By Bob Kirkland
From the book Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy (Lighthouse Trails, 2018)
The word perseverance is found only once in the Scriptures. Ephesians 6:18 commands the believer to be, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” This verse is speaking of perseverance in prayer and has nothing to do with persevering unto salvation. The dictionary meaning as well as the meaning of the Greek word here is to hold to or adhere to a course of action.1
CALVIN’S PERSEVERANCE IS NOT ETERNAL SECURITY
Many Christians wrongly assume that the Calvinist theory of “the perseverance of the saints” [the “P” in T.U.L.I.P.] is synonymous with the doctrine of eternal security. The biblical doctrine of eternal security teaches that one who has been truly saved by God’s grace is kept eternally saved by God’s grace. God has not left our eternal destiny in our ability to persevere. For God to do that would result in a salvation by works.
Citing Augustine, John Calvin wrote, “[T]hose who do not persevere unto the end belong not to the calling of God.”2
Calvin also stated:
[W]hat they [the Christians at Corinth] had attained so far is nothing, unless they keep steadily on; because it is not enough that they once started off on the way of the Lord, if they do not make an effort to reach the goal.3
In Calvinist author A. W. Pink’s book Practical Christianity, Pink taught, “[I]f there is a reserve in your obedience, you are on the road to hell.”4
Pink also said:
Something more than believing in Christ is necessary to ensure the soul’s reaching Heaven.5
Reformed minister John Otis states that, “maintaining an unforgiving spirit . . . will surely destroy our souls in hell.”6
In his book, The Doctrine of Sanctification, A. W. Pink stated:
[H]oliness in this life is such a part of our “salvation” that it is a necessary means to make us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in heavenly light and glory.7
Calvinist theologian and co-founder of the Westminster Theological Seminary, Dr. John Murray states:
[L]et us appreciate the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints and recognize that we may entertain the faith of our security in Christ only as we persevere in faith and holiness to the end.8
DID THE MEN GOD USED TO WRITE OVER FIFTY CHAPTERS OF THE BIBLE NOT PERSEVERE?
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods . . . his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel . . . he kept not that which the LORD commanded. (1 Kings 11:4,9,10)
The man whom God used to write Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon turned away from God into idolatry and apostasy.
As noted, A. W. Pink said, “If there is a reserve in your obedience, you are on the road to hell.” How do Calvinists put this all together? Would they have us believe God predestined an unsaved (non-elect) man to write Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon and then when He was finished with him sent him to Hell?
WHAT ABOUT SAINTS WHO DIDN’T PERSEVERE?
First Corinthians 1:2 tells us this letter was written, “Unto the church.” It says they were “saints.” How does Calvin’s perseverance of the saints fit in with these saints God repeatedly referred to as “carnal”?
First Corinthians 5:13 commands the saints at the local church in Corinth to, “put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” The fact that they were not dealing with sin in their church is an example of the saints not persevering because the whole church was guilty of not dealing with a serious matter.
In the seven churches in Revelation, only one was found acceptable. By Calvin’s guidelines, the members of all these churches were going to Hell.
The Bible has many specific examples of believers who did not persevere according to John Calvin’s theory.
Noah got drunk, Abraham was a liar, Jacob schemed, Samson failed, David fell into sin and was responsible for the death of a man, Moses didn’t follow God’s instructions and was not allowed to enter the promised land, John Mark quit, Peter cursed and denied Christ, and all the disciples forsook Jesus. The list goes on and on. Yet, A. W. Pink said, “If there is a reserve in your obedience, you are on the road to hell,” That means all these people were on the road to Hell! And where does that leave us?
There is actually no eternal security in the doctrine of the “perseverance of the saints” because no one can ever know—even at the end of his life—if he had really persevered enough. And from a biblical standpoint, saints persevering for salvation are on extremely dangerous ground; as the apostle Paul points out, if you are depending on your works, works will not save you.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. . . .
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (Galatians 2:16, 21)
Calvinists believe the “perseverance of the saints” offers them eternal security, but in actuality, it brings them more insecurity than ever regarding their salvation. Here, the persevering is left up to the strength of the believer rather than resting on the promises of God that assure us eternal life is based on what He has already done, not what we do. It is our part to believe, repent, and put our trust in Him and His part to save and preserve us.
