Mark Cahill’s Response to Calvinism
On October 10th, 2010 Mark Cahill, an American author, speaker, and evangelist, wrote a response to his beliefs about Calvinism. You can read it for yourself here.
His response caused some ruffled feathers among some Christian circles, mostly from Calvinists, who object to Mark Cahill’s stance on the issue. The reason they object is because Calvinists told me we believe the “essentials” of the faith such as Christ alone for salvation, the Trinity, Christ is God, the Bible is God’s Word, the resurrection of Jesus, Christ died for our sins, therefore we are in “unity.” Any attempt at discrediting Calvinism amounts to “causing division” among “Christians” who all believe in the “essentials.” We should stop arguing about this “non-essential” issue because unbelievers are watching Christians argue with each other, and thats not a “good” witness for the body of Christ, they say.
Unfortunately these ideas are a smokescreen to hide the fact that most of the Calvinists I have debated within the last 8 years believe Calvinism really IS essential when they first told me it wasn’t. I witnessed this first hand when the evangelism team I started years ago was taken over by the doctrines of Calvinism and I experienced the contradictory nature, the change in attitude, and the subsequent descent into error of the lives of those who believe in it.
The issue is not about Calvinism? Or is it?
Calvinists tell me “Calvinism is not the issue, its about causing division on non-essentials.” Ok, this sounds reasonable on the surface. However, as I debate Calvinists on the issues what comes to surface is the exact opposite.
Eventually I will hear from them that “Calvinism is the gospel” or if I don’t believe in the “doctrines of grace” or “Gods sovereignty” (as Calvinists define these terms) than I believe in a “false gospel” and a “different god”, or I’m a “free willer” or some other name that shows “I am trusting in my works for salvation” which throws the idea of “we all believe in the essentials” right out the window!
Sometimes Calvinists tell me things like “When I was an Arminian I wasn’t saved, but when I became a Calvinist I was soundly saved.” This statement implies any non-Calvinist, Arminian or not, isn’t saved (I’m not an Arminian by the way).
So…I guess the issues ARE about Calvinism! But you know what, this is what Calvinists should say if they really believe in the doctrine. Lets not beat around the bush.
Isn’t the gospel about WHO God is? What if you have ideas about what God does or how God acts that is different than the bible? Are these ideas simply misunderstandings or heresy?
At my old church years ago I attended a systematic theology class and in the very first lesson we listened from a CD of a sermon about God’s sovereignty. In the sermon the speaker said if you don’t believe in God’s sovereignty (as he was defining it by TULIP) I’m an idolator. Yes, he actually said that.
The strange thing was the person running the class was a 5 point Calvinist and he thought we shouldn’t divide over Calvinism because “we all believe in the essentials.” So then why is the classroom teacher showing a sermon to the class where anyone who doesn’t believe in the Calvinist version of sovereignty is an idolator? Because thats what the teacher really believes and isn’t honest enough to tell others the truth!
So out of one side of his mouth the teacher says “we all believe the essentials” and out of the other side he believes those who aren’t Calvinists are idolators. Calvinists may use the same words as non-Calvinists such as “predestination”, “regeneration”, “ordained”, “grace” or “sovereignty” but they are defined differently by each non-Calvinsts. Different definitions for the same words can mean only one thing…somebody is lying and teaching falsely about the Creator of the universe.
Its this sort of deception, confusion and hypocrisy that permeates the Calvinism circles I’ve been involved with over the years. The Calvinists I have spoken with who believe this is not an essential issue inevitably proclaim the opposite when debating them on the subject. It happens in almost every debate I have had in 8 years.
Charles Spurgeon, a preacher whom Calvinists usually quote said “Calvinism is the gospel.” Spurgeon also says Calvinism is not an essential issue. So which is it? Lets be honest shall we and not confuse others! The issues are about Calvinism because the doctrine defines who God is, not about Mark Cahill causing “division.”
IF you have a different god you have a different gospel and thats all Mark Cahill is saying. Mark Cahill is not saying every Calvinist isn’t saved or has a different god, or is saying all reformers have a different god. Primarily because he has no idea who believes what and why. Mark Cahill IS saying the doctrines of Calvinism point at the very heart of WHO God is and that is what the gospel is all about, therefore, its of the utmost importance we have a belief system that ACCURATELY represents the God of Heaven.
