Stand Firm in Your Faith (Daniel 6)

Daniel 6 - "Stand Firm in Your Faith." Next in series, "Keeping Your Wits in a Wacky World"

Pride Has Consequences (Daniel 5)

Pride and Arrogance Have Consequences! (Daniel 5)

Why I am Not a Calvinist

I grew up in South Florida surrounded by people from various nations, tribes and tongues. I had friends of different colors, heard different languages daily and routinely learned new things from those I spent time with. Truly, we did not focus on our differences; but rather chose to enjoy each other’s friendship. We had great conversation and debate about things we viewed differently, but we never drew lines in the sand or ended friendships over differences of opinion.

So what has happened in America? Now we “cancel,” threaten, unfollow, cyber-bully, un-peacefully protest, and occasionally even harm those who have differences of opinion. What happened to good, open debate and the opportunity to share, listen and learn from those who held different viewpoints? 

I’ve seen this in the secular world and I am seeing it more and more in the Church.  One of the most obvious examples is the argument over a person’s position regarding Soteriology – the Doctrine of Salvation. Are you a Calvinist, Arminian, or a Provisionist (traditionalist)?  Just as denominations divided and segregated believers into various groups, this new argument is further sub-dividing the already divided Church.

Sadly, the focus for many has shifted away from the mission of bringing people to Jesus and now focuses on trying to bring other Christians to their viewpoint. That is simply a distraction that causes division in the body of Christ and keeps those without Christ from hearing the Good News of the Gospel. I usually try to avoid these debates in public; but I want to address it here, because I am getting asked my “position” more and more frequently.  So, my response comes from the words of Scripture:

• God loves everyone, not just a few (John 3:16)
• Christ died once for all (Rom. 6:10; Rom. 5:18)
• Jesus’ payment for sin was sufficient for all (1 John 2:2)
• God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)
• Whosoever will, come after me… (Mark 8:34)
• As many as received Him… (John 1:12)
• Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom. 10:13)
• There are many, many more verses that show salvation is available to all, not just a select few.

For the sake of those who are still trying to figure this out and even some who are seeking answers to a question they really don’t even understand, I’ve included book titles and links to some great YouTube videos that address the reason I personally hold to a Provisionist (traditional) position regarding salvation – meaning that salvation is available to anyone who will receive it.  My position regarding salvation is based solely on the Bible and I personally have problems with both Calvinism (Presbyterian/Reformed theology) and Arminianism, so I refuse to be pigeon-holed into either camp. 

To those who are “knowers,” the videos below will not change your opinions. To those who are “learners,” I know you will enjoy some good conversation and intellectual stimuli. 

BOOKS:

Against Calvinism by Roger E. Olson. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.  207 pp. $14.00. ISBN: 978-0-310-32467-6 

Does God Love Everyone? The Heart of What is Wrong with Calvinism by Jerry L. Walls. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2016. 88 pp. $15.00. ISBN: 978-1620325506.  (See article link below) 

ARTICLE: 

“Does God Love Everyone? The Heart of What is Wrong with Calvinism” by Jerry L Walls. 

YOUTUBE: 

https://www.youtube.com/c/Soteriology101 – Soteriology 101, Dr. Leighton Flowers 

https://www.youtube.com/c/MikeWinger - Learn to Think Biblically, Mike Winger. Once on the site, just search the word Calvinism 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQXSXfXl4kw – Why Calvinists Get Romans 9 Wrong (Election & Mission), by Dr. Matt O’Reilly 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJWIWv69D_0&t=44s – The Best Argument Against Calvinism, by Dr. Braxton Hunter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASX8g6sWkw – Calvinism Refuted in 10 Minutes, by Greg Boyd 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JASX8g6sWkw – Jerry Walls: What’s Wrong with Calvinism?

 

 

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