What is Calvinism?

Election as it was taught by John Calvin and by the 5 points of the TULIP seems to be a doctrine devised by men (perhaps by good men) who did not understand “Right Division” and the special revelation to Paul concerning the “dispensation of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1-5). As a result they developed a system of theology that is inconsistent with the grace of God.

Total depravity does not mean man is incapable of believing. It means he is incapable of working and achieving his own salvation. Election is the fact that God chose to “save those that believe” – I Corinthians 1:21. Then God chose those “In Christ,” “ to be holy and without blame before him in love” – Ephesians 1:4. God chose to save only the believing remnant in Israel (Matthew 22:14). And He chose to save all who would believe among the Gentiles and make them “the Body of Christ.” Therefore what is called Unconditional Election, is wrong. The condition is faith.

Limited Atonement is one of the worse perversions of grace. The very revelation of Grace was the fact that Jesus Christ died for all (II Corinthians 5:14,15). God’s will is for ALL to be saved – II Timothy 2:4-6. So the Lord Jesus gave his life a ransom for all. But God waited to reveal this truth when he revealed His grace to Paul – II Timothy 2:6,7. Compare this verse to Matthew 20:28 where at that time Jesus Christ is said to be Israel’s Saviour. He came to save His people from their sins, so he gave his life a ransom for many. However, “in due time” Paul tells us how Jesus Christ gave his life a ransom for all.

Irresistible grace is also another unscriptural doctrine. The testimony of Scripture is that men (for the most part) have “always resisted the Holy Ghost” – Acts 7:51.

Lastly, Perseverance of the Saints, if meant to be Eternal Security would be correct. All Believers are eternally secure – Ephesians 1:12-14. However the early reformers taught a “Lordship Salvation.” Many of them taught that if you persevered faithful to the end of your life then you would be saved. If you failed to live a consistent Christian life, then you did not make Jesus Lord of your life and were not truly saved. This again makes man’s works the issue and leaves no room for “carnal” Saints, as were the Corinthians.

In God’s grace it is His faithfulness that secures our salvation, not ours – II Timothy 2:13.