Dear Lighthouse Trails:
In your last e-mail newsletter, you showed us the covers of three upcoming books. And I’m concerned about one of them. It’s Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy, which exposes some serious problems with Calvinism.
I am not a Calvinist. Not at all. I’ve seen some very serious problems with that over the years. My concern is for different reasons.
Can you name me even one denomination that is “safe” any more?
The Methodists used to be solid. But these days, there are literally witches in some Methodist pulpits—women pastors who went through witchcraft initiation rituals, and their woman bishop was there with them. And when asked if she was at that ritual, the bishop couldn’t remember because she’s been at so many of them.
I have a friend whose sister is a lesbian witch and a Lutheran pastor.
Washington National Cathedral (a large, prestigious Episcopal church) has been in bed with the Muslims for years now, and lets them meet in their church.
Calvary Chapel used to be sound, but now many Calvary Chapel churches are into the emergent nonsense.
The Mennonites are a little odd, but I love them because of their simple devotion to God. But now there are emergent Mennonites.
Most of the charismatic churches seem to have bought into the Latter Rain Movement or the Prosperity Gospel teachings or other crazy things.
The Baptists used to be solid. But of the two large Baptist churches in my area, one has classes in Catholic mysticism. The other has classes in “Christian” yoga and promotes The Shack and the “Red Letter Christians” (ignore anything in the Bible that isn’t in red letters).
We have churches of various denominations ordaining homosexual pastors and recognizing homosexual “marriage.” And now I heard of one church “celebrating” because their pastor made the transition from one gender to the other one.
There is a large, “successful” Baptist church here in __________ that denies the Atonement (that Jesus died for our sins).
There are so many pastors who have become atheists that they have a support group online. Their slogan is “Moving beyond faith.” Many (if not most) of them are still pastoring their churches in spite of being atheists.
It’s getting seriously crazy out there. And in the face of that, it might be better to avoid going after specific denominations like the Presbyterians.
At this point, I’m attending a Presbyterian church. I am not a Calvinist, and my pastor knows it. But this is a conservative church that believes the Bible and has the guts to preach about sin and things like that. And they do not push Calvinism from the pulpit. It’s in some of the Sunday school classes, but that’s all. I don’t identify myself in terms of denominations. I call myself a Bible-believing Christian.
If you publish that book about the Presbyterians, then that will turn away a lot of your readers who are Presbyterians. And that could be a large proportion of your readers because Presbyterians tend to be well-educated people who care about doctrine..
If you are sure that God wants you to publish that book, then you should do it. But please do some extra praying in order to really be sure about it.
M.C.
Comments From Lighthouse Trails:
Dear M.C.,
Thank you for your e-mail expressing your concerns. The fact is, we have prayed about this for many years, not about this particular book (Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy) but about the issue of Calvinism. And after several years of study and prayer, we truly have come to believe that God wants us to address this issue. We know there is going to be a price for it. Already one woman who has donated money to Lighthouse Trails for a number of years (which has been a real help to us) called after reading that we are going to be releasing this book on Calvinism and said she would not be able to send any more support if we publish the book. So please know, we don’t do this lightly, and we know we may pay a high price for it. But we have come to believe that the Calvinism gospel is not the Gospel at all because the view of election (which is the foundation of Calvinism) changes God into a “God” whose view of salvation takes on a cruel and non-benevolent nature.
This foundational view that God does not love the whole world or all people (and created most of them wanting to send them to hell) does not describe the God of the Bible. While Calvinists use a number of Scriptures to “prove” Calvinism, there are countless Scriptures that disprove the Calvinist view of election; and if a particular doctrine is refuted by Scripture itself, then there is something wrong with that doctrine. A few of those verses that disprove the Calvinist view of election are: John 3:16-17, 1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 22:17, Romans 8:32, 1 Timothy 2:4, and 1 John 4:14. There are countless more.
People are often drawn to Calvinism because they think it offers an assurance of salvation, but once they fully understand its doctrines, they realize they are always left questioning if they are of the elect. While Calvinism seemingly promises an assurance of salvation, in living it out, it actually does the opposite because the Calvinist never knows for sure if he is one of the elect.
The Calvinist view has grown rapidly, partly because so many seminaries and Christian colleges have become Calvinist and are pumping out pastors, teachers, and authors into the church at a fast rate. We see that some Calvary Chapel churches have become Calvinist, and we have been told that over half of the Southern Baptist seminaries are now Calvinist. Frequently, we hear reports of churches, ministries, schools, or organizations that have turned toward Calvinism. Perhaps this is why God has led Lighthouse Trails down this precarious path to warn against it.
We do not want to hurt anyone. Our primary motivation in doing this is because we have seen so much damage that is happening to those in the Calvinist camp, in particular to the young people. We believe it is causing many young people to turn completely away from the Christian faith because they cannot fathom serving a monster God whose desire is to send most people to eternal damnation (even though they have, according to Calvinism, no free will to reject or choose God). We are also witnessing large numbers of Calvinist/Reformed leaders turning to the contemplative view, and we believe this is happening because Calvinism is not really about a relationship with the Lord – rather it is about having to make sure you are of the “elect.” And since there is no way with Calvinism to know for sure (even R.C. Sproul confessed this as you will read about in Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy), the Calvinist becomes very disillusioned and thus, when contemplative spirituality is introduced to him, he grabs hold of it because it soothes this inner despair and even terror. But what he does not realize is that this newfound contemplative experience is a dangerous substitute for the real life of Christ and will take him into deeper deception than ever before. If we did not issue this warning and remained silent because it is the easier thing to do, it would be like watching people drowning in a sea while we are in a lifeboat and could help them but didn’t.
So while we agree that most denominations are in trouble, we see Calvinism as far more than just a denomination (and the Presbyterians aren’t only one group that adheres to Calvinism) – it is a religion of its own. If indeed, our addressing Calvinism (when most do not dare to address it because they know they will come under severe attack) brings Lighthouse Trails down, we are comforted in knowing that we always stood for the Gospel and were willing to speak “bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1) even though we would be greatly harmed by doing so. We hope after you read this book, you will understand a little better why we are doing this.
