"Calvinist" Theology ~ OR ~ "Day Of Pentecost 33 AD" Theology?

Calvinism has long been defined by the acronym TULIP:  Total Depravity - Unconditional Election - Limited Atonement - Irresistible Grace - Perseverance of the Saints.  There are Calvinists who will claim allegiance to only some of these, i.e, I am a 3-point Calvinist, or a 4-point Calvinist, or a 5-point (hardline) Calvinist?

And, there are those who have realized that the Calvinist TULIP theology is viewed by many as being very harsh, so they have created a euphemism to soften the impact of Calvinism.  This euphemism is labeled:  "The Doctrines of Grace."   Wow, that appears to be right in line with the Bible, right?  But, regardless of the name, the teachings are still TULIP, only wearing a pretty dress.

The two doctrines which always seems to fit most Calvinists and are inherent in the Calvinist theology are:  (1) Free Will, taught in the Bible, but denied in Calvinism, and (2) Predestination, the teaching that, before the creation, God predetermined who - of all the billions of people born from Adam to the last human born in the Millennial Kingdom - will have eternal life in Christ (the Elect, the smaller number of people) - and who will be predestined to eternal punishment in hell (the Reprobates, the much larger number of people), with absolutely no possibility of parole, no possible chance to believe and receive Christ toward eternal life with Him.

To accept those two Calvinist doctrines, one must deny some attributes of God.  We know that God is immutable, unchanging - (Malachi 3:6, "I the Lord do not change" -  also Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Isaiah 46:9-11, and Ezekiel 24:14).  In this discussion the two attributes of God which would be in conflict if Calvinism were true are:  His Perfect Love and His Perfect Justice.  

Both must balance against the other.  So, ask yourself:  "Would a God of Love create billions of people, then predetermine and condemn them to eternal hell and punishment - with NO possible chance of salvation?"   The only Biblical answer has to be, "NO!"

1 Timothy 2:3-4, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

God's Perfect Love says that He desires ALL mankind to be saved.  But God's Perfect Justice demands atonement, i.e., legal justice for all sin.  Once again, we fall back upon God's Perfect Love - where we read that "For God so loved the WORLD (you, me, all people) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). 

He sent Jesus Christ to pay our sin debt, to take our death penalty, to offer us His righteousness before God the Father.  That is God's Love in perfect balance with God's Justice - and from that we attain God's Mercy and Grace.

This is a good article written by Pastor Lance Ralston of Calvary Chapel Oxnard (CA).  I will show only excerpts from his article, but I recommend reading the full article, which is not long, but is full of good information:

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? -  PART 1
By Pastor Lance Ralston, Calvary Chapel Oxnard
http://www.calvaryoxnard.org/2017/are-you-ready-for-this-part-1

This is an appeal to those attracted to a movement going by several titles, predominantly The Resurgence and Neo-Calvinism.  The more traditional title is Reformed Theology.  Its popular contemporary proponents are voices like RC Sproul, John Piper, and James White.  These and others have inspired a growing number of popular bloggers and podcasters (who are) spreading the Reformed brand. 

The movement’s well-known advocates are intelligent and well-spoken speakers whose influence is persuasive.  The following appeal is a cautious attempt to ask those being drawn into The Resurgence to make sure they realize what they are buying into when they embrace Reformed Theology.  Are you ready to intellectually embrace what Calvinism really says about God?.  .  .   .

In addition, those just entering a study of Reformed theology are usually unaware of the wide spectrum of theological perspectives there are among Calvinists.  While some dislike the terms, they are popular for a reason; there are 3-, 4- and 5-Point Calvinists.  Even among 5-pointers, there are different distinctives and emphases.  In the long-running debate between Calvinists and non-Calvinists, Calvinists tend to label all non-Calvinists as Arminians and assume they all believe the same thing.

Yet the theological spread among non-Calvinists is at least as wide as that among Calvinists, including those who dislike the label “Arminian” in favor of other descriptors such as “Traditionalist.”  My point is that a Resurgent may read what follows and say, “I’m a Calvinist but I don’t believe that!  That misrepresents Calvinism and Reformed theology.”   Be careful, because what follows are in fact the positions held by Calvinists, maybe not your brand or stripe, but of other advocates of Reformed theology.

If you find yourself in fundamental disagreement with the Reformed tenets that follow, you ought to ask if you are really a Calvinist?

My Friends, I am not posting this to pick a fight with my Calvinist Friends or with my Arminian Friends.  My sole purpose, to the best of my abilities, is to share the whole Word of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Acts 17:11, "These (the believers of Berea) were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so."

From just these two Scripture passages we confirm that "ALL Scripture"  - all 66 books of the Bible - are the Word of God and are His full revelation to us for salvation and for Christian living. 

Any theology which skips or denies any part of the whole Word of God - is from man and is not built upon the full and solid foundation of His Written Word.

How do we become Good Bereans as the apostle Paul admonishes us in Acts 17:11?  First, make sure you are part of a Christ-centered, Bible-teaching Christian church, i.e., a Christian fellowship family.  Next, make sure you are actively involved in your local church fellowship family.    Then make sure your Christian fellowship has an active discussion-style weekly Family Bible Study - and make sure you are active in those Bible discussions. 

Remember, the apostle Paul told us, in Acts 17:11, to test the teachings and the teachers against Scripture.  How can YOU test them - if you are not involved?

Have a great day in the Lord, stay daily in prayer and in the study of His Word - and get INVOLVED!

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill