Calvinism consists of theological doctrines which use words found in the Bible. However, Calvinism consistently redefines those words, takes them out of context, applies the doctrines inappropriately, exaggerates the meaning of the words to the extreme, or in some other way distorts the Word of God to match the theology written by John Calvin in his book, Institutes of the Christian Religion. The following are definitions of Perseverance of the Saints, the Fifth Point of Calvinism, written by popular Calvinist authors.
Perseverance of the Saints
"Salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ's death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation."
The above quotation from a popular Calvinist author is said to be a description of the Fifth Point of Calvinism, Perseverance of the Saints. However, it appears to describe Calvin's doctrine for initial salvation, not persevering until the end. Therefore, we will list a second source.
"The people of God WILL persevere to the end and not be lost. The foreknown are predestined, the predestined are called, the called are justified, and the justified are glorified. No one is lost from this group. To belong to this people is to be eternally secure. But we mean more than this by the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints. We mean that the saints will and must persevere in the obedience which comes from faith. Election is unconditional, but glorification is not. There are many warnings in Scripture that those who do not hold fast to Christ can be lost in the end."
At first glance one would think that John Calvin understood the eternal security of the believer based on God's efforts alone, but upon closer inspection of other Calvinistic writings we find Calvin requiring the works of man as proof of his "election." The above reference is typical of the doctrine that "those who do not hold fast to Christ can be lost in the end." This is a dreadful doctrine that is dependent on the works of the believer. Others stress that a level of good works of fruits is required to prove one is regenerated and of the "elect." Who can be certain of the level of his works or fruits adequate for proving this "election?" One Calvinist writer has stated:
"Sometimes the question is yet asked, 'Am I one of those saints who persevere to the end?' Sometimes children of God do question and wonder concerning their own final salvation. In the Christian, doubt does at times arise, sometimes to the extent that for a time we seem completely separated from all of the blessings and favors of our God. But God tells us in His Word that His people belong forever to Him. He speaks that Word and applies it to my heart by His Spirit. His Spirit with my spirit cries, "Abba, Father." When I am concerned, as I am, of my salvation; when I am concerned with the fact that I am a sinner unworthy of any blessing; I then see already the fruit of the work of the Spirit in me. The concern, real spiritual concern, for sin; the hope and longing for salvation is the work of the Spirit. The fruit of the work of the Spirit in me is proof that I also am one of those preserved to the end. He who begins the good work in us will complete it unto the end."
Thus, we see Calvinism moving full circle. After having become one of the elect without as much as believing (since believing is works in Calvinism), one must confirm his election by good works and fruits. How is this measured? What amount of fruit confirms election? Is being less than a perfect person proof one is not of the elect? How does one have assurance of being one of the elect if his good works are exceeded by those of a person confessing that he is an unbeliever? Calvinism requires nothing to become one of the elect but demands everything to remain so.
In Calvinism, faith cannot be the assurance of salvation because Calvin taught that God can and does give the non elect a false faith. Therefore, even though one has faith, he can never have the assurance that his faith is true, sovereign grace faith. Perhaps God has given him a false faith because he is not really one of the elect.
The Calvinist must persevere with his faith and good works, and salvation is never assured.
The Bible teaches us in John 5:24 Romans 8:38 and 2 Timothy 1:12 of our security in salvation apart from works.
John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 1:13 In Him you also [trusted], after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith based upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon Himself the sins of all mankind by His death on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead provides salvation to all who believe. All who receive the Lord Jesus Christ through faith are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become the children of God.
The Dutch Church convened the Synod of Dordrecht in 1610 to resolve the dispute between Remonstrants (followers of Jacob Arminius) and the Reformed Church (followers of John Calvin) concerning the correct interpretation of the Bible. In the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, Jacob Arminius began to teach doctrines contrary to the Reformed faith. The Remonstrants drew up five statements of doctrine in which they set forth their own views. The Calvinists answered the Five Points of the Arminians with their own, which has come to be known as the Five Points of Calvinism. The approval of the Calvinist position was sealed by a prejudiced Synod before it began, and the Calvinists relished the victory by murdering many of their opponents as they fled for their lives. This appeared to be a great victory for Calvinism at the time, but it has since been shown to have been the high point in their theological domination. Calvinism has continued to decline over the centuries because John Calvin's technique of terror is no longer allowed for the spread of his theology.
The Five Points of Calvinism which form the acrostic T-U-L-I-P will be shown here to distort and blaspheme the true attributes of God, the true nature of man and the Holy Scriptures.
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Click below for Bible studies, references, books and other links.
False Doctrines of the "Pope" of Geneva
What Love Is This?
Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God by Dave HuntThe Seven Dispensations
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
by Dr. C. I. ScofieldBible Charts by Clarence Larkin
The best book for the study of dispensations
is:
Dispensational Truth - Gods' Plan and Purpose in the Ages
by Clarence Larkin, 1918 ISBN: 0-89540-388-9
The best study Bible for learning the dispensations is:
The New Scofield Study Bible - Genuine King James Version
Genuine Leather, Burgundy, ISBN: 019527749X
Highly recommended book for studying many different theologies is:
The Moody Handbook of Theology
by Paul Enns, ISBN: 0-8024-3428-2
An extremely well written and documented book in refute of Calvinism is:
The Other Side of Calvinism
by Laurence M. Vance, Ph. D., ISBN: 0-9628898-7-3
Prophecy Today for the Body of Christ
Are the Sins of All Mankind Forgiven?
