As with much of what I write on this blog, my current blog series on Calvinism will eventually become a book. I have decided to call this book The Words of Calvinism and the Word of God. To make sure you get a free PDF of this book when it comes out, please request to get updates from me using one of the forms on this site.
Until then, I will try to update this page with the current list of blog posts on Calvinism. Please note that even though you will be able to read much of the content of this book using the links below, the final version of the book will be altered and updated to reflect additional research and any changes I might want to make to the posts based on the feedback and comments I receive on each individual post.
In other words, please read through the posts and leave comments! I value your input and learn from your suggestions — even if it is just to point out a typographical mistake!
So here are the posts in this series on Calvinism so far:
Introduction to Calvinsim
- I believe in the Five Solas of the Reformation
- My Personal History with Calvinism
- A Brief History of John Calvin
- A Brief Summary of Calvinism
- A Summary of Calvinism from Calvinists
- Calvinism’s TULIP by any other name still doesn’t smell as sweet
Calvinism and the Dictionary
- Faith
- Gospel
- Salvation
- Forgiveness – Two Kinds of Forgiveness: One is free; one is conditional
- Repentance – Repentance is not a condition for eternal life
- Eternal Life
- Grace
- Calvinism and the NIV
- 3 Tactics Calvinists Use Against Non-Calvinists
Total Depravity
- Total Depravity According to Calvinists
- Total Depravity according to Scripture
- Calvinism and Genesis 6:5
- Genesis 6:6 and Genesis 8:21 do not teach Total Depravity
- Are People Born in Sin? (Psalm 51:5)
- Psalm 143:2 does not teach Total Inability
- Does Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29 teach Total Depravity?
- Isaiah 53:6 and Isaiah 64:6 Do Not Teach Total Depravity
- Does Jeremiah 17:9 teach Total Depravity?
- John 3:3 Does Not Teach Total Inability
- John 6:44 is a key text for Total Depravity. Too bad it doesn’t teach it…
- John 8:43 does not teach total inability
- John 15:4-5 Does Not Teach Total Inability
- Is Paul teaching Calvinism in Romans 3:10-12?
- Paul Does Not Teach Total Depravity in Romans 3
- Humans have three parts: Body, Soul, and Spirit
- Romans 7: Did Paul Struggle with Sinful Flesh?
- Romans 8:7-8, Enmity with God, and Calvinism
- Can the Unbeliever Understand the Things of God? (1 Corinthians 2:14)
- Removing the Veil from the Gospel – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
- 7 Uses of the word “Dead” in the New Testament
- What does it mean to be dead in sin? Ephesians 2:1-3
- The Secret Logic Behind Total Depravity
- Is faith the gift of God in Ephesians 2:8-9?
- Are All Gentiles Depraved in the Mind? (Ephesians 4:17-19)
- If Judaizers are Right, then they’re Wrong (Titus 1:15)
- Is the World Controlled by the Devil? 1 John 5:19
- Why 1 John 5:1 does not teach that regeneration precedes faith
- The Last Word on Total Depravity
Unconditional Election
- Unconditional Election According to Calvinists
- Unconditional Election According to Scripture
- The Last Word on Unconditional Election
- Coming Soon!
Limited Atonement
- Posts Coming Soon!
Irresistible Grace
- Posts Coming Soon!
Perseverance of the Saints
- Posts Coming Soon!
The Sovereignty of God
- Posts Coming Soon!
Jeremy, I say this kindly, “Why would you want to start such a project?” It’s been done to death. Faith by nature is paradoxical. The whole argument with Calvinism vs whatever else is merely a matter of disagreement. Look, if there are well educated and highly erudite scholars on both sides of the argument then it is most likely that the whole subject in question is a paradox. For fun, look up paradoxes that have not been solved, and you’ll see that trying to understand exactly “how” God works with humans, while remaining sovereign, is a paradox. If you still want to pursue this book, then why not write a book about your friendship with several Calvinist/Arminians/Eastern Orthodox/Catholic and through that friendship discuss and describe how they deal with Calvinistic questions, and most importantly how and in what way was your friendship affected, if at all.
