Three Myths About Calvinism

Disclaimer: I do not like being called a "Calvinist."  I do not follow any one man's teachings.  John Calvin himself would not want a whole group of Christians to be known as "Calvinists."  He believed in the Bible and he dedicated his life to preaching and teaching Biblical Christianity, as I strive to do.  In that sense, I hope I follow in his footsteps, but I do not wish to be labelled with any man's name. 

Disclaimer #2: This is not a systematic defense of Calvinism, by any means.  I just wanted to clear up some common myths.

"The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach to-day, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again."
- Charles H. Spurgeon, "The Prince of Preachers"

Many people have misconceptions about "Calvinism."  Here are three myths I have heard and which I would like to dispel:

Myth #1 - "Calvinists believe in predestination, which means that it doesn't matter what you do in this life, since it's already predestined whether you will go to heaven or go to hell." 

First of all, John Calvin did not invent the doctrine of predestination.  Predestination is a Biblical word, used by Paul in Ephesians 1 and in Romans 8.  Related words and ideas can be found clearly taught throughout the Bible.  Those who would say, "I don't believe in predestination" have a problem with the Bible, not with John Calvin. 

Secondly, the Biblical doctrine of predestination does not contradict the call of the gospel and the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation.  Calvinists and non-Calvinist evangelicals (Arminians) agree that you must repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved.  We disagree on what makes it possible for a fallen sinner to repent and believe, free will or predestinated sovereign grace.

Myth #2 - "Calvinism removes all motivation for doing missions or evangelism."

This is simply false historically and currently.  First of all, John Calvin himself trained thousands of pastors to go and spread the Gospel and do missions work.  Calvin's Geneva planted hundreds of Gospel-preaching churches in Calvin's native Roman Catholic France.  These French Hugenots were so successful that the Catholic Church and the King of France violently persecuted them, killing tens of thousands of them in the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre.  Further, Calvin sent the first Protestant missionaries to Brazil.

Throughout church history, great missionaries like William Carey, Henry Martin, John Paton and Jonathan Goforth have been strong Calvinists.  Some of the greatest evangelists of all time, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were all Calvinists.  These men trusted God to do the saving work through them.  It was their confidence in God's powerful and effective saving grace that gave them the strength to endure hardships and preach faithfully and boldly. 

Myth #3 - "Calvinists are arrogant."

Well, I cannot speak for all Calvinists (and I must reluctantly agree that I have met some arrogant Calvinists), but the system of doctrine espoused by Calvinists does not itself promote arrogance.  Rather, the doctrine of God's saving sovereign grace should produce humility.  Here's how:

• Ask a non-Calvinist how it is that he came to salvation in Jesus Christ and he will say: "I made a free will decision to embrace Jesus as my Lord and Savior." or perhaps "I made the choice to ask Jesus to come into my heart." 
• Ask a Calvinist the same question and he should say: "God had mercy on me and saved me.  He drew me to Christ and gave me the gift of saving faith." 

The Arminian takes credit for his own salvation, while the Calvinist gives full credit and glory to God.  Which one fits the Bible's definition of pride and which fits the definition of humility.

Other Myths About Calvinism: http://www.reformationtheology.com/2009/04/five_big_myths_about_calvinism.php

Spurgeon's Defense of Calvinism: http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm 

My Top 10 "Calvinist" Verses: (Look them up and read them in their context, please.)

1.  "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. . . No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 10:37 & 44

2.  "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last." - John 15:16

3.  "When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed." - Acts 13:48

4.  "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." - Romans 8:28-30



6.  "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory." - Ephesians 1:11-12

7.  "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:4-9

8.  “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14

9.  "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace." - Romans 11:5

10.  "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you . . ." - 1 Thess 1:4

11.  "To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" - 1 Peter 1:1-2

12.  "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9

13.  "They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers." - Revelation 17:14

14.  "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth." - Acts 22:14

OK, so I have 14 Top 10 verses.  I could add a bunch more.  :)