5 Misconceptions About Calvinism
Calvinism is a system of theology summarizing the biblical doctrines of grace and how salvation occurs. The acronym TULIP is used to break down each point. This belief is often debated among Christians. It is a secondary issue, so while it may determine your church choice, it is not heresy. Heresy is any teaching that contradicts orthodox Christianity. To be clear, hyper-Calvinism is heresy, but it is quite rare.
1. Calvinists don’t evangelize.
This accusation is just plain false, as evidenced by the financial support of global missions, outreach programs like VBS, and the converts currently part of the church because someone witnessed to them. It’s hyper-Calvinists who don’t evangelize, not Calvinists.
2. Calvinists think God forces Himself on sinners.
Calvinists indeed believe that no man comes to Jesus unless the Father first draws him (John 6:44). It’s true Calvinists believe dead men can’t “make decisions for Christ” without God first making them alive through regeneration (Ephesians 2:1-5). We believe He saved us, not because of our works, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Just like a dead man resuscitated without “permission” is grateful to the one who performed CPR or used the defibrillator, so Christians are grateful to God for removing their heart of stone and giving them a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).
We declare on scriptural authority that the human will is so desperately set on mischief, so depraved, so inclined to everything that is evil, and so disinclined to everything that is good, that without the powerful, supernatural, irresistible influence of the Holy Spirit, no human will ever be constrained toward Christ. (Charles Spurgeon, Sermons, Vol. 4, p.139)
3. Calvinists preach Calvin over Christ.
The accusation that Calvinists believe, “Scripture does not mean what it says if it contradicts Calvinism,” is slander. Go listen to some of the sermons preached by those who believe this theology. At my church, you will find nothing but thoroughly biblical, expositional preaching.
Calvin didn’t invent new doctrine; he simply gathered Scriptures in a helpful system. I assure you; most “Calvinists” don’t even read Calvin; they just know they agree with and affirm the biblical doctrines of grace as best summarized by TULIP.
When I accept that label, I am not pledging allegiance to the man John Calvin. I am not affirming everything he taught, and I’m not condoning everything he did. I’m convinced Calvin was a godly man and one of the finest biblical expositors and theological minds ever, but he wasn’t always right. (Phil Johnson, Grace to You)
4. “Nobody became a Calvinist simply by reading their Bible.”
This statement is, again, plainly false. Remember how I said before that most Calvinists don’t even read Calvin? That’s because they read and searched the Scriptures for themselves and being convinced of these doctrines, then discovered Calvinism.
My pastor, myself, and many others came to this knowledge of the doctrines of grace by reading the gospel of John, Romans, Ephesians, Acts, and so many more passages.
5. Calvinists apply different meanings to words that aren’t in Scripture.
If by this, one means we look at the original languages, and try to find out the truest meaning of words in context, then yes, we do that. But to say those words aren’t there is to elevate the modern translation over the original manuscripts and is a common pitfall of biblicism.
Many who oppose this belief system also cringe when they hear mention of “the elect” not believing in such a thing, but a quick search of the KJV shows the word “elect” appearing 17 times. You may not be a Calvinist, but you have to believe something about election and predestination as they are all over Scripture, but especially highlighted in Romans 8 and 9.
For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy (Romans 9:15-16).
If you’re interested in learning more about Calvinism, you can watch this documentary.
Noteworthy Calvinists: Charles Spurgeon, Martin Lloyd-Jones, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, J. I. Packer, R. C. Sproul, Paul Washer, John Piper, C.J. Mahaney, Tim Keller, John MacArthur
