The new book published by Lighthouse Trails causing some to turn away from Lighthouse Trails
To Lighthouse Trails:
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 doctrine 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 God’s 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 understand that it is the strict Arminians that came from Catholicism and promoted false 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.
Andrew
LTRP Response:
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, e-mail us at editors@lighthousetrails.com with your mailing address, and we will send you a copy (free of charge).
As for John MacArthur, we have never “bashed” him, but we have challenged him on occasions where he believed he was wrong. Neither he nor any other Christian leader is above reproach and correction. It would be dangerous to think otherwise for both the leader and the ones following him or her.
Last, we are not “anti Calvinist” in the sense of being against or feeling hate toward those who call themselves Calvinists, just like we are not “anti Catholics.” On the contrary, we care very much about Calvinists and Catholics (and Contemplatives and Charismatics too). But rather, we are against the teachings of Calvinism and believe Calvinism is hurting many people. We hope and pray that our speaking up about this belief system will actually help some who call themselves Calvinist or Reformed to reconsider.
To Jason W. Ephesians Ch.1 Paul tells Christians that we are predestined to be like Christ because we trusted Him as our personal savior. Romans 9:22 tells us that the unsaved, vessels of wrath, are fitted for Destruction. (King James Bible) W.E. Vines Dictionary says fitted means man fitted himself for destruction. Again not one verse in the Bible tells us that God sends man to Hell. Man goes to Hell for rejecting the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Remember, God loves the world. Of course God knows who are saved and not saved. Why? Because He is Almighty God and we are not.
To Davin, we both agree that we were chosen before the foundation of the world and salvation is of the Lord. I am sure that Lighthouse believes this too. God does the saving. God gave us a free will to seek salvation. Not 1 verse in the Bible tells us that God sends anyone to Hell. Man either chooses Gods salvation or rejects Gods salvation. For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son and whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have Everlasting Life.
Dear Davin hope you read this. Stop cherry-picking scripture. You are taking scripture out of context. It is called one sided theology. Calvin did it and changed meanings of the word of God that causes confusion. Sorry but it is true. Take care.
It is very typical for Calvinists to think that if someone isn’t a Calvinist, then he/she must be “Arminian.”
All,
I’m someone who grew up in a liberal mainstream denomination, was born-again (saved!) in a evangelical church that held too Arminian views of interpretation/salvation, and then as I grew in my faith and began to study Scripture over time I learned of Calvinistic interpretations of Scripture/salvation. Its not important were I landed but I will say this: You CANNOT understand the Calvinistic view until you read the Cannons of Dort that came out of the Netherlands when Arminius took the direction he did. The Cannons of Dort, though they do not give an explanation of the full body of Reformed Theology, they are the explanation of what has become known at TULIP/Doctrines of Grace. The 5 points of Calvinism are a response to the 5 Points of Arminianism (The 5 Points of Arminianism were officially called the The 5 Articles of the Remonstrance – Arminius was a “Remonstrant”). The best sermon I have heard addressing misunderstandings of Reformed Theology – misunderstanding by “Calvinists” or “Arminians”, is by Dr. Sam Waldron on youtube entitled, “Misunderstandings of Reformed Thinking”.
The Least of the Lord’s Servants,
Nick Jackson
Hello, I am so blessed to come upon this post. I just finished watching the American Gospel in Christ alone. It was well done in the area of exposing the word of faith heresy. However, all of the presenters were of reformed theology. So many times, I watch other authors expose NAR teaching, Dominionism, Word of Faith and yet be so infected with their own false teaching of Calvinism. It’s so sad to me. I don’t get it. How can they fight and contend for the faith against so much and yet they themselves are blind to their own deception?
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13
Grace to you at LHT,
The problem that you are overlooking is that the will because of the fallen state of original sin cannot even seek God. Do you not know what the scriptures say?
“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” Romans 3:11
Without God as the first actor none respond. Yet God being rich in mercy does save and grant rebirth. It is He who causes His elect to seek Him and find Christ through faith alone by grace alone.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” Ephesians 2:4-5
Notice that God is the one that quickened us, this is the “by grace ye are saved” part where we cannot boast even in our decision. It is God who enables me and those that are His and those that are His gladly seek Him and find Him. God is the one who calls, He is the one that first acts that a person may respond.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ” John 6:44
It is not that God is unfair which is what ancient Israel complained against but it is that man is unfair (Ezekiel 33:17). God’s word says, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Romans 9:15
It is saddening that LHT is drifting into apostasy. Is this because the false teachers who claim belief in the doctrines of grace have confused you into believing all are like them? The false teacher hedonist John Piper, TGC, JI Packer, 9mark, social justice false teacher calvinists etc and all that add works to grace and show themselves lost do not represent the doctrines of grace. They are those that have snuck in and this is a time of apostasy. I pray that while LHT is beginning to drift into false teaching that Christ will give you grace.
