It's Your Choice: The Fallacy of Calvinism

By Bob Raymond

In this profound and highly thought-provoking book, Bob Raymond explores the most challenging and significant theological questions: the sovereignty and character of God, and the salvation of mankind. Does God exercise exhaustive and meticulous control over everything in His creation? Does God only choose some for salvation letting the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Nov 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649900999

Bob Raymond

Bob Raymond retired as a Chief Information Officer in the field of Information Technology. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at the age of 58. As a new Christian, Bob is on fire for the Lord and has had many questions about God, His character, and His creation. He has a passion for the study of Gods word, and a burning desire to understand more about God and His plan for mankind. God has laid many theological questions on Bobs heart that have led him on an amazing path of spiritual discovery. Bob lives in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with his wife, Mary. His free time is spent studying theology, traveling, and spending time with their five children and fourteen grandchildren.

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Introduction

"W

e should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting (Eph 4:14). Also, from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves (Acts 20:30). Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them (Rom 16:17). Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (1 Tim 4:1).

How are we to know what we have been taught is true biblical doctrine? How are we to know the Arminian view of mankind’s responsibility and freedom of choice is any more factual than the Calvinist view? Spurgeon said, The fact is, that the great questions about man’s responsibility, free-will, and predestination, have been fought over, and over, and over again, and have been answered in ten thousand different ways; and the result has been, that we know just as much about the matter as when we first began².

How is it then we have any chance of knowing a truth we can rest our weary hearts upon? How will we know we have actually come to believe what God wants us to know? Are we to read the early church fathers and have an expectation they would know more about God and His ways than learned men of today? Was Spurgeon’s sermon delivered on January 16, 1859, from which the above quote was taken, any more truthful than what J. Vernon McGee, John Piper, Chuck Smith, Jacob Arminius, John Calvin, John Wesley or Martin Luther taught?

MacArthur said in his commentary on Ephesians 4:14, Spiritually immature believers who are not grounded in the knowledge of Christ through God’s Word are inclined to uncritically accept every sort of beguiling error and fallacious interpretation of Scripture promulgated by deceitful, false teachers in the church. They must learn discernment³. He is, of course, talking about any Christian that is not a Calvinist. Those are pretty harsh words for the millions of Christians who do not accept the teaching of Calvin. How are we to know that John Calvin or John MacArthur aren’t one of those deceitful, false teachers, spreading fallacious interpretation of Scripture?

Many Christians have found an easy path to spiritual satisfaction by accepting what they have been taught from their youth, having no reason to doubt. In some ways those are to be envied. Others may be satisfied with milky pastoral teaching that keeps them spiritually alive but they never grow in their spiritual walk.

What greater knowledge could there be than to know more about the God that created us. Nonetheless if any can rest in the knowledge and security of their salvation alone they are in a very good place. Others, including myself, yearn to understand more about God, His creation and His plan for the salvation of mankind. It seems to become increasingly difficult to find spiritual peace given the onslaught of doctrinal division in the church. I can’t imagine God is pleased by this.

Spurgeon also said, in the same sermon quoted above, It is very easy to knock over one man’s hypothesis concerning these truths, not quite so easy to make my own stand on a firm footing. That is very wise and insightful thinking. It is far easier to attack a belief than to defend one. Spurgeon liked to defend his position by stating facts. THIS IS FACT he said. Men say they do not like the doctrine of election. Verily, I do not want them to; but is it not a fact that God has elected some?.

The answer to this question must be yes, but the real question isn’t ‘did God elect?’. The real question is, ‘why did God elect those He did?’. The Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election states God chose those to be saved, but cannot answer why. The Arminian will say God looked down the tunnel of time and could see who would come to faith. Those that do are His elect. There is another answer to this question. I will make the case throughout this writing that God does not ‘choose’ anything—God does not make choices. It is not necessary for God to choose some from among many. God does not evaluate options, weigh the pros and cons, or consider all the ramifications of every possibility. It was not necessary for God to consider whether sin should be allowed in His creation or if it was Christ that should die on the cross—He already knew. In the eternal ever-present moment of His existence, He has always known exactly what would happen in the entirety of His creation. In the timeless realm of God’s existence, there is never a ‘moment’ He doesn’t know everything—including His own decrees.

