There Are NO Clear Scriptures Supporting Calvinism

Where are they? Where are all the Biblical passages that clearly support Calvinism? The truth is that there are none. Calvinism is unfortunately built on inferences and "hope so's" and not on Holy Scripture. There are no passages in the Bible that clearly state that the doctrines of Calvinism and their TULIP are genuine doctrines.

Even A.W. Pink, the revered and noted Calvinist confirms my conclusion when discussing unconditional election in his book called "Election":                                                                            

“It is a difficult doctrine, and this in three respects.  First, in the understanding of it.  Unless we are privileged to sit under the ministry of some Spirit-taught servant of God, who presents the truth to us systematically, great pains and diligence are called for in the searching of the Scriptures, so that we may collect and tabulate their scattered statements on this subject. It has not pleased the Holy Spirit to give us one complete and orderly setting forth of the doctrine of election, but instead "here a little, there a little"—in typical history, in psalm and prophecy, in the great prayer of Christ (John 17), in the epistles of the apostles. Second, in the acceptation of it.”

I don't agree with Pink on much but his take here on unconditional election is accurate. He notes that scriptures of supposed support for Calvinism are "collected" and "tabulated' from "scattered statements" and grasped by an approach that is "here a little, there a little" approach. In other words Pink confesses a theology that is established by the connect-the-dots methodology and this kind of exegesis always leads to error. This is the same way that cults create their doctrines. It is the way that the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses support their theology. These groups have their scriptures of support but these support passages are not clear, are out of context and full of inferences.

Let's consider six of Calvinism's major doctrines that support TULIP and Calvinism:        

#1 - The Sovereignty of God
Calvinists teach that the Sovereignty of God means that God must predetermine all things because if he did not, he would not be sovereign. There are two problems with this. First "sovereignty" as defined by the dictionary does not mean that one is fully controlling every aspect.  The word actually means that the one who is sovereign is over all things.  Secondly, there is not a scripture to be found that clearly states that God predetermines all things including man's sin, rebellion and ability to be saved.  Yet Calvinists grasp at proof scriptures that do not clearly state what Calvinists believe. A clear scripture would look something like this:                                                                                      

God is sovereign over all matters concerning mankind. He decides all things about every man's life. Man has no choices because God initiates every thing that a man does. God alone predetermines all things. 1 Calvin 1:16

The problem is that this scripture does not exist nor anything even close to it.

#2 - Unconditional Election
Calvinists teach that God chose some to be saved. Some teach that God simply passed over those whom he did not choose to save while other Calvinists teach that God reprobated those he did not save, damning them to hell by his own purpose. The problem is that there is not one clear "proof" passage that states either is true. Romans 9 is certainly not a clear passage since the part Calvinists use is taken out of context and the whole inference is simply not clear in the passage. Ephesians 1 does not clearly state that God predetermined who will and will not be saved but instead states what God has in mind for those who have come to faith in Christ.. John 17 is very weak too as it simply records how God selected certain men to be his apostles to share the good news. None of these passages cited by Reformed folks clearly state something like the following:

 God chose some men for salvation while passing over others. Therefore man has no say in the matter of his coming to God and receiving salvation. God has predetermined salvation for all man, some for salvation and some for damnation and eternal punishment. 1 Calvin 2:16

Is there any scripture in the Bible that comes even close to the above? Certainly not!              

#3 - Total Depravity                                                                                                              

Calvinists teach that man's fall in the garden by eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil made man totally depraved.  They state that this total depravity has corrupted man's ability to reason in the spiritual realm. Reformed folks also state that because man died at the fall he has no ability to respond unless God regenerates him first.  Most theologians on both sides of this doctrine agree that Calvinism's view is really one of man's total inability.

Total Depravity is one of Calvinism's weakest doctrines and is foundational to the Calvinist TULIP and it simply does not have any kind of scriptural support. The words "total depravity" or any statement like it is not found in a single phrase of scripture. The verses used to prove Total Depravity are pulled willy-nilly out of context and don't come close to proving this doctrine. To believe in Total Depravity, there would need to be at least one passage stating what Calvinists teach.  There would need to be a passage that says something like this:

When man sinned and fell in the garden he became completely evil and lost all ability to ever seek God or choose God.  Therefore man is so morally corrupt by the fall and so spiritually dead that he has no free will. 1 Calvin 3:16

Is there a statement in scripture like the above? Absolutely not!

#4 - Limited Atonement
Calvinists teach that Christ's atonement was only for the elect and not for all men despite many passages that state that he actually did atone for all men. Once again there is not one clear portion of scripture that even comes close to supporting such a doctrine which is why even many Calvinists reject this doctrine.

There is not one passage that clearly states that Christ's atonement was not for all like the following states for instance:                                                                                                              

Jesus did not atone for all men but instead was the atonement for the elect only.  Only those who were chosen by God to be saved will be saved. Jesus did not die on the cross for all men but just the few he chose from the beginning. 1 Calvin 4:16

#5 - Irresistible Grace
Calvinists teach that God's chosen elect are given an irresistible grace and that the elect cannot reject God's redemption and salvation no matter how hard they might try.  They teach this despite the fact that the phase "irresistible grace" or any synonymic like phrase in scripture. This far-fetched doctrine is bankrupt of any proof from scripture.

There is no scripture that states something like the following:

The elect whom God chose out of all men to be saved are given a grace that they cannot resist, no matter how hard they try. This grace guarantees that they will come to God. 1 Calvin 5:16

Is there anything like the above in all of the word of God? No, there is nothing even close to it. Grace is always stated to be for all men and twisting grace to make it irresistible is simply abominable.

#6 - Regeneration before Faith
Calvinists unlike every other "Christian" faith including Lutherans believe that man must be regenerated before he can have faith or believe in Christ. This fallacious doctrine does not have any "proof" scripture of any kind clearly stating this sentiment. This doctrine like every other doctrine mentioned in this article is simply a grasping at straws and is actually only developed by human philosophy. There is not a single clear statement in scripture that even intimates the idea.

Ironically, there are hundreds of statements in scripture about faith and not one scripture clearly supports the idea. If there are hundreds of scriptures on faith and believing, would it not make sense that just one would clearly depict faith as coming after regeneration or salvation?  Then consider too that there are many scriptures that show that faith comes before salvation like the following:

Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16: 30-31 

Believe and you will be saved is very clearly stated.  There is no statement like the following:

Men cannot have faith until the Holy Spirit has regenerated them. Faith comes after man is born again and saved, therefore it is not in man until this time. 1 Calvin 6:16

In Conclusion
I know---I hear the dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist clamoring right now that there are passages that support all their doctrines above.  The problem is that the scriptures that they use are snippets here and there and that is all they have.  Most false doctrines and heresies are weaved together by multiple passages pulled out of context and this is exactly what the Calvinist is clamoring about.  I don't contest that Calvinists do have scriptures they have knit together but it only works if one weaves them together so that one verse supports the other.  My problem is that no Calvinist doctrine is clearly stated in a SINGLE passage.

When I have brought up this issue previously Calvinists have tried to convince me that doctrines like the Trinity are widely accepted but there is no clear passage.  By using this challenge with me they show that they agree with me that there are no clear passages supporting Calvinism.  But their example of the Trinity is way off base since Matthew 3:14-17 does clearly state the existence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  If Calvinists agree that their passages are not clear but that does not matter then how do they ever identify theological error with groups with which they don't agree? Proving theology by providing clear passages is clearly exegesis that can be trusted.

I remind my readers once again that all cults put forth "proof" scriptures and that includes the Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. What then is the only safe way to prove doctrines? Doctrines can only be proved by clear passages with little or no ambiguity. Such is the true gospel which uses passages like John 3:16 to clearly state what is true:

John 3:16 is truly what a clear passage looks like. That is why it is so often cited by Christians. It is clear and cannot be denied that Christ atoned for all yet Calvinists oppose this clear message because it flies in the face of their doctrines listed above yet without any clear proof.    

I suggest that when you talk to a Calvinist you refuse to engage in a doctrine versus doctrine discussion.  This kind of discussion produces nothing.  I recommend that when you talk to a Calvinist, you ask them to show you just one clear passage that supports their doctrine.  They will not be able to give you even one and will likely try to throw Romans 9 and John 17 at you and when they do, you must tell them that these passages are not clear statements. Then show them one of the clear passages that refute Calvinism like John 3:16-18 and Romans 10:8-17.  They likely won't accept your premise but at least you will have spoken the truth in love.
                                                                                                                      

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets @confrontcalvin).

Jesus Brought Gifts To Men When He Came

I write this article just a few days before Christmas and I do love the season because of what God has shown me in scripture concerning the coming of our Lord. I know of those who oppose the holiday because some of the roots of Christmas are pagan. I know also those who oppose the materialism and the Santa Claus influence that is alive at Christmas time in America. I know too those who enjoy the season and the family traditions that they have built around it. It is not my intent to judge anyone when it comes to Christmas, whether one rejects it or revels in it.

For me Christmas time is simply a time to celebrate Jesus coming to this earth. I don't celebrate Christ's birthday because scripture never makes that anything and how many years since he has come is insignificant to me.                                                                                                                

But I do celebrate the advent of our Lord Jesus because when he came something tremendous happened for mankind. None of God's plans or purposes could have ever been realized without Jesus coming to the earth. Coming and being born as a man allowed God to redeem man. Jesus came to be the Savior of the world. He came to beat the devil and sin. He came to pay our debt and to become the propitiation for our sins. What Jesus does for us is not a once a year celebration. No, these things are our daily celebration, even moment by moment. How glorious that our Savior came for us by coming in the form of a baby and then completed the work of redemption for us.

But there is a matter that many overlook concerning Jesus coming to this earth. Jesus came bearing gifts in his person when he came. This should not be overlooked and this is the emphasis of this article.

I love John Chapter 1's version of what some folks call the "Christmas" story. While Matthew, Mark and Luke focus on the actual physical manifestation of Jesus which is truly amazing; the gospel of John focuses on who Jesus was when he came, what was in him and what he brought to us.

Let's start with some John 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

The first three verses tell us who Jesus was including his origin. Jesus was the Word of God and he was the Word that was with God and he was God. Jesus was the creator of the world.

More from John 1:                                                                                                            

4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.                                  

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

The next six verses tell us what was in Jesus and begins to tell us the gifts that Jesus brought to men simply by coming to earth. Jesus had life in him and that life was the light of men. Therefore light was brought to man by Jesus coming. Some say that man was totally depraved after the fall and therefore has no ability to respond to God. I don't believe in that idea and even if true, John 1 puts that whole notion to death since John 1 is clear that Jesus brought light for men.

Jesus had life in him and that life brought mankind light.  The life of Jesus as he lived here on earth shined in the darkness and the darkness could not perceive it but his life was the light that became the light of man. If there was total depravity before Jesus came there certainly was not after he came. Verse 7 clearly shows us that John the Baptist came to be a witness and this was his witness: That all men through Christ might believe. John was not the light but he was the witness of the Light.

Verse 9 proclaims marvelously that Jesus was the true light which brought light to every man that has come in to the world. How marvelous! How glorious! This is good news. Light has triumphed over darkness and Jesus has given light to every man. Every man then was given the light to see that Jesus had come but still they must believe in him as verse 7 states.                                          

More John 1:

10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Verse 10 lets us know that Jesus had made the world but the world did not know him. Verse 11 is about Jesus coming to his own.  Who were his own?  His own describes the elect which we know through scripture was the nation of Israel. Israel did not recognize or receive Jesus and in fact, rejected him. Despite this, verse 12 tells us that it is those that receive Jesus are given power by him to become his sons but mentions that man must believe on his name for this to take place.  After Jesus came all men could receive Jesus and that is something that the nation of Israel had never done. They had been rejecting God and his invites for thousands of years. But when Jesus came God instituted a new thing. He brought forth a new covenant which was fundamentally based on receiving Jesus and believing on his name.

Verse 13 tells us what happens to those who receive Jesus and believe on his name. They are born of God! How glorious! What a great calling there is for those of us who receive Jesus come in the flesh full of life for us and providing that light that we need so that we might God's children. How awesome is this!

