Why I am not a Calvinist

• Pastor Wes Gunther

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I am intentionally using the word “Calvinist” to define my argument.  I am speaking of the doctrine of Election or Pre-destination.   Both of these words are Bible words – however, they have been redefined in modern theology.  This will be further explained below.

            Calvinism is the doctrine that states that God has chosen who will be redeemed and who will not.  Calvinism removes the responsibility of the human free will of mankind.  The grave concern here is that if some have been chosen for an eternity in Heaven, then some have been chosen for an eternity in Hell. 

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1. The Biblical word “Predestination” has been redefined from its original meaning.    Romans 8:29-30 tells us:

 ²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

                We will notice first that in every instance that the words predestinate or elect(ion) are given in scripture, they are not in reference to Salvation, but rather the transformation of the Saved.   The confusion is that so often the Bible speaks of the plurality of people rather then the individual.  In this verse God is talking about His plans, from the beginning, for the Redeemed.  He had plans from the beginning of time to conform the Church into the Image of Jesus Christ.   Much like a young couple that are purchasing their first home chose one with three bedrooms, a fenced in yard and a desirable school district before they even have any children.  They have chosen for their children to come a bedroom, a safe yard for playing and the school they will go to.  Will they have a boy or a girl?  Who knows?  It doesn’t matter. 

• Calvinism removes the personal responsibility from mankind.   This was a responsibility that God gave to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  They had the opportunity to choose the Tree of Life but they chose the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  They had free will before they had a sin nature.   The Bible highlights the choice that mankind makes throughout Scripture.

Revelation 3:20 – 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.

Mark 8:34 – And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

• “Whosoever will”.   The Word of God emphasis over and over again the opportunity that ALL have an opportunity to be saved.

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

• How many sins did Jesus die for on the cross?   He died for ALL sins of ALL mankind throughout ALL ages.   Did Jesus die for the sins of a person who God had pre-determined to have no chance at eternal life?   This thinking is inconsistent with God.
• At the end of the 1000 year (Millennial) reign of Christ, Satan, who had been bound, will be loosed for “a season”.   Why?   Why is Satan loosed?   Does he not lead some astray and against the physical, visible ruler of the earth – Jesus Christ?   Even at the end, when Christ Himself is upon the throne, he gives mankind the opportunity to choose.  Man’s free will on display once again. 

Revelation 20: ⁷ And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

⁸ And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

• It is God’s will “that none should perish, but that all come to repentance”.    That verse is not compatible with a belief that God has ordained some for hell. 

^{II Peter 3:9} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

• Does God know who will be saved and who will be lost?   Of course He does.  He is God.  He is all knowing.   Knowing what someone will do and giving someone no options are two different things.

I believe Calvinism is a dangerous doctrine that puts blame upon God, removes personal responsibility, stymies evangelism, and misinterprets the Love of God and His plan of redemption.