Eternal security does not give believers permission to sin any more than the fathers of the faith, who stumbled, had an excuse for their sins and failures. However, the wonder of the Cross is that our sins are fully paid for—paid in full. Jesus said, “It is finished.” Our redemption has been entirely purchased. We can rest in the assurance of salvation that the Gospel offers, as expressed by the apostles and prophets. But Calvinism, while it claims to be wholly dependent on the grace of God for salvation, has actually turned everything upside down with the teaching of the “perseverance of the saints,” making salvation a works-based religion where grace is not truly grace. With Calvinism, the responsibility of salvation is put on the believer thereby nullifying grace altogether. Paul explained this when he said:
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6)
NO ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Even John Calvin himself did not possess assurance of salvation. Writing in his will shortly before his death in 1564, he declared:
I testify also and profess that I humbly seek from God, that He may so will me to be washed and purified by the great Redeemer’s blood, shed for the sins of the human race, that it may be permitted me to stand before His tribunal under the covert of the Redeemer Himself.9 (italics in original; underline added)
John 3:36 says:
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Calvin taught that he could not believe unless God first regenerated him and gave him faith to believe. It is not surprising, therefore, that Calvin or any Calvinist cannot have an assurance of salvation and, therefore, he must adhere to his perseverance of the saints theory.
No Calvinist can be sure of his salvation because he might be predestined just to think he is saved. After all, playing little head games with people would not be wrong for Calvin’s “God” since Calvin’s “God” is glorified by sending billions of people who had no choice to Hell for eternity.
MORE CALVINISTS ON PERSEVERANCE
Calvinist pastor John Murray says:
[W]e may entertain the faith of our security in Christ only as we persevere in faith and holiness to the end.10
How much holiness? Are we talking about sinless perfection? Calvinist theologian Charles Hodge (1797-1878), in referring to evidence of being elected, said:
The only evidence of election is effectual calling, that is, the production of holiness. And the only evidence of the genuineness of this call and the certainty of our perseverance, is a patient continuance in well doing.11
Again, John Murray stated:
The perseverance of the saints reminds us very forcefully that only those who persevere to the end are truly saints.12
In the perseverance discussion, John MacArthur states that “you may be a spiritual defector who hasn’t defected yet.”13
“I WAS TERRIFIED!”
In an article titled “Assurance of Salvation,” the highly popular Calvinist teacher, the late R. C. Sproul (d. 2017) wrote:
A while back I had one of those moments . . . suddenly the question hit me: “R. C., what if you are not one of the redeemed? What if your destiny is not heaven after all, but hell?” Let me tell you that I was flooded in my body with a chill that went from my head to the bottom of my spine. I was terrified.14
There is not a person in the world who believes what John Calvin taught who should not be terrified concerning the reality of his salvation.
Sproul continued:
I began to take stock of my life, and I looked at my performance. My sins came pouring into my mind, and the more I looked at myself the worse I felt. I thought, “Maybe it’s really true. Maybe I’m not saved after all.” . . . Then I remembered John 6:68. Jesus had been giving out hard teaching, and many of His former followers had left Him. When He asked Peter if he was also going to leave, Peter said, “Where else can we go? Only You have words of eternal life.” In other words, Peter was also uncomfortable, but he realized that being uncomfortable with Jesus was better than any other option.15
Uncomfortable with Jesus? This doesn’t line up with Scripture that promises peace with God and eternal life to those who believe in Jesus Christ and accept His sacrifice on the Cross as a penalty for their sins. Consider these passages:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:25)
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11)
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
A. W. Pink’s “solution” for supporting Calvinism is to change the meaning of words to support his theory; Sproul’s “option” is to be “uncomfortable with Jesus,” which he considered “better than any other option.” It is very difficult to understand why any Christian with a basic understanding of the Scriptures would accept another gospel that is not only heretical and very dangerous but strips a believer of the assurance and peace that the Scriptures promise to “whosoever will.”
Endnotes:
- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1981 edition), p. 978.
- John Calvin, Calvin’s Calvinism: God’s Eternal Predestination and Secret Providence (Reformed Free Publishing Association, Kindle edition from the 2009 2nd edition), Kindle location 532.
