Do Calvinists Believe God is the Author of Evil?

Dr. Leighton Flowers, Director of Evangelism and Apologetics for Texas Baptists, addresses an article written by a Calvinistic author regarding "the 12 myths about Calvinism," which can be seen here:

[RanierMedic]

I cannot see how, if you believe that God ordered and ordained everything down to the least rogue molecule, that you cannot, or do not, cite God as being the author of evil, and the primary drive behind man's desire to sin. And throwing your hands up and saying "it's a mystery" is just academic laziness.

[ethandowler]

i like this "bite sized" videos haha. Much easier to watch over my lunch break! Thanks, Dr. Flowers!

[colegest]

I struggle calling a Calvinist a brother in The Lord. I don’t know how you can to be honest. We got a different Jesus. One died for all (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) and one only died for some. Too many illogical inconsistencies and too much hints of Gnosticism. We should try to present the facts and be gentle but they are pretty set that TULIP is the gospel and if you don’t believe it you’re believing a different gospel. Again, I don’t know how you can call a Calvinist a brother. If you can provide an answer for this let me know.

[BoylenInk]

I really like the shorter format. I think most people can easily set aside half an hour so hopefully this content will reach more people.

[Baltic_Hammer]

It was explained to me by a fervent Calvinist this way. Everything you do is pre-destined BUT you are held responsible for your sins committed. Got flat footed by that one and left speechless. This was also in my very early time of returning to God. Is it me or is this statement way off the rails?? WoW !!!

[regandanielle]

Love that point.. Even if they are affirming God’s universal love, it’s hardly the biblical definition of love. So true.

[regandanielle]

This is one of the top 10 videos to watch on Leighton’s channel

[paulsemakula]

I appreciate that there are those on the opposite side of this debate trying to be a visible voice! So far the noise has been coming largely from one side and people need to be informed of the other views.

[caleb.lindsay]

the last 3-4 minutes of this video are some of the best minutes of anything i've seen.

[mosesphiri]

I just don't like the idea of being called a Calvinist or Ameneanist, we should not call ourselves after the theologies of men..we are Christians we belong to CHRIST..let's not call ourselves after mens Doctrines and philosophies..

[matt]

Excellent video, as usual. Thank you.

[ksedillo]

As a visual learner it would be helpful to see a poster with information like this.

[rebirtheternal]

Theres no need to sugar coat things. We can be respectful while calling evil out. Calvinism is comparable to abortion.

[ksedillo]

I like how Geisler says it. "Every moral act is an act of free will."

[primeobjective]

The only argument I've heard from Calvinists as God NOT being the 'Author of Sin', is basically, 'Because we said so'.

They keep all their premises:
God meticulously preordaining every subatomic particle, human thought, and choice via His immutable decree, for there is no Libertarian Free Will, and then DENY the logical conclusion of their premises by accepting a conclusion of their own creation. The Westminsters confession ends this premise of theirs with, "yet, God is not the Author of sin", without a valid, logical argument to justify their conclusion.

That doesn't work. No one can set up a premise, and then deny the logical conclusion without AN ARGUMENT, simply by saying THAT'S not the conclusion they adhere to.

This is the 'nail in the coffin', that seals this dead theology 6 feet under where it belongs.

[hopelessstrlstfan]

Good Job, Leighton. I am not a Baptist and I am certain you and I disagree on a lot of theological issues, but I got to say this is a well thought out presentation. I am impressed by the care you take to not to misrepresent the views of those who disagree with your views and are on the other side of the debate on this issue. I was under the impression that most Baptists were Calvinist and had grown out of the Reformed Movement. I think of people like James White. I guess I might be wrong since you are not Calvinist and describe yourself as a Southern Baptist.

[wtom]

Calvinists contradict themselves and there is DOUBLE TALK in regards to whether or not God is the author of sin and evil.

1) "The sovereignty of God also teaches THAT GOD IS NOT THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHOR OF EVIL, that man is a free moral agent who is not forced to sin and who is responsible for what he does." - Grover E. Gunn, in his book, "The Doctrines of Grace", 1987, page 14.

2) "GOD IS NEITHER THE AUTHOR OF SIN, NOR SANCTIONS IT (APPROVES IF IT). HE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SIN, THOUGH HE DECREED IT. Those guilty of sinning are responsible." - Jay Adams, in his book, "The Grand Demonstration", page 61, 1991.

3) "God, from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so, as thereby NEITHER IS GOD THE AUTHOR OF SIN...." - Westminster Confession of Faith, III "Of God's Eternal Decree", item #1

4) Westminster Confession of Faith, V. "Of Providence", Item# 4 bottom paragraph it states...."as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and NOT FROM GOD, WHO, BEING MOST HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS, NEITHER IS NOR CAN BE THE AUTHOR OR APPROVER OF SIN."

5) The London Confession of Faith, Chapter 5, Of Divine Providence, #4 - The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that his determinate counsel extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful actions both of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, which also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and NOT FROM GOD, WHO, BEING MOST HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS, NEITHER IS NOR CAN BE THE AUTHOR OR APPROVER OF SIN."


BUT HOWEVER, you have the below following eminent Calvinist apologists and John Calvin himself making totally contradictory statements that is not in line with what is asserted by Grover E. Gunn and Jay Adams who are both Calvinists as well and the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the London Confession of Faith.