Helpful Materials:
Calvinism No More by former Calvinist Brenda Nickel
What Love is This? By Dave Hunt
And also this excellent sermon by the late Adrian Rogers
The problem with Calvinism certainly includes their errant Biblical theology. But the primary problem is that they teach a false God and another Jesus — which is reflected in their theology. The God of Calvinism — i.e., the God of TULIP is not the God of the Bible. Calvinism errs on virtually all points of the Redemption. Thus, it is not merely “another perspective.” It is “another gospel.”
Regarding Romans 9, you may wish to read David Dombrowski’s booklet, A Potter Looks at Romans 9, and Dave Hunt in his book What Love is This? is excellent in the discussion of Calvinism versus the Gospel
Uh, have we all forgotten that we’re all headed to hell (destruction) from the minute we’re born? If you think about it, we were all created for destruction unless God, in his infinite mercy, plucks out our old heart and gives us a new one. He’s completely sovereign over every molecule in the universe. Either you believe that or you don’t. Read Romans 9:15. You may not think it’s fair in your flawed human understanding but I don’t think we really want what’s fair. Fair would be all of us getting destroyed right when we were born because of our sin!
Thank you Lighthouse for standing up for the truth of Gods Holy Word. After reading the 70 comments about Calvinism I was encouraged to see that many were in agreement with your Booklet. Please continue to teach Gods Truth. Sadly, people sometimes took verses out of context to try and make a point. The Book of Romans for example should be read from chapter 1 to 16 teaching us the whole Gospel of God before we isolate a few verses that brings confusion to a single chapter. Also sadly, if a person believes some not all of a teachers Doctrine it can be very dangerous. Satan has been attempting to confuse lost souls for a long time which has been proven by all the different denominations in America alone. We Christians need to read are Bibles and ask God for understanding. Pray for help.
Your word “Martin Luther and many church fathers believed in calvinism, or reformed theology”. Many Church fathers/others were also Roman Catholics – e.g. Calvin- Luther?? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm??
Once again we believe men and not Gods word.
One mistake Calvinists make is looking to man for their doctrine rather than the Word and only the Word. The same can be said of Lutherans, Catholics, etc. I separated from a sister in Christ because any issue was handled according to Lutheran theology rather than just the Word. As Paul said, “I am not of Paul or Apollos…” As for salvation, predestination, etc., we cannot and should not put God into a box . How He saves people is not up to us to decide. How He carries out His justice is not up to us. Just because I didn’t follow the Calvinist formula for salvation does not mean I am not saved right now. In fact, trying to assimilate the Calvinist viewpoint into my beliefs has caused me grief and anguish about who I am in Christ.
Thanks for the decision to publish this book. Other helpful books on this important topic include: Chosen to Serve by Shawn Lazar, Freely by His Grace, edited by J.B. Hixson, Rick Whitmire, and Roy Zuck, Grace, Salvation and Discipleship by Charles Bing, A Defense of Free Grace Theology, edited by Fred Chay, Position and Condition by David Anderson, Must Faith Endure by Thomas Stegall, Dispensationalism and Free Grace by Grant Hawley, and Should Christians Fear Outer Darkness? by Dennis Rokser, Tom Stegall and Kurt Witzig. Keep up the great work you are doing!
Sadly, Calvinist teachings have a large role in bringing about the current apostasy, as we have been trying to show.
I was a follower of LT for years. Although I appreciated and believed in the efforts of refuting false teaching, I was more than dismayed at how Calvinist s, Reformed believers were portrayed. First of all, I believe you are misunderstanding the sovereignty of God/freewill doctrine. I don’t know better purveyors of Truth than the late R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur. Their expository teaching is what is missing from most pulpits today and look at the apostasy. God’s Word is inerrant and a close, inductive study, with a heart that longs to know, understand, and walk obediently in accordance will prove itself.
Hi Andrew,
Please realize that there are believers who are neither Calvinism or “Arminian” who believe we are saved solely by God’s grace and of no merit of our own and who believe in eternal security for the true born-again believer (different than the P. in TULIP which stands for the saint’s perseverance) but who do not believe that God created most people hating them and wanting to send them to Hell to punish them for something they have no control or say over (because they have no free will to choose or reject God). Perhaps you would be willing to read Pastor Kirkland’s book on Calvinism that we just published. If so, email us your mailing address, and we will send you a copy (free of charge).
I am really sad that you are anti calvinist in your ministry. I was a student at Biola university and conversed with you about their heretical teaching in their new age spirituality. Your books Faith Undone and A Time of Departing were a huge impact and blessing to me as well as a couple of other books I ordered from you. But to find out you are anti calvinist and call it a heresy really makes me feel so bad because you are profaning Gods true Words and saying the dctrine of grace through faith alone and Christ alone is false. Martin Luther and many church fathers believed in calvinism, or reformed theology. To find out you are strictly arminian now really makes me feel you are allowing a false teaching in your ministry and ignoring the absolute plain truth of Gods Word. You misunderstand calvinism and what the actual truth is. You are not presenting the actual beliefs that normal Christians who are reformed believe. Do you not undersand that it is the strict arminians that came from Catholicism and promoted fale teachings and the hyper charismatic false teachings?! Do you not see how Satan is blinding you in this? I would think you would know better being so biblically minded. It is no wonder you bash people like John MacArthur which never made any sense to me.
I was pleased to see a reader question your printing a book on anti-Calvinism. There is much truth in the scepticism expressed, and I understand her seeking guidelines for a church these days. Me Too! We are in a rural community without many choices…we end up “home churching” as best we can. Having experienced the renewal of the early 80s, it is so disappointing to have so little doctrinally wholesome programs to choose from. What now? How do we”occupy until He returns?”
