Calvinism - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Calvinism

Calmly

ConsideredSlide2

“One

reason many young people (and perhaps others) embrace the new Calvinism…is because they are convinced it is the only biblically and intellectually serious theology available. It is all too true, as some Calvinists have argued, that many American evangelical churches are almost totally devoid of theology. …curious young people who are convinced there must be something more to their faith than the folk religion they have been given encounter Calvinism for the first time (usually under the name Reformed theology), they are often impressed and sometimes swept away with it. In my experience this is partly under the influence of extremely passionate

sermonsSlide3

delivered by scholarly popularizers of Calvinism who preach at enormous youth conferences (the sermons being podcast for

relistening

), as if their theology is the only one that truly honors God. I have found that many of the new Calvinists simply are not aware there are any viable alternatives to their newfound doctrinal faith. Through reading books by their favorite pastors and teachers, many of them are convinced that all alternatives— and especially the dreaded “Arminianism”— are man-centered, biblically unsupported, and intellectually weak

.”

-Olson (p. 65-66)Slide4

“People don’t choose Calvinism or free-will theism because one side has clearly proven itself right, but because they “find one set of mysteries easier to live with than the other.”

–Austin Fischer

“Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed” (p.82)Slide5

THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, REASON, AND EXPERIENCE.

PREDESTINATION CALMLY CONSIDERED

A DIALOGUE BETWEEN A PREDESTINARIAN AND HIS FRIEND

SERIOUS THOUGHTS UPON THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS

THE QUESTION, "WHAT IS AN ARMINIAN?" ANSWERED BY A LOVER OF FREE GRACE.THOUGHTS UPON GOD’S SOVEREIGNTYCALVINISTIC CONTROVERSYTHE DOCTRINE OF ABSOLUTE PREDESTINATION

The Works of John Wesley:

Addresses, Essays & LettersSlide6

The “TULIP” of Calvinism

T = Total Depravity

U = Unconditional Election

L = Limited Atonement

I = Irresistible GraceP = Perseverance of the SaintsSlide7

T = Total Depravity

“Man

, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation: so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto

.”

-Westminster Confession (Chapter 9, Paragraph 3)Slide8

T = Total Depravity

“

The Biblical doctrine of reprobation teaches that the sinful man is condemned apart from God's saving grace. Scripture uses the phrase "gave over" to describe God's allowance of reprobation (rf. Rom. 1:24, 26; NASB). God allows, but is not the primary cause of, sin

.”

http://www.theopedia.com/CompatibilismSlide9

T = Total Depravity

Ephesians 2:1

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

2

in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,

the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

3

All of us also lived among them at one time,

gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature

and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

4

But because of his great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy,

5

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions…Slide10

U = Unconditional Election

“By

the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.

…These

angels and men, thus predestinated, and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.” -Westminster Confession (Chapter

3

Paragraphs 3 &

4)Slide11

U = Unconditional Election

Ephesians 2:5

“…it

is by

grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ

and seated us with

him

in the heavenly

realms

in Christ Jesus

,

7

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

.

8

For it is by

grace

you have been saved

,

through

faith-

-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-

-

9

not by works

,

so that no one can boast

.”Slide12

U = Unconditional Election

1Peter 2:6

For

in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone

, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe

, "

The stone the builders

rejected

has become the capstone

,”

8

and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them

fall.” They

stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for

.

9

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.”Slide13

U = Unconditional Election

“God is said to have ordained from eternity those whom he wills to embrace in love and those upon whom he wills to vent his wrath.”

-

John Calvin,

Institutes of the Christian Religion, 3.24.17

“God does decisively, in his providence, order all the volitions of moral agents, either by positive influence or permission: and it being allowed on all hands, that what God does in the affair of man’s virtuous volitions, whether it be more or less, is by some positive influence, and not by mere permission, as in the affair of a sinful volition.”