Believe on the Lord Jesus and be saved. By the grace of God do so. Please, repent of this false teaching and stop seeking to diminish the sovereignty of God.
Having read the letter to the editor, the response and some of the replies, it becomes evident that some of the responses are attempts to explain a dual-truth: God’s sovereign grace and man’s responsibility & accountability. I appreciated the one who emphasized seeking the Lord with all one’s heart, and of our Lord’s priceless response that they will “find” Him. That was my very experience as a teenager over 64 years ago. It is sensed that some dear ones oversimplify the inexpicable (of the two things noted previously). We, indeed, were chosen “in Him” before the foundation of the world. However, it was equally my search for the truth which the Lord honored by His nature of loving kindness toward me. It is hoped that all respondents will see the need for balance which I so persuasively learned from Dr. Charles Ryrie in the classroom in Dallas. I now sing, “I am His, and He is mine!” And I rest in Him alone! DK
I don’t understand why there is so much confusion regarding predestination. God predestined us in His FOREKNOWLEDGE, knowing the end from the beginning, knowing what our responses would be to His gospel. It’s that simple. Predestination does not negate free will – Both are completely compatible, and we all have a responsibility to proclaim the gospel, and to pray for the lost.
Andrew – Calvinist’s are hard to pin down. Use different quotes from Calvin or Piper… “Nope, you are misrepresentating Calvinists.” Huh? Arminianism comes from Catholicism…??? That’s insane. Have you actually read any of Arminius? He wrote extensively against the papacy. He was, in fact, Reformed.
Joseph Howard – this is not accurate. Calvin, hinself, did affirm double predestination “…All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends. We say that he has been predestinated to life or to death” (3:21:5). “We say, then, that Scripture clearly proves this much, that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those whom it was his pleasure one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was His pleasure to doom to destruction…” You may. Other believe it but your theology’s namesake did.
1 Cor 3:4 Are not the doctrine of Calvinism and the doctrine of Arminianism both men’s thoughts of how they understood Scripture? Why not allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in understanding God’s Holy Word. If you read about these men’s pupils, they also argued over their positions. Neither of these men are alive and their understanding of their positions has died with them. These positions are not inspired writings but are their opinions. Why not search out your own understanding by studying and meditating on the Living Word and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truth! We are to be of one mind. 1 Cor 1:10; Ph 1:27, 2:2; 1Pe 3:8
Profaning Gods true Words. Strong words Andrew. The best of men are men at best. John Calvin’s conversion to The Lord Jesus Christ was never written in any of his writings. He did write about his justified infant baptism as a continuation of Gods covenant of circumcision with Israel. Sadly, Calvin was called the Protestant Pope of Geneva. People were executed in Geneva Switzerland for not following Calvin’s rules.
I left Mormonism after 38 years of believing in a false Jesus in a cult that is now promoted as “Christian”. When I was a young girl, Mormonism did NOT portray us as (mere) Christians, because we had “extra light and knowledge”. This set us above, in their words, corrupted Christianity. I sought truth my whole life, and true to His Word, “When ye seek me with your whole heart ye will find me”, Jesus revealed Himself to me when I was 48. In my search for a solid Christian church, I attended one in which the Pastor was trained under John MacArthur. This Pastor wanted me to believe I came to Jesus ONLY because I was foreordained to do so, NOT because I earnestly studied and searched for truth and God responded. Albeit in HIS time and in HIS way. As a Mormon I thought I was ignorant because I could not reconcile Mormon doctrine with the Bible. Now I understand it was because Mormon doctrine is false! My former mother-in-law, when asked if she wanted to know the truth I discovered from the Bible declared, “No. I am comfortable in my state of unknowingness.” I do not believe God created her to reject Him; she simply has not chosen to seek Him with her whole heart. (And that could still change!) I am neither Calvin nor Arminian; simply a Biblical (Berean) Christian now!
