During the month of April I posted a five part series
covering the five fundamental tenets of Calvinist theology. In review those
five tenets are Total Depravity,
Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace and Perseverance
of the Saints. You may review these
five points of Calvinism in that order in the April posts to gather a precise
definition of each of the five tenets. My
conclusions were that on each point examined Calvinism
fails. According to the definition that
Calvinists have applied to their doctrines an examination in light of the
Scripture proves them to be invalid. It is to be understood by a believer that
to a greater or sometimes lesser degree Calvinism has had a prevailing influence
on the Christian churches and denominations even up to the present time.
Thankfully that influence although very significant has not been totally
complete.
In
the continuance of this pervasive influence one of the more significant
developments affected is that which has come to be known as dispensationalism.
Dispensational theology was literally invented by John
Nelson Darby during the nineteenth century being first identified as Darbyism
but after its refinement had taken place it became known in the theological
world as dispensationalism. Darby, an Englishman, came to America at least a
half dozen times in the 1860s and 1870s promoting his new theological paradigm.
It was received by many American preachers including Dwight Moody the evangelist
and was introduced to Cyrus Scofield when he was very young and immature in his
Christian experience. Over several decades in the late nineteenth century and
early twentieth century Scofield was able to propagate the doctrines of
dispensational theology widely in America and even abroad through his Bible
study correspondence course. His efforts were culminated in 1909 with the
publication of the Scofield Reference Bible published by Oxford University
Press and it has subsequently gone through several revisions. His theological
conclusions went viral throughout America and his doctrinal paradigm based on
Calvinist tenets has corrupted the American religious world even to this
present time. So let’s examine the heresies promoted extensively in the myriad
of notes contained in the Scofield Reference Bible and having their roots in
the tenants of Calvinism.
At
the root and core of dispensational theology lies unconditional election the second of Calvinism’s five point
paradigm. This heresy would proclaim that the Jews are God’s ‘chosen people’
and that at some time in the future they will be revisited by God and converted
experiencing salvation collectively and then be established for a millennial
reign with Christ on this present earth because they are an elect people and
have been unconditionally chosen. This concept would then be extended to the
church also being privileged to reign in heaven for all eternity. No prerequisite of faithfulness or
perseverance is to be imposed on them because they are simply chosen of God
through an act of irresistible grace to
inherit these two separate kingdoms. Although the Scripture will not support
these conclusions the notes in the Scofield Reference Bible will assure you
that they must be true and of course they are widely preached and accepted.
These heresies have been treated thoroughly in my book The Israel Deception.
Adding to the above confusion we find modem day evangelicalism eagerly
promotes the doctrine of Calvinism known as perseverance of the saints. They have placed another name on the
doctrine that being ‘eternal security’. This very comforting doctrine tells the
believer that being ‘born again’ is the equivalent of and is virtually the same
as the Scriptural term salvation. It does not arrest them to say they or you
have been “saved” when you may have only embarked on the spiritual path which
could lead you to salvation. Let’s look at a few Scriptures which refute and
disprove these false concepts which have so completely distorted the true
gospel of Christ. Jesus said at Matthew 24:13: “He that endures to the end
shall be saved.” Paul admonishes the Philippians at Phil.2:12 -13 in part……..”Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and do his good pleasure.” At
Colossians 1:21-23 we read: “Ad you which
were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath
he reconciled 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…. " and -“For many(beleivers-see context) walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping , that they
ae the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose
end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and their glory is in their
shame, who mind earthly things.” (Phil.3:18-19). Paul is speaking here of
those believers who became unfaithful. These verses and many more like them do
not speak of or give support to unconditional
election or the perseverance of the
saints.
The
modern day evangelical church is replete with the teaching and preaching of
doctrines which if heeded will lead one to destruction. A few further words of
instruction are necessary because these concepts are not understood. We who are
believers have been called into a covenant which requires faithfulness. We can
and many do fall away from the faith for various carnal reasons. A God of
justice and truth cannot and will not simply pass over willful transgression
which amounts to doing despite unto Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you read my studies on resurrection posted
in March (See- A Better Resurection) you will learn that there is more than one
resurrection (See Rev. 20:4-6).
Unfaithful believers even though ‘born gain’ will not participate in the
first resurrection but will be subjected to God’s judgement. (See Heb.6:4-6 and
Heb.10:26-30). The concepts of unconditional election and perseverance of the
saints are heresy of the first order completely perverting the true gospel of
Jesus Christ.
David Lance
Dean wevsite and blogs at:
authordavidlancedean.com
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