–

Jonathan Edwards,

Freedom of the WillSlide14

L = Limited Atonement

“

God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect, and Christ did, in the fullness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit does, in due time, actually apply Christ unto

them.”

-Westminster Confession (Chapter 11 Paragraph 4)Slide15

I = Irresistible Grace

“

All those whom God hath predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed time, effectually to call, by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death, in which they are by nature to grace and salvation, by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and

savingly

to understand the things of God, taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them an heart of flesh; renewing their wills, and, by His almighty power, determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ: yet so, as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.”

-Westminster Confession (Chapter

10 Paragraph 1)Slide16

I = Irresistible Grace

John 6:44

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me

draws

him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”Slide17

I = Irresistible Grace

“

Compatibilism

claims that every person chooses according to his or her greatest desire. In other words, people will always choose what they want-- and what they want is determined by (and consistent with) their moral nature. Man freely makes choices, but those choices are determined by the condition of his heart and mind (i.e. his moral nature). Libertarian free will maintains that for any choice made, one could always equally have chosen otherwise, or not chosen at all.”http://www.theopedia.com/CompatibilismSlide18

P = Perseverance of the Saints

“They

, whom God has accepted in His Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved

.”

-Westminster Confession (Chapter 17 Paragraph 1)Slide19

P = Perseverance of the Saints

Philippians 1:6

“…he

who began a good work in you will carry it on to

completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Slide20

The “TULIP” of non-Calvinism

T = Total Captivity

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

L = Longing God

I = Integrity of the OfferP = Present AssuranceSlide21

T = Total Captivity

Romans 6:20

When

you were slaves to sin

, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death

!

22

But now that you have been set free from

sin

and have become slaves to God

,

the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal

life.

23

For the wages of sin is death

,

but the gift of God is eternal

life

in

Christ Jesus our Lord.Slide22

T = Total Captivity

Revelation 1:5

“…and

from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness

, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth

.

To him who loves

us

and has freed us from our sins by his blood

,

6

and has made us to be a kingdom and

priests

to serve his God and

Father-

-to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.Slide23

T = Total Captivity

Looking for free will in the Bible is like looking for gravity: it’s assumed everywhere and holds everything together, so you probably won’t notice it until it’s missing and you float away. This is why it’s usually easier to rattle off multiple verses that seem to contradict free will than it is to name a single verse that affirms it. We think of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart because the passage sticks out— it cuts against the grain of the rest of the biblical narrative

.

–

Fischer (p.62)Slide24

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

“Elect/Chosen”

=

Servant/Israel/MessiahSlide25

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

Isaiah 42:1

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect,

in whom

my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (KJV)

Isaiah 45:4

For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me. (KJV)

Isaiah 65:9

And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains: and mine elect shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. (KJV)Slide26

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

Isaiah 44:1

"But now listen, O Jacob, my servant,

Israel, whom I have chosen. 2 This is what the LORD says-- he who made

you, who formed you in the womb,

and who will help

you: Do not be afraid,

O Jacob, my servant,

Jeshurun

,

whom I have chosen.

3

For I will pour water

on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;

I will pour out my Spirit

on your offspring, and my blessing

on your descendants.

4

They will spring up like grass

in a meadow, like poplar trees

by flowing streams.

5

One will say, 'I belong

to the LORD'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand,

'The LORD's,'

and will take the name Israel.”Slide27

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

“…examination of the usage in the OT and in Judaism shows that the phrase 'the elect' is used of those who have become members of God's people and never of individuals before they have become members of God's people."

-I. Howard Marshall (cited in

Witherington

, p.63)Slide28

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

“E

lection does not take place … arbitrarily or fortuitously; it takes place always and only

in Christ.

They are elect who are in him; they who are elect are in him (cf. Gal. 3:29). It is failure to remember this that causes confusion over Paul’s doctrine of election and predestination.”

-C.K. Barrett

cited in Ben

Witherington

III and Darlene Hyatt,

Paul's Letter to the Romans : A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary

(Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2004), 255.Slide29

U = Union With the Elect Messiah

1Peter 1:18

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed

from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,

19

but with the precious blood

of Christ, a lamb

without blemish or defect.