Am I saved?
During debates with Calvinists they will inevitably tell me I’m not a Christian by saying I believe in a “false gospel of free will.” Hyper-Calvinists and moderate Calvinists say this to me. You see, if I “believed” in Christ of my “own free will”…if God “persuaded” me to believe instead of “irresistibly” drawing me I am adding “works” to salvation. I’m no different than a Roman Catholic Calvinists say, which means I’m a heretic, idolator, or blasphemer according to many Calvinists I speak with….yes, they actually use those words!
The obvious conclusion to these ideas is that if I have a “false gospel of free will” then of course I am not saved and their claims of “division among Christians between Calvinists and non-Calvinists” makes no sense. After all, if I believe in “works plus faith” as some Calvinists suggest Mark Cahill and I believe in then we aren’t Christians, and therefore there are no “divisions” among “Christians.” When I tell them this they respond with “Mark Cahill is saved.” This causes more confusion. “I thought you just told me Mark Cahill and I believe in a ‘man-centered gospel’ that saves no one?”
Calvinists respond with “I did say that but since you believe in the essentials you are saved.”
Huh? (No, I am not making this up).
Then at some point in the conversation they will tell me “No one knows who the elect are but God.” If only God knows who the “elect” are then you can’t tell me Mark Cahill’s disagreements with you are causing “division” among “Christians.”
You don’t know if Mark Cahill is a Christian or me, or even yourself, only God does. So the idea that Mark Cahill is causing “division” among “Christians” is something you cannot know as a Calvinist. For all you know one of us isn’t saved or none of us are. Only God knows…remember?
I spoke with a Calvinist pastor at a church I was visiting a few years back and he said “No one knows who the elect are, even if they have faith. Only God knows.”
Is Mark Cahill really causing “division?”
A verse many Calvinists use when speaking of Mark Cahill is Romans 16:17 which says:
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.
Calvinists tell me Mark Cahill is causing division by arguing against Calvinism therefore he should be avoided. This sounds very holy and biblical but it isn’t. Does the verse say to avoid people BECAUSE they are causing division? No, it doesn’t. It says to avoid people who have contrary doctrines than what you learned because the DOCTRINE IS CAUSING DIVISION.
Calvinists tell me their doctrine on salvation and who God is completely changed when they learned Calvinism. Perhaps they should have listened to Romans 16:17 and avoided those Calvinist teachers who preach a contrary doctrine to what they originally believed. How ironic Calvinists blast Mark Cahill for not succumbing to the teachings that changed their view of who God is. Teachings which are contrary to what many Calvinists originally believed when they were saved.
Mark Cahill has free will to believe the truth or no?
What I find even more puzzling is how Calvinists emotions range from being annoyed at Mark, to downright angry at his “decision” to “believe” Calvinism is false. If Mark doesn’t believe in Calvinism perhaps its because “he isn’t one of the elect” some say. Perhaps Mark Cahill is saved so a Calvinist could say “God hasn’t opened Mark’s eyes to the truth.” So why get mad at Mark Cahill? Don’t Calvinists believe in their own doctrines like total depravity, which says sinners are “unable” to believe the truth or the doctrine that God ordains all things, including what someone believes?
A Calvinist on facebook months ago sent me an email. Here is what the email said:
Calvinist: “any time you say Calvinism is not true I will rebuke you extremely severely in the name of Jesus Christ! Calvinism is the gospel, you heretic! I read your stupid post even though you are not on my friends list.”
Me: “I am unable to believe in Calvinism because God has decided I don’t believe it. Why are you getting mad at me? I cannot help it.”
Calvinist: “you are blinded by the devil. Do not blame God for your inability to believe the gospel.”
Me: “Are the unelect ‘unable’ to believe the truth?”
Calvinist: “No one is able to believe the truth unless God opens their eyes…”
First she tells me I am responsible for believing and then tells me God is responsible for me believing. If I am “blinded by the devil” as she says thats because the sovereign god of calvin decided it. I would like to point out her ideas are Calvinistic, they contradict each other and yet she thinks they are both true. This is the product of a deluded mind. It takes many years of training and indoctrination to believe contradictory ideas are…true.
