Calvinism
John 15 – The Vine and the Branches
John 15: 1-6 is typically used by Arminians to show that it is possible for those who are in Christ to apostatize, and thus, forfeit/lose salvation. The passage says: John 15:1-6 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, [...]
Is Judas Among the Elect?
In a defense of Calvinism, GotQuestions.org claims: “Since we know Scripture teaches many spend an eternity separated from God, it must be that their sins were not covered in the atonement. Either that or there are people in hell for whom Christ died, a scripturally insupportable conclusion.” (Emphasis mine) But if that were true, we [...]
The Universal Call of the Gospel Requires Universal Provision/Unlimited Atonement
Here is an excellent article from the Society of Evangelical Arminians on the extent of the Atonement: How can we preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) if Christ did not die for every creature? If the good news of the cross is only for some, then how can we preach it with sincerity to all? [...]
Is the Human Decision to Accept God’s Grace a Meritorious Work?
Is the human decision to accept God’s grace a ‘work’ that we contribute towards our salvation? Roger Olson writes, “Isn’t the bare human decision to accept and not resist God’s grace and mercy unto salvation a meritorious work? Arminians respond with a resounding no. In sum, and by way of preview, classical Arminianism argues that [...]
A Question For Calvinists
How can God genuinely desire the salvation of those whom He, from eternity, unconditionally determined not to save, and is pleased to exclude? Or in the case of supralapsarianism, which teaches that God specifically created people for the express purpose of destroying them, I ask: How can God genuinely desire the salvation of those whom [...]
Quotable Quotes – The Stumbling Block for Calvinists
“All Calvinists, whether they be Presbyterian or Reformed, Primitive Baptist or Sovereign Grace Baptist; all Calvinists, whether they be premillennial or amillennial, dispensational or covenant theologist; all Calvinists, whether they go by the name or not; all Calvinists have one thing in common: God, by a sovereign, eternal, decree, has determined before the foundation of [...]
Are Calvinists Determinists?
A short while ago I was having a discussion with a Calvinist on the issue of determinism. As a result of my own studies into this topic (i.e., my reading of leading Calvinists themselves), I have come to the conclusion that though there may be a few individuals from the Reformed crowd who reject the [...]
Quotable Quotes – Norman Geisler on Extreme Calvinism and Blaming God for Evil
“Not only does extreme Calvinism tend to undermine personal responsibility, it also logically lays the blame squarely on God for the origin of evil. Many years ago, when the late John Gerstner and I taught together at the same institution, I invited him into one of my classes to discuss free will. Being what I [...]
What Does Spiritual Death Mean?
Calvinists are fond of drawing a parallel between spiritual death and physical death, and it is upon this comparison that the theory of regeneration preceding faith rests. For example, Harold Camping writes: “Revelation 3:20 is frequently used by those who want to retain some aspect of free will. There God declares, ‘Behold, I stand at [...]
Quotable Quotes – William Lane Craig on Romans 9
In a response to an Atheist, Dr. William Lane Craig made some excellent comments with regards to the ever-controversial ninth chapter of Romans: “[L]et’s talk about Paul’s doctrine of election in Romans 9. I want to share with you a perspective on Paul’s teaching that I think you’ll find very illuminating and encouraging. Typically, as [...]
Free Grace, by John Wesley
NOTHING BUT THE STRONGEST CONVICTION, not only that what is here advanced is “the truth as it is in Jesus,” but also that I am indispensably obliged to declare this truth to all the world, could have induced me openly to oppose the sentiments of those whom I esteem for their work’s sake: At whose [...]
Quotable Quotes – Steve Lemke on Irresistible Grace and the Ministry of Jesus
“What is generalized in Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem is personalized in the incident with the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23). The ruler asked, ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ (Luke 18:18 HCSB). If Jesus were a Calvinist, one might have expected Him to answer, ‘Nothing!’ and admonish the young ruler for the impertinence [...]