Finally, the final portion of John 1 that I want us to see right now concerning Christ's coming:

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the

glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Verse 14 reminds us again that the Word became flesh and lived with man on the earth. John declares his experience of beholding the glory of Jesus in the flesh. But what he states next is very important and that is that Jesus was full of grace and truth. Ha! Yes, Jesus came bearing gifts. The ultimate gift was himself but in preparation for that gift he had come full of grace and truth.

I believe that the grace of God as we know it now was not on the earth until Jesus brought it. Jesus brought the grace and truth that had never been on earth before. It was in his person. Jesus was grace and truth and this is very important for us to understand.

For Verse 16 tells us what we need to know. Out of the fullness of Jesus every man received grace for grace. One grace was exchanged for the second grace and it was a greater grace. Verse 17 tells us the first grace was the law given by Moses but the replacement grace was given by Jesus and truth was given too. Therefore friends, Jesus came full of grace and truth. He exchanged the grace that came by the law and brought us truth too. Grace and truth then are great gifts from Jesus given to us at his coming. This is worth celebrating! It's not about putting up a tree, or buying gifts; it's receiving Jesus full of life which became the light for man. It's not Christmas dinner or hanging up stockings; it's Jesus full of grace and truth.

The coming of Jesus then has powerful effects. He brought men light, grace and truth as gifts by coming to the earth and by staying and completing his mission he gave the ultimate gift which was his life that we might have his life.                                                                                      

Therefore I don't care how you celebrate your Christmas or if you even choose not to.  What I hope none will miss is what Jesus brought to us when he came. He brought gifts we could not have received in any other way and they came packaged in a baby in swaddling cloths.  He brought mankind light which allows all men to see and respond to the gospel. He brought mankind truth which was far greater than what mankind received from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil when mankind ate of it. This truth Jesus brought trumps the knowledge from the tree. He brought grace which is the very inclining of God towards man. When man did not deserve it, grace was God extending himself towards man and giving him all of himself to mankind that we might receive him and have the right to become the sons of God!

Celebrate Jesus! Worship him! Praise God! By his coming into the world he made a way for mankind to receive his coming, his death and resurrection that we might be God's children. In this season then open the word to John 1 and meditate over it and then share the truth of this message to someone. Jesus has come and he came bearing gifts in himself!

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets @confrontcalvin.)

Confronting Calvinism's Romans 9 - Part 2 - Proof Text Exposed

Calvinists revere and hold to Romans 9 as their greatest proof text in all of the Bible.  If you get into a discussion with a Calvinist they will usually start their support of Calvinism with Romans 9.  By their own admission Romans 9 is the best that they have.  For me the idea that Romans 9 proves Calvinism is laugh-out-loud delusional because its message has nothing at all to do with personal salvation or redemption let alone being proof of unconditional election.  This is Part 2 of this series on Romans 9 and in this article I will expose the passage of Romans 9 that Calvinism claims is proof of their doctrine of unconditional election.

Let's get into these specific scriptures that are used by Calvinism to try to prove their points regarding unconditional election.  Note that Calvinists use surgical exegesis to simply cut out verses 9 through 23 and ignore the full context of Romans 9 which establishes that Paul's agenda is Israel from start to finish.  We start at verse 9 of Romans 9:

9 For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, 12 she was told, “The elder will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Jacob and Esau
In verse 9 Paul continues the discussion about Israel and this includes a reference to Rebecca and the two children that were in her womb.  Paul mentions that God chose Jacob over Esau and Calvinists love this statement but there are problems with their conclusion.  This passage is not about personal salvation in any way, shape or form as Calvinism attemps to construe it to mean.  Paul's statement is clearly about the lineage of Israel.  Paul's statement is about God's choosing of Jacob to continue the line of Israel and not Esau. This is proof of God's election for his purposes but is not proof of unconditional election leading to salvation.  Drawing this conclusion from this passage is very poor exegesis.

Some Calvinists go so far as to say that verse 13 indicates that God hates the people whom he does not choose for election but this too is bogus.  God simply uses hyperbolic language to show that he chose Jacob to be a founding father in Israel's line and not Esau.  Using the comparison of God loving Jacob while hating Esau is only Paul's demonstration as to how God had preference for Jacob as the continuing seed for Abraham's line leading to the birth of Jesus.  Where is there anything that says this passage is about salvation?  There is nothing!  This passage is about election as to the messianic line and is not about election unto salvation.

Consider the use of "hate" too in this passage.  When Jesus used the word "hate" to describe how we should love God more than our family (Luke 14:26), Jesus did not mean that we should actually hate our own family since Jesus even told us to love our enemies.  God "hating" Esau is only about God favoring Isaac, not Esau to continue the seed of his father, Isaac.

What Paul is really getting to here is found in Genesis 23.  Read the account and note what occurred:

20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

21 And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.

23 And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two   manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

So by Paul's intention he connects Romans 9 to Genesis 25 and Paul and the key verse that explains everything is verse 23.  In the passage, Rebekah comes to God in confusion about the war going on in her womb and God tells her that there are two nations in her womb.  We know that the seed of Jacob becomes the nation of Israel. Even Jacob's name is eventually changed to Israel.  Esau becomes the nation of Edom and scripture records the rancorous history that takes place for many years between the nations of Israel and Edom.

Romans 9 is about Israel and the promises God gave to it.  Calvinists never share Genesis 25 and the verses that I shared above.  Why?  Because this totally proves that Romans 9 is about Israel and Romans 9:13 is strictly about God choosing Jacob to become Israel.  There is nothing here about unconditional election.

So Romans 9 continues with Calvinism's desperate stretch to make Romans 9 their best proof text:

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Moses
In verse 14 Paul asks if God was at fault by choosing Jacob over Esau?  The answer of course is "no". In verse 15 Paul reminds the Romans that God had spoken to Moses and told him that he alone was the arbiter of mercy.  Paul quotes from Exodus 33:19 and the passage is specifically about God choosing by his mercy to show himself to Moses.  How does God showing himself to Moses have anything to do with Calvinist unconditional election? There is nothing here about personal salvation. .

