Kent Bailey
The false religious system known as Theological Determinism as developed by John Calvin has produced a terrible blight upon the thinking of accountable individuals. Even among those who reject Calvinism as a system have been influenced to accept two of its pernicious points. Calvinism in its entirety falsely affirms five false presuppositions:
· Total Hereditary Depravity (Original Sin).
· Unconditional Election.
· Limited Atonement of Christ.
· Irresistible Grace (Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit).
· Perseverance of The Saints (The Impossibility of Apostasy).
To state a brief synopsis of the false system of Theological Determinism or that of Calvinism, regarding that of Salvation in Christ, this perverted form of religion argues, “If you seek it you cannot find it. If you find it you cannot get it. If you get it you cannot lose it. And if you lose it you never really had it.”
In denying this system of religious error one can by the word of God demonstrate the fallacy of every point in this specific system. Such has been accomplished over the years by faithful contenders of faith in the crucible of controversy and in the dialectics of debate on the polemic platform. Time and time again propositions have been formulated demonstrating the fallacy of Calvinists affirming that of Original sin, Unconditional Election, The Limited Atonement of Christ, The Direct Operation of the Holy Spirit, and the Impossibility of Apostasy. Time and time again defenders of God’s truth have stood confirmed in the conviction that the positions they have predicated are impregnable and that there is no fear in opposing those who affirm error. A sense of security is known in the premises that only truth can beget.
In reality one is not required to defeat Calvinism point by point. While such has indeed been accomplished, all one is required to do is destroy the foundation of a false system. When the foundation is demolished the entirety of the false system will collapse from its own weight.
Theological Determinism or Calvinism was falsely presupposed upon the concept of Total Hereditary Depravity or Original Sin. From this false presupposition the false views of Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement of Christ, Direct Operation of The Holy Spirit, and Impossibility of Apostasy of the Saints were predicated. It is falsely assumed by the Calvinists that because all of humanity has inherited Adam’s sin there is within all of us a need for a direct miraculous working of God both to convert and keep individuals from sin. Demonstrate the concept of Original Sin to be false and the total system of Calvinism falls.
Calvinism is contrary to the New Testament concept of sin. John argued that “sin is transgression of the law.” When one sins he transgresses the law (1 John 3:4). “All unrighteousness is sin” (1 John 5:17). Anything that violates God’s righteousness is sin. One who works apart from or against God’s will and word is guilty of sin. He performs iniquity; he acts without divine authority (Matthew 7:21-23). Sin is the child of lust (James 1:15). When one is drawn away and enticed, lust conceives her offspring and gives it birth. We are separated and alienated from God “by wicked works” (Colossians 1:21). It is OUR sins which are produced by the fulfilling the desires of the flesh and mind (Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 2:13). This is the New Testament concept regarding how one becomes guilty of sin. Sin is definitely NOT inherited.
Calvinism is contrary to the New Testament concept of forgiveness. The word of God does not describe the forgiveness of inherited sin. It does not mention forgiveness of the guilt of original sin. The New Testament teaches the reality of “your sins” and “thy sins” (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 22:16). One is forgiven of his own acts of transgression, iniquity, and disobedience (Hebrews 8:12). The body of the sins of the flesh are put off, cut away, when God forgives in one’s obedience to the gospel (Colossians 2:11-13). As the sins are those that one commits, the forgiveness applies to those sins. If the doctrine of Original Sin were true why are the Scriptures devoid of any statement, implication, or example regarding such?
Calvinism is contrary to the concept of the sacrifice of Christ . Christ “was delivered for our offences” (Romans 4:25). “Who in his own self bare our sins in his own body” (1 Peter 2:24). It was “in the body of his flesh through death” that Christ reconciled us to God (Colossians 1:21-22). “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). All individuals can consider that “Christ died for me” (Galatians 2:20). Such is the case because our sins, our guilt, is of our own doing (Hebrews 8:12; Isaiah 59:1-2). The death, suffering, burial, resurrection, and ascension was because of my sin, my guilt, and my Salvation. Therefore such was accomplished “for me.” The sacrifice of Christ was never affirmed for the purpose of removing original sin.
Calvinism is contrary to The New Testament concept of the final Judgment. The final Judgment is pictured in the New Testament and varies in many respects. However, in this one item they are all constant and consistent—accountable humanity will be judged by how they have lived and what they have accomplished; not upon the basis of some original inherited sin (Matthew 5-7; 13 and 25. Please note the awe and dread of Revelation 20:10-15. Hear the admonition and warning of Galatians 6:7-9; Matthew 16:27; and Revelation 2:23). There is one single fact affirmed in all of these passages. Individuals will be judged by their own works. They will be rewarded by their own works. The Judgment is not viewed as real because of what Adam did, but rather because of what we do. The doctrine of Original sin is false. Because such is demonstrated as being in error, the structure of Calvinism collapses because of the error of its own foundation.
Source: Northside Anchor. Bulletin. 4-23-2017.
Northside Church of Christ, Calhoun, GA
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