Does the bible teach sinners are unable to believe the gospel? Nope. The bible teaches sinners are unwilling to believe the gospel.
If the unregenerate are unable to believe the truth and if God is responsible for giving faith, as Calvinists believe, then its not Mark’s fault he is trashing Calvinism. He is only doing what God has ordained. After all, Calvinists interpret the bible as saying God is the potter, we are the clay and therefore God makes some for heaven and some for hell. If God wants to make Mark Cahill into a “vessel of destruction” from the foundation of the world thats His business. Why get annoyed at his decision to say Calvinism is wrong?
Calvinists act as if Mark Cahill…can believe on his own.
What difference does it make anyway if Mark tells the whole world Calvinism is false? Do you suppose his statement will drive totally “unable” sinners “further” away from the truth of God? Sinners cannot believe the truth, remember? If the gospel were broadcasted to all 6.5 billion people it is up to God to decide whether they will believe it, isn’t that right Calvinist?
Oh sure the gospel “quickens the elect” as Calvinists say, but ONLY IF GOD DECIDES IT WILL.
False Teachers
I have also noticed Calvinists spend a great deal of time calling out certain preachers and denominations as false teachers with false gospels. While this is not necessarily a bad thing the irony of it is Calvinists, hypocritically, do not adhere to their own standards of what is an “essential” doctrine. Especially with those like Mark Cahill who openly oppose their doctrines.
Many of the false teachers Calvinists talk about believe in the same “essentials” they do. Many believe “Jesus is God”, “Grace alone”, “Faith alone”, the “Trinity” and so forth. So then why are you going after other pastors who believe in the same essentials you do? Doesn’t Mark believe in those same essentials? Perhaps the Calvinist list of “essentials” is longer than what they lead us to believe.
It should be obvious when a Calvinist goes after a false teacher its because…(drum roll) the false teacher is preaching about a different god. When Mark Cahill goes after Calvinism… its for the same reason. Which proves something out…there is something HIGHER than the gospel…its the God behind the gospel being preached! If someone has a different god than the one in the bible, it doesn’t matter if someone says “faith alone” or “Christ alone” or “grace alone” because the meanings behind those terms may be different.
This is really the crux of the matter. Do you personally know the god someone is describing to you? Is the same spirit telling Mark and Calvinists the same things?
Ephesians 4 says
“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all”
The same spirit cannot be telling Mark “God died for all men because He loves all eternally” and Calvinists that “God died for some men because He only loves some eternally.” Something is very wrong here.
These are different spirits!
Emotionalism
Another argument I hear against Mark Cahill is “emotionalism.” The idea is “Mark Cahill is reacting emotionally from pride because he wants to be in charge of his salvation and not put God in charge.” This is an an unrighteous judgement of Mark Cahill based on appearance.
If a Calvinist were to simply ask Mark “Are you trying to save yourself?” or “Are you trying to be in charge of your salvation” he would gladly tell you faith in Christ is an admission that “I cannot save myself.”
I have had on countless occasions been accused of “adding works to salvation” because I dared suggest that “I” believed the gospel. When I tell a Calvinist faith in Christ is an admission of “I cannot save myself” and the bible teaches personal faith is required to be saved they continue to insist “I have pride and I want myself to be on the throne instead of God.”
It takes an indoctrinated mind to ignore the conversation at hand and repeat what they have told, regardless of what the other person says. But thats what happens when Calvinists listen to Calvinist preachers, read reformed books and spend their time studying church history instead of the bible.
Hyper vs Non-Hyper?
Some Calvinsts say Mark is mixing hyper-Calvinism and Calvinism together in some of his arguments. I have noticed the only people who mix the two together are Calvinists!
Many times a I have heard Calvinists say “God doesn’t predestine people for hell from birth, thats ‘hyper-Calvinism’, He simply passes them over so they go to hell” and then later these same people will quote a verse to me which “proves” God does indeed create people for hell…things such as “before they did anything good or bad God hated Esau” or “God creates vessels for destruction” or God “made” unbelievers to be destroyed.
There is no distinction between God predestining someone for hell and God passing a sinner over so they go to hell.