- John Calvin, The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1960), p. 197.
- A.W. Pink, Practical Christianity (Zeeland, MI: Reformed Church Publications, 2009), p. 16.
- A. W. Pink in December 1947, cited in Iain H. Murray’s The Life of Arthur W. Pink (Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1981 edition), pp. 248-249.
- John Otis, “Who is the Genuine Christian?” (The Counsel of Chalcedon, 1988), p. 20; article on file with publisher.
- A. W. Pink, The Doctrine of Sanctification (Prisbrary Publishing, Kindle edition, Arthur Pink Collection Book 16), Kindle location 374, citing Puritan Walter Marshall, 1692. This book is also available on Amazon in a print edition published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, July 9, 2016, and the quote is found on page 27.
- John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2015 edition), p. 164.
Chapter 8: No Assurance of Salvation - Norman F. Douty, The Death of Christ (Irving, TX: Williams & Watrous Pub. Co., Revised and Enlarged Edition, 1978), p. 176, citing John Calvin from F. F. Bruce’s “Answers and Questions,” Questions 1331, in The Harvester (Exeter) January 1966.
- John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2015 edition).
- Charles Hodge, A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdman’s Publishing, 1983 edition), p. 292.
- John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, op. cit., p. 165.
- Philip F. Congdon, “Soteriological Implications of Five-Point Calvinism” (Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Autumn 1995, Volume 8 | No. 15, https://faithalone.org/wp-content/uploads/1995/09/Journal-of-the-Grace-Evangelical-Society-Vol.8-Autumn-1995-No.15small.pdf), p. 63.
- R. C. Sproul, “Assurance of Salvation” (Tabletalk, Ligonier Ministries, Inc., 1989), p. 20; cited in Dave Hunt’s book, What Love is This?, op. cit., from chapter 29, endnote #25.
- Ibid.
(photo from Calvinism: None Dare Call it Heresy; designed from photo from Alamy.com; used with permission)
Perseverance of the Saints is wrong for several reasons, as stated above. But there is more.
Calvinists insist that confession and repentance throughout discipleship is a mark of obedience to Christ. The problem is this : the Bible does not confine ‘sin’ to unrighteous individual acts that you are aware of or made aware of and can list and confess as attributable to yourself directly. Sin covers a broader spectrum -as amply demonstrated in the OT by our inheritance of original sin. Therefore, under P of Peseverance of the Saints your salvation rests on being holy by self sanctification through works with the aid of the Holy Spirit (denying the purpose of the Cross and negating Grace, in the process) then their sin will never been sufficiently be removed, and it will remain until the end and they won’t be heaven bound.
That is why Jesus died – to atone for all of our sins, past, present and future (ones we were aware of, are aware of and are not aware of). That is why we need Jesus.
But confessing and repenting of sin, simply out of reverence and love for the love for having saved you already (PRESeverance of the Saints – an entirely different proposition to PERSeverance of the Saints) make more sense because God has already forgiven those sins along with any other sins you were not aware of by the atonement sacrifice he made. You are acting out of love for God to do right by him and to be an effective witness to others by your unwordly behaviour.
You cannot earn your way into heaven (Calvinists often use the supernatural working of faith in regeneration to sidestep ‘the works’ argument, claiming that it is supernatural not works – and citing James2 out of context). You can only love God by the help of the Holy Spirit to be an effective disciple and child of God for whom blessings will abounds and greater heaven bound rewards will be given.
Calvinism has too many loose ends that don’t tie together, whereas Free Grace does not – irrespective of what kind of disciple you turn out to be (dedicated and mature, or lazy and carnal).
Free Grace : Faith before Regeneration lines up with biblical truth. Regeneration before Faith does not.
Regeneration before faith inevitably leads to the Perseverance doctrine because there are no ‘before and after’ markers that allows a person to knowingly rest in being ‘elect’. They only have their fruits to go on and one person’s half full glass might be perceived as half empty to another. So there is never any assurance, only doubt, fear and uncertainty.
That’s a very good point !! I too , had an abusive parent, and it does reflect on ones view of God. Plus, I was raised catholic. It took me years after being saved to realize that God was, and is a loving father.