Perhaps we should consider a more radical proposal, that the sovereign analogy maybe erroneous, for if we believe that God is absolutely self-sufficient and needs nothing from us nor fears us we may conclude that He has no desire to control and rule us.
Moreover, there is the moral argument, that God for our education would not impose His will upon us for to do so would teach us to impose our will on others.
Instead of a sovereign God, we may have a patient, meek God, who shows us how to live peacefully, creatively, humbly, and generously by not imposing His will.
Scary, for if we reject the notion that God is a sovereign, we have to take responsibility. We cannot act like Adam and Eve:
“And the man said, The woman whom THOU gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”
“And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.”
A great comment and it help me. Well put
Yuri, I agree with you that writings on Calvinism has been done to death. But as, for example, the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination/election is probably one of the great divisive factors in the church. It is time that more take on the attempt to “do it to life instead of death.”
The simple biblical content has been polluted so much throughout the centuries through all kinds of philosophizings, that it is necessary for brave voices to be heard. After all, it is the biblical truth we seek, not the truth of man-made tradition, which according to the Master Teacher, has revoked the word of God. ironically, many theologians of past centuries have spoken out and written on such issues, but you will battle to find their writings in the curricula of Bible Schools/Colleges throughout the world.
It is imperative that believers come to know what the Bible teaches instead of what So and So says the Bible teaches. In this regard, Jeremy, has taken on a valuable quest. You and I may differ from some of his understandings, but in the course of the stimulation he provides, it is equally our individual responsibility to weigh and test his views against the Bible and then decide what we accept as truth and what not. It is in this spirit that I appreciate his focus in this regard.
Grace to you!
“…it is equally our individual responsibility to weigh and test his [Jeremy’s] views against the Bible and then decide what we accept as truth and what not.”
This is the Protestant move par excellence. What Gerrie is saying is that ultimately he, Gerrie, determines what is biblical truth and what isn’t, thus the use of the phrase “individual responsibility”. Let’s see what would happen if Gerrie were to follow this line of reasoning to its logical conclusion. Let’s say Gerrie decided that Jeremy’s interpretation/writings were false and thus unbiblical. First of all, what was it that led Gerrie to that conclusion, that Jeremy was incorrect? As a good Protestant Gerrie would likely argue that the Spirit led him to that conclusion, but he can’t use that argument because every Protestant uses that argument—I read the Bible and the Spirit led me to this or that conclusion. So, either the Spirit is a liar, revealing different truths to different people, or the Spirit is not in fact leading any Protestants as they preach a different gospel than one taught by the Apostles as they received it from Jesus (Gal 1:8), or they present a Jesus other than the one the Apostles preached (2 COR 11:4), which then leads to the teaching of false doctrines (1 Tim 6:3). Still, as a good Protestant Gerrie wouldn’t admit to this, so he would either church shop until he found one that aligned with his truth/understanding of truth—this kind of thinking has led to the relativism of today found all throughout the Western world—or he would start his own church if he felt so inclined or capable, claiming all the while that he was doing what the Holy Spirit was leading him to do. This cannot be what Christ desired as He prayed “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
Yuri,
I had the same misgivings before I started writing this series. There are about a dozen reasons I decided to forge ahead, however, most of which I won’t share here.
One reason I will share, however, is that I feel I have something to say on the debate that I have not found written anywhere else by any of the well educated and highly erudite scholars on both sides of the debate.
Mr. Myers,
I would like to encourage you to forge ahead with this project.
Why?
Because even if the debates surrounding Calvinism have been “done to death”, not all, or even many, are aware of these debates.
I, for one, grew up under very strong, very repressive Calvinist influences. The name “Calvinism” was never actually used to name these doctrines. Expressions such as “This is the Biblical Gospel” were constantly used to qualify Calvinist doctrines, without identifying them as such. So I grew up thinking these were all unquestionably true. Non-Calvinists weren’t called Non-Calvinists, they were called Heretics. Non-Calvinist teachings weren’t called non-Calvinist teachings, they were called False Teaching. So I simply stayed away from them. For over two decades.