God showed his mercy to Moses by showing him his glory. Where is the unconditional election here?  There is none.  God shows his mercy to Moses because Moses was faithful and God chooses to bless him by allowing him to see his glory.  What does this passage have to do with the salvation of anyone?

Verse 16 then is a continuation about God giving certain men special gifts and this is how he shows his mercy.

So far it is abundantly clear. Romans 9 proves nothing regarding unconditional election. 

There is still more scripture from Romans 9 that Calvinists use too:

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I

raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

Pharoah
Okay, what about Pharoah?  Doesn't God hardening Pharoah's heart show that God hardens some people's hearts from the beginning so they cannot be saved?  No, this is sheer fantasy.  This passage about Pharoah is not about salvation either.  Pharoah was a leader that God rose up so that Israel would go free and has nothing to do with personal salvation.  Calvinists show negligence by failing to inform

folks when teaching Romans 9 that Pharoah had already hardened his own heart before God hardened his heart. God does harden people for his purposes at times and that is all that this is about. God does elect some to be used for his purposes over others but this does not include salvation.  Verse 20 declares that we cannot complain against God if we are not chosen for special purposes. God will raise up for special purposes those whom he will raise up.
We are not all raised up to be put into some great position and some who rebel against God may get used by God to further his purposes too. Either way, no one can complain against God and that is all this passage is stating.  Pharoah who was in rebellion to God was raised up and used by God for his purposes.  What does God's dealings with Pharoah prove about unconditional election? NOTHING!

Verse 21 has been quoted by Calvinists as proof God makes some for destruction and others for honor and proclaiming this is proof of unconditional election. However, this is not what the scripture says at all.  The verse is speaking to the honor and dishonor of people in terms of the distributions of callings and giftings and not about salvation. Honor and dishonor has to do with special considerations.  This is exactly the point that Paul makes in Romans 9.  Moses and Jacob were chosen to receive special honor and Esau was not.   Dishonor does not mean that God makes some people to be reprobate.  That is a huge stretch.  Honor has to do with receiving something special and dishonor is simply not receiving that special gift.  At the risk of sounding like a broken record: This too is not about salvation!

Verse 22 is about God showing longsuffering even to those who were folks who deserved destruction.  God is patient and longsuffering.  He let Cain live and marked him so that he would not be killed.  He let Ishmael and his mother live and protected them and their seed became many nations.  God let Esau live a prosperous life even after he chose a meal over his birthright.  Verse 22 is about God's patience with those who deserve punishment.

Verse 23 speaks of those whom God does choose to experience more of God's glory. This included Moses who was able to see God as God "made known the riches of his glory" to him.  This includes Jacob who went on to become Israel.  This speaks of all those whom God has chosen to receive a special knowledge of God's glory.  It has nothing to do with personal redemption and certainly proves nothing about the doctrines of Calvinism.

In conclusion my friends, all of Romans 9 is about Israel and how God rose up a people to advance his purposes as it applies to that chosen nation.   It tells us that God elevates some to positions to advance his purposes and that he shows his glory to whomever he pleases.  This passage is not about personal salvation or redemption.

If Romans 9 is Calvinism's best as most Calvinists admit, it can easily be concluded that the doctrine of unconditional election and all of Calvinism has been improperly exegeted. Romans 9 has as much to with unconditional election as Disneyland has to do with living in California.  The truth is that God has not predestined some to salvation and some to damnation without any responsibility on their part.

God is glorious and marvelous and all his ways are often hard for mere men to comprehend.  But he has given us his scripture and it proves he is loving, kind, merciful, patient and longsuffering.

Glory to God!

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets on Twitter @confrontcalvin.)

Confronting Calvinism's Romans 9 - Part 1 - It Is About Israel

Calvinists revere and hold to Romans 9 as their greatest proof text in all of the Bible.  If you get into a discussion with a Calvinist they will usually start their support of Calvinism with Romans 9.  By their own admission Romans 9 is the best that they have.  For me the idea that Romans 9 proves Calvinism is laugh-out-loud delusional because its message has nothing at all to do with personal salvation or redemption let alone unconditional election.

The problem is that Calvimists partake of Romans 9 much like a kid eats an Oreo cookie. The Oreo cookie has two hard chocolate outside pieces but in the middle there is the sweet white icing.  For kids the two outside chocolate ends are a little boring so they go right for their favorite part which is the sweet white icing in the middle.  Many kids simply twist off one of the chocolate ends and then scrape the icing off with their teeth and then leave the chocolate ends sitting on the table.

Calvinists approach Romans 9 the same way.  They ignore the top and bottom portions of Romans 9 like a kid does the chocolate outsides of an Oreo cookie and they go right towards their sweet icing of verses in the middle of Romans 9.  This approach works great with cookies but is huge error when it comes to exegeting a passage in scripture. The verses that begin and end Romans 9 are critical to the accurate exegesis of the middle verses as are the first few verses of Romans 10.

The purpose of my two part blog series on Romans 9 is to refute what Calvinism teaches about Romans 9 because it is simply exegetical malfeasance and if one knows how to study scripture then this abuse of Romans 9 cannot and must not be believed.  In this article (Part 1), I will deal with the context of Romans 9.  In Part 2 I will confront Calvinism's sweet white icing in the middle of the passage and show a multitude of errors that Calvinists use to make Romans 9 their greatest proof text. Also in Part 2, I will show why the middle verses of Romans 9 prove nothing about Calvinism or their pet doctrine "unconditional election".  I'll tear the middle verses apart verse by verse so that it will be clearly seen what these verses are saying and it will be in full context of Romans 9.  Brace yourself now because I am about to share a plethora of scriptures.

