We have undertaken a study on the five principle tenets
encompassing the theology known as Calvinism.
Briefly reviewing we have discovered that John Calvin’s teaching was
formalized in the Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1559.
These writings required two significantly large
volumes which no doubt contain many statements of truth. However, as we would
evaluate the whole content it has been broken down into five major theological
premises. These equate to what has come to be known and propagated forward
through the centuries as Calvinism. There was a major gathering of theologians,
ministers and religious academics from Western Europe held in 1618 and 1619
entitled the Council of Dort lasting a full seven months. Its purpose was to
debate theological issues and address the remonstrances of Arminian theology
which comes into very stark contrast with Calvinism on all five of its
principle tenets. Unfortunately Calvinism prevailed and was determined to be
the true dogma of the Christian church.
My focus and purpose in submitting this series has been to correct the
errors of Calvin’s precepts and prove from the Scripture that all five points
are unsupported by the Bible. In fact the theology of James Arminius represents
a sound understanding of soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and stands in
opposition to Calvinist dogma. Our current and final treatment will examine the
Calvinist doctrine of perseverance of the
saints sometimes expressed as the doctrine of “eternal security”.
Calvinism
teaches that all who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and given faith by
the Spirit are eternally saved. These are kept in faith by the power of
Almighty God and thus persevere unto the end. Salvation is accomplished by the
almighty power of the triune God. The
Father chose a people, the Son died for them and the Holy Spirit makes Christ’s
death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance thereby causing
them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption and
regeneration) is the work of God entirely and is not dependent upon an exercise
of man’s willingness or subsequent obedience being necessary to preserver in
the faith.
In
direct contrast Arminian theology asserts that even for the regenerated person
the falling from grace is a very real possibility and danger. Those who believe
and are ‘born again’ can fall from or subsequently turn back or away from
Christ. Salvation is accomplished
through the combined activity of God’s initiative towards the sinner and the
subsequent response of the person to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Man has been given a free will and is
therefore capable as well as accountable to “choose” whether or not he will
faithfully continue in the obedience of faith. Or he may reject the narrow pathway
of sanctification and ultimate salvation by serving the carnal ways of the
flesh and loving the things of this world. There is an enemy seeking the
destruction of every man’s soul.
Let us examine the Scripture to find which of
these two doctrines are true.
The parable of the unjust servant appears at Luke 12:
41-47. It states in part. “The lord of
that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and an hour when
he is not aware, and will cut him asunder, and will appoint him his portion
with the unbelievers.” (read full context).
Colossians chapter 1 qualifies salvation by
stating at verses 22-23: “In the body of
his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable
in his sight: if ye continue in the
faith grounded and settled, and be
not moved away from the hope of the gospel….” Does this sound like salvation is
unconditional? (emphasis mine).
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in
the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for
because of these things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience. Be
not ye therefore partakers with them.”(emphasis mine). Does this sound
like “eternal security”? Or is salvation conditioned upon denying the flesh and
faithfulness unto purity of conduct?
“For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence
firm unto the end.” (Heb.7:14) “Let
us therefore fear, lest, a
promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it.”
(Heb.4:1) Does
this teach ‘eternal security’ (perseverance of the saints) or is it conditioned
upon being found faithful to the end? (again emphasis mine).
“Let that
therefore abide in you which ye
have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning
shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father. “(I
John 2:24) Is it not clear that one must abide in Christ remaining under the
abiding presence and government of the Holy Spirit denying the fleshly
appetites and conduct of the ‘old man’.
“He that overcometh, the same shall be
clothed in white raiment; and I will not
blot out his name from the book of life, but I will confess his name before
my Father and before his angels.” (Rev. 3:5). Do you understand that you
must continue steadfast in the faith unto the end? This is overcoming that your
name may be found in the nook of life at the judgement. (See Rev.20:15).
The foregoing five scripture
citations are a few among many throughout the New Testament that adamantly deny
the doctrine of eternal security or the Calvinist dogma known as perseverance
of the saints. The heretical doctrines of Calvinism will lead you to your destruction. We are living in times of great apostasy
as these doctrines as well as others are commonly taught in the denominational
churches.
David Lance
Dean website and blogs
at: authordavidlancedean.com
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