Against Calvinism

1. Calvinism's Core: God's Absolute Sovereignty

The very essence of consistent theism is that God would have an exact plan for the world, would foreknow the actions of all the creatures He proposed to create and through His all-inclusive providence would control the whole system.

Unwavering Control. At the heart of Calvinism lies the belief in God's absolute and meticulous sovereignty. This means that God is not merely aware of everything that happens, but actively governs and predetermines all events, including the actions of individuals. This perspective emphasizes that nothing occurs by chance or outside of God's plan.

No Contingency. Calvinism posits that there is no room for contingency or randomness in the universe. Every event, from the grandest historical movements to the smallest personal decisions, is part of God's overarching design. This view stems from the conviction that God's knowledge and power are infinite, and therefore, He must have a comprehensive plan for all of creation.

Comfort and Assurance. For many Calvinists, this doctrine provides immense comfort and assurance. It offers a sense of order and purpose in a chaotic world, knowing that even in the midst of suffering, God is in control and working all things together for good. This belief fosters a deep trust in God's wisdom and power, even when circumstances are difficult to understand.

2. "Reformed" is Diverse; "Calvinist" is Specific

Each church or group of churches … has its own definition of what it means to be ‘Reformed.’

Overlapping Categories. While the terms "Reformed" and "Calvinist" are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct concepts. "Reformed" encompasses a broader tradition rooted in the Swiss Reformation, while "Calvinism" refers to a specific set of doctrines concerning God's sovereignty and salvation. Many churches and individuals identify as Reformed without fully embracing all aspects of Calvinism.

Historical Context. The Reformed tradition traces its origins to the 16th-century Reformation, particularly the work of John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli. However, the interpretation and application of Reformed theology have varied across different denominations and historical periods. This diversity reflects the ongoing process of theological reflection and engagement with Scripture.

Doctrinal Nuances. Within the Reformed tradition, there exists a spectrum of views on key doctrines such as predestination, atonement, and free will. Some Reformed theologians emphasize God's absolute control over all events, while others prioritize human responsibility and the offer of grace to all. This range of perspectives highlights the complexity and richness of Reformed thought.

3. TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism

The Reformed Faith has held to the existence of an eternal, divine decree which, antecedently to any difference or desert in men themselves, separates the human race into two portions and ordains one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting death [hell].

A System of Soteriology. The acronym TULIP summarizes the five core tenets of Calvinism, offering a framework for understanding its doctrine of salvation. These points, developed in response to Arminianism, articulate a specific view of God's sovereignty and human depravity. Each point builds upon the others, creating a cohesive system of belief.

The Acronym Explained:

• Total Depravity: Sin has affected every aspect of human nature, rendering individuals incapable of seeking God on their own.
• Unconditional Election: God chooses individuals for salvation based solely on His own will, not on any foreseen merit or action.
• Limited Atonement: Christ's atoning death was intended only for the elect, securing their salvation.
• Irresistible Grace: God's saving grace cannot be resisted by those He has chosen; it inevitably leads to conversion.
• Perseverance of the Saints: Those who are genuinely saved will persevere in faith until the end, as God will never abandon them.

Interconnected Doctrines. Calvinists believe that these five points form a harmonious and self-consistent system. Rejecting one point often leads to the rejection of others, as they are logically intertwined. This interconnectedness underscores the importance of understanding the entire TULIP framework when engaging with Calvinist theology.

4. Divine Determinism vs. God's Character

We do not speak of God ‘sending’ evil upon us or causing those things in our lives that are against the purposes of God’s gracious love and justice as we know these in Jesus Christ.

The Problem of Evil. A central challenge to Calvinism is reconciling God's absolute sovereignty with the existence of evil and suffering in the world. If God predetermines all events, including sinful actions, how can He be considered good and just? This question has led to various attempts to defend God's character within a Calvinistic framework.

Competing Perspectives. Some Calvinists argue that God only permits evil, while others contend that He actively ordains it for His own purposes. These differing views reflect the ongoing debate within Calvinism about the extent of God's involvement in human affairs. Regardless of the specific position, all Calvinists affirm that God is not the author of sin and that humans are responsible for their choices.

Moral Ambiguity. Critics of Calvinism argue that attributing all events to God's will, including evil, renders Him morally ambiguous at best and a moral monster at worst. They contend that such a view undermines the very foundation of morality and makes it difficult to distinguish between good and evil. This critique highlights the tension between God's sovereignty and His moral attributes.

5. Election and Reprobation: A Moral Dilemma

God once established by his eternal and unchangeable plan those whom he long before determined once for all to receive into salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, he would devote to destruction.