When I became a young adult, living on my own, in a foreign language and culture, Calvinism didn’t work out, but I was too scared to question it. At first. I eventually began to think I was one of the Un-elect, pre-destined to burn alive in liquid fire forever and ever without end for God’s “Glory” and “Pleasure”. Nothing I could think, say, pray, believe, or do would make any difference. Eventually I blasphemed the Calvinist representation of God, and then lived in dread, believing I’d committed the Unpardonable Sin, while thinking I’d also been pre-destined to do so. I was being ripped apart by Hatred and Fear.
But… I did have some good memories of warm, humble Christians in my life, so I decided to “give it one more chance” before going to a very dark place. That’s when I discovered not only the term “Calvinism”, but also the fact that there were legitimate arguments against Calvinism I’d never been allowed to hear. I discovered the injustices of Calvinism weren’t just my own, futile, depraved attempts to comprehend the incomprehensible. Many noteworthy believers had had the same thoughts I’d had, and had voiced them publicly.
Never in my life have I cried so liberatingly as when I’d finished reading “Answering Calvinism” by Richard Coords, and “What Love Is This” by Dave Hunt.
I found your site without typing in “Calvinism”, so please, for people out there like me, please go ahead with your plan: it truly can mean the difference between eternal life and eternal torment for someone who can’t put the words on it, or just doesn’t know who to turn to – they can’t turn to the Calvinist representation of God, because He eternally damned them before He made the world. But they can read people like you, who can point them to the Biblical God, and He’s worth turning to.
Couldn’t resist….Not that Bert was a Calvinist, but he gives a good 8 second, poignant imitation of what it looks like when a Calvinist reads 2 Peter 3:9 for the first time at the link below. (-:
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but EVERYONE to come to repentance.” (emphasis added)
http://i.imgur.com/qUrIF.gif
Hi Yuri. Every generation needs to be taught these controversies anew. There will always be another Calvinist book out there, and another rejoinder. Plus, I think Jeremy’s perspectives are somewhat different than what you usually hear.
Shawn Lazar, thanks for weighing in there. You are right about needing to go over this afresh with every generation. Also, as you say, I like to think I have a perspective on this (as do many Free Grace people) that is somewhat different (and more balanced, I hope?) than that found in most books on the controversy.
Yuri Wijting, I hope that somewhat answers your question… There are numerous other reasons I am writing on this subject right now also, but that is the main one….
It must be very, very difficult to overcome programming in the faith life. Like trying to leave cult ideas behind. Because of relationships it is nearly impossible. I have always found it quite odd that John Wesley was a preacher for years before he was actually saved at that small church. If he was in ministry, then saved. What the hell was he preaching before he was saved?? Is this a common trait among the false pious? Or amongst us all? Before we are saved we spout about our own birth cukty faith. Then we are saved. Then we try to hold to our birth culty faith. And it us thankfully then that jesus starts to put us right. Not an easy job for him mind!
Steve, The paradox lies in that if God already knows the future then how could it be otherwise – free will would be an illusion. There are studies in science and psychology that suggest that free will is actually an illusion. I find it surprising that you seem so confident that you’ve solved something like God’s sovereignty in 2mins what still perplexes theologians today. I don’t really understand what you mean by “free grace, non-Arminian perspective?’ Are you trying to say “free grace, non-Calvinistic perspective?” Btw Calvinist very much believe that grace is free.
Shawn, I know what “free grace” means but was not certain of Steve’s definition of it. Your enumeration of 1-7 doesn’t accurately reflect the two positions of Arminianism/Calvinism. Personally I have no problem with Arminians or Calvinists. I am certainly not going into a point by point discussion. I do want to suggest that you take aspects from both these systems of thought and incorporate them into your life. There’s no such thing as purely Arminian or Calvinist, not in practice that I know of.