Who decided to create someone for hell before they were born? God. Who decided to pass a sinner over so they will be destroyed? God….and the difference is…what?
I suspect Calvinists try to make this distinction because it makes God “look better” to suggest God passes over a sinner because of their sin, instead of predestining someone for hell from birth. But the distinction is meaninglesss since these same Calvinists also believe God hated Esau before he was born or the potter can do whatever he wants with the clay.
Another aspect of this idea is if God does whatever He wants and isn’t moved by what men do, then logically God isn’t moved by a sinners sin either. If God is as “sovereign” as Calvinists say than He isn’t moved by a person having faith nor is God moved by a sinners sin. “God isn’t controlled by what men do” they say, but I guess that standard only applies to people responding to the gospel.
Its no wonder people turn away from Calvinism. Its a confusing mess of contradictory ideas masquerading as truth. Some people become atheists after believing in it for a time.
Contradictions are “mysteries?”
The only “division” Mark is causing is discerning a false doctrine from a true one, rightly “dividing” the word of truth! You see, true biblical doctrines do not contradict each other. True doctrines glorify God in all His attributes, not just one of them. True doctrines are sound and make logical sense because God is logical and true, Calvin and TULIP are not.
The tragic part is Calvinists KNOW their doctrines are contradictory!
This is how they get around them. They either IGNORE them or use the word “mystery” to “solve” the dilemma. “These ideas are ‘mysteries’ we cannot solve with our finite minds” I hear Calvinists say. No, the “mystery” is why you believe in it! The “mystery” is why Calvinists embrace contradictions as truth. The “mystery” is why Calvinists are not “willing” to give up their Calvinism. The “mystery” is why seemingly intelligent people make stupid comments that are illogical and irrational. Calvinists are smart people, but the doctrine of Calvinism is dumb.
The arguments Calvinists use against Mark Cahill are so contradictory to their own beliefs and sound logic I am convinced they are blinded by the doctrine. They cannot see past it. All interpretations must bow to its precepts, and they do.
I applaud Mark for telling the truth.
Are Calvinists Saved?
Speaking for myself only my opinion is if someone grew up in the faith of Calvin, being fed its doctrines from the very beginning, I find it difficult to imagine that person is saved, such as Thomas Dickerson. If however a person believed the doctrine AFTER their conversion then I believe that person is saved but deceived.
There are many sincere seemingly God-fearing people who believe in Calvinism, but of course that doesn’t make Calvinism true, nor does it make them saved. I cannot judge a doctrine by the people who believe in it, no matter how Godly they may seem in public. I have no idea how they are in private or in their thought life!
While it is true Jesus said “I will know them by their fruits” it is not “fruitful” to say things about God’s character and nature that are lies. It is not “fruitful” to depict God as Allah who predestines sinners to hell by passing them over because he enjoys torturing them to prove he is the boss! It is not “fruitful” to depict God as unholy, sadistic, insane, contradictory and unloving to most of the people made in His image. It is not “fruitful” to believe God hates people because they hated Him first, which is not perfect divine love but imperfect human love. It is not “fruitful” when Calvinists say God punishes sinners for not believing the gospel…a gospel never meant for them in the first place. Its difficult to reject an invitation to a party when the invitation was never mean’t for you! The god of calvin says “I am angry at sinners for not believing my Son died for them so I will punish them with more condemnation the more they reject my offer”…but…according to Calvinists…Christ DID NOT die for them…so God’s offer of salvation is not an offer, and their “rejection” of the gospel is not a rejection at all! God is actually LYING to them by preaching the gospel to them suggesting a forgiveness He has no intention of giving them!
Its no wonder some people become atheists after hearing these things about God. Its a confusing mess.
I think the solution to all these problems is simple. Calvinism is false.
I pray all Calvinists will reexamine what they believe, and I hope they do this by ignoring the writings of men so they can focus on the writings of God. Most of the Calvinists I have met over the years spend far more time reading reformed titles then they do the bible. The truth of who God is cannot be revealed by following what someone else says God says. If you spend more time reading what men say its no wonder you have been led astray. Their ideas permeate your brain before you read the verse!
If you seek the Lord in spirit and in truth you will find Him.