The full context of Romans 9 is clearly about Israel and the Gentiles. What then is the middle of Romans 9 about?  The answer is: Israel and the Gentiles.  One cannot simply pull scriptures willy-nilly from the middle of context and then build a major doctrine with it. This is irresponsible exegesis and yet this is what Calvinism does with Romans 9.  I now go through Romans 9, verse for verse:

1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

In verses 1 through 5 Paul does two things.  First he lays out all that was given to the people of Israel by God.  Everything had been given to them including the adoption to sonship and the divine glory.  Secondly Paul lays out his heart for his Jewish brothers. Paul goes so far to say that he wished he would be accursed in order that all his kinsmen from Israel's heritage would know Christ and not be lost.  Does this sound like Paul believed in unconditional election?  If so, he was disagreeing out loud with God for not choosing all of Israel. Instead Paul is lamenting the fate of Israel which had been God's elect nation but was now falling short due to their unbelief. Make no mistake. Romans 9 starts out with nothing outside of the plight of Israel.  Moving on:

6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.
10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

In verses 6 through 11 Paul continues with his concern over Israel and he tells the story of God's promise and Abraham's seed.  Once again, Roman 9 from verses 1 through 11 is about Israel.    

12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Is it any surprise that verses 12 through 16 continue with the theme of Israel and is about the key players in Israel's history and lineage?  NOTE: We have just hit the part that Calvinists like to use but please see that these verses are simply the continuation of Paul's comments on ISRAEL.

I will fully debunk the verses above in Part 2 of my two part series but for now please note that these verses are about Israel.

17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Paul still has not changed his subject.  These verses are still about Israel and also now mentions Gentiles too.  He speaks about Pharoah and God's mercy.  Verses 23 and 24 are about God offering salvation to the Gentiles and not about people in general.  We'll dissect the verses above in great detail in Part 2 and show the errors of Calvinism.

Anybody who can take what Paul wrote above and twist it to make it about God having some kind of strange unconditional election is truly pursuing a most desperate agenda.

Note:  This ends the white sweet icing part that Calvinist's emphasize.  Now we are on to the part that they ignore again.  Hello chocolate end!

25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.

27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.

29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

No surprise here but the preceding verses are all about Israel again.  All of Romans 9 is on the same subject.  Verse 25 shows that God changes his elect out.  Israel was once his chosen people but now they which were beloved become the not beloved. Verse 27 truly proves Calvinism "unconditional election" as false. Remember Israel was God's elect all through the Old Testament yet only some of them are saved verse 27.  So only some of God's elect are saved?  This verse and the above passage proves Calvinism is a farce.

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.

31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;      

33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Okay already---broken record!  The final passage is about Israel too.  Who would have guessed?  In verse 30 Paul shows how the Gentiles who were not following after righteousness now can openly come to God's righteousness by faith.  Then verse 31 shows that Israel fell short of what it was called to.  Why?  Verse 32 spells it out.  Israel was rejected by God because they stumbled over the stumblingstone which required faith.  Verses 30, 32 and 33 all make it clear that Israel was rejected by God because they did not come to faith.  These final verses prove that Romans 9 is about Israel and their rejection of him because of faith.  Calvinists never quote these last verses.  Why?  Because they clearly show the importance of man believing.  It is faith which completes a man's election and this is Paul's wonderful message here.  Calvinists believe that man gets faith after he gets saved but Romans 9 makes mincemeat out of this wayward doctrine.

Hebrews 3:16-19 proves the exegesis above:

16 Now who were they who heard and yet were rebellious? Was it not all those who left Egypt under the leadership of Moses? 17 But with whom was he angry forty years? Was it not those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

Not Done: Romans 10 Must Be Reviewed Too!

But we are not done because we also must consider the first few verses of Romans 10 which continue Paul's thoughts on Israel which he started in Romans 9.  Remember Paul wrote Romans as a letter and did not include chapter and verse.  Romans 10 adds to Romans 9:

1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one  

that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

In the verses above Paul wraps up his comments on Israel but he makes sure that he mentions once again the need for believing in verse 4 and for having faith in verse 6.

Then Paul proclaims clearly how people are saved in the following verses:

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

In the above, Paul changes gears having finished his teaching on Israel and the Gentiles.  He segues into the truth about how people are saved.  Verses 9, 10, and 11 are about personal salvation and applies to all men.  Paul does not mention election let alone unconditional election.  In fact, Paul uses the word "whosoever" two times in verses 11 and 13 which indicates that salvation is now available to all men.  He speaks about men calling on God and this is how they are saved in verse 13.  Finally, in beautiful fashion Paul lays out the need for the preaching of the gospel in both verse 9 and verse 15.

In concluding Part 1, it should be abundantly clear that Romans 9 proves nothing for Calvinism or their pet doctrine of unconditional election.  Romans 9 is about God's dealings with Israel and the Gentiles.  It is about Israel not moving in faith and Paul makes it clear in both Romans 9 and 10 that one must have faith to be saved.

Romans 9 is not an Oreo cookie at all. It has the same substance from top to bottom. What Calvinsm has done is make Romans 9 into something that it isn't.   Romans 9 is a cookie of one

substance if we continue the metaphor.  There is no sweet white icing in the middle.  From start to finish, Romans 9 is about Israel and its rejection of God's promises by not embracing them in faith. It is about God removing his favor upon Israel and moving that favor to the Gentiles. Romans 9 is Calvinism's best proof text and it falls woefully short in proving any of Calvinism's wayward doctrines.  No one should be deceived by the Calvinist error of pulling scripture out of context and then attempting to make it about something that it isn't.

Please look for Part 2  which I will publish shortly.  In Part 2 I will put great emphasis on explaining why the middle verses of Romans 9 that Calvinists use do not support unconditional election or Calvinism in any way.

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets on Twitter @confrontcalvin).

My Response To Recent Slander

It is no surprise to anyone that I have tremendous problems with Calvinism doctrine which I believe is for the most part, false doctrine.  But what shocks me just as much as Calvinism itself is the tactic by Calvinists who do not agree with me especially on Twitter. Though none of my tweets are directed at these individuals, these folks sometimes post slander and lies about me and this happens to others as well.  I guess it is okay with these guys to slander someone directly if you do not agree with them even if your charge is fully false and slanderous in nature.

Such is the work of Colin Maxwell (@weecalvin who recently slandered me on Twitter and a blog that he operates.  Here is what he recently posted on his website:

and on his Twitter:

The above is an out-and-out lie and truly slanderous.  I am not a Universalist.  For those who don't know the term, Universalists believe that all men will eventually be redeemed and that hell is either not eternal or literal.  I do NOT believe in Universalism.  To set the record straight, I believe that the Bible is clear that if a person does not believe in Jesus and rejects Christ's free gift of salvation that he is going to hell for eternity and it is a literal hell where that person will suffer immensely.  Does that sound like Universalism to you?

