Calvinism exposed
Updated: 19 hours ago
Before I was called to mission work to the former Soviet Union & the Eastern European countries behind the "Iron Curtain" I grew up in Holland or better said; the Netherlands.
Everybody immediately thinks of the stereotype "cute" & not so nice things about this country below sea-level. But what is lesser known that it also has a very strong history of extreme "ingrained" Calvinism, especially in the rural towns & among the farming & fishing communities. Amsterdam in that regards is not good representation of the country as a whole.
The reason I am starting with this introduction is that I grew up with experiencing & observing the "fruit" of Calvinism. You not only need to look at the theological aspect which I will come to soon, but study the life & actions of John Calvin himself & observe the fruit of this teaching in the life of the church & believers. Well it's not pretty & I will spare you the details. When I as a young man found Christ & surrendered my life to Jesus Christ as my Lord & Saviour, it became even more clear to me it is a false teaching.
I also remember one example, one out many. In our church meetings in Novosibirsk, it was during the time when the Soviet Union was starting to fall apart, that a young lady student, at the University Auditorium, were we had the church meetings, walked in, right after a night partying & was still under influence, but God.....was gloriously saved in that meeting. We were able to disciple her for a while, till she received an invitation to attend a Calvinist Bible School in the U.S. Some years later we met her in Netherlands where we were pastoring our new church plant. We didn't recognize her, she was argumentative, didn't want any input from the ones who led her to Lord & was totally brainwashed with extreme hyper Calvinistic teachings regarding predestination, election & we humans not having any free will of choice. She clearly had lost all her joy from her initial glorious salvation & was drowned in theology that portrays God as a heavy taskmaster that decides in advance who goes to hell or heaven.
Besides observing the "fruit" I also did my "homework" and the more I delved into this matter the more disgusted I became with this abhorrent "doctrine" Even though it has some Biblical truths I concluded that it is a false doctrine.
Calvinism" & the so called "TULIP" has some Biblical truths, but like most false doctrines & religions they are "sandwiched" with some truth. But don't forget that most poisons consists largely of water.
The reason I am writing this blog is, that there seems to be a resurgence of Calvinism & unfortunately still influences many pulpits today across many denominations.
You don't have to take my word for it, but if you want to find out more, please study, read & listen to links below:
For more info see links below:
https://www.heraldofhope.org.au/reformed-theology-faulty-flower/ https://www.heraldofhope.org.au/who-are-the-elect/
This pastor exposes & shreds Calvinism with sound doctrine & counterarguments:
Some more theological discussion for those wanting more clarity:
Calvinism is a theological system built around the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation. It is commonly summarized by the acronym TULIP: Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.
Many godly men hold this position. But after careful study of Scripture in context, we do not.
Let’s walk through why.
First, Total Depravity.
We agree that humanity is fallen. Romans 3 makes that clear. Ephesians 2 says we are dead in trespasses and sins. Sin affects every part of man.
But Scripture never says man is unable to respond to God when confronted with truth. In Acts 17:30 God commands all men everywhere to repent. A just God does not command what is metaphysically impossible.
Dead in Scripture often means separated, not incapable. The prodigal son in Luke 15 was called dead, yet he still returned.
Second, Unconditional Election.
Calvinism teaches that God chooses specific individuals for salvation without regard to foreseen faith.
We believe Scripture teaches election, but election is consistently described as “in Christ.” Ephesians 1:4 says we are chosen in Him. The sphere of election is Christ, not an arbitrary pre-temporal selection of individuals apart from response.
Romans 8:29 says those whom He foreknew, He predestined. The Greek word proginosko carries the idea of relational foreknowledge. God knows beforehand who will believe. That does not diminish His sovereignty. It reflects His omniscience.
Third, Limited Atonement.
Calvinism teaches Christ died only for the elect.
Scripture repeatedly states Christ died for the world. John 3:16 says God so loved the world. First John 2:2 says He is the propitiation not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world. First Timothy 2:4 says God desires all men to be saved.
If Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient only for a predetermined few, those verses must be redefined. We do not redefine them.
The atonement is sufficient for all, efficient for those who believe.
Fourth, Irresistible Grace.
Calvinism teaches that when God internally calls someone, they cannot ultimately resist.
Yet Acts 7:51 says, “You always resist the Holy Spirit.” Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 and said, “I would have gathered you, but you were not willing.”
Grace can be resisted. Love that cannot be refused is not love in any meaningful relational sense.
Fifth, Perseverance of the Saints.
We believe in eternal security for those truly saved. John 10:28 is clear. But perseverance is the result of abiding in Christ, not evidence of preselection. Salvation is secure because of Christ’s finished work, not because someone was unconditionally elected before birth.
Now here is the deeper issue.
Conclusion:
Calvinism, when pressed logically, makes God the ultimate determiner of who will be saved and who will be condemned before they ever exist. Yet Scripture consistently presents God as just, not arbitrary.
Second Peter 3:9 says the Lord is not willing that any should perish. That is not theatrical language. That is God’s revealed heart.
We affirm God’s sovereignty. We affirm human responsibility.
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