Bill,
I came here looking for a well laid out interpretation of the scriptures and even the scriptures you feel are maligned. This debate has gone on for years and if it is as cut and dry as you seem to infer, then lay it out. I see Ephesians 4 and Romans 9, otherwise mainly the emotionalism you speak of. Should there not be doctrine laid out if this debate has been solved by you or whoever led you to such a firm foundation? Do not get me wrong, as I know tones and e-mails do not go hand in hand, but this is not pointing to say you are unsaved, but to ask you to blog a well laid out belief through scripture. No matter what side of this debate you stand on….all brothers posting especially for believers and unbelievers alike to see, should use the double edged sword of the truth. I pray you take another look at this posting and prayerfully consider either following up with a more solid outline of how you have come to the conclusion that Calvinists are “decieved” or remove the emotional lashing out. The latter, is how it comes across without scripture. Let me hear your heart and compassion using His word as a man weeping for others to see the truth. Another thought as well, does a blog put you on a “pulpit” to teach others considering sheep might come this way and then are you held to a James 3:1 standard? Again just an open question, one i’ve wrestled with and has kept me from blogging which tends to go emotional, prideful, etc with many.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
Keep preaching the whole of the gospel! Thanks for being a laborer! :)
Digging further on your site I see you are doing a TULIP thread. That would have been a better start than the above post….or this added to the start of a scriptural defense.
Brian, thank you for your concerns and comments.
If you are true 5-point Calvinist using scripture is not going to do much good since you interpret them differently than I do. The point of the article was to show that if Calvinists interpretations are correct why do Calvinists say things to contradict themselves? There are logical consequences to it that make no sense, and therefore Calvinism is not entirely true. I have debated Calvinists for the last 2 years on facebook and basically they stick to the same verses and ignore the ones I give which contradict them.
Yes there are some frustrating tones in some of my responses but its only out of concern. Calvinists are smarter than the doctrines they believe in and discern other ministries for truth, except for their own. I have asked Calvinists many questions they do not answer. They simply go to the bible and believe what their interpretations tell them. What they should to is reevaluate their interpretations.
It doesn’t take a masters of divinity degree to know if Calvinism were true then God’s character and nature has problems, which is an indicator something is wrong.
Brian,
I’m not the author of those blog posts. If you look at the bottom of the posts you will see the author name. Its a friend of mine who is posting those.
Brian,
I forgot to mention something. Why are you concerned about a James 3:1 standard? According to Calvinism God will persevere a Christian so there is nothing I can or cannot do to lure someone away from the truth. The same goes for the unelect. If I am a false teacher I cannot lead people who are already blinded by total depravity away from the truth of God or closer to it. God decides whether they believe a message, isn’t that right?
You wrote “According to Calvinism God will persevere a Christian so there is nothing I can or cannot do to lure someone away from the truth.”
I have had similar experiences with Calvinists. They have begged me to suspend my website because I could be causing people to go to hell. They tell me I am being divisive for merely discussing the issue. My reply is basically that they must not really believe in Calvinism if I could cause someone to do what God has predetermined otherwise. Also, it is not my discussing the issue that is divisive; it is their counter attacks that are divisive, as they are the ones who don’t want to agree to disagree.
Along the same line I ask Calvinists why they even want to debate me or argue about what they perceive to be errors in my criticisms of Calvinism. After all, if I hold certain views that are contrary to theirs, if I am in error, and if Reform Theology is correct then my position, right or wrong, is precisely the position God intended me to have. If God intended me to the position I have then why even hassle me? Do they want me to go against God?
The mere fact that Calvinists want to debate and correct non-Calvinists disproves Calvinism, don’t you think?
David,
Yes I completely agree. False teachers cannot lead sinners away from God. Sinners are already blinded by total depravity.
If all the false teachers died and only the truth was preached that still wouldn’t matter. A sinner can hear the gospel 1,000 times and it won’t matter. Its up to God to decide if that sinner will believe it.
Last year a Calvinist on facebook sent me a private message about his cousin. He told me to stop debating against Calvinism because his cousin was reading the posts and believing me. I told him if his cousin is saved, then I cannot lure her away from the truth because God will not let that happen. If she is not saved then she is totally unable to believe the truth. In short, nothing I say will matter.
