September 7, 2021 Tim Warner 4windsfellowships.net Sound doctrine is critical for Christians, but not for the reasons most suppose. It is not that holding a particular doctrinal position on the Godhead, free-will vs. election, the exact motions or rituals one must go through to be saved, or any particular eschatological viewpoint are required in order … Continue reading The Dangers of Bad Doctrine
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
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 7. The Power of the Gospel – 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 a-millennialism 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 10. Free Will & the Early Church – Calvinism
God's will is that believers obstain 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 6. God’s Will – Calvinism
When the philosophy that drives Calvinism is projected to its logical conclusion, even Satan's activity is an extension of God's sovereignty. God sovereignly controls Satan's every move. This makes God the author of everything evil, and the most wicked sinner of all. Some Calvinists actually admit this, and seek to defend it from Scripture. If … Continue reading 9. Where Calvinism Leads
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 4. Irresistible Grace – Calvinism
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 5. Perseverance of the Saints – Calvinism
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 2. Unconditional Election Calvinism
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 3. Limited Atonement – Calvinism
Living as a Christian in this World 