Dear Lighthouse Trails, This past week I read in yuour newsletter how you are writing a book about Calvinism. I have been following you for quite awhile, maybe 6 years. Over the years I have noticed, your displeasure with this doctrine. I am not a Calvinist, never read a book about him so it does not bother me whether you disagree with him or not. What does bother me is that you disagree with the Bible, God’s Holy Word. Your ministry has been such a blessing to me. You have warned me against false teachings, false doctrines, and false preachers. However, I fear for you for the same bondage that the Lord Jesus has protected you from (false doctrine/ false teaching) you are now going to be brought into bondage by write a book that teaches against God’s Sovereignty and man’s total depravity. The Bible clearly says we cannot choose Him unless He chooses us first (Ephesians 1, 2:1-10, Romans 3:9-18, John 6, John 17, Matthew 13) I beseech you to please take heed to yourselves and to your doctrine. Please read 2 Peter 2:20-22, 3:16-18.
As a young preacher I was taught at Bible college Hyper-Arminialism, refuting Calvinism. When I read CH Spurgeon I changed to Calvinism (maybe a “3 pointer”). I moved into Reformed circles and learned Hyper-Calvinistic views. I could never accept this. But I could not go back to Arminianism either. I can accept what is clear from Scripture but Calvinism goes beyond scripture with the structure of TULIP. I welcome a good study on this subject.
Dear Lighthouse Trails Editors, A few years ago, not knowing a lot about the topic, I obtained several books on both sides of the argument. My favorite book against it was Chosen But Free by Giesler. To be fair, I also watched a few videos by John Piper. In my opinion, you have to take a lot of Scripture out of context and redefine simple words like “world” and “all” to make it work, let alone throw out the Greek language. Then you have to assign God’s foremost attribute as sovereign above all others, even love, grace and mercy! After reading the literature and watching the videos, I am convinced it is a cult. Sadly, it seems to be the dominant Christian theology in my part of the country, other than yoga and contemplative prayer. It seems to attract the young, Scripturely-untrained, intellectuals. Often, it’s adherents revert to name-calling and weak logic if you so much as mention an alternative argument. If they feel so strongly about their position, they shouldn’t feel threatened by opposing views. But I haven’t found any who don’t get emotionally-charged if you dare call it heresy. I hope those who oppose this book would at least have the intellectual courage to read it before condemning it.
Dear brothers and sisters at Lighthouse trails I would encourage you all to never give up even in the face of overwhelming opposition. The huge debate over Calvinism has been a long time coming. Many dear members of the body of Christ lie in Calvinist churches and many in Arminian….I have friends in both. But as in other doctinal debates, very few believers seem to take the narrow path between the two. I have never had any problem reconciling mans free will given by God’s absolute sovreignty. May all of us return to the pages of our bibles and like the the Bereans in scripture, check to see if these things are so. But lift up our heads church and look up…our redeemer draws near. With all blessings and prayers in Christ Fellow believer, Mogens in England
The Bible says: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:12 and Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13 Jesus Christ is the only one that died for our sins. Not John Calvin, Jacobus Arminius, or any other god or man.
Like M.C., I am also not a Calvinist. My concern with your ‘taking on Calvinism’ is that you at Lighthouse Trails, not spread yourselves too thin. I believe you do an excellent job confronting mysticism, spiritual formation and contemplative spirituality, and this is a much needed ministry. My concern is that you not find yourselves ‘fighting on too many fronts’ and thereby being rendered ineffective. For example, you have articles on your website supporting the Genesis account of creation, but you wouldn’t consider that to be your ministry, you leave that for others. Keep up the good work, Scott
Thank you!! I will be purchasing this book!!
I liked your article on Calvinism. I have studied this topic over the years and it still does not make sense to me. I looked up the word ‘ all ‘ in the Bible and found it is used 5606 times in the KJB, so I think ‘all’ is pretty important to God and plan of salvation. The word ‘many’ is used only 699 times. I like ‘all’.
From what I have found in my Bible, I guess I would label myself as a Reformed, Calvinistic, predestination affirming, free will advocating, Bible believing Christian or better yet, just “Bible Believing Christian”. In that vein, I certainly do not disagree with John Calvin on every point of his theology. However. For several years I have agonized with the fact that most Calvinists simply discount the possibility of even a spark of free will which is found so many times in the Bible such as: “whosoever believeth in him should not perish” (John 3:16), “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15), “. . . in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2: 1-4) etc. could be imparted to man by our Sovereign God. There is no good thing in me of my own merits but through God, even before salvation, He inserted a conscience in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.
I am convinced Calvinism is another Gospel and find certain statements that Calvinists hold to dearly very obnoxious and challenge any commenter in favor of calvinism to defend and give biblical support. – “God, as a righteous judge, deals otherwise with wicked and ungodly men. He awards them blindness and hardness of heart for their sins. He withholds from them the grace which might have enlightened their minds and exercised their hearts, and in some cases recalls the gifts He had bestowed upon them. Also he sets them in situations which their evil hearts seize upon as opportunities for sin.” These words from the 1689 confession are not the words of hope as I understand in the Gospel.
I have loved your ministry for many years. The education you provide to the true body of Christ is beyond price or praise!!! Stand firm! Our God does not play sick & twisted games with the salvation of men, demanding repentance of those incapable of repentance! John wrote ,”you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13) and our scriptures are closed with an open invitation, “the Spirit and the Bride say “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” God Bless
Has the potter right over the clay? (Rom. 9) I pray that the author and all who comment take this into consideration above all else. It is wrong to believe what seemeth right in our own minds. Irrespective of the truth of these opposing doctrines will either of them make God any less God? In either case some created souls will be damned. God cannot sin nor be tempted to do evil. God alone is the final standard of what is good or evil, just or unjust, righteous or unrighteous. God never ever has to justify Himself to anyone. Will God be any less God any less worthy of all honor and praise irrespective of which doctrine is correct? Are we looking at this strictly from God’s view exclusive of man’s view? Romans 9:19 asks ” For who can resist His will?” Jesus, who cannot lie nor sin says in John 6: 39-40 exactly what the Fathers will is. that He lose nothing of all that the Father has given Him. Therefore no one can chose to leave Him.