Hi Andrew, Don’t know if you will read this, but if so, just a note to you that Martin Luther was not a Calvinist. The Lutheran Confessions (also known as the Book of Concord) do not teach Calvinism. They teach the Biblical doctrine that the atonement was for all men, and that it is accounted to each person who believes, when they believe. Justification by faith is the essence of the Book of Concord. God bless you and lead you (and all of His people) in the ways of truth.
Actually Joseph, if you do not believe this view of election (that God does NOT want all to come to repentance) as John Calvin did, then you really aren’t a Calvinist. Believing in saved by grace alone and eternal security for the true believer is not Calvinism at all. Many non-Calvinists believe these two things but also believe “for God so loved the world . . . ” I hope you will read Pastor Kirkland’s book. It explains some of these things.
Right on! 1. Calvinism IS heresy. Many books on the subject, this one and Dave Hunt’s book called “what love is this?”, refutes Calvinism perfectly! 2. Calvinists tend to isolate themselves into a corner and start believing that they are the only ones with the true gospel and look at others as if they don’t have it, which ironically puts them in the position they think others are in, since we have had the true gospel since the early church time! 3. Aside from all John MacArthur’s other heresies, he has stated (and there is video proof) that one ‘can take the mark of the beast and still be saved,’ when YOU CAN’T! The Bible says in Rev. 14; 9-11 that anyone who TAKES the mark goes to hell, and for anyone to tell you otherwise, well it doesn’t get any ‘wolfier’ than that! Beware, these are the days of deception, and it is deep.
Dave Hunt wrote a very thorough and detailed book on the teachings of John Calvin called “What Love is This”.
Hi. I haven’t read your book, but from this letter and your response, I am wondering if it isn’t the hyper-calvinism that you are standing against? Or is it all calvinism? I believe there is a difference, although I wouldn’t be able to explain it. I know that Charles Spurgeon was reformed /calviniatic, but I read a book that talked about his fight for the faith against the hyper-calvinists. Just curious.
Great answer LT…grace and truth.
I find it so interesting the need for people to claim that they are one thing or another. It’s either I am Calvinist, Reformed, Armenian, Dominionist, NAR, Kingdom Now, Catholic, Pentecostal etc. etc. What happened to the old rugged cross? What happened to the simplicity of a Bible believing blood bought Christian? While everyone is busy tripping over labels the true teachings of the gospel are being missed and not proclaimed in the churches today. Last week, the pastor of a church I once attended but occasionally view online, had an altar call with not one mention of sin. Jesus said whosoever would believe… But without further depth of study believe in Jesus for what reason? Where is their conviction of sin anymore? It’s either from one extreme the Catholic guilt to the hyper charismatics you can be a God too?I appreciate your ministry as you shed light on so much deception adding each day to my discernment.
I too was disturbed by recent ‘anti-calvinisit’ articles. Your answer to this letter shows that you do not really understand ‘reformed theology’ or ‘the doctrines of grace’. What your reacting against could be termed ‘hyper-calvinism’. I adhere essentially to ‘the doctrines of grace’ but I do NOT believe, “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”. Nor do any solid calvinistic theologians. Describing calvinism in that way shows you really do not understand it.
Dear LTRP, Your response to Andrew was gracious and well done. When Andrew stated “You misunderstand Calvinism and what the actual truth is” it brought back some not so good memories for me. There was a time 10-15 years ago when I would try and debate those who held to a Reformed view and found it to be very exasperating because there is no single reformed view. Thank You! Glenn
Beautifully stated, common sense, logical reply.
Perfect response
I want to thank you so much for so perfectly (with the expectation of a few typos) expressing my deeply held beliefs. It is amazing to me that Andrew does not recognize the doctrines of John Calvin for what they are…doctrines that emminated directly from then teachings of Augustine – one of the early Bishops of what would become the Roman Carholic Church! I am also amazed how those who hold tightly to Calvinist theology believe that those of us who disagree are automatically “Arminian”. . . Do they really not know that there are many Christian’s who are neither Calvinist nor Arminians but who are just simply BIBLICAL Christian’s, disciples of Christ and students of His living Word?? Spiritual deception abounds everywhere – including in the “Reformed” churches which by and large also hold to the false teaching of Replacement Theology and many no longer believe in nor teach a biblical eschatology, but have embraced the false and dangerous teaching of Dominionism/Kingdom Now theology (Tim Keller is a perfect example of a Reformed pastor who has gone way off the rails biblically speaking…even introducing Christian mysticism to his congregation via a “Way of the Monk” workshop teaching the use of “prayer ropes” and other such unbiblical practices.