As I mentioned the other day, Calvinism is one of the managery of topics that has been pinballing around my head the past few days or so. This is probably the shortest stream of thought, so it's going to be the first topic I cover.
Now, if you aren't familiar with a lot of theology this will probably not make much sense, I'm writing to an audience that I assume knows the subject matter. If that isn't the case I would recommend you do some research before boring yourself with me.
I was going to post a screenshot of the conversations I had over the weekend with some very angry anti-Calvinists that sparked the whole thing, but for some reason the guy with the original post has disappeared. Kinda suspicious methinks.
Anyway, the post was basically something along the lines of "Calvinism makes God into a monster!"
I of course took exception to this. The Doctrines of Grace do not make God a monster. Quite the contrary, they put particular emphasis on the grace of God. The fact that God saves anyone should humble us.
What really got my blood boiling though was the accusation that Calvinists are preaching a false gospel. We are, I was told, "demonic" and "leading millions to Hell."
There is a temptation in rhetoric to tell people that they simply don't understand your position. I see it all the time and I have definitely been guilty of it. But I see it as a cop out. If your opponent doesn't understand you, it's probably because you (or your compatriots) have not adequately stated your position. So I avoided that strategy and instead inquired about what the true Gospel is.
For his credit he did state the answer correctly. But when pressed to tell me how Calvinism is preaching a false gospel he throws down the John 3:16 trump card.
It's always funny to me when Arminians throw down John 3:16. Like Calvinists disagree with it or something. Apparently because we believe salvation is limited to the Elect, we must think that Jesus was lying when he said "whosoever believes will have eternal life."
I do believe that "whosoever believes" will be saved. I just believe that only the Elect will be that "whosoever".
"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified."
Is not incongruous with:
"whosoever believes in Him shall be saved."
Those who He foreknew and predestined are precisely the same people who believe. Check, Arminians.
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