The Bible tells us Peter calls Lot righteous in his second epistle. Lot seems to be dragged out of Sodom by Angels moments before God rained down fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot lost all of his earthly belongings, his wife turned into a pillar of salt and not long after that he had sex with his 2 daughters. Sadly some Christians start off doing wonderful things for our Savior. We read our bible, tell people about our savior and find a bible believing Church. Sometimes we fall and our Savior picks us up. Again, Sadly some of us go back into the world. Perseverance does not get us to Heaven. What can was away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Put faith in his finished work at Calvary. Which world are we living for? A Calvinist has no eternal security. Very sad.
But if you can’t know you’re one of the elect, you can’t know that the promise is for you. Sad!
Have you not seen john 14.16? I have the HOLY SPIRIT FOR EVER. The Holy Spirit is my
guarantee of my final redemption, which includes
a new body. I Cor. 1:30, Romans 8:29,30, 39.
John 10:28-30, John 17:12 Peter Bruce
This was spoken before the Cross, so it was Messiah appealing to Israel, which had known conditional blessings (if/then) from the start. We also know this period was still under the Law (old covenant) because the Law was still in force until the death of the testator, per Hebrews 9:16.
That means He couldn’t have been speaking to or about the Jew/Gentile Body of Christ, which didn’t yet exist and is not under the Law. A repentant Israel was His intended audience.
What misunderstanding? Put into one sentence the main reason why we are wrong.
There’s no war here – we are just speaking the truth according to the Word of God. It seems like you are trying to incite people by saying there is a war here.
I agree with your comment here. This article and author do not understand Calvinism. I know how I will be criticized for that but so be it, it’s true. There has been a war on this site against Calvinism and it is because of misunderstanding it.
Calvinism is one of the most subtle blasphemies ever inflicted upon the Body of Christ. It makes God a liar twice: both in whom He intends to save (a secret, anonymous elect) and in whom He said He wants to save (the world).
Makes Christ Himself a liar for the same reason.
It also completely destroys salvation through faith — salvation is really by being elected, with faith only as a result of being regenerated.
Blasphemous.
I noticed the same thing. 5 of the 7 receive rebuke, but 2 were encouraged to continue without need of correction…
Because Calvin didn’t.
Good article. No Calvinist holding to the 5 points can know he will persevere unless he FIRST knows he’s elect, but God did not tell anyone who is and isn’t elect, so no one can know for sure that he will persevere…any Calvinist might turn out a spurious-faithed reprobate.
How do we explain John 15:7
Hebrews 6:4-8
Romans 11:17-22
…MANY MORE
Jesus is “the Ark” of our Salvation – our ONLY Safety! Amen.
So, IF we choose to “remain in Him”, as the Word of God commands us, is that relying on ‘our own works’??
NO – that is relying upon HIM (what He has done for us and supplies to us), and choosing to remain “in Him” (our Safety) until the end, when we are “finally” saved for all of eternity. IF we choose not to “remain in His Goodness”, then we have believed in vain. Even Paul understood he had not already obtained the FINAL prize.
If this is not true, then you can take all of the warnings, written “to believers”, and throw them out of the Bible.
God warns/admonishes for good reason – for our SAFETY!
If any of us choose to believe that we can never “fall away from the faith” and wander past the point of no return (due to our own unrepentant and continued choice to sin), then we are greatly deceived and in great spiritual/eternal danger.
This does not make me afraid I have “lost my salvation” after every sin – but instead, causes me to quickly confess and trust that the Lord “forgives and cleanses” me of my unrighteousness as I choose to remain “in Him” and His GOODNESS/mercy.
Read the Bible and look for the warnings – given to us that we may CHOOSE to persevere/endure unto the end, in order than we may be finally SAVED for eternity.
“He who endures to the end, the same shall be saved.”
(endure = REMAIN/ABIDE in Him, rather…
Thank You Lighthouse Trails for your years of service. The “heresy” of Calvinism is serious threat to the Church today.I have read your book and many other books on Calvinism. All are very helpful. A book by Ken Wilson–“The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism” defines Calvinism as a belief based on heresy. This puts it in perspective.
Thanks, LHT, another petal just fell away from the “tulip” for me, as I had been taught in a Reformed church that perseverance of the saints referred to the eternal security of the believer, which I do agree with. In the 47 years of being a believer, I’ve been in several types of Christian church, and now would describe myself as a non denominational, evangelical Christian.