My point in my tweet replete with its 140 character limitation is that some Calvinists state rather disingenuously that God offers salvation to all but in the end God only saves some who are the "elect'.  By the way, that is what Calvinists have clearly written and my response is to their comments.  I have read this kind of statement many times from some Calvinists.  It is actually the lighter Calvinist opinion on the subject because some Calvinists state that God only offers salvation to only a few.  

Either way, Mr. Maxwell's charge that I am a Universalist is completely false and I hope that he will apologize for it.  This kind of rancor that is simply a personal attack where people's names are slandered is wrong.  I post a lot of information that is negative to Calvinism but I do not troll for other people's posts and then challenge them.  Neither do I make lying and slanderous statements to those on Twitter or anywhere else for that matter.  I don't even mind the many times that Calvinists on Twitter have named me by name in their tweets as one that they disagree with in terms of my tweets but when someone boldly lies and slanders a person then the line has been crossed.  

I forgive Mr. Maxwell but I think this tactic of slandering someone because you don't like the argument is a lowly one and should be called out as such.  He is not the only Calvinist to call me a Universalist for simply stating that Jesus died for all men.  Strangely enough, one Calvinist even called me a Universalist simply for tweeting 1 Timothy 2:3-4 with no additional comments.  That is crazy!

I know that all Calvinists do not lie and slander but there are some who do.  Those that do should be ashamed of these tactics.  Neither do I condone the actions of those who oppose Calvinism that may choose to do the same.  

My posts are not directed towards hardcore believers in Calvinism.  My chances of changing their minds are very slim.  The goal of my tweets and blog posts is to do the following:

1. Support others like me who are exposing Calvinism.

2. Provide an alternative message to those who lean towards Calvinism but who have not heard an alternative message.

3. Inform folks who are simply trying to find out the truth about Calvinism.

4. Warn those who have not heard of Calvinism so that they will know what it is when they hear it.

My goal is not to antagonize those who are hard and fast Calvinist believers. I purposely do all I can to not follow these kinds of Calvinists on Twitter especially since I have no interest in getting involved in worthless arguments.  I even block these kinds of folks on Twitter so that they don't have to even see my tweets and posts.  In other words, I don't have ANY interest in arguing with those who already believe Calvinism is what they think it is.

Thanks for reading this post on my thoughts on this so that people can know not only that I am not a Universalist but also so folks can know my heart and my intentions.  The fact is I have good friends that are Calvinists and I love all men including Calvinists. Colin is probably a great guy and I respect his passion for what he believes in.  I would probably enjoy speaking with him but enough of the slander, please...

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets @confrontcalvin on Twitter)

Calvinism's Incoherent Hypersensitivity Part II - Who Get's Credit?

Hypersensitivity is being overly sensitive about an issue.  It is being irrational and even incoherent over a topic.  That is exactly what Calvinism does on some issues that are vigorously tied to their doctrines.  Part 1 was about Calvinism's strange view regarding the Sovereignty of God and Part II has to do with God getting all the credit and man getting none.

#2: God Getting All The Credit and Man Getting None

Calvinists are ultra-hyper about man getting any credit at all when it comes to salvation. That man would receive credit for anything really bothers Calvinists.  Their strange idea that if man believes God he earns credit for his salvation seems to come out of nowhere. Calvinists maintain that if men are able to believe on their own then they have something to do with their own salvation.

The traditional Biblical view is that man does believe unto salvation but this does not give man any credit whatsoever.  Calvinists vehemently insist that man can get no credit whatsoever for salvation and if man could believe on his own, then man could boast that he had something to do with his salvation.

This is faulty thinking on many levels.  First, where does this concern come from because it is clearly not a stated issue in scripture?  I cannot think of a verse that addresses this except that man should boast only in the cross.  Apparently it is not a problem for God because scripture shows no sensitivity to it.  God is not in heaven fretting that he gets 100% of the credit.  God is simply not a narcissist but you might not know that if you believe in Calvinism.

I have been told by Calvinists that even if man's involvement is just .0001%, it is too much and that God just can't have that!  I find this ludicrous on many accounts.  First, what if God wanted man to get a little credit?  I am not saying that God does want man to have credit but what if he did? Apparently Calvinists don't believe that God can do what he desires if it disagrees with their premises.

The other problem is the whole notion that man can get credit for believing in God in the first place. I don't understand the Calvinist reasoning that man's believing in Christ would give him credit.  The whole idea that this is a problem is ridiculous and is simply foreign to scripture.      

Who Get's It?

Scripture does not state that man gets credit for believing in Christ and his completed work of salvation.  Nor does it state that if man could believe on his own, then he could take credit for his salvation.  Why should he? How anyone can conjure up the idea that man believing in God would somehow make him worthy of praise is silly.  The Bible does not assert this idea at all.  The source of this sensitivity is simply what I refer to as "reformed philosophy" springing from the Reformation's fathers, Martin Luther and John Calvin.

But even as philosophy, it is remarkably incoherent.  Does anyone who believes in anything get credit for earning something simply by believing?  Imagine a fan taking credit because he believed his team won the super bowl after they won it.  Would that fan get any kind of credit because he believed his favorite team won the Super Bowl? Would he be able to boast he won the game by believing his team had won?  Of course not. What a ridiculous notion!  The actual players on the team that won would get all the credit.

Or consider a man being notified that he has inherited a fortune from a rich uncle.  Does his act of going to the bank to sign some papers to receive the fortune allow him to boast that he earned it?  Of course not!  He did nothing to earn it and no person observing his windfall would give him praise for simply receiving what was now his by no effort of his own. Receiving the inheritance doesn't allow him to boast in anything.  What does believing in anything have to do with getting praise for believing in the thing in the first place?
                                                                                                                                     

The only thing man does is receive the gift of salvation and eternal life.
Does receiving a gift that was fully earned mean that one gets praise for it? No.