I spoke with a very wise, gracious and senior Minister in Australia about this issue and he had a personal experience with his son who was hooked on Calvinism through another minister; it distressed my dear Brother but he persisted in loving his lad and praying for his release from Calvinism. His learned son was holding an high position of responsibility in the education world and was “no slouch” academically. The Holy Spirit won through and, one day, this clever son was seen to be BURNING all his books on Calvinism. [“How could I ever be so persuaded to think that God could deliver some to eternal damnation?”] I’m amazed to think that people can spend years studying Calvinism (to find answers). The Scriptures are written so that a child can learn to trust The Word of God. I’m a simple man; I have concluded that God knows it all and well He knows who will be saved and who will not. My limited learning convinces me that “Whosoever will may come!”
Thank you LT for not shying away from the truth. Many years ago in my early teens I was attending a wonderful Bible teaching church, but after a little while Calvinism became the main focus of this wonderful fellowship. Sadly the preaching was no longer God honoring and sadly the church split/divided over Calvinism. From that day to this I believe Calvinism is divisive and I want nothing to do with it. It was a sad time and it seems more churches are embracing Calvinism. TULIP is not Biblical as God has said in his word that “He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. 25:41. Hell was not intended for the human race. Yes LT you may lose some of your subscribers but God will honor you for your faithfulness and standing firm for the Truth.
It seems there has been a war of sorts on calvinism vs. armenianism for a very long time. I consider myself in the calvinist camp after learning about it from the preachers of the past, like George Whitefield and others. I have heard some of the more modern descriptions of this doctrine and can see why people are so against it. The modern take on it is without any grace or mercy. It is cold and I think a complete warping of the true doctrine which was held for centuries by the Christian Protestants coming from the Reformation. This must be carefully understood, that leaven has crept in to deceive people from the truth. Calvinism is the gospel, the good news. It is not the modern understanding and definition. It must take much discernment to understand the deeper things that God would show us and that takes prayer and meditation in God’s word. Lots are against the teachings of men but they are using the teachings of men for what they don’t fully understand in order to destroy that.
Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go forth to him outside the camp and bear the abuse he endured. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come. [RSV] Thank you Lighthouse Trails!
When I read the comments that were published both on your blog and on Facebook I was shocked to see the negative responses. Of course I was glad to see the positive ones. About 10 years ago I studied the calvinism doctrine, and found it is not the true Gospel but something totally different. Therefore it is absolutely correct to name it a heresy.
Dear Lighthouse Trails, Thank you for your mail. I too have never been comfortable with the Calvinistic doctrine, and have even wondered how people could reconcile that view w itht the God of the Bible. But as I read your mail, it struck me that this doctrine is exactly synchronous to what Islam teaches. In a nutshell, Islam teaches all Muslims are good people and are the ‘elect’ if you will, because all non Muslims are infidels, bound for hell. However, because it is a works based religion and they are told it is on the last day they’ll know for sure where they are going,no Muslim is given assurance of His personal salvation, except through jihad. But with all these denominations wrong, hmmmm… So where will all these Presbyterians and anyone seeking the True God now worship? T.U Show quoted text
I was a Calvinist for 14 years and I can attest that there is no middle ground with Calvinism. You either believe in sovereign election, or you do not. And with so-called “moderates” like Ryle and Spurgeon, they believed in sovereign election and put themselves squarely in the Calvinist category, even if some want to defend them and even if they had statements that masked their beliefs. I, too, eschewed the label “Calvinist,” preferring to call myself a “biblicist” instead. Not so. We’re talking about a different gospel (sovereign election), a different Jesus (limited atonement), and a different god (sovereignly electing). Calvinists have no assurance. They get caught in the double bind of fearing they’re not elect with no way to become elect. And we have to remember that this isn’t an academic debate. People are living this damaging theology that pushes them toward trusting in works, regardless of how cleverly they disguise or frame it. Then they call the inevitable sense of condemnation and defeat the “normal” Christian life. Calvinism offers no joy, no hope, no love, and no life because it’s built on the lies of twisted truth. It’s a wretched theology.
Hello to all. I am a “Calvinist” (although I disdain the moniker, as I do not follow Calvin, I follow Christ). And I will say without hesitation that I personally have no problem with you publishing the book. From where I stand, we are brothers and sisters in Christ, and regardless of where you stand on the issue of Reformed Theology, we are still united in Christ, and that is what matters most. I have heard numerous arguments against “Calvinism” (and I have been called some horrendous things by professing Christians because I am a “Calvinist”), and I have found that very few of them have any merit. Most of the anti-Calvinist views I have seen and heard are based on biases, half-truths, misunderstandings about Reformed Theology, and, in some cases, flat out lies. I wish there was more civil and open and thoughtful dialog between the Calvinist and Arminian camps; more of a desire to understand one another. I think our Lord would like that. Thanks for your ministry and God Bless!
Thank you for your stand against Calvinism. The Lord will reward you greatly. This deadly doctrine is rearing its head again I was caught up in it at one time but could never get peace about it. You may get some negative response but there are a lot of Christians who are opposed to Calvinism that will never respond to your Blog. Someone doesn’t become a Calvinist by reading the Scripture. Someone has to introduce them to it. Thank you for your stand. I’m an Independent Baptist, at present time a member of a Southern Baptist Church that stands against Calvinism.
