CALVINISM (7)

Unconditional Election (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

In our last article, we began a study of Unconditional Election.  Another name for this teaching is Predestination.  This doctrine teaches that before the foundation of the world God choose some men to be saved.  This was not based on anything these individuals would do.  They were chosen solely by God’s good pleasure and sovereign will.  All others, it is said, are predestined to eternal condemnation.  We looked at several lines of argumentation in that article that were designed to show this doctrine is false.  In this article, we want to look at some other arguments against Unconditional Election. 

If this doctrine it true, then it is impossible for anyone to really know who the saved are.  Why would we make such a claim?  We say this because it is possible for someone who is condemned to eternal condemnation to respond to the conditions of salvation found in the gospel.  Too, it is possible for this individual to live a life that looks like he is in a saved condition.  These individuals are what the Westminster Confession of Faith refers to as “the visible church.”  Within the “visible church” is another group called “the invisible church.”  The invisible church contains the ones God has actually ordained to eternal life.  How is a human being supposed to distinguish between these two groups?  The answer is that is impossible for any man to distinguish the two.

There are two points we will make about teaching.  First, it is NOT found in the Bible.  The Bible does not teach a visible church and an invisible church.  This concept has been developed solely to try explain the fallout of the false doctrine of Calvinism.  Second, in the New Testament, those who were saved could be clearly identified by others who were saved.  In Romans 16:3-15, Paul lists numerous individuals who were members of the church at Rome.  In Romans 16:13, he says this of Rufus:  “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord…”  Paul knew Rufus was “chosen in the Lord.”  How did Paul know that Rufus was part of the so-called “invisible church”?  There were many others to whom Paul wrote whom he declared to be part of the “called out ones” who would ultimately experience the reward of heaven.  How did Paul identify these individuals?  The answer is simple.  He knew who had obeyed the gospel.  Too, he knew which Christians were living according to the gospel (See Phil. 1:27). 

Another argument to be made against this teaching is that it causes the Bible to lie.  In John 8:32, Jesus says:  “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  These words appear to be addressed to all men, but they are not according to Calvinism.  The only ones who can know the truth are those who have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world.  John 3:16 reveals that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  Again, this is not true according to Calvinism.  “Whosoever” means anyone and everyone, but Calvinism proclaims that many in the visible church believe, but they will not be saved because they have been ordained to eternal damnation.  In 1 Timothy 2:4, Paul teaches us that God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”  Calvinism denies this.  It affirms that God only ordained certain individuals to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.  Passages like these could be multiplied numerous times over.  Why would the Bible teach that God wants all to be saved when the reality is that He, according to His pleasure, chose who would and would not be saved? 

Another argument is that if Calvinism is true, then every stillborn, every infant, and every toddler who dies is destined to hell.  We know that they were not elected.  Someone might ask:  How do we know?”  We know because none of them received God’s irresistible grace.  We can assert this because not one of them ever possessed faith in Jesus Christ.  Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).  Babies and toddlers are not capable of hearing and understanding the truth.  Thus, they can never possess saving faith.  Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).  “…but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

If we have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world, then we play absolutely no role in our salvation at all.  This, however, was not what Peter told the Jews on the day of Pentecost.  “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).  If these individuals had believed in Calvinism, they would have told Peter:  “We cannot save ourselves.  God has chosen some of us to be saved.  But, we cannot be saved until He enables us to be saved.” 

A final argument involves man’s ability to choose.  The Bible teaches that man has the ability to either choose to follow God or to choose not to follow God.  Jesus said:  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).  Why would the Son of God make such an offer if a person is not able to choose Him?  In John 6:67-68, it appears the apostles of Christ were given the ability to choose to follow Him or not.  “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?  thou hast the words of eternal life.”  If the twelve had been chosen, why would Jesus ask them whether they would depart from Him?  Peter should have responded:  “No, Lord.  We have been chosen, and it is impossible for us to choose to leave thee.

Calvinism makes so many simple passages of Scripture confusing to understand.  It completely nullifies the need to take the gospel to all the world.  It says:  “God has saved people, and they will be saved regardless.”  Why preach?  Why extend the invitation?  Why exhort people to believe and obey?  Why give individuals false hope?  Why ask people to attempt to serve a God who might not have chosen them before He formed the world.  Even Jesus’ death served a limited purpose.  We will examine this later in our studies.