Category: Calvinism (36 Posts)

A common objection against the Bible is the Problem of Evil, which is basically this: The Problem of Evil Argument First, the Bible teaches that God is all-loving and all-powerful. Second, an all-loving God would be opposed to evil, and an all-powerful God would be able to end evil. Third, evil exists in the world. […]

Does the Bible teach Calvinism or Arminianism? Here, we’ll argue that the Bible teaches the Calvinist position, and not the Arminian position. We’ll begin with some general principles, then we’ll cover the major differences between the two and list some Scripture references, and finally, we’ll answer some common objections against Calvinism. This is more of […]

What is the relationship between faith and good works? Are we saved by just faith, or by faith and good works? Learn the answer. We’re Saved by Faith Alone, but Saving Faith Is Always Accompanied By Good Works The answer is that we are saved by faith alone, but saving faith is always accompanied by […]

There is much debate concerning whether lordship salvation is biblical or not. Learn the arguments for Scripture teaching lordship salvation. What Is Lordship Salvation? Lordship salvation teaches that salvation involves not just a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, but also submission to Jesus as Lord. This is controversial because many people say this means […]

Some argue that free will is necessary for moral responsibility to exist. However, this is simply not true. Learn why free will is not necessary for moral responsibility. Here, we will summarize what philosopher and theologian Gordon Clark has written about this subject. Below are quotes from Clark’s essay, God and Evil. The Definition of […]

One argument against Calvinism is that if God is completely sovereign, that would mean people are merely puppets and robots. Here is the answer to this objection. Inanimate Objects vs. Humans Inanimate objects like puppets and robots are in a completely different category than humans. This is how Gordon Clark defines “choice”: Choice then may […]

One argument against Calvinism is that if God is completely sovereign, that would make Him the author of sin. Here, we will answer this objection and reference Gordon Clark’s thinking. There Is a Difference Between Being the “Author” of Sin and Being “Guilty” of Sin Because God is completely sovereign over His creation, there is […]

True Christians cannot lose their salvation. Scripture teaches that salvation is completely dependent upon God and not upon human choice. Although humans need to have faith to be saved, this faith itself is a gift from God. Christians Cannot Lose Salvation Because Salvation Is from God Ephesians 1:3-4 teaches that God has chosen whom He […]

The Bible teaches the doctrine of eternal security. What exactly does this mean? Eternal Security Is True Because Salvation Is from God The reason the doctrine of eternal security can be true is because salvation is from God. This means that a person’s salvation is determined by God before that person was even born. 3 Blessed […]

There is debate concerning whether the phrase, “once saved, always saved,” is biblical. The phrase is biblical, but we need to understand exactly what it means Once Truly Saved, Always Saved It is biblical that once a person is truly saved, that person is always saved. Simply professing faith in Jesus does not save a […]

Arminians oftentimes interpret the word “all” in Bible passages to mean that God wants every individual person to be saved. However, there are numerous passages in the Bible that use the word “all” to refer to classes, or groups, of people, and not to every individual person. John 3:16 – “God so loved the world… […]

Below is a list of Scripture passages that support the doctrine of unconditional election Major Scriptures The passages below are clear, comprehensive, and directly relevant to the doctrine of unconditional election. Romans 9:9-24 Exegesis: [[Calvinism and Exegesis of Romans 9]] 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will […]

This is a list of Scripture passages that support the Calvinist doctrine of Total Depravity. Our Heart, Mind, and Nature are Corrupt Genesis 6:5, 8:21 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that ”’every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually”’. And when the […]

This is an excerpt from John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion The Arguments Usually Alleged in Support of Free Will Refuted: 1. Enough would seem to have been said on the subject of man’s will, were there not some who endeavour to urge him to his ruin by a false opinion of liberty, and […]

Some argue that Titus 2:11 demonstrates that Calvinism and unconditional election cannot be true because it teaches that Jesus brought “salvation for all people.” However, there is a very reasonable interpretation of Titus 2:11 that does not at all contradict the doctrines of Calvinism. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation […]

Some argue that Romans 5:18 contradicts Calvinism, limited atonement, and unconditional election because it says that Jesus brought “justification and life for all men.” However, there is really only one valid interpretation of the phrase, “all men,” and this interpretation does not at all contradict Calvinism, limited atonement, or unconditional election—in fact, it supports the […]

Some argue that Romans 14:15 and 1 Corinthians 8:11 demonstrate that Calvinism and the doctrine of limited atonement cannot be true because they teach that “one for whom Christ died” can be “destroyed.” However, it can easily be argued that the word “destroy” in these verses do not refer to salvation, but rather to tearing […]