Thanks for taking the risk and tackling the subject. I was going to do a simple comment, but along with other current issues, the simple comment blew up into a full writing. If you choose to share, I posted it at: https://hopeishereblog.wordpress.com/what-do-you-want/
Hello, I am a missionary and I just wanted to encourage you in your stance against Calvinism. Thank you for your materials against it. I am so tired of much of the Body of Christ following men rather than God. John Calvin participated in vindictive murder and torture. How do we know? He had a man burned alive with green wood which is intentionally, slow. He also had many others tortured and killed. Pastors and teachers rarely tell the truth about him. There also is a strange pride, that many Calvinists have, in accepting and believing that God would judge people and send them to eternal Hell fire, without any free will. It’s almost as if they are silently saying, “I have the courage to believe in this evil doctrine and you don’t!” When Jesus wept over Jerusalem, was it because He was a great actor? NO! He wept because they resisted the Holy Spirit and preferred darkness rather than light (they chose of their own free will). Stephen spoke of resisting the Spirit in his message to the religious leaders. Of course the Holy Spirit has to open our eyes so we can see the truth, but people can choose to obey or disobey God. God bless you,
LT Trails: The question of Calvinism boils down to this question: Is the God we serve a loving God whose Word says He desires ALL MEN to be saved, or One who has created darling babies who become women and men whom He sentences to eternal hell without even a trial, let alone without the possibility of the covering of the blood of Jesus for their sins? This is a bedrock issue on the Nature and Character of God, nothing less, and that is the end point, when you take this debate down to its atomic structure, that is the question. The second question if like the first: Did Jesus Christ die for ALL men to have the opportunity of salvation or not? And if not, what kind of a God is this God ? Lordship Salvation is simply a natural outflow of the perverted Calvinistic view of God. It is WORKS. There are many with a Calvinist view whom I love, but they profane the true and living God and desecrate and reject the whole counsel of His Word. There is no soft, warm, fuzzy way to comment about an issue so important to the eternal destiny of millions of people, except to say: IT IS EVIL. It makes me very angry; how can they teach that the LOVING God, who sent His Own Son into the world to become sin to save the world would purposely create people for the pleasure of consigning them to eternal damnation! SHAME!
I won’t waste characters so, you can see my first post below: After moving and finding out all this was going on, I started having lightbulb moments that helped me connect the dots. I remembered a conversation with my pastor’s wife in which she indicated that her and her husband believed there were people that truly were born homosexual! I was shocked but, didn’t say anything. Now, in hindsight, I realize that they probably considered “those people” part of the damned. There were no altar calls, no real outreach ministries. When you try to talk to them, one of the first things they do is say we have no respect for the sovereignty of God. They act like we are not intelligent enough to even understand the definition of sovereignty! Well, what I want them to know is their beliefs completely twist the nature and character of my precious Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ!! And I want them to stop labeling anyone who’s not a Calvinist an Arminian. If I felt the need to wear a man made label, it would be Biblicist.
Thank you Lighthouse Trails! Calvinism seems to be growing and it needs to be addressed. It seems to be one of those doctrines that at first you would obviously reject, but then some begin to accept. Those who do accept it seem to have a highly influential teacher of Calvinism in their lives. It is good to know that LT prayerfully considers these things before addressing them. Anyone can be wrong and no one is abov being deceived.
Well once again u nailed it. I was just weeping. I used to just call them mean Christians I had no clue I just knew we did not fit in and not for lack of trying. My husband and I listen to Pastor Mike Warren from Gold Country Calvary Chapel One of the bloggers above said it way more better than me. I copied and pasted it below. And now I am sending this out to all family and friends It is so true Satan condemns and Jesus sets people free Halleujah! we do not need another reformation but to repent Blessings Marantha! I cannot wait for Christ to rule and reign from Jerusalem. My prayer today is: Pls. Jesus help me to love, to forgive, to serve, the way u did If my experience is anything to go by, trying to embrace Calvinism can turn you into the ‘frozen chosen’, you end up losing any concept of the love of God or that God is kind. It was the kindness of God that set me free from calvinism! I had ‘forgotten’ this is one of his main attributes. I see some truth in calvinist doctrine, but it should never be equated with the gospel, it is rather a system of interpretation. It is more important to be faithful to the text of the NT itself rather than make it fit a theological grid. Any book that brings liberation to anyone with a similar experience to mine is to be welcomed. Amen! Well said!
I have to say that for years now, I’ve wondered where LT stood on Calvinism given its silence on serious abuses by reformed churches led by John Mac and ilk. It appeared to me that the greatest sins were contemplative ministries with a liberal slant heading “back to Rome” (we never left!), while grave, authoritarian abuses piled up day by day by day. Calvinism is just the tip of the iceberg – authentic, orthodox Protestantism is the underlying mystic monstrosity. The symptoms LT covers are mere by-products of one facet. Adrian Rogers is/was no better, just more conservative and subtle. So, I’m with commenter Michael Ferguson: complete the circle, recognize that the institutional church as a whole functioning in its countless denominations are all expressions of the same mystic beast.
One of the greatest and most overlooked passages on freewill and God’s love for all mankind is found in Acts 17. Why would Paul say this to a bunch of pagans in Athens if it weren’t true? “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:24-28 KJV http://bible.com/1/act.17.24-28.kjv
One of the greatest and most overlooked passages on freewill and God’s love for all mankind is found in Acts 17. Why would Paul say this to a bunch of pagans in Athens if it weren’t true? “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.” Acts 17:24-28 KJV http://bible.com/1/act.17.24-28.kjv …and there are many more like it: http://followingjesuschrist3.com/2015/05/19/limited-atonement-does-everyone-have-a-chance-to-be-saved/
Thank you guys for the comments that you are making. If Calvinism is one of the things that will draw us away from the Scriptures back to Rome, then away with it. If I read the Scriptures right, then they tell me what is essential to salvation, life, and godliness and what is indifferent. Jacob Prasch addresses the issues that make Calvinism taken to its logical conclusion wrong. Let’s all hope that we that are Bible-believing Christians may come to an agreement on the basis of sola Scriptura, however much we may differ on the things that are indifferent. Then we can bring a united front against the apostasy of false unity.
