Is Calvinism Irresistible?

That is a really good question. Is Calvinism irresistible? Instantly, your interest was either peeked or killed on the spot. As an Independent, Fundamental, King James Version reading, soul winning, evangelistic, hell fire and damnation, chandelier swinging, barn storming, pew jumping, pulpit pounding, Bible thumping, window rattling, paint peeling, leather lunged screeching, sin hating, Devil fighting, hyperseperationalist, pre-millennial, altar calling, hymn singing, hankie waving, red blooded American Patriotic, flag saluting, fireworks gazing, fried chicken eating, gospel giving, chair kicking, wife loving family man that I am, I can honestly say that Calvinism is NOT irresistible. Here's my premise.

There is not a person on the earth that has ever studied organized theology without ever having to wade through the annals of time and determine if Calvinism is accurate.  Whether you agree with its position or not, you cannot ignore it. You cannot resist its presence. A true Bible student will have to come face to face with the 5 pointed monster which has forced many to re-evaluate their position regarding the salvation of man.

There are many young people today who are terribly ignorant concerning the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. To them, it is either a process of yes and no answers and a repeated prayer to which they publicly recite or it is a deep dark study into the mind of the very one we will never comprehend.

For the serious Bible student who actually reads and studies the Scriptures without the propaganda that is being shot at them from a cannon from either direction, it isn't too long before they encounter such words as "grace", "election", "predestined", "elect", "quickened", "faith", "repentance", "believe" and "regeneration". These words are used by believers and non-believers alike. The majority of the academic driven scholars will wholeheartedly agree that Calvinism is not only accurate but will resound the statement by C.H. Spurgeon that "Calvinism is the gospel." To the average layman pastor who has given himself over to the ministry and is doing all he can do to prepare himself and a sermon for each service while maintaining an urgent self mandated quota of evangelizing the lost at every waking minute, Calvinism is the greatest theological nightmare to the history of mankind.

About five years ago I began to encounter Calvinism. I always thought I knew what it was and marked it off as lazy Christianity. I began to explore the fascinating and mesmerizing theological slants and commentaries regarding this taboo doctrine. Why is it that the same preachers who are so against Calvinism never see the same number of people follow the Lord in baptism? Why is it that soul winning "marathons" always yield hundreds if not thousands saved in a 3 day effort but yet the church never grows? I also wondered why it was that the gospel could be preached so clearly and powerfully and yet a person could leave the offer on the table and never receive God's provision of salvation.

I was disgruntled with what I was told was true and began to delve into this strange but seemingly accurate avenue of theology that was drawing me to its core. I began reopening my doctrinal statement to be sure I was adhering to the correct doctrine. I found this to be true; my instructors, for the most part, were ignorant of the details but right in its end product.

It is a shame that those who claim Calvinism to be a farce are some of the most ignorant and unlearned men on the face of the earth. A person does not have to know all of the details and chemical breakdowns and reactions of a snake's venom to know that they are dangerous and can kill a person but the more that is left out- the more there will be unsolved and eager to explore.

There seems to be a new trend among my brothers and sisters coming up behind me (I am at the old seasoned age of 32). This trend is towards Calvinism. I believe it is due to the ridiculous standards and restrictions placed on them as children and teens growing up in good Independent Baptist Churches. I am all for standards and convictions. I am not for the silly things that we have grown accustomed to. Examples include which way to part your hair, which way you shape your haircut in the back, the brands of clothing, the types of KJV BIbles we allow, and even to the stupidity of what college we will associate with. Bob Jones is not acceptable and they are heathen! Do you understand me? FLAMING HEATHEN! Meanwhile, Colleges like Hyles Anderson has produced some of the most vile sexual predators known to the Independent Fundamental Baptist movement.

The music that we uphold as "acceptable" is nothing more than watered down country music while CCM is labeled as "christian rock." I am not an advocate of Southern Gospel and I am not a big fan of most Contemporary Christian Music groups and artists. I will point out this comparison though; the lyrics from SGM tends to be more of "look what Jesus did for me" and CCM is more of "this is what Jesus makes me feel like."There are some fantastic songs and artists on both sides of the debate. However, the point I am attempting to establish is that the songs we promote as "godly" are shallow in theology. Sure, there are bad songs on both sides. It is a popular trend right now for acoustic guitars. If you are looking for some of the best chords and lyrics for these kids to listen to, they are limited in their quest. You will find that some of the most godly lyrics out there are from highly Calvinistic sources. Calvinists ARE reaching out to the world and are making more of an impact than what we blame them for.

Under the flagship of "grace" our clothing, music, attendance, outreach, and even our financial giving has been compromised on both sides. Calvinism has become an all encompassing title and safe haven for rebellion against God's laws and demands because of one's misinformed definition of grace.

Calvinism is a stereotyped spiritual slur that people toss out to insult or to imply one's level of spirituality. It isn't the gospel. It is not a worldview. It is nothing more than man's armchair quarterback understanding regarding the salvation of man and the foreknowledge of God.

Punishment is less than the infraction

Punishment Is Less Than The Infraction

We live in a cheapened society where one’s punishment is more noticeable than the infraction. Criminals break in to someone’s home and wouldn’t have to take physical object or possession and still do more damage to the homeowner than what insurance can replace; peace of mind. When the law catches up to the criminal, they are sentenced for certain time for committing and illegal act but rarely does the consequence of their action ever settle in on them. During the sentencing trial the judge will allow letters or statements by the victims and families to explain their hurt and emotions. I recall one case where the defendant who was rightfully found guilty by a jury of his peers sat laughing as the emotional and grief ridden family presented their grievances to the judge and to the defendant as part of their closure. The sentence was given for manslaughter; life without parole. Then, and only then did the guilty party show signs of “remorse.” 

This cheapened society has also become vain in regards to Evangelism. We are so interested in seeing someone “spared from Hell” that we neglect the area of Godly Repentance.  It is nothing short of humanism which “sugar coats” the severity of our punishment for our infractions against a Holy God and his righteousness. We have violated his purpose for creation and his established plan for our existence.  Our sins have separated us from Him. We have fallen short of our purpose; to please Him. We were and are created for His pleasure. Mankind’s rebellion is no longer a willful disobedience but has become a way of life to the ignorant generations which are descendants from Adam. Many times our rebellion and crime against God is unbeknownst to us. We live our day assuming we are in liberty but we are in death.

Due to man’s increasing depravity and moral decay, we are unaffected by our offence against God. We even go to the point where we dismiss our sin as preference; “God can get over it.” After all, to err is human and to forgive is divine. With blatant disrespect for God and His righteousness, we push the fault onto Him and we flippantly, casually walk away leaving him with the price of our sin; death.

Once the believer shares with the potential convert that they are sinners the anger is turned from God towards the evangelist.  Their self-worth and person having been freshly impugned, they jump on the chance to have someone else suffer for this terrible injustice which has tainted their own impression of their self.  When the truth is made known that God took our punishment upon Him and died for their transgressions, there is an immediate sense of entitlement that seems to sweep over them. After all, it was God’s own fault that his strict rules and standard for holiness was wronged. It is a sure fire indication regarding the level of our depravity and sinful volition to find sweet justice in the death of the innocent sacrificial lamb of God who bore our burden, suffering the contradiction of sinners, and the sin of the entire world, past, present, and future on his body when there should be shame, guilt, remorse and a desire to repent from our injustices and sinful practices desiring forgiveness from the very one who gave himself for us.