20

He was chosen before the creation of the world,

but was revealed in these last times

for your sake.

21

Through him you believe in God,

who raised him from the dead

and glorified him,

and so your faith and hope

are in God.

22

Now that you have purified

yourselves by obeying

the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply,

from the heart."Slide30

L = Longing God

Ezekiel 18:23

“Do

I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not

pleased when they turn from their ways and live? 24

"But if a righteous man

turns

from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the

unfaithfulness

he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die

.

25

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just

.'

Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust

?

Is it not your ways that are unjust

?

26

If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die

. Slide31

L = Longing God

27

But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life

. 28 Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die.

29

Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust

?

30

"Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent

!

Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall

.

31

Rid

yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new

heart

and a new spirit.

Why

will you die, O house of Israel

?

32

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD.

Repent

and live!Slide32

L = Longing God

Ezekiel 33:11

“Say

to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live

. Turn!

Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel

?”

1

Timothy 2:3

“This is

good, and pleases

God our Savior,

4

who wants

all men

to be saved

and to come to a knowledge of the truth

.”

2

Peter 3:9

“The

Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,

as some understand slowness. He is patient

with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance

.”Slide33

L = Longing God

Romans 10:20

“and

Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me

." 21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (cf.

Isaiah 65:1-2

)Slide34

I = Integrity of the Offer

“Being saved is not a matter of doing a work; it is only a matter of not resisting. When a person decides to allow God’s grace to save, he or she repents and trusts only and completely in Christ. That is a passive act; it could be compared to a drowning person who decides to relax and let his rescuer save him from drowning.”

-Olson (pp. 171-172)

“…what sort of idiot receives a gift and then starts boasting about how he used the muscles in his vocal chords, tongue, and mouth to say, “Yes, I will accept this gift”?”

-Fischer (p.79)Slide35

I = Integrity of the Offer

John 6:44

"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 12:32

“But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will

draw

all men to myself."

Gk. “

helkuo

/

helko

” = drag/compel or attract/call?Slide36

P = Present Assurance

Colossians 1:21

“Once

you were alienated from God and were

enemies in your minds because of

your evil behavior

.

22

But now he has

reconciled

you by Christ's physical

body

through death to present

you

holy in his sight, without blemish and free from

accusation-

-

23

if you

continue

in your faith,

established

and firm, not moved from the

hope

held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven

,

and of which I, Paul, have become a servant

.”Slide37

P = Present Assurance

1Thessalonians 3:5

"For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless.”

1Timothy 1:18

“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,

so that by following them you may fight the good fight,

19

holding on to faith and a good conscience.

Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

20

Among them are

Hymenaeus

and Alexander,

whom I have handed over to Satan

to be taught not to blaspheme.”Slide38

P = Present Assurance

Philippians 1:4

“In

all my prayers for all of you, I always

pray with joy 5 because of your

partnership

in the gospel from the first

day

until now

,

6

being confident of this, that he who began a good work

among y’all

(Gk. “

en

humin

”)

will carry it on to

completion

until

the day of Christ Jesus

.”Slide39

“Notice that both Calvinist and free will theologians ultimately arrive at a point where further explanations are impossible . Both reach the limit of finally inexplicable choice. The free will theologian cannot fully explain why some choose Christ while others do not. The Calvinist cannot tell us why or on what basis God chooses some for salvation and passes others by.”

–Jerry Walls (cited in Fischer, p.76)Slide40

Recommended Reading

“Young, Restless, No Longer Reformed”

– Austin Fischer

“Against Calvinism”

– Roger Olson“Arminian Theology: Myths and Reality” – Roger Olson

“The Problem With Evangelical Theology”

– Ben

Witherington

“Paul’s Letter to the Romans”

– Ben

Witherington

“Across the Spectrum”

– Greg Boyd (editor)