Consider a man who takes a trip in his boat into the ocean and falls overboard.  Then a fellow boater comes along and throws him a line that will save him and the man grabs it.  Does grabbing the life-saving device allow the man to brag he saved himself? Certainly not!  The man who threw the life-saving device gets all the credit because he did the work of saving.  Would anyone ever give credit to the guy who fell in?  Of course not.  Yet, this is what Calvinism often teaches about man believing in God.                            

The Bible does not ever convey the idea that having faith brings undue credit to the one who displayed faith.  The fact is that Jesus acknowledged faith when he saw it and he was always pleased with it. The fact is that  Hebrews 11 commends many for doing things by faith.  While the Bible shows no apprehension about man getting credit for believing, it does communicate that it pleases God when men do believe.  If God is pleased by man believing, why would anyone worry if it is a work or not?

It should be noted that there is a difference between work unto salvation and salvation by works. This is a major distinction that causes Calvinists much confusion.   Jesus actually told the crowd in John 6 to work for salvation by believing:

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.  John 6:26-27

However Romans 4:1-3 compares Abraham's faith with obtaining salvation by the performing works of the law:

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

The passage above clearly states that Abraham's believing was not considered works because it contrasts being justified by the works of the law with believing.  Believing God is not considered "works".  Abraham did not get credit for believing but his believing God was credited to him as righteousness.

It is troublesome that Calvinism's hyper-sensitivity regarding man getting any credit actually seems to equate Christ's work at the cross with the simple God-given call to believe in Jesus?  They diminish Christ's work at the cross by insisting that man's believing is somehow equal to Christ's work.

If one really believed that Jesus completed the work of salvation then what could man ever do to get credit if it is already done.  Did Jesus complete his finished work of salvation for man?  Yes.  Then how could man ever add to that work?  He can't!  To say that man can do something to add to  

Only He Could Do This Work!

Christ's completed work is a horrendous notion and is straight from hell.              

Jesus did the work and our only part is believing. Does believing substantiate any equality with Christ's completed work?  NO!  To equate man having faith in Jesus with Christ's completed work is actually a work of cheapening Christ's completed work and yet Calvinism infers this very idea.  Believing is a RESPONSE, not a work.

How could anyone say that receiving the gift of salvation is equal to Christ taking on our sin and punishment? Who can say that faith in Christ is equal of Christ rising from the grave?  They can't!  I get a bit offended when I hear the way Calvinists demean Christ's completed work by saying that if man can believe on his own, he gets some kind of credit for his salvation simply by his believing. This is a ludicrous accusation with no merit in either reason or scripture.

Lastly, what intrigues me most about this issue is the absolute hypocrisy of this hypersensitivity by Calvinists.  While men do believe, I have never heard anyone in any setting boast that they should get credit, praise or validation by simply believing in God. In forty plus years of walking as a Christian I have never heard anyone actually bragging that they believed in God.  The fact is that God wants us to confess with our mouth what God did and that we do believe in his offer of salvation.  This pleases God and gives him glory!

The Calvinist hypocrisy is that Calvinists openly brag and boast that they are "chosen" by God.  It goes something like this:

"I am so blessed because God chose me to be saved." or "I am so happy that I was chosen by God."

In fact, the only kind of boasting I ever hear is this kind of boasting.
I have heard Calvinists boasting profusely in their so-called election to salvation.  One Calvinist tweeted to me that he "was God's favorite" because he was "chosen".  Talk about boasting! The Bible does caution us against boasting in anything but the cross. The only boasting I ever hear comes from Calvinists bragging about how they are the "chosen" ones.

There is no reason for Calvinists to be so hyper about the things I described above except that they may do so out of desperation to give their doctrines some kind of traction.  We should all be concerned about hyper Calvinism and its extreme claims. Let's not be afraid to expose it!

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets on my Twitter account @confrontcalvin)

Calvinism's Incoherent Hypersensitivity Part 1 - Sovereignty of God

Hypersensitivity is being overly sensitive about an issue that is simply unwarranted.  It is being irrational and even incoherent over one or more facets of a topic.  That is exactly what Calvinism does on some issues that are vigorously tied to their doctrines.  These hypersensitivities drive their doctrines.  There are two hypersensitivity issues that seem to stand above the others and this article discusses the first one.  The second issue will be discussed in a separate blog post.

#1: The Sovereignty of God

Calvinists are so hypersensitive over the "Sovereignty of God" that they have actually redefined the words "sovereign" or "sovereignty" to mean something not found in a dictionary or revealed in scripture.

Calvinist hypersensitivity starts with the idea that God is absolutely sovereign and fully in control. Most Christians believe that God is sovereign and completely in control.  The problem is that Calvinists go well beyond this understanding of sovereignty and this is the subject of this article.

At first look, this does not seem like it should be a problem but if you study Calvinism you find that Calvinists construct doctrines that actually are built first and foremost on the foundation of their understanding of God's sovereignty.  This they do above and beyond all other truths found in scripture.

These questions arise:

1. Why is Calvinism so hypersensitive regarding the sovereignty of God?
2. Why don't Calvinists consider God's love, justice or mercy as foundational as they do his sovereignty?
3. Why is sovereignty held up as more important than any of God's other attributes by Calvinists?

Traditional Christianity has focused more on God's love as the core foundation of God's character and that it is his love that carries his will forward.  By contrast, Calvinists promote God's sovereignty as the overall key aspect in understanding God's character and will.

Considering Calvinism's stance then questions should be asked:
1. Does the Bible portray God as being fixated on his sovereignty?
2.  Does scripture show God to be some kind of narcissist sitting in heaven fretting over the idea that he might not be seen as being sovereign enough?
3. Does God control every aspect for every person including their thoughts?

Fortunately, these questions are easily answered.  While scripture does make it clear that God is sovereign over all things, it does not communicate sovereignty as being greater than God's love, mercy, truth and justice.  This is the case throughout scripture. God's sovereignty is never given priority over his other glorious attributes.

