“Finding the Antidote for Deception”: A Response to the Recent Lighthouse Trails Post on Calvinism

LTRP Note: The following is a response to our recent post, “Calvinism: Changing the Meaning of Words to Promote a Theory.”

By L.B.S. (Canada)

To me, as a former Catholic, Calvinism is just a “protestant” form of Catholicism.  Catholicism has the pope as the final authority—Calvinism has John Calvin to define and direct the supposed meaning of the Bible.  It is no different than Mormonism which has the book of Mormon, or the Jehovah Witnesses having the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, or the Seventh Day Adventists having Ellen White and her writings to form the backbone of that movement. 

When one researches each alternative form to Christianity, you will find not only another authority other than the Bible but also a false works-based way of salvation which will never save.

And for so many other religious groups, I would propose that RightNow Media, an online subscription-based media platform that provides a one-stop shop for all kinds of Bible studies, has garnered a huge audience through its aggressive and effective sales to churches of many denominations; and it is having a huge effect on delivering a mélange of Calvinist and Catholic contemplative doctrines to trusting congregations who have not yet learned to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

When I researched the background of so many of the Bible study leaders platformed by RightNow Media, many of them proved to have a Calvinist bent.  Francis Chan and Matt Chandler are examples of RightNow Media speakers who have a Calvinist bent, but Francis Chan, in particular, has also taken a deep dive into ecumenism [i.e., a move toward Catholicism]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bH4hpCB2VU

The previous video is just a sample of an unbiblical view held by Francis Chan but to me it is not the point that I want to make.  Heresy abounds around every corner – it is a given according to the Bible:

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD’S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. (Deuteronomy 11:16-17)

Finding the Source of Truth

Things that are falsehoods are important to know about, but knowing they are false is fruitless unless you learn the truth.  And how to learn the truth is the point that I want to make.  It brings great freedom!

 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

My thoughts about various religious persuasions and belief systems, including Calvinism, came as a result of a conversation I had with my daughter.  She wondered why I read the King James Version of the Bible when false religions such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses use that version as well.  I showed her that the Jehovah’s Witnesses use the New World Translation.  (At one time I believe they also used the King James Version, but they still had their Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as “interpreter.”)  I told her that the Mormons use the King James Version, but they also have the Book of Mormon as their other and even main “authority.” It was at that moment when I said this out loud to my daughter that I more clearly understood it for myself—I could not put it into words before that. Many groups identifying as Christian have an interpretation, or a redefining of the Word of God through their books or their leadership. In particular, when I listened to many Calvinist preachers, they ended up talking about TULIP, or how many points they hold to; and their definitions about election and predestination troubled me greatly.   But when I read the Word and let it define itself, it cleared up my confusion.

So many passages of Scripture come to mind about how to understand Scripture, but reading other books or listening to preachers and teachers about how to understand Scripture is no longer my focus.  I no longer read commentaries as if they were the key to understanding, nor do I trust a Lexicon or even a dictionary (especially a modern one because even the definitions of words in them are being changed).  When I do not understand something in the Bible, I have learned to keep reading and seeking, and little by little understanding comes.

I still listen to pastors, and I still read many things, but the filter as to whether or not I am hearing or reading truth is no longer my own proud mind because “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Following is an account of when people heard and understood the Scriptures. What joy!

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground.  Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. (Nehemiah 8:5-8)

Another helpful verse is:

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)

I have come to believe that God Himself will teach us if we truly seek Him.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. (2 Chronicles 15:2)

And He has told us where to seek Him:

Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  (Psalm 40:7-8)

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

And if we seek Him by faith, we will be rewarded:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The Antidote for Deception

The Bible commends the Bereans in Acts 17 as being “more noble” because they “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”  When one realizes that they were proofing the apostle Paul, it becomes a little more poignant.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11)

Indeed, Paul himself also admonished people to be wary even of him:

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1: 6-9)

We have the antidote for deception:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

We have the antidote, and no other “authority” should escape its scrutiny.  Including Calvinism.

---

Other Articles by L.B.S.:

The “Great Reset”? Or the GREAT Reset!

The Fear Factor and the COVID Conundrum: One Canadian’s Perspective

(photo from bigstockphoto.com; used with permission; design by Lighthouse Trails)