The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Roman Catholicism

With all due respect, it seems that you never really studied and/or understood the ACTUAL and historic (confessional) doctrines of Calvinism. But, if it is of any consolation to you, there are many professing Calvinists who are members of Reformed churches, some even holding offices; pastor, elder or deacon, who neither understand these doctrines. Many do "know" what they teach but simply choose to reject them and substitute something else which they deem more "palatable".

On the positive side, let me offer what Calvinism ACTUALLY teaches concerning the sovereignty of God and the will of man, particularly in the matter of salvation.

1. God is absolutely and indisputably sovereign in ALL THINGS and has absolute and indisputable authority over ALL THINGS. In short, God has foreordained ALL THINGS according to His own eternal determinate counsel and according to His good pleasure. The Lord God did not "look down the corridors of time" in order to gain some insight into what uncreated men would do and upon that basis decree what He saw. I could offer myriad and incontrovertible biblical passages which show this to be true, but space and time do not allow me to do so. However, I will provide a document which does this nicely HERE.

2. Concerning the "freedom of the will" of man, the contention which exists between biblical Calvinism and everyone else; Rome, sects, cults and most other Protestants, originates in the doctrine of Original Sin. Put another way and in the form of a question, What were the noetic effects of the Fall? Did God's threat of "death" upon disobedience really happen? And if so, what is the proper understanding of that death? Biblical Calvinism insists that "death" means cessation of that which dies. All others insist that "death" means "transformation", i.e., a different form of life. Calvinism teaches that Adam's spiritual nature with its original predisposition/inclination toward God and all that is good DIED; ceased to exist and thus man's predisposition/inclination was one of hatred toward God and all that is good. (cf. Gen 6:5; 8:21; Jer: 17:9; 13:223; Eccl 9:3; Matt 15:19; Eph 2:1-3; 4:17-19; et al)

The difference in understanding the condition of man's will, which is controlled by a man's intellect and affections (emotive), is not a contemporary phenomena. It has been a matter that has been disputed since the days of the Apostles. Historically, some of the more well known events of debate and consequent official documents and pronouncements are, for example, The Council of Orange (against Pelagius), John Calvin's The Eternal Predestination of God (against Pighius), The Canons of Dordt (against the Arminian remonstrance), and all the great Reformed confessions and catechisms which all agree on this matter across denominational lines, e.g., Thirty-nine Articles, Belgic Confession, Westminster Confession, London Baptist Confession, Savoy Confession, et al.

3. Fallen man did not lose his ability to exercise his will, he being a 'free-agent', is thus being wholly responsible for all his thoughts, words and deeds. He always chooses that which he desires most in any given circumstance. Being under the just condemnation of God as a child of Adam, having inherited the corruption of nature as was the promised curse given by God to Adam, the federal head of the human race, man is not "owed a chance" to redeem himself, whether by works or by faith in Christ. God would be and is perfectly within His holy right to condemn all human beings at conception to eternal hell due to their wicked nature AND the imputation of guilt which is owned by them. (cf. Jh 3:36; Rom 5:12-21; 1Cor 15:21,22) Thus, all men are 'free' to choose according to their nature. A fallen, unregenerate man will most naturally and freely choose that which is sinful and nothing more. He will not and cannot choose that which is contrary to his nature; God, righteousness, holiness, good, etc. What all others who oppose this biblical truth bring forth is a contrived fiction that is nothing less than illogical and contrary to even common sense and nature itself. It is the most hated doctrine of all, far more so than divine predestination, definite atonement, irresistible grace or the preservation/perseverance of the saints. Even God Himself does not possess a "free-will" as held by non-Calvinists, for God cannot choose that which is contrary to His nature either.

4. Due to the inability of man to seek after God nor even desire salvation, the Holy Spirit must do a sovereign work of regeneration of a sinner's soul; re-creating the will by creating within that soul a new nature with its consequent predisposition/inclination toward God. This is a monergistic work which allows man to hear the truth of the Gospel in mind and heart and thus repents of his sin and flees after Christ with a true faith in order to be reconciled to God and receive the remission of sins. It is the sinner himself/herself who experiences the conviction of sin, who repents, who believes and who yearns after holiness due to the radical change of nature and the power of the Holy Spirit within. Thus, the charge that man has no part whatsoever in salvation is false one. But it is equally false to claim that there is any kind of merit or co-operation between God and man that results in salvation. Salvation is all of God from beginning to end. God has determined the means as well as the end which shall infallibly come to pass. (cf. Ps 33:11; 135:6; Prov 19:21; 21:30; Isa 41:22; 44:7; 45:21; 46:9,10; Dan 4:35; Acts 2:22-24; 4:26-28; 13:48; et al)