God is sovereign, but that doesn’t lead to the philosophy of St. Augustine or John Calvin. God chooses to limit His sovereignty in the case of man’s free will. He has established a framework of natural laws and spiritual laws. His natural laws include the laws of physics. Everything in the universe obeys God’s natural … Continue reading The Coexistence of Sovereignty and Free Will – Calvinism Series
We stated in the introduction that Calvinism has its roots in the views of St. Augustine. This man was also largely responsible for the acceptance of amillennialism into mainstream Christianity, and the Roman Catholic doctrine that the Catholic Church is now God’s Kingdom on earth. Prior to his conversion in the fourth century, Augustine was … Continue reading Free Will & the Early Church – Calvinism – Part 11
God’s will is that believers abstain from fornication. Paul wrote, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no … Continue reading God’s Will – Calvinism – Part 7
The idea that God gives a mystical enlightenment only to a preordained number of individuals is completely foreign to the Scriptures, and to God’s integrity. Yes, the Spirit draws people to God. But, many people resist the Spirit. The power that leads people to repentance and experiencing the grace of God, is not mystical at … Continue reading The Power of the Gospel – Calvinism Series – Part 8
Grace According to CalvinistsCalvinists do not deny that God’s grace is given to the non-elect. Everything good is from God. Jesus said that God makes the sun to shine on both the wicked and righteous. Everything good in this world is because of the grace of God. However, Calvinists distinguish between what they call “common … Continue reading Irresistible Grace – Calvinism – Part 5
It may come as a surprise to many Christians that “Eternal Security” (or once saved always saved) was completely unknown to the Church prior to the development of Calvinism during the Reformation. Even St. Augustine, whose philosophies led to the development of Calvinism, did not hold to “Eternal Security.” The Scriptures teach that the believer … Continue reading Perseverance of the Saints – Calvinism – Part 6
Calvinists take their theory to the next logical plateau, by claiming the blood atonement of Christ was limited to the elect only. Christ died only for the sins of the elect. If one is not elect, Christ did not die for his sins. Support for this idea is derived from passages that speak of Jesus’ … Continue reading Limited Atonement – Calvinism – Part 4
Calvinists believe God has chosen only certain individuals to be saved, based entirely on His sovereignty. By this they mean that God does not take into consideration any future faith or response to His grace by the individual. Rather, He decides whom He will save completely independently of man’s own will. Since mankind is allegedly … Continue reading Unconditional Election Calvinism – Part 3
The Human Condition According to Calvinists The Calvinist view of the human condition is one of complete and utter depravity. They do not deny that man sometimes does things that are good. However, his fallen condition makes it utterly impossible for him to live righteously. He inevitably gives in to his fallen nature inherited from … Continue reading Total Depravity – Calvinism – Part 2
God is sovereign, but that doesn't lead to the philosophy of St. Augustine or John Calvin. God chooses to limit His sovereignty in the case of man's free will. He has established a framework of natural laws and spiritual laws. His natural laws include the laws of physics. Everything in the universe obeys God's natural … Continue reading 8. The Coexistence of Sovereignty and Free Will – Calvinism Series
Living as a Christian in this World 