There is no other reason for creation than to fulfill God’s intended purpose. God’s plan for the universe, the world, and mankind will fulfill that purpose to the greatest extent possible. This is a fact. Nothing will prevent God from achieving His purpose—nothing! As we begin to understand the extent of some of God’s characteristics it will help us to have the proper perspective. If we can appreciate the things God has done for mankind that help draw us to Him, we will recognize that He truly does have a desire for all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4).

I will attack the Calvinist doctrines because I believe they are wrong. I can only defend my position by what God has revealed to me. I can’t say I have all the answers to all the questions and I may not be able to put all my arguments on a footing solid enough to withstand the onslaught of criticism the Calvinists will surely unleash. But this I can say. What I have come to believe has given me peace. My hunger for knowing more about the God who created me will not subside and my anger against those who teach false doctrine will not go away. But God has given me peace in my heart.

WE LEARN TRUTHS, WE DON’T CREATE THEM.

CHAPTER ONE

God’s Purpose for Creation

I have created for My glory

Isaiah 43:7

M

OST CHRISTIANS UNDERSTAND God created the universe for His own glory. There are many passages in the Bible that affirm this belief. One of my favorites is, Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for my glory, I have formed him, yes I have made him (Isa 43:7). What does this really mean to us when God declares He created mankind for His glory? Is there something special God expects from us? Are there things we should do that would please God? How are we to interpret this?

First, because God created the universe for His glory it establishes the framework for His creation. Everything God has done or will do in the history of mankind is for His glory—everything. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him (Col 1:16). Everything God has done is for Himself—His glory. The entire history of the universe, everything that has ever happened, has happened to the glory of God. Surprisingly, for some, this includes sin. As much as God hates sin, it is because of sin He is glorified.

Sin began with Adam and Eve and their story seems as natural as the creation itself. Many Christians do not understand that God’s plan for creation included sin, and we can be certain God created the circumstances for the original sin to take place. God created angels that would rebel against Him. The greatest, Satan, provided the necessary deception for Eve to pick the forbidden fruit. Not knowing good or evil made both Adam and Eve very susceptible to the lies of Satan. The only reason picking the fruit was a sin is because God established the law that made picking that fruit a sin. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat (Gn 2:17). Without the law there is no sin (Rm 5:13).

Sin, of course, was not a surprise to God. Erickson said, His actions are not reactions to unforeseen developments. He does not get taken by surprise or have to formulate contingency plans⁴. In fact, sin was woven into the fabric of His framework. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope (Rom 8:20). God intentionally allowed sin into the world because it is through the forgiveness of sin at salvation and the payment for the debt of sin that God is glorified. In Chapter Three we will learn more about the necessity of sin.

Some theologians suggest that because of the sin in the world God’s original purpose could not be entirely fulfilled. Of course, this is incorrect. Even the Westminster Confession of Faith agrees that God allowed sin for His glory. It states in Chapter VI, This their sin God was pleased, according to His wise and holy counsel, to permit, having purposed to order it to His own glory⁵. They site Romans 11:32 as the proof text. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. MacArthur says, God allowed man to pursue his sinful inclinations so that He could receive glory by demonstrating His grace and mercy to disobedient sinners⁶. God allowed sin because through the forgiveness of sin and the sacrifice of Jesus He is glorified.

What is critically important to understand is that God is glorified by the salvation of mankind, not by the punishment of the sin mankind has committed. ‘Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’ (Ez 18:23). God takes no pleasure in the punishment of sin, but sin was a critical part of God’s creation. Without sin there would be no redemption, no sacrifice—no crucifixion. God, however, is just and those that reject Him will be justly dealt with.

Secondly, God’s purpose for creation has innately determined mankind’s purpose for life. His purpose is His glory; our purpose is to do everything we can to bring glory to Him (1 Cor 10:31). This is also part of the framework of God’s creation. He wants us to glorify Him and there is no greater way we can do that than to use the freedom of choice He has given us and accept the calling of the Holy Spirit. We are to Give to the Lord the glory due His name, bring an offering, and come before Him (1 Ch 16:29). We are to bring to God our understanding and agreement of who He is, and our obedience and submission to Him. We are to believe He is the creator of heaven and earth, obey His commands, and submit to His Lordship over us. This is what glorifies God; this is what He wants from us. Erickson wrote, "While God did not have to create, He did so for good and sufficient reasons, and the creation fulfills that purpose. In particular, the creation glorifies God by carrying