I’m definitely going to read this one. I, too, have major concerns with Calvinism and particularly neo-Calvinism, which is why I call myself “Calminian”. I believe Walter Martin had it right when he said both camps are correct in what they affirm, and wrong in what they deny. On a practical level, I’ve seen Calvinism used as an excuse for pacifism–doing little to evangelize or push back against the darkness that is overtaking our country and world. But rather than make this a diatribe against Calvinists, the focus here should be on the book. I hope that it will make the case well, showing that Arminians and Calvinists err when they favor certain verses over other verses, and do gymnastics around the text to make it fit into their frameworks. It is not God’s sovereignty vs. man’s responsibility. It is both. We are to do what God has told us to do as the body of Christ rather than be disobedient and unfruitful. Bravo for your courage in publishing a book that should help people think and not blindly accept any denominational doctrine or celebrity teacher of the day. Let’s continue to look at the whole counsel of God and think. Let’s always be teachable and consider that we may have strayed (as did the church we broke from in the reformation) from the truth and need correction.
I love you guys. Taking on the Calvinism machine is always rough. Despite now 30 years of reading and studying Calvinist work, like the others above, every time I publicly speak against C’m, Calvinists tell me I don’t understand Calvinism. Apparently, we only understand it if we agree with it. Hm. And many also insinuate or outright say that anyone who does NOT accept Calvinism rejects it because we were born rejected by God Who has barred us from understanding these so-called “doctrines of grace”. Paul wrote that we have the mind of Christ, if we are new creations in Him. He told Thessalonians to test ALL things, holding fast to the good and avoiding every appearance of evil. NO ideological proposition is free from evaluation – Paul commended the Bereans for searching the Scriptures to determine the truth of his words. If Paul was subject to testing and confirmation, most certainly a man from 1400 years after this mighty apostle, is likewise subject. According to Jesus’ beloved John, “… no murder has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15. My mind is boggled at the millions who profess to know and believe Christ who embrace John Calvin’s blasphemies, and JUSTIFY his murders and hatred of those who oppose him. He was a follower of gnostic RC Augustine, a blasphemous maligner of the character of God, and a hater and murderer of any who stood against him. Thank the Lord that more and more are gaining the courage through the Holy Spirit to oppose this lie!
TULIP turns people into puppets. But we are NOT puppets. If God wanted to have puppets, then why did Jesus die for us? Why go through all that agony? It’s because God wanted to have people who are capable of loving him. And puppets are not capable of love. If it’s controlled externally, then it isn’t love at all. You have to have free will in order to be capable of loving God or of loving one another.
This is a book that is long overdue. Thank you for standing on Scripture and publishing it.
Please exeget John 6: 37- 44. No man can come unless the father draws and sends them of which Jesus will receive and raise them. If the father draws all then all will be recieved That is either universal reconciliation or the context, in light of the rest of scripture, demands some form of exclusion. Otherwise you risk boasting in your morally superior free will enabled you to receive the gospel Or so it would seem to allow for boasting in your self in defiance of Ephesians 2: 8-9
I am not a Calvinist as I believe there is both freewill and election spoken of in the Bible which have to be held together. Nor can I believe in Limited Atonement, Christ died for the World. However, I attend a reformed church where they do believe the latter, BUT they preach a true Gospel – the plan of salvation is in every sermon. There are other problems with the church for me – cessationism and a degree of replacement theology. However, they do not do contemplative stuff, new age stuff, emergent stuff or seeker friendly, and never would. In these days no church is totally right. I also go to a home group run by a friend which is Biblical, Gospel based, spirit filled and not replacement theology. Members of that group, who live in an area of around 20 square miles, attend what churches they can find, and generally have to put up with or try to influence errors in those churches. We are not quite at the stage of having a house church instead of an established one, but one day we shall come to this. Meanwhile, please, Lighthouse Trails, I will keep supporting you, but understand that out there, your supporters are picking their way as best they can in an imperfect church, and some imperfections do not mean everyone is wrong on all things, or not saved. I don’t have a problem you mentioning things, but don’t be too prescriptive – doing Lent, for example, is not a sin which damns a whole church! We have to live amongst things which are not perfect.
Go ahead and publish this book, and thank you for your courage in standing for the truth. May God bless you richly.
This is the only scripture I need to convince me that Calvinism is a false Gospel: (1 Timothy 2:4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. This tells me that if God has the power to save some just because He wants to, then why on earth would He not save all? The answer is in the “free will of mankind.” That being said, all Calvinists should seriously consider this scripture: (Galatians 1:8) But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Paul is clearly teaching that people who teach a false Gospel should (or will) go to Hell (accursed; anathema). Calvinism is a false Gospel.
God Bless Lighthouse Trails. I for one appreciate all you’ve done over the years, and stand with you in these trying times. It’s especially hard to get the truth out with so many conflicting views around. But, I think D. James Kennedy said it best, “there are only 2 religious, one the is God Centered, and all the rest, Man Centered.” What God gave with one hand, free will to choose him, to love him, but on the other hand, man takes away, in Calvinism.
Thank you for standing for truth. Calvinism is “another gospel” and Paul addresses the dangers of straying from The Gospel of Jesus Christ very forcefully in Galatians. I personally know the price of standing up for the simple “whosever will……..” and trying to help folks caught in the Calvinist mindset. It is a doctrine that is a “first cousin” to Romanism. It is a “works” based “gospel” that is devoid of Grace………no matter how the Calvinist “spins” the TULIP. As for me, I’ll look to the Rose of Sharon and rest in His finished work on the cross to save me.
I don’t understand why anyone is surprised that Lighthouse Trails would publish such a book. It is clear from your past posts and articles that you are not fans of the Reformed doctrines. I don’t like to call myself a “Calvinist” as no-one should be following any one man’s teachings and Calvin was certainly wrong in several areas, but I do believe that most of the doctrines of Calvinism are true (though I also think the Reformed faith as taught is incomplete). It is also true that there are many misconceptions of what those doctrines really mean, even within the reformed believers, so there’s no surprise that there is confusion. The bottom line for Christianity is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.” Make sure that you believe in God as He is revealed in the Holy Scriptures, examine yourself to ensure you are in the faith, and keep climbing up! If you fall, repent, ask forgiveness, and get back up – walking in the Spirit rather than in the Flesh. Lighthouse Trails is a good ministry and exposes many of the false teachings found in our churches today, and the publishing of this one book shouldn’t deter anyone from your ministry even if they consider themselves full Calvinists.
