What Calvinism is Not
Calvinism is often misunderstood, because it is continually under attack from those who are either enemies of the Gospel or ignorant of the gospel. Therefore, many people have misconceptions about this system of theology.
SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
- Calvinism does not teach that God will refuse to save a man because he is not one of the elect even though that man believes in Christ and repents of his sin.
- Calvinism does not teach that Christians do not need to evangelize or do missions because God will sovereignly save the elect.
- Calvinism does not deny man’s responsibilities as defined by Scripture.
- Calvinism does not teach that God is the author of sin, who made people sin so that He could judge them.
- Calvinism does not affirm all of the beliefs of John Calvin.
- Calvinism is not a certain form of church government.
- Calvinism does not teach infant baptism.
- Calvinism is not a sect of Christianity or Gospel that was formulated by John Calvin.
- Calvinism as a system of theology/soteriology did not originate with John Calvin.
- Calvinism is not the same as Stoicism or Pantheism.
Instead, Calvinism is orthodox Christianity, affirming the fundamental doctrines of true Christianity. There are other varieties of true orthodox
Christianity, some that are offshoots of Calvinism and some that are not. In other words, there are Christians who are not Calvinist. Calvinists do not believe that one must be a Calvinist in order to be a Christian. In fact, that would fly in the face of the Calvinist belief that salvation is the sovereign act of God, not based on any merit of man, including man getting all of his theology correct.
Of course, there are certain types of Christians that are not true Christians at all, denying one or more of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. Calvinists do believe that a true Christian cannot be regenerated and at the same time not believe in the fundamentals of the faith. There are even offshoots of Calvinism, such as Neo-Orthodoxy, that deny certain fundamental Biblical doctrines.
Wow. Number 10 (“Calvinism is not consistent with Dispensationalism”) has me mystified.
Okay, I’ll admit it: I put that one in there to get just the response you gave me.
But it is still true.
Of course there was a day when #10 would not have been an issue, but it seems like the dying breath of Dispensationalism as a credible theological system has been “we are the true Calvinist” as if that will somehow renew its life. But it hasn’t.
You guys keep updating the look around here.I gotta say that I like it.
Good summary. I laughed when I read #10.
The other theme had some glitches and limitations. Besides, I think this one looks better anyway.
Jason let me echo Jude’s comment that the look of the website is much improved by this template.
However, I do have another comment, could you explain in detail, perhaps in another blog post, how Calvinist soteriology is inconsistent with Dispensational theology.
Honestly, I don’t know many Calvinists who aren’t Dispensational. Of course I know there are many, many out there. I just haven’t met many of them and I run in Calvinist circles.
To all, yes. I will devote some time to explaining the whole Calvinism v Dispy thing. I am so glad you asked
Methinks you may have just been building interest for a future post. lol
I Don’t understand the Calvinism is not consistent with dispensationalism thing either. Is John MacArthur not real Calvinist? I am a rabid, foaming-at-the-mouth Calvinist and a dispensationalist (to the extent that I understand it). I need clarification on this statement. Could you email me? st8ofgrace77@gmail.com
I will answer your question in a future post so stay tuned. But in the meantime here is something to think about: We have all heard the term “Replacement Theology.” The term was basically made up and used by the Dispensational opponents of Reformed Theology, claiming that Covenant Theologians replace Israel with the Church. Of course, that is untrue because Covenant Theologians believe that the Church is the continuation of God’s Israel, not a replacement.
So I want you guys to consider this: Dispensationalism is the real Replacement Theology for it claims that the Gentile Church has currently replaced Israel and that Israel in the future will replace the Gentile Church. And it is precisely this line of thinking that causes Dispensationalism to be inconsistent with Calvinism.
Stay tuned…
Jason,
Oh yeah?!
Good post, brother. And I’m liking the new site.
Could you dispel this myth: Calvinism teaches that God is the cause of evil.
I will in a post all to itself. Soon. Don’t let me forget.
I removed the original #10 now that it has done its job. It is no longer necessary to remain on this list. By the way, if anyone thinks there is a point that needs to be added, send it to me for consideration.