Double Predestination. The doctrine of unconditional election inevitably raises the question of reprobation: If God chooses some for salvation, what about those He does not choose? Some Calvinists embrace the concept of double predestination, arguing that God actively decrees both election to salvation and reprobation to damnation. This view is often considered controversial and difficult to reconcile with God's love and mercy.

Single Predestination. Other Calvinists advocate for single predestination, asserting that God only elects some to salvation while simply passing over others, leaving them to their deserved fate. This position attempts to soften the harshness of double predestination, but critics argue that it still implies God's ultimate responsibility for the damnation of the non-elect.

Moral Implications. The doctrine of reprobation raises profound moral questions about God's justice and fairness. Critics argue that it is difficult to reconcile with the biblical portrayal of God as loving and compassionate towards all humanity. This tension underscores the challenge of understanding God's ways, which are often beyond human comprehension.

6. Limited Atonement: Was Christ's Sacrifice for All?

He [Christ] did not die for all men in the same sense.

Particular Redemption. Limited atonement, also known as particular redemption, is the belief that Christ's atoning death was intended only for the elect, those whom God has chosen for salvation. This doctrine stems from the conviction that Christ's sacrifice was effective in securing the salvation of those for whom it was intended. It does not mean that the value of Christ's sacrifice was limited, but rather its scope.

Sufficiency vs. Efficiency. Calvinists who hold to limited atonement often distinguish between the sufficiency and efficiency of Christ's death. They argue that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to atone for the sins of all humanity, but it was only efficient in securing the salvation of the elect. This distinction attempts to reconcile the universal language of Scripture with the particularity of God's saving grace.

Alternative Views. Critics of limited atonement argue that it contradicts the biblical portrayal of God's love for the world and the universal offer of salvation. They point to verses that suggest Christ died for all people, not just a select few. This debate highlights the challenge of interpreting Scripture and understanding the scope of Christ's atoning work.

7. Irresistible Grace: Is Salvation Forced?

The elect are so influenced by divine power that their coming is an act of voluntary choice.

Effectual Calling. Irresistible grace, also known as effectual calling, is the belief that God's saving grace cannot be resisted by those He has chosen. This doctrine stems from the conviction that human beings are dead in sin and incapable of responding to God on their own. Therefore, God must sovereignly regenerate their hearts and draw them to Himself.

Monergistic Action. Irresistible grace is often associated with monergism, the belief that God is the sole active agent in salvation. This means that salvation is entirely God's work, from beginning to end, without any cooperation from the human will. God initiates, enables, and completes the process of salvation, ensuring that those He has chosen will come to faith.

Free Will Concerns. Critics of irresistible grace argue that it undermines human freedom and responsibility. They contend that if God's grace is irresistible, then individuals are merely puppets of divine will, lacking any genuine choice in their salvation. This debate underscores the tension between God's sovereignty and human agency.

8. The Problem of Evil: Can God Be Good and Sovereign?

Even a ‘dirty bomb’ that levels Minneapolis would be from God.

Reconciling Attributes. The existence of evil and suffering poses a significant challenge to any theological system, including Calvinism. If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does He allow such horrors to occur? This question has led to various attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty with His moral attributes.

God's Purposes. Some Calvinists argue that God uses evil for His own purposes, such as displaying His justice, demonstrating His power, or bringing about a greater good. This perspective suggests that even the most horrific events are part of God's overarching plan, though the reasons may be beyond human comprehension.

Moral Responsibility. Critics argue that attributing evil to God's plan, even indirectly, makes Him morally culpable. They contend that such a view undermines the very foundation of morality and makes it difficult to hold human beings accountable for their actions. This debate highlights the challenge of understanding God's relationship to evil and suffering.

9. Arminianism: An Alternative Perspective

The very power to ‘work together with Him’ was from God.

Synergistic Salvation. Arminianism offers an alternative to Calvinism, emphasizing the role of human free will in salvation. Arminians believe that God's grace is offered to all people, enabling them to respond to the gospel. However, individuals have the freedom to accept or reject this grace, making their choice the decisive factor in their salvation.

Prevenient Grace. A key concept in Arminian theology is prevenient grace, which refers to God's enabling work that precedes conversion. This grace removes the effects of original sin, restoring the human capacity to respond to God's offer of salvation. Prevenient grace ensures that individuals are not entirely helpless in the face of sin.

Conditional Election. Arminians believe that God's election is conditional, based on His foreknowledge of who will freely choose to believe. This view contrasts with Calvinism's doctrine of unconditional election, which asserts that God chooses individuals for salvation regardless of their actions or beliefs. Arminianism seeks to uphold both God's sovereignty and human responsibility in the process of salvation.

Last updated: March 29, 2025