Their is another part of the armor of Christ. It is called the cloak of zeal and it is found in the OT. Since God is the same yesterday, today, and forever…I have taken that cloak to put on and pray for the saints.
I am so glad someone is standing up and calling out these false gospels of men! Thank God. Calvanism and Armenianism are just more doctrines of men. And if one studies these things fully…they will see that these doctrines are just extentions of the Catholic Church. It’s a Mystery. But I want no other Gospel other than the Gospel of God in Jesus Christ. I spent years fearing the loss of my salvation, and it has done nothing for my sanctification to waste time doing that!
“It is very difficult to understand why any Christian with a basic understanding of the Scriptures would accept another gospel that is not only heretical and very dangerous but strips a believer of the assurance and peace that the Scriptures promise to “whosoever will.”
Indeed! This is the crux of the issue. Whenever a Calvinist has tried to convince me of that belief, the Lord has always brought this scripture verse to mind: “Whosever will may come.” (spoken by Christ Jesus Himself!)
I have often wondered why they don’t believe that.
Yes, you are right! Please comment John on ‘Once Saved Always Saved’. Your Fear word again!
This is an excellent article, over all. There’s only one statement I take issue with: “In the seven churches in Revelation, only one was found acceptable.”
I’ve been reading/studying/loving Revelation for the last few months, and it seems to me that 2 churches were not reprimanded, but were told to continue in their faithfulness: Smyrna and Philadelphia.
Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. 🙂
Anne, see my point no. 2 below. Fear and control are blood and oxygen in calvinism; calvinists can’t do anything without it.
I wanted to add this from the Berean Call: https://www.thebereancall.org/content/nuggets-occult-invasion-assurance-eternal-life Perseverance is only mentioned 1 time in scripture and that is in Ephesians 6:18. My Strong’s says it means ‘patience’ #4343. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication (requests) IN THE SPIRIT, and watching thereunto with all perseverance (patience) and supplication (requests) FOR all the saints.” Eph. 6:18. Note this is not part of the armor, but Paul is telling the church to pray for others, pray in everything in the Spirit and to watch (stay awake!) with all patience and prayers for all saints. Prayer is mentioned many times in scripture, Paul says, “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” Col. 4:2-3
Calvinism’s perseverance is akin to what happened to me as a child. My mother was abusive and the fear of punishment kept me in line and when I did something that made her angry or I disobeyed her she would beat me in anger. I lived in fear my whole childhood never knowing when I was going to be beat again for something. Though I loved her which is normal for abused children I couldn’t wait to get away from her.
I add this to my first comments. The Reformations bright spot was that it recovered We are justified by faith alone in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sadly, it seems John Calvin entered the scene to add confusion to The truth of Gods Holy Word.
Thank you again Lighthouse for teaching the word of God. Every Calvinist needs to read your books on John Calvin. After reading this part of your book Today I am stunned at what these Calvinists teachers said. John Calvin taught a works-base Salvation. During the Reformation some of the theologians did not agree with Calvin. A Lutheran theologian,
“Aegidius Hunnius “(1550-1603) said Calvins interpretations undermined the New Testament teachings concerning the incarnation, the Doctrine of the Trinity and the death, Resurrection and ascension of Christ. Calvins only written testimony was not his conversion to The Lord Jesus Christ but to King David and the Protestant Reformation. Eternal Security for a Calvinist? Sadly I feel for all of them. I am so thankful that Heaven is my Home
Thank you for sharing this M. The issue of Calvinism invading the church is very serious, as you have so well (and sadly) put.
Calvinism’s ‘perseverance’ = oxy and moron.
Calvinism = fear
Calvinism = unbiblical
Calvinism = WWCD?
Calvinism = just another cult.
I often counsel people from Calvinist churches who are so hopeless. Not only that, many are depressed, even suicidal because, let’s face it, the only “hope” is that God randomly chooses you. In other words, THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY.
Is anything more hopeless?
I talked with a mom this morning whose 10 year old daughter went through quite an ordeal because she heard a Calvinist message at camp. She came away with extreme anxiety and hopelessness, so much so it even affected her body with undue stress in extreme ways.