Calvinism asserts that salvation is granted solely by God's grace to an elect group, emphasizing a doctrine of limited atonement where Jesus' sacrifice is believed to apply only to these chosen few, leaving others to face eternal damnation. Critics, however, point to various biblical passages that suggest Jesus died for the sins of the entire world, challenging the Calvinist view of limited atonement by highlighting the inclusive nature of Christ's redemption.
Shawn's teaching discusses the contrasting views of Calvinism and Arminianism regarding Jesus' atonement and emphasizes the concept of Irresistible Grace within Calvinist doctrine, where God ensures that those He elects for salvation will accept His grace through the work of the Holy Spirit. Calvinism purports that the elect cannot lose their salvation, as it is based on God's infinite love and determined will, culminating in the belief of the "Perseverance of the Saints," which asserts "once saved, always saved."
The concept of being "secure in Christ" is widely accepted among Christians today, including both Reformed believers (Calvinists) and those of other theological perspectives. The popularity of this belief in the Christian community stems from several factors that will be explored further in upcoming discussions.Calvinism and the Five Points
April 10th 2018
Show 22 – Christian BS – Part VI
CALVINISM Part Four
We have been talking about Calvinism. It is really important to know that the Five Point Calvinists world view does not hold water if any of the Five Points is proven faulty. In other words, there is truly no such thing as a four or three or two or a one point Calvinist. Calvin had a steely, legal mind and in the face of Luther’s reformation he believed that “salvation by grace” truly needed some detailed, methodical parameters for the masses to adhere to in their minds. He produced this enormous volume of a “seamless” theology compiled into one book called, Institutes of the Christian Religion. As we’ve said, in Calvin’s “Reformed perspective” since God only elects some to eternal life then Jesus only atoned for sins of some (meaning it is a limited atonement). To Calvin, since no one deserves to be saved, and since only God elect’s only a certain group to be saved, it wouldn’t make any sense for Jesus to then suffer and die for everyone.
The Doctrine of Limited Atonement
So Five Point Calvinists, carrying their insane doctrines out to further extremes, now go on and say the Jesus only suffered for the sins of those God elected before the foundation of the world – and the rest He has left to their face their own pre-determined destination – eternal burning hell. Some Calvinists today claim Jean Calvin did not really teach limited atonement. But take note that is was Calvin who said: “The whole world does not belong to its Creator except that grace rescues from God’s curse and wrath and eternal deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God. a limited number who would otherwise perish. But the world itself is left to its own destruction, to which it has been destined. Meanwhile, although Christ interposes himself as mediator, he claims for himself, in common with the Father, the right to choose. ‘I am not speaking,’ he says, ‘of all; I know whom I have chosen’ (John 13:18).”
He continues, saying: “This we must believe: when he declares that he knows whom he has chosen, he denotes in the human genus a particular species, distinguished not by the quality of its virtues but by heavenly decree.” He also said (listen closely) that “the doctrine of salvation, which is said to be reserved solely and individually for the sons of the church, is falsely debased when presented as effectually profitable to all.” Bottom line, most Calvinists (who admit to embracing limited atonement) would argue that Jesus precious blood would never be spilled or wasted atoning for the sins of those who God has always known were destined for hell. Therefore, the atonement of Christ was limited in scope.
Biblical Evidence of Atonement
Biblically speaking, there is just too much evidence to support the fact that Jesus suffered, bled and died for the sins of the world. Consider the biblical evidence, and ask yourself, does this sound like Jesus only died for a few “selected elected?”
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sinMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace. of the world.
1st John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
2nd Corinthians 5:15 “And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”
1st Corinthians 15:21-22 “For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
1st Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1st Timothy 4:10 “For therefore we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.”
To sort of summarize the spectrum of stances generally taken relative to the atonement of Jesus Christ, let’s begin with Calvin who essentially
The Debate on Atonement
"Jesus only paid for the sin of those God has elected to salvation." Then we have Arminiasts who say: "Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world but His gift must be accepted, in faith and in this life, to be effectual." Do you accept Calvin’s idea which says Jesus atonement is limited only to those God has elected? Or do you accept the Arminianist idea that says Jesus suffered for the whole world but for His work to be efficacious, people must choose to believe or it was wasted?
Or . . . or . . .is there another biblically based option you may not have considered that trumps them all – a response that truly proves God is love, He is just, He endorses the free-will of human beings, and implements afterlife punishment to achieve His purposes which will be done?
Irresistible Grace
Right now let’s continue forward with the remainder of the Five Points of Calvinism, namely, "Irresistable Grace." Like the other points, Irresistible grace is tied directly to the other points before and after it. In other words, if a Sovereign God unconditionally elects certain totally depraved souls to life eternal, and Jesus atones for their sins alone (and not those of the rest of the world) then the grace He extends to His chosen elect (being sovereign) will always be received (Irresistible Grace).
To the Calvinist, God is all-powerful, and his intentions will be always be realized so therefore nothing happens that He has not decreed. In light of this, Calvinists say that the elect will be elected, they will not (cannot) refuse election, and in the end they will remain faithful to the election – because God has determined this to be so from the foundation of the world due to His own good will and pleasure.
Calvinist E. Palmer wrote something interesting, saying: "Do not misunderstand the word irresistible. To some, it may give the meaning of causing someone to do what he does not want to do. . . . All that irresistible grace means is that God sends his Holy Spirit to work in the lives of people so that they will definitely and certainly be changed from evil to good people. It means that the Holy Spirit will certainly—without any and’s, if’s and but’s—cause everyone whom God has chosen from eternity and for whom Christ died to believe in Jesus."
The statement is troubling because it opens with saying we are not to misunderstand “irresistible” to mean that “the Holy Spirit causes someone to do what they don’t want to do,” but then says, it just means that the Holy Spirit, “. . . without any and’s, if’s and but’s—causes everyone whom God has chosen from eternity and for whom Christ died to believe in Jesus.”
Nevertheless, another Calvinist named Timothy George says something that rings far more true to what Calvinists generally state, which is: (Irresistible Grace . . .) "means simply that God is able to accomplish what He has determined to do in the salvation of lost men and women. Arminians are right to protest the notions of mechanical necessity and impersonal determinism suggested (and sadly sometimes taught) under the banner of irresistible grace. God created human beings with free moral agency, and He does not violate this even in the supernatural work of regeneration. Christ does not rudely bludgeon His way into the human heart. He does not abrogate his creaturely freedom. No, He beckons and woos. He pleads and pursues, He waits and wins."
This statement seems to be in harmony with the other three points already discussed. And it appears that the picture of irresistible grace that the Calvinist presents is one of the Good Shepherd going after the lost sheep and pursuing them until they have been collected (or redeemed). Bottom line, God will bring/entice/lead his elect to salvation, an agreeable summation if the individual desires His help.
Perseverance of the Saints
The final letter in the T.U.L.I.P. stands for Perseverance of the Saints. It is a very logical conclusion to the other four points and we might reword it as saying: “Once saved, always saved.” Calvinist Charlie Hodge says it this way: “The perseverance of the saints is to be attributed not to the strength of their love of God, nor to anything else in themselves, but solely to the free and infinite love of God.”
In other words, as another Christian commentator says: “You cannot lose your salvation. Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation, those thus saved are eternally secure. They are eternally.
Assurance in Faith
secure in Christ.” • This view – whether a person is a Reformed believer (Calvinist) or not – is quite popular in the Body of Christ today. There’s a few reasons for this – which we will discuss on the next show. OUT