While there are a few mentions of God's sovereignty in the Old Testament, the New Testament rarely mentions the subject.  In fact, the word "sovereign" is mentioned just five times in the entire New Testament and the word "sovereignty" is not used at all.  In comparison, how often does the New Testament mention God's love?  The word "love" is used 261 times in the New Testament and it is usually used in the context of God's love.  "Love" therefore is the emphasis in scripture while sovereignty is acknowledged but never exalted above God's other attributes including love.

The Bible as a whole contains no agenda for God's sovereignty as does Calvinism. Though it is recognized, it is not emphasized like Calvinism insists that it should be. This brings us to the next very important issue that seems so central within Calvinism. That issue is Calvinism's fixation on the concern that man must recognize God's sovereignty as greater than anything else.  Scripture does not establish this sentiment at all.  Instead we find God eschewing his sovereignty so that men may know his humility.  Paul makes it clear:

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus stated regarding himself:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29 

Scripture convinces us that Jesus was more concerned with revealing his humility then being concerned about making sure everyone knew how sovereign he was.

Calvinists proclaim a theology that starts and ends with God being sovereign.  They demand that God's sovereignty be given priority over every other spiritual truth.  It is like they think God is paranoid that man won't think he is sovereign.  I don't think God is sitting in heaven worrying that everyone on earth knows how sovereign he is.  God is not afraid of man's frailties or weaknesses nor is he disturbed that man under values his sovereignty.  It is strange that Calvinism presents God as a kind of narcissist that fears his sovereignty is not preeminent.

This kind of Calvinist philosophy is difficult to substantiate from scripture and it gets worse. Calvinists take their concerns one step further by redefining what 'sovereignty" really means. Reformed theology makes "sovereignty" mean that God has predetermined everything beforehand and this includes everything that happens in the world.  They state that everything that is done is only done by God's good will and pleasure and there is nothing that happens that God did not predestine.

Calvinists claim that everything is pre-fixed and that man does not have free-will to do anything on his own.  In doing so, Calvinists simply make God a master manipulator or micro-manager of everything that has happened or will happen in the future.

Noted Reformed Author Edwin Palmer, a leader in Calvinism stated it this way:

“All things that happen in all the world at any time and in all history—whether inorganic matter, vegetation, animal, man or angels (both good and evil ones-- come to pass because God ordained them, Even sin- the fall of the devil from 

heaven, the fall of Adam, and every evil thought, word, and deed in all of history.” (The Five Points of Calvinism, 1999)

And

R.C. Sproul Jr. wrote:  “…God desired for man to fall into sin…God created sin.” (Almighty Over All)

However, this definition of "sovereignty" is not what the word means at all and is simply not found in scripture either. Instead, study of scripture clearly shows that God constantly offers choices to men and God holds man accountable for his actions.  How would God hold man accountable if God predetermined every action of man?  This is not coherent thinking and really bad theology.

Why Calvinists are so hyper about God's sovereignty is not something I claim to understand but my suspicion is that their understanding of "sovereignty" is needed to establish their Reformed doctrines. Calvinism needs God to be a micro-meddler for their doctrines to stand.  Only if God has predetermined all things can the Calvinist doctrines of Unconditional Election and Irresistible Grace be considered legitimate.  If these doctrines are revealed as illegitimate, then the whole of Calvinism collapses like a deck of cards.

Clearly the sovereignty of God should not be overly emphasized and held up above every other word or teaching in scripture.  God is not concerned or paranoid about his sovereignty and his sovereignty is clean and pure.  God is not the "Predeterminator in Chief".  God's sovereignty simply means he has the ultimate say in all things even if in his sovereignty he determines that man has free-will.

I believe that God is sovereign and can do anything he wants at any time, at any place and to any entity but I don't believe he has predetermined all things including evil.  He has predestined that some things happen but there are things that happen on this earth that God has no pleasure in and would never predetermine.

In fact, Genesis records God's thoughts in Genesis 6:5-7:

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”

This passage proves that God does not predetermine all things.  The fact that God has the ability to regret shows that man can do things that actually hurts God.

I am repulsed by Calvinism's theory that God has desired to predetermine man and the devil's sin and rebellion.  I find it abhorrent that Calvinism implies that God could predetermine rape, murder, betrayal and torture.  I find it inconceivable that God would predetermine that Hitler murder six million Jews.  I find it repugnant that God would predetermine that Stalin murder 23 million people civilians above and beyond the 20 million Soviets that perished in World War II.  I find it appalling that God could have predetermined that Mao kill more than 49 million people.

Who could tell a weeping mother that the rape, torture and murder of her 8 year old daughter was predetermined by God?  Only a Reformed Calvinist could.

Some Calvinists teach that God creates evil and they have only one passage to hinge their statement on. Let's examine that passage:

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.  Isaiah 45:7 KJV

First, no one should ever build a doctrine from a single verse especially pulled out of context. Secondly, the word "evil" is only seen in the KJV.  No other version translates the Hebrew word in this way and with good reason.  In fact, the Hebrew word means:

“adversity, affliction, calamity, distress, misery.” 

Everyone agrees that God sends all of the above in certain situations to fulfill his purposes.  But the word has nothing to do with moral evil yet Calvinists use this verse to promote the idea that God created moral and spiritual evil.  He did not.  Proverbs 8:13 and Psalm 97:10 state that man should hate evil.  Would God ask us to hate evil if he did not?  There are many verses that state that God hates sin so how could he create sin since sin is evil?  Consider:

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.  Psalm 5:4 KJV

God does not predetermine evil.  He does not predetermine that genocide and human torture take place.  When God judged nations in the Old Testament, he was not sending evil but was delivering justice.  Scripture contains no substantiation for God predetermining evil. All evil has its originations in Satan and the fall of man.

The Bible conveys that idea that God proves his sovereignty by allowing man to make choices and manage certain aspects in their lives.  God does not predetermine all things; instead he intervenes whenever and however he chooses.  This is true sovereignty. That is why we pray because God intervenes by his sovereignty.  Why would anyone pray if all things are predetermined?

Calivnism's hypersensitivity regarding the sovereignty of God then is unwarranted and is simply not a scriptural understanding of God's true sovereignty.

Darrell Brantingham

(Check out my pithy tweets on my Twitter account @confrontcalvin)