Wow. A firestorm it is! Can I add to it now? Well, although I was kind of hoping you all decided to renounce all institutional religion altogether like I did because it has no basis in Scripture, this is at least a start. Could you maybe just go after 1 denomination a week- should only take a few hundred years to renounce them all. Then we can just get back to the simple gospel message of loving God and our neighbor as ourselves. Without directly entering the fray now, can I add these wise words for you all to consider: “Imagine for a moment serving God with none of the things man has done/created. Where would we fellowship? How would we function? Who would lead us? These are the very questions we should be asking ourselves as a Christian, as local assembly and a member of God’s household of faith. For when a child of God discovers these answers, he or she can actually decide if Jesus is worth what it will cost them to obey Him. When EVERYTHING man has imagined and attempted to incorporate into God’s society has ceased, then and only then, will we live reliant upon Jesus and Him alone. This is our neglected but not forgotten past. There are still a few, the forgotten few, who long to live as their Father destined them to live. This response and reminder are dedicated to those few people…….and the few who are considering the cost of doing likewise.
Matthew 7:13-14 Publish it!
Write the book! Expose what needs to be exposed! My studies have also led me to see that Calvinism is heresy – I believe it is another religion altogether, as it preaches a different god than the God of the bible. It is a counterfeit, and must be wholly rejected. I can’t wait to read your book! I praise the Lord for folks with enough guts to speak the truth, even when it may cost them. Jesus said “count the cost”.
WAY TO GO LT!!!!! I was Devout cath for 1/2 cent. Got saved. Then ended up in Calvinism-SAME THING!!!! DON’T QUESTION US- WE OWN YOU. They kept begging me to join the church. THANK GOODNESS, I DIDNT. I questioned the pastor, during service, he said no one can ?? him, looking at me. I STARED RIGHT BACK!!! Never went back!! Mark Cahill helped me. I LOVE WHEN PEOPLE DON’T BACK DOWN FROM THESE “gods”. OOPs, I MEAN men.
I had to grin a little inside at her description of my own denomination – Mennonites. 😉 We might be considered odd and simple-living people . . . but sometimes I want to hang my head. She is right. Even in our denomination, we are seeing the emergent church movement coming in and sometimes it astonishes us. And greatly saddens us. Yet it seems there are many who do not take the warnings seriously that my husband and I give – yet before God we feel compelled to still send the warning. For we will answer to Him one day, and not to man. Thank you for being willing to not only research and publish this book on Calvinism . . . but for being willing to speak out, even if it ends up bringing LT down. Which I hope and pray does not happen. Also, I have truly appreciated the unified front that LT presents as a husband and wife team, plus your writers. Thank you for what you do! I will be praying God is glorified in this. In Him, Kendra
I appreciate the letter writer’s concerns and I also appreciate your reply, Lighthouse people. It is a sad state of affairs when we have to choose a church as people vote for presidents — choosing the “lesser of two evils.” This can make sense when choosing a president, but a church??? That’s a completely different thing. My real, central problem with Calvinism is simply this — How does a Calvinist believer KNOW if he or she is one of the chosen, or one who was damned from the beginning? THAT is a weighty question, and I have yet to meet a Calvinist who can answer it from the Bible. Calvinist friends quote scriptures out of context and often answer questions by saying, “I don’t know. My pastor can answer that.” Sad to say, MANY local Baptist churches are either leaning toward Calvinism or are already there. It seems the others have gone liberal/emergent. Some Mennonite churches, at one time so conservative, are now fully celebrating homosexuality and other perversions, too. It seems the church world has gone mad. I’ve heard other Christians speak of reading Biblical prophecy through the years and not being able to envision all the dreadful things written there, but now it has suddenly become easier, and so very painful, to see it all coming to pass. I continually pray for the light of God’s Word to open the eyes, ears, and hearts of unbelievers — and for God’s mercy to draw floundering, drifting believers back to Himself, as that is the only hope.
If my experience is anything to go by, trying to embrace Calvinism can turn you into the ‘frozen chosen’, you end up losing any concept of the love of God or that God is kind. It was the kindness of God that set me free from calvinism! I had ‘forgotten’ this is one of his main attributes. I see some truth in calvinist doctrine, but it should never be equated with the gospel, it is rather a system of interpretation. It is more important to be faithful to the text of the NT itself rather than make it fit a theological grid. Any book that brings liberation to anyone with a similar experience to mine is to be welcomed.
Praying that the Lord will Bless the ministry of His Word through this new book, and through Lighthouse Trails. Another good book on the subject is “Limiting Omnipotence” by David Dunlap. Published by Gospel Folio Press. I found it to be very helpful, and lacking the sort of “attitude” which is often present in some otherwise well-intentioned material.
Sola Scriptura, Beautifully said. Thank you!! Lighthouse Trails, Thank you for publishing CALVINISM None Dare Call It Heresy. I do call Calvinism heresy.