Yuri, It’s only a paradox if you define God’s sovereignty as “allowing no one else the freedom to make a choice.” Then, of course, humans making a choice or having any freedom at the same time would be a paradox. But God is still sovereign, even though He grants freedom to his creatures, and there is no logical difficulty in that. Corrected definitions = no paradox.. I am glad Jeremy is writing on this. The more free grace, non-Arminian perspective on this the better.
Shawn, … we can go back and forth till kingdom come. The bottom line is that Arminians are mainly synergist (people cooperate with God, i.e. Do your best and God will do the rest), while Calvinists are monogist (everything is God’s grace from beginning to end, people do have free will but only God brings them to salvation and sustains them to the end). That is all. Everything else is details that we could go on and on and on debating.
Yuri, “Free Grace” generally refers to a position that includes the following beliefs:
1) that eternal life given on the basis of faith alone, in Christ alone, apart from works;
2) that eternal security is part of the gift of eternal life;
3) that assurance of salvation is through faith in Christ’s promise of eternal life, and not by looking at one’s own works
4) Christians can apostatize in this life, and are still eternally secure
5) eternal rewards are earned by faithful works, and lost by unfaithfulness
6) unlimited atonement
7) free-will to respond to God’s drawing or not
#1, 2, 3, and 4 go against Arminianism.
#3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 go against Calvinism.
Hi Shawn, I enjoyed your explanation of Free Grace position. Am wondering if you or someone else have verses to support 1-7… for my own reference more than anything.
This would be great, thank you.
I hold to free grace as Shawn has defined it. I know a lot of theologians are perplexed by many things and so am I. But a sovereign God who can and has granted freedom to his creatures without losing control of the cosmos or knowledge of the future is not one of them. The reason people are perplexed is they use a definition of sovereignty which in effect excludes human freedom (because if this were allowed, God would not be truly sovereign), then tries to figure out how to work it back into the equation.
Yuri, I understand your weariness, but I for one am rather insistent that that is NOT all. Arminians and Calvinists have got it wrong with their systems, and there is a third way. Asserting there are only two choices serves to distract their critics from the flaws in their respective systems. “You may not like all my points, but your only alternative is their even worse points!”
Thank you for these posts! I am surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who are 5 point Calvinists, and whilst I do love them as brothers and sisters in Christ – they’re all trying to convince me that calvinism is true! And their standard of good theology and a good church is one who holds to the reformed tradition. I honestly feel pressured into accepting Calvinism because of it. But your posts have made my understanding of scripture a lot better! Thanks! 🙂
Good to hear, Jayy. I hope to finish the series of posts eventually… even though lots of people got upset at me for posting them.
Some people have said that this topic has been ‘done to death.’ I wonder exactly what they mean by that. If it really has been ‘done to death,’ then I can think of numerous topics that have been done many times more than this topic(at least where I’m at and interact): faith, hope, love, prayer, fellowship, giving, good works, christian unity, salvation, grace, faith healing, being culturally relevant, the gospel, the resurrection, religion vs. relationship, tithing, worship, reverence, christian music, legalism, old vs. new covenant, Paul’s conversion, miracles, gifts of the spirit, sign gifts, tongues, nativity, the disciples, crucifixion, materialism, mysticism, new age, atheism, i could probably list about 50 more if I thought about it. Point is, in light of this, has it really been done to death? I have visited numerous churches, followed what the popular radio and TV teachers are preaching, followed some popular books for bible study groups for 25 yeas or so. I don’t recall coming across that topic once in any of those circles. At least in my sphere, people are vehemently, rabidly anti-theology. Even broach the topic of Calvinism and people accuse you of being unspiritual(knowledge puffs up but love edifies ‘card’). At least where I’ve interacted, people just want to hear the same cliches over and over or want some sort of emotional sermon that ‘moves’ them, a spiritual pep talk. For me, that’s what’s been done to death, certainly not Calvinism/Arminianism, so I’m glad Jeremy is doing this series.
So, is the series going to be finished ? It’s really interesting !
Several readers felt I was being too negative on Calvinists, so I stopped the series.
Oh no.. Such a shame..
I was wondering about your views and the nature of man and so on..
