Old Testament, God likened His relationship with the children of Israel as a marriage. For example, in Jeremiah 3:14, God pleads with the house of Israel to return to Him. This is what it says:
"Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion."
In Jeremiah 31:32, God refers to Himself as Israel's husband and, when the house of Israel turned to other gods, God described their act as adultery, giving her a bill of divorce. For the sake of illustration, this is how Jeremiah 3:8 reads:
"And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also."
Keeping this in mind, according to the New Testament, Jesus' relationship with His church is no different. In Matthew 22:2, Jesus said: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son." And, in Matthew 22:8, Jesus continues as follows: "Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy."
For final emphasis, Revelation 19:7-9 states that all the saints of God will take part in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
So, both Old and New Testaments clearly liken God's relationship with His people as a marriage. In the Old Testament, God is likened to a husband, while in the New Testament, Jesus is likened to a bridegroom. In the Old Testament, Israel is referred to as God's wife, while in the New Testament, the church is referred to as Christ's bride.
Remembering this, let us think about a relationship within a marriage. Isn't it about two parties choosing to be together? For example, I'm married, and I have a wonderful wife. We both chose to be married. Before we took our vows, I didn't force my wife to be with me, and she didn't force me to be with her. Our marriage was by mutual consent. It was a free will decision for the both of us.
Calvinism's views on Irresistible Grace and Unconditional Election completely violate this clear Bible principle. First, let us take a look at its position on Unconditional Election. As we have seen, it claims that God has pre-selected certain individuals for salvation before they were even born, thus denying salvation to those He didn't select. My goodness, I don't know about you, but Calvinism's position on this matter is infuriating! We at the King Messiah Project believe that, if God left it solely up to Himself, He would choose to save everyone. But like any marriage, God wants a relationship with those who want a relationship with Him. For example, before I married my wife, I didn't force her to be with me. She is with me because she chose to be with me. And vice versa!
To prove this point, Acts 10:34 tells us that God is "no respecter of persons," and Acts 10:35 continues, "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
Though God loves everyone, He chooses to have a relationship only with those who choose to fear Him and covet a relationship with Him. To demonstrate God’s heart for everyone, according to Ezekiel 33:11, He pleads with those who rejected Him to return. This is what He said:
"...As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
From these illustrations, we remain hopeful that everyone who reads this article will agree that Calvinism's position on Unconditional Election is absolute nonsense.
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