Since this was his cousin and he loved her he continued to warn me not to debate.
You see David, when it comes to people you love, Calvinism is not true. When it comes to people you don’t love, like the unelect, Calvinism is true.
Absolutely marvelous this article don’t debate a Calvinist you’ll pull your hair out… I wouldn’t mind but they wont compromise a milosecond .. they wont acknowledge one truthism you give them because as soon as they do the proverbial cookie starts to crumble. Bottom line It says the father of all believers , to come to God by faith is Abraham . It says in romans 4 that Abraham was accredited righteousness be cause he believed God .. It was not his own righteousness he received but it was given him because he believed God ! If God the one giving the credit why does anyone have a problem with someone who says I believed and was saved that’s the reason I’m Going to heaven not that I did any thing to of my own. I just took it when it was offered even Jesus offered to the Pharisee to come to him or just believe he told them and you will have eternal life. then Jesus says becauae you will not believe I will give you eyes not to see first they disbelieved then they were hardened.not before because of unbelief man perishes not because god didn’t want to save them
God is a God of the highest quality standards. (The reason why He did not create robots.) True love can only exist where there is freedom; freedom to choose! If we don’t have the freedom to choose to love Him back, we are like robots. To love God because one has no real choice has no quality! And if we do not really have a choice, why did Joshua tell his people, “choose you this day whom you will serve?”
I ran into Calvinism a year and a half ago and could discern it was wrong from the beginning and dismissed the matter… it came back up a few months later when I heard a message about limited atonement and was downright angry and upset I’ve been studying it for a year plus now and find it to be a lie from Satan… I am very intrigued however how a smart even saved Christian can believe such contradictions and lies if you’ve done any study in that regard (deception, blinded) please comment
>I am very intrigued however how a smart even saved Christian can believe such contradictions and lies if you’ve done any study in that regard (deception, blinded)
From my experience with Calvinists there are several reasons why smart, even saved Christians, can believe contradictions as truth. One of them is they put too much trust in the reformed preachers and writers they learn from because they preach on sin and repentance while many other preachers do not. Passionate preaching “with authority” gives the impression these teachers are right about everything they say. “If there are contradictions and these popular preachers can’t figure out then I guess I can’t either” type of mindset sets in. Or they may say things like “Who are you to question God?” Or “His ways are higher than our ways”…both statements are out of context and has nothing to do with the arguments.
Another reason they accept contradictions as truth is they want God to do everything, and in Calvinism He does do everything, which takes the pressure off of them they are feeling about their own salvation.
Contradictions are never true and they should reinterpret what they believe in until it all harmonizes together.
Dear admin, it should be no wonder that Calvinism, along side the prosperity gospel, and other forms of extreme Pentecostalism, universalism, and whatever else is out there, is growing in strength and numbers. Scripture says there will be a great falling away.
I myself have been a part of the extreme with the prophetic and new apostle movements. It is interesting to see how we all can be deceivied if we are not being careful Bereans about the word and the kingdom of God.
Thank you for faithfully standing against Calvinist heresy. Something most heresy hunters don’t do(probably because they are normally calvinist).
I’d like to address something I saw ( between the lines ) in this article almost immediately…the difference between the Gospel and what people see as the Gospel…”Calvinism”, “Arminianism” or any mixture of the two not withstanding. Sure, I saw what amounted to one person’s beliefs about the Bible contrasted with another’s…and that’s been going on between the religious and even true believers ( 1 Corinthians 1:10-12 ) for centuries, IMO. But to me, that’s not the problem…the problem is, what is the Gospel?
From my perspective, the Gospel is the totality of the truth of His grace towards men. This includes every revealed detail outlined in God’s word, even the “difficult passages”. It is not a “formula” to “get someone saved”, it is a declaration of God’s love for humanity and His purposes both to save them and to judge them. EVERYTHING that Scripture says about how and why He saves anyone, is ultimately “the Gospel”. Everything that deviates from what is revealed in God’s word about His salvation is a perversion of His Gospel, no matter how small, and makes it a FALSE gospel. Think of it like having a bucket of pure, refreshing spring water, and then taking an eyedropper and putting just one drop of gasoline in it…it’s THAT bad. It’s not about “Arminianism” or “Calvinism” or any other systematized theology…let’s forget that for a minute. Anyone who PREACHES a false gospel, God’s word says,
” But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” ( Galatians 1:8-9 )
This is SERIOUS language, and anyone who plays with God’s Gospel is in deep trouble. Also, I happen to think that anyone who truly believes in God their Saviour should tremble at what is said here in these verses above…those that preach a false gospel, let him be accursed. There’s no “fooling around”, no “slack”, no “mistakes in translation or presentation”…anyone who preaches a false gospel, let them be accursed.