Well, I guess i’ll have to finish reading all the articles and find another website for learning.
God bless.
I agree. It is a shame to stop refuting something that is in error because too many people complain.
I know it has been a long time since you started writing this series but if you believe it is the right perspective and it is going to glorify God by giving a balanced view on the whole Calvinism/Arminian/Free Grace issue then why would you stop just because of some criticism? I know criticism can be difficult to take especially when there is an army of calvinists out there ready to have your head but if you’ve spent many thousands of hours researching and writing then it’s definitely worth publishing. I’ve spent hundreds of hours online reading on the issue and your website is providing one of the most thorough perspectives out there. You’d be saving many people thousands of hours and it would be a blessing!
I agree with Jason. We need to speak out against this heresy that is causing many to be led astray and/or causing unbelievers to turn away!
I agree with Jason as well. I have spent far more time researching this than I should. I thought the debate was silly for the longest time until I started befriending calvinists and it started to change. People may be upset with you, but the truth has a habit of upsetting people. I know the truth is mixed in with all these opposing views and I think your series on Calvinism is closer to it than most.
But that is my personal opinion.
God hates sin, Calvanism is a false teaching that give people a false hope. There is only one truth. Calvanism is not it. Keep up the good work of exposing their false teaching.
From what I have reasearched Eddie…. God hates the consequences of sin on us and others around us. He forgives sin
Eddie Crain: I agree with your opening words that God hates sin… But disagree with the following assertions you made. It is Calvinism that holds on firm teaching on the Salvation of the elect. It is the Universalists view that is deceptive giving false hope to all people to be saved yet they are still being thrown to hell.
Jtleosala,
Salvation is available to all universally. The fact that only some will be saved it’s a fact of life, as we see around us, some believe some don’t.
It’s really not that hard.
I have always found Jeremy to be very accurate with his research and writings about Gods Word. The reason I believe Calvinism should be exposed and written about is because there is a major push on to expand reformist influence across the western world eg the Geneva push movement or the Gospel Coalition movement. When Churches are taken over by these movements they often become very legalistic and judgmental leaving behind the great commission seeing it as unnecessary, where grace, mercy and forgiveness is often hard to find. New generations of believers and also those not aware of what these groups stand for need to be able to access accurate information so they can make informed decisions about what to believe and agree to. Food for thought.
Stay the course, finish your project about Calvinism. I remember years ago reading about predestination, and especially double/predestination, and I could not conceive God doing this and still being a God of love. Nor would His warnings in the Bible make much sense. It bothered me muchly to think of God in this way, and actually made me angry with His unfairness (to say the least) if it were true. This hostility I felt toward God also bothered me. Eventually, I thought that I cannot help rejecting Calvinism, whether or not it was true, figuring if it were true, I was just decreed to reject it. Then I came across counter-Calvin web articles which found it a terrible doctrine.
drk
Jeremy, you can’t stop, please. I asked God to clear this up for me once and for all. Next thing I know I’m on your site reading about this while cross referencing scripture from Matt S. Yours could not be disputed if read in context. It wasn’t that way with his. They use their proof text out of context. I don’t know how I even came across your site. Well, I do know. I prayed. Last week I asked Him to clear it up once and for all about the apostolic gifts being for today or not, and the Holy Spirit through scripture did clear this up for me. This week it’s Calvinism. You know that God works through others. Be brave and please continue. God bless you.
Thanks, John. I do want to continue. I will pick back up with this project soon, hopefully.
Just discovered this blog & effort.
I’d encourage you to continue to articulate your biblical understanding as an effective way to hear God & learn by his Spirit. I’m interested personally to more clearly express what I believe. I am ready to live with the mystery of God revealing himself concerning how he relates to us and we to him.
I’m reading the mystery in Calvinism being taken away or forgotten. I’m eager to see how Free Grace approach holds the mystery … or doesn’t.
Thanks for providing an opportunity to learn together.
Hopefully you will also include some discussion about the “order of salvation” beginning with God’s decree before creation.
Yes, there will be a discussion of the “ordo salutis” (as Calvinists call it).