Some argue that Calvinism and Matthew 23:37 are contradictory because Matthew 23:37 says that Jesus wanted to gather people, but they “were not willing.” They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrine of irresistible grace. However, there is a simple explanation that does not at all contradict Calvinism. Matthew 23:37 and Calvinism “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, […]

Some argue that Calvinism and John 3:16 are contradictory because John 3:16 teaches that God loves “the world” and that “whoever believes” will be saved. They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. However, John 3:16 is either inconclusive about the topic, or it could actually be teaching the opposite of what […]

Some argue that Calvinism and Hebrews 6:4-6 are contradictory because Hebrews 6:4-6 teaches that people who have truly been saved can end up falling away and not being saved. They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election and perseverance of the saints. However, there is a very reasonable interpretation of Hebrews 6:4-6 […]

Some argue that Calvinism and Hebrews 2:9 are contradictory because Hebrews 2:9 says that Jesus would “taste death for everyone.” They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement. However, there is a very reasonable interpretation for Hebrews 2:9 that does not at all contradict the doctrines of Calvinism. Hebrews 2:9 and Calvinism […]

Some argue that Calvinism and Hebrews 10:29 are contradictory because Hebrews 10:29 says that someone who has been “sanctified” by “the blood of the covenant” can experience eternal punishment. They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement. However, there is a very reasonable explanation that does not at all contradict Calvinism. Hebrews […]

Some argue that Calvinism is unbiblical, using the argument that foreknowledge in the Bible refers to God passively knowing who would freely choose to have faith in Christ. The particular passages that reference God’s foreknowledge are Romans 8:29 and 1 Peter 1:2. However, upon examining what the Bible truly teaches about “foreknowledge,” it is clear […]

Some argue that Calvinism and Ezekiel 18:23 and 33:11 are contradictory because the passages teach that God has “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.” They argue that this contradicts the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. However, there is a very reasonable interpretation for […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 2 Peter 3:9 are contradictory because 2 Peter 3:9 teaches that God wishes “that all should reach repentance.” They argue that this contradicts with the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election. However, there is a very reasonable interpretation of 2 Peter 3:9 that does not at all contradict the doctrines of […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 2 Peter 2:1 are contradictory because 2 Peter 2:1 teaches that people whom Jesus has “bought”, or died for, can lose their salvation. They argue that this contradicts the doctrine of limited atonement. However, there is a very reasonable interpretation of this verse that does not at all contradict with […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 1 Timothy 4:10 are contradictory because 1 Timothy 4:10 says that Jesus is the “Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” They argue that this contradicts the doctrine of unconditional election. However, there is a reasonable explanation that does not at all contradict the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 1 Timothy 2 are contradictory because 1 Timothy 2 says that God “desires all people to be saved” and that Jesus was a “ransom for all.” They say that this would contradict the Calvinist doctrines of unconditional election and limited atonement. However, there is a reasonable interpretation of 1 Timothy […]

Some argue that when the Bible uses the word “all” or “world,” it is referring to every single person in the world. One Arminian has said, “All means all and that’s all all means.” However, this is simply not true. The word “all” rarely, if ever, has no limitation. Bible Passages Where “All” Cannot Mean […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 1 John 2:2, 4:14, John 1:19, 4:42 are contradictory because 1 John 2:2, 4:14, John 1:19, 4:42 teach that Jesus died for the sins of “the world” and that he is the Savior of “the world.” They argue that this contradicts the doctrines of limited atonement and unconditional election. However, […]

Some argue that Calvinism and 1 Corinthians 15:22 are contradictory because 1 Corinthians 25:22 says, “in Christ shall all be made alive.” They argue that this verse contradicts the doctrines of limited atonement and unconditional election. However, there is really only one valid interpretation of the term, “all,” in this verse and this interpretation does […]

Some argue that because Scripture uses the language of “choosing God,” and because Calvinism and “choosing God” are contradictory, therefore Calvinism cannot be true. Scriptures About Calvinism and “Choosing God” I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, […]

TULIP, also known as the five points of Calvinism, consists of five doctrines that summarize Calvinism, or the doctrines of predestination and election. These five points are a response to the Five Articles of Remonstrance, which were five points that were raised in objection to Calvinism. TULIP: The Five Points of Calvinism Total Depravity Unconditional […]

Calvinism, broadly speaking, refers to the entire system of theology that John Calvin developed and wrote about. More specifically, Calvinism has become particularly associated with what Calvin wrote concerning the topic of predestination and election. In short, Calvinism teaches that salvation depends upon God’s sovereignty and grace alone. This is in contrast to Arminianism, which […]

Arminianism teaches that salvation depends upon a free-will decision to have faith in Jesus Christ. This is in contrast to Calvinism, which teaches that salvation depends upon God’s sovereignty and grace alone. More Resources Calvinism The Five Points of Calvinism: Defined, Defended, and Documented – David N. Steele