Great! I researched this issue too, I felt prompted to and was so glad I did. I ended up writing a whole doctrinal paper on why Calvinism (TULIP) is wrong. I too see so many areas being swallowed up with this doctrine. I am glad too that you are making a stand anyway. How much sense would it make to stop carrying your cross now, right? That would be as bad as what the emergent church does, they shut up so their plates will still be filled, not warning while those in their care go down the broad road to destruction. Each item of tulip is wrong. T=total depravity of man, not just sin nature, meaning he can’t respond to the gospel on his own, but that’s not what the Bible teaches. U=unconditional election, and thus un-election also that has already been written in stone, meaning you were hell bound before birth, not what the Bible teaches. L=limited atonement, but the Bible teaches that Jesus died for the whole world, all, everyone. We must receive it for it to apply to us, leading to the next item. I= irresistible grace, like election, which denies your role of a free will in choosing, like robots, it’s already been programmed for heaven or hell, again, not what the Bible teaches. We see people resisting all the time, and it’s not God causing this, He is the one calling them to repentance. God choosing or predestining anyone is just based on foreknowledge of who would respond. But the door is open to all. Each decides if he will enter or not. P= perserverance
My son, who is not a Calvinist, wanted to have a debate about their beliefs with me. It was a no win situation for me no matter what scripture I used because they always have another to try to prove their belief, or say we are interpreting it incorrectly. He told me, “You will never convince them, they have to read it for themselves, and for the Holy Spirit to open their eyes. It was frustrating and sad. I asked him if they were to follow sin, since they have no choice, will they still go to Heaven? He said if they are chosen they will not sin…yet they don’t know if they are chosen. What if those that live a life as a Bible believing Christian and die but are not chosen, where do they go? “To Hell I guess.” So really, you go through life with out the peace of God, without the joy of knowing when you die you will go to Heaven, and your family suffers the pain of not knowing. What a sad and horrific religion for Calvinists. To say, “Well, if you live a Christian life but still go to Hell, you will know you did the right thing. For whom? How many will be at the Great White Throne Judgment that believed what they taught to be true, and yet it was heresy? If people live in sin because they believe they are chosen: a great sound of torment and anguish will fill the air for the teachers of such things, and from those that followed. The Word of God is there for all to read, study, and believe…all will be without excuse and not one will be able to point fingers.
The above letter and comments after serve to confirm what I am believing more and more, that the way these false doctrines proliferate are through the way “church” is done. Without outlining the errors of denominationalism, paid staff, salaried pastors, scripted meetings and doctrinal statements I will share this. The way to “do” church is after the pattern of the NT assemblies. Believers join for doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers on the first day of the week. Elders within the group share as they are led. No one has a title. No real estate is owned, no unbelievers are present, women remain silent, one man speaks in turn and the others judge. The only doctrinal statement is the adherence to the inerrant, inspired all sufficient Word of God. No collections are taken, worship is spontaneous, meetings are in rented rooms and homes and any necessary discipline is according to God’s Word. Evangelism is done by believers outside the church and converts are baptized and allowed to join the meetings. Men in full time ministry are allowed to receive gifts from those who are led to give, in private, but all are expected to work a job to support themselves as necessary and to avoid profaning the gospel. Without denominational influences and professional clergy most of these errors would have no way to originate in the assemblies since a simple reading of God’s Word would not lead one to come to believe them.
Thank you so much for this post and for the book. You have my prayers,love, and support.
Amen! I am so glad you are doing this. Where I live when trying to find a church to go to I have found that most of them are Calvinist that are not Assembly’s of God. The names of the churches do not give you a hint. It is not until you listen to them that you will find it out and it does not take long because ‘election’ is in everything they teach. The Baptist Churches here are Calvinist. The Presbyterian churches here do not call themselves that they call themselves a community church, or a new life church. Beth Moore is used in the women’s studies, and they have fellowship with the Seventh Day Adventists. They are the ‘new Calvinists’ that Dave Hunt warned us about. I did try to stick it out in 2 of the churches but I just could not. Election is in everything. They do not teach prophesy, and the gifts of the spirit are not exercised as taught in 1 Corinthians 12, 14, etc. There is a hierarchy. Village Missions supplies the pastors in the two churches they do not say they are Presbyterian. Blessings! Thank you and keep it up, you are doing a good work for the Glory of God and His holiness. God is Love John 3:16
I am very thankful that you are publishing a book on Calvinism. I truly believe that is one of the most dangerous theological constructs out there. It absolutely destroys the necessity of the gospel, which, according to Paul, is the power of God unto salvation. It makes the incarnation of Jesus, and the ministry of the apostles meaningless since the elect (and damned) have no choice in matters of salvation and belief. Calvinist blow off such points with lifeless intellectual arguments, all of which point to their superior understanding and wisdom regarding the things of God. While Calvinism appears quiet and harmless it is not. Jesus Christ shed his blood on that cold hard cross, naked and humiliated in the presence of his enemies so that whosoever belief might have eternal life. Evangelism mattered much to Jesus Christ and Paul, and it should matter much to us today. We are not robots. We are creatures made in the image of God, who have been blessed with the gift of freewill. We must encourage the lost that they still have time to open the door to our savior: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20 KJV http://bible.com/1/rev.3.20.kjv
I am so thankful that you are publishing this book!! What a blessing.
If I may weigh in, I don’t see a problem with all Calvinists. My understanding is that there are moderate Calvinists like Charles Haddon Spurgeon and J.C. Ryle. I simply have a problem with those that take Calvinism to its logical conclusion. I don’t think I have considered Calvinism as an actual religion of its own before. I do appreciate your perspective on the issue though. I would like some clarification on the issues.
The letter you received certainly speaks volumes on the sad state of affairs today among the many denominations. Most are false teachings and must be addressed, no matter the cost. I, too, read your post about your projects for 2018 and was over the moon when I read about this project. We moved about 4 years ago and remained in close contact with several of our church family members. A few months after we moved, we began hearing about rumblings within our prior church about this thing called T.U.L.I.P. and Calvinism. There were meetings being held to discuss elder appointees and special classes available to guide and explain to those who didn’t understand. One of our precious and dear friends who is a retired missionary was made to feel like an outsider because he was bold enough to state that he could not adhere to or endorse these beliefs. We were in shock! We had not chosen a new church yet and so I began an in depth study on Calvinism. I read everything I could get my hands on. The more I read, the sicker I got! I was floored to realize I had been sitting in the same pews with people that believed these things. There are even more reasons than mentioned above to fight this fight. The seminaries are steeped in this and sending out little soldiers brainwashed (deceived) to pass it on. When we found a new church, we invited the pastor to our home and this very topic was one of the things we discussed before joining. Hang in there, LT!!