The Premise of Calvinism Is that God Created “Unconditional Election,” Whereby His Choice Is Independent of Our Choice
God’s Choice, Our Choice, Copyright, RCR
Critiquing Calvinism’s assertion that salvation is solely God’s unilateral decision involves analyzing key scriptural texts and theological principles. Here are the key issues and their scriptural counterpoints:
Free Will and Human Responsibility
Calvinism’s doctrine of Unconditional Election posits that God’s choice is independent of human action, implying humans lack agency in their salvation. However, the Bible repeatedly emphasizes human responsibility in responding to God’s grace.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This verse clearly conditions eternal life on individual belief.
Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” This directive underscores the necessity of human choice in salvation.
God’s Desire for All to Be Saved
Calvinism asserts that God decrees some to salvation and others to reprobation. This is problematic when measured against verses that show God’s universal salvific will:
1 Timothy 2:4: “[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9: “[God is] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
Foreknowledge vs. Predestination
Calvinists often argue that God’s foreknowledge necessitates predestination, but the Bible presents foreknowledge as God’s knowing in advance who will choose Him, not causing them to believe:
Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” The sequence suggests that predestination follows foreknowledge.
1 Peter 1:2: “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” Election is grounded in foreknowledge, not arbitrary decree.
Universal Offer of Salvation
The New Testament teaches that the gospel is offered to all, not only to a predetermined group of elect individuals:
Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Revelation 22:17: “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
God’s Justice and Impartiality
Calvinism’s concept of unconditional election raises questions about God’s justice and impartiality:
Acts 10:34-35: “God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
Ezekiel 18:23: “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? … and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”
The Role of Grace
While Calvinism emphasizes irresistible grace (that God’s grace cannot be resisted by the elect), Scripture illustrates that grace can be resisted:
Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I wanted to gather your children together… but you were not willing!”
The scriptural problems with Calvinism’s interpretation of salvation center on the denial of human agency and the misrepresentation of God’s character as impartial and loving. The biblical narrative consistently portrays salvation as a cooperative process: God initiates through grace, and humans respond through faith. This balance ensures that God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are harmonized, honoring the scriptural testimony that God foreknows who will choose Him, and based on this knowledge, He elects them for eternal life.
NOTES:
Citations and sources for the conclusions in the critique of Calvinism, with references to specific biblical passages and scholarly insights.
Free Will and Human Responsibility
- John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Gospel of John. Highlights the necessity of individual belief for salvation.
- Acts 16:31: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Acts of the Apostles. Demonstrates the personal responsibility in salvation.
2. God’s Desire for All to Be Saved
- 1 Timothy 2:4: “[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), First Epistle to Timothy. Confirms God’s universal salvific will.
- 2 Peter 3:9: “[God is] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Second Epistle of Peter. Aligns with the concept of universal invitation to salvation.
Foreknowledge vs. Predestination
- Romans 8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Epistle to the Romans. Highlights that predestination follows foreknowledge, not arbitrary decree.
- 1 Peter 1:2: “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), First Epistle of Peter. Clearly grounds election in foreknowledge.
Universal Offer of Salvation
- Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Gospel of Matthew. Reflects Jesus’ open invitation to all.
- Revelation 22:17: “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Book of Revelation. Emphasizes the universal nature of the gospel call.
God’s Justice and Impartiality
- Acts 10:34-35: “God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Acts of the Apostles. Affirms God’s impartiality and acceptance of all who turn to Him.
- Ezekiel 18:23: “Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? … and not that he should turn from his ways and live?”
- Source: The Bible (Old Testament), Book of Ezekiel. Highlights God’s desire for repentance over judgment.
The Role of Grace
- Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit.”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Acts of the Apostles. Demonstrates that God’s grace can be resisted.
- Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often I wanted to gather your children together… but you were not willing!”
- Source: The Bible (New Testament), Gospel of Matthew. Illustrates human refusal of divine grace.
Scholarly Sources and Commentary
- Norman Geisler, Chosen but Free: A Balanced View of Divine Election (1999). Provides an Arminian perspective, addressing Calvinism’s view of predestination.
- Craig L. Blomberg, The Historical Reliability of the New Testament (2016). Discusses the universality of Christ’s message and the necessity of human response.
- R.C. Sproul, Chosen by God (1986). While defending Calvinism, Sproul’s work helps frame the debate around predestination and foreknowledge.
- Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology (1998). Offers a balanced discussion on divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
These citations provide a robust basis for the critique of Calvinism while underscoring the biblical and theological arguments against its more deterministic elements.
Categories: Robert Clifton Robinson
Robert Clifton Robinson 
nicely done except you graciously leave out the opposing verses that support Calvinism claims.
LikeLike
Please list these texts that you believe proves Calvinism is true, and how they prove it is true, and we can begin a discussion here.
LikeLike
On the surface, if that statement were true in the most basic sense then God would be a monster. Fear of God would not be a choice but forced upon the chosen. This being the case, why created the remaining … what point does that serve? His great power would remove the necessity to make examples.
The book of Job conveys this message … in stark terms.
So I am curious what the scriptures are in the Bible that supports this view outside of foreknowledge.
Blessing be to all.
The Beginning is Near!
LikeLike