I appreciate all of your ideas written here. Can you please include me as one of your recipients of your articles. I need it as an additional ammunitions in contending for the elect sake.
Jeremy,
I wasn’t read this far down the comments until today.
I’ve said before, this blog post was what led me to your site.
I am having coffee next week with one of my friends whom I financially support as an evangelist /trainer with Cru. He’s a firm 5 pointer. I am not and actually think I am pretty comfortable with the Free Grace camp while still learning that.
The church I attend is essentially reformed doctrine non-denominational in the city of Chicago. It’s a fantastic community of diverse people from all backgrounds. Outreach is very encourage and we are one of a few Protestant churches who support World Relief with our hands and feet. There’s a lot of good here. And after completing your Skeleton Church course, I am encouraged that it’s not as harmful as I had first believed to be Calvinist or Arminian or other of any kind, (so long as the skeleton is “human” right?) while I have my disagreements with Calvinism, people are coming to Christ and people are being clothed and fed in my church. I can appreciate that while I carry differences. His is that beauty of Jesus and John 17 working imho.
Perhaps you can continue this valuable way that is not as hard on Calvinist’s but perhaps they need a bit of a spankin too. I encourage you in Jesus to pick up the mantle. This is one of your seminal works.
Thank you for your work on this subject.
Calvinism is a disease that in spreading throughout the body of Christ.
God bless you.
This is outstanding and important material. Please keep posting and/or publish a book!
Mr. Meyers,
If you are still offering it, I would like a free PDF/version of your book on Calvinism. I am a Catholic, and I have recently encountered Calvinist arguments through friends who believe in the teaching of total depravity. These friends are close so I do harbor any ill will towards them, but I would like to better understand their beliefs/arguments. I do think they are fundamentally flawed, and I believe your book would help me anticipate their arguments so that I am not caught off guard when responding to them. I believe that a lot of our beliefs are congruent, but their terminology is very loaded with “traditional” (gasp) understandings that I am not familiar with.
I appreciate your posts, and I have found them very helpful as an initial spring board into Calvinist beliefs.
Thank you, and God bless.
Garrett Bannister
Need help finishing this page?
Brother, your work on Ordo Salutis is excellent.
I am an overcoming victim of Calvinism and Pentecostalism as they tend to exhibit “hyper-spiritualism”. As a former Catholic, and disciple of Jesus with educational influence in the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, the most harmful thing I have experienced as a now former pastor of a Christian Church, has been witnessing sheep I love, listening to a provocatively evolved yet powerful few leading, the politically conservative, non-denominational proclaiming, condescending theology hybrid of, “true Christians”. For years, the undermining few with their, “God told me the opposite of you, therefore I no longer need to believe you are called by God, so I can actively and passively rebel against your leadership. . .and God will be pleased.” infiltrated the leadership of our church. Attempted and failed coups of the past gained traction during the pandemic, and the current “spirit” of anti-government, anti-covid, anti-me, turned into a new ministry as a hospice employee. Every day, I help the least of these, but I do still long to find a fellowship of folks such as you. We currently follow a church online where I was Associate Minister, they are the place we currently feel at home. The senior pastor and I are friends and he has been more intensely battling this “spirit” as well. As I am healing from a 21-year ministry disappearing into thin air, due to this “spirit”, your website is an affirming breath of spiritual fresh air. Thank you. Peace.
Everywhere I turn churches, websites, youtube, curriculum, books, colleges are saturated by the hidden teachings of Calvinism. Some people may say there is already enough written against Calvinism. But I say there isn’t enough! People searching for truth and many Christians are being continually fed from the hands of Calvinists. And most don’t even know it. I say keep writing. Keep preaching. Keep getting the truth out. It’s the only way to be heard over the resounding elect and their clanging arguments of limited attunement. So, thank you for taking the time to research and compose a necessary broken record because some still haven’t heard the message. Sometimes we write not for the reader who wants to hear it but for the reader who needs to hear it.
May I please get the PDF of “The Words of Calvinism and the Word of God”
Thank you