So, with that in mind, do people today preach the Gospel out of their own understanding of it, or are they preaching it AS the apostles did, with the same words and in the same fashion as they did…or is it some “mishmash” of their own, private understanding of it mixed with God’s words, Scripture? Personally, I wouldn’t want to be a preacher, unless God spoke through me like He did His apostles ( Ephesians 6:19, Colossians 4:3 ); That way I could be sure of “getting it right”. On to the next point…
The very first detail that anyone who seriously reads and believes God’s word should see, from my perspective, is that the Gospel is limited in its scope:
” 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. ” ( John 3:16 )
“How is it limited?”, someone might ask. Read the words in verse 16 carefully, and then answer the question, ” Who is it that should not perish, but have everlasting life?” ” Whosoever believeth in Him.” There’s the limitation. You decide.
Now, according to just John 3:16, nobody will have eternal or everlasting life, unless they truly believe on Him. What is eternal life?
” And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” ( John 17:3 )
Those of you reading this…have you believed on Christ, and do you want to know Him better? Then let’s move on. The rest of you that want a “fire escape” and are looking for a man to tell you what to DO to escape Hell, that’s what religion is for. God’s salvation is FOR something…Himself…not just FROM something, eternal punishment. Do you love Him? Then there’s a reason why you love Him…
” We love him, because he first loved us.” ( 1 John 4:19 )
Now, I won’t even get into the concept of what mankind likes to call “free will” , because God’s word tells the believer,
” Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” ( Proverbs 3:5 )
…and to me, any arguments about free will should be irrelevant, since each and every human being has a darkened and corrupt mind ( Romans 1:21-22, 28 ) and every believer has a corrupt, fleshly mind that needs renewing by the Holy Ghost:
” And be not conformed to this world: but ** be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind **, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ( Romans 12:2 )
” But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 ** and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ** 24 and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” ( Ephesians 4:20-24 )
So as I see it, the question(s) to the individual becomes,
” Do you trust in Jesus Christ? Are you willing to trust the Lord with all your heart, and believe God’s words?”
Notice I didn’t say, “man’s words about God.”
The teachings of men should not come between us and our Saviour as believers, should they? If you think so, then are you really willing to listen to God’s voice and His words alone? The Lord Himself told the Jews that followed Him around, including the scribes and Pharisees,
” He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” ( John 8:47 )
” My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” ( John 10:27 )
Are you willing to follow Him, and Him alone? Then according to His word above,you are one of Christ’s sheep. If you’re not willing to follow Him alone, then perhaps you should re-visit who you are believing in…Christ as revealed in Scripture, or a false christ revealed by men.
Again, what God says should be the believer’s final authority, not what a man says about God’s word. Like the Psalmist, can you say that His WORD is all that you are willing to listen to?
” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,and a light unto my path.” ( Psalm 119:105 )
In addition, I’ve found that there is no “short-cutting” our understanding of it as believers…if you really want to understand God’s word, and you really believe that Christ, the Son of the living God is your Saviour, then do what He ( through His apostles ) tells you to do:
” Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” ( 1 Peter 2:1-2 )
Ignore the teachers on both sides, and dig into His words alone…get your very own understanding from the source, the only Authority you as a believer should be listening to, instead of being taught according to systematized theologies. If you’re God’s children, then you can stand with the rest of His sheep when He told His disciples,
” He answered and said unto them, ** Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given **.” ( Matthew 13:11 )
With all this in mind, what does God’s word say about “Calvinism”, “Arminianism”, “Pelagianism”, “Monasticism”, “Catholicism”, “Seventh-Day Adventism”, “Mormonism” and any other “ism”?
I’m not going to tell you, because if it’s one thing I’ve found over 38+ years of believing on Christ, it’s that my corrupt flesh ( that lazy, no-good body I am living in until I am resurrected, Romans 7:18 ) wants everything NOW, and that includes the fast answers to everything about God. I’m also not going to tell you, because it’s not my duty to tell the world at large who the false teachers are ( and they would be just my opinions anyway )…it’s the Lord’s prerogative, and IMO, He does not do this unless a person is :
1) His child ( Romans 8:14, ” For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” )
2) Obeying Him as outlined above in 1 Peter 2:1-2 ( especially verse 2 )
Read His words often ( and I do mean often, and front to back like the book it is and not in “verses” ), and obey His words here:
” Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane [and] vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” ( 2 Timothy 2:15-16 )
Because as believers, He is their Teacher:
” These [things] have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” ( 1 John 2:26-27 )
Finally, what I’ve personally learned about “Arminianism” and “Calvinism” is this:
From my perspective, there are religious people ( and am firmly convinced MANY false teachers ) on both sides of the debate that go at it “hammer and tongs”, beating each other up, and God’s children get caught right in the middle, IMO; But since the Lord is their Teacher, He invariably brings them from a position of carnally understanding His word ( 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Hebrews 5:11-14 ) and being carried about with every wind of doctrine ( Ehesians 4:14 ) and even believing false gospels ( Galatians 1:6-7 ), to finally being able to harmonize everything for themselves ( Matthew 4:4 ) and understand it quite well, as opposed to unbelievers ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 ) …all without someone having to teach it to them man’s way.
The Bible and God’s Spirit…a recipe for spiritual discernment and perfection:
” All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 ** that the man of God may be perfect **, throughly furnished unto all good works.” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 )
May God bless you all in the knowledge of His grace.
” Contradictions are never true and they should reinterpret what they believe in until it all harmonizes together.”
Oddly enough, I’ve seen people who believe in loss of salvation doing this very same thing….they completely ignore or condition the passages that, at face value, clearly state that none of Christ’s sheep will be lost, that believers have everlasting life, and that believers shall not come into condemnation but are passed from death unto life.
What’s even more strange? To them, it all harmonizes…To me, it’s as if they have “selective blind spots” to what is written on the pages.
Thank you so very much for your work and your web-site!
Yes I agree that Calvinism has many problems – especially for the individual who considers himself/herself a follower of Jesus Christ.
The underlying issue is really its canonization of the philosophical system of Universal Divine Causal Determinism. Otherwise known as Theological Determinism – which dates back to the Stoics. And we can find many striking parallels in Calvinism’s language with the language of the Stoic Seneca (for example).
The problem Calvinists have with canonizing this philosophy, is the same problem the Stoic’s faced.
Its simply contrary to our daily experiences in life in which we have a perception of having *REAL* options from which to choose from. But logic stipulates these options within Theological Determinism only exist as human illusions. Secondly, Theological Determinism is not affirmed by the preponderance of the language of scripture. Calvinists inwardly recognize this – and this creates an additional internal conflict for them.
Calvinists are married to Theological Determinism – which has an ugly face. And the Calvinist response to this, is to continuously attempt to cover over that face by painting a mask of “In-determinism” over it. The net result for the poor Calvinist is that he ends up halting between two opinions. Ex-Calvinist author Daniel Gracely calls this “Calvinism’s rocking horse”. I call it tap-dancing between two contradicting positions. Norman Geisler and a host of other authors calls it Theological Double-Speak.
Over the years, Calvinists in their attempts to market this product, have evolved a strategically misleading and subtle language – which follows the model we find within the language of false-advertising. This is why non-Calvinists who engage with Calvinists become so frustrated. Calvinists cannot conform to established standards of honesty in logic or honesty in language. If they did their belief system would go the way of the dinosaur.
The best approach to dialog with Calvinism is to be on the lookout for shape-shifting terms and definitions, and shell-games with words. Euphemisms, equivocations, obfuscations, and half-truths are all at play. These have evolved as Calvinism’s strong suit for many years. But for the discerning Christian they function as a red-flag that something is systemically wrong – under the hood. And it all has its roots in their canonization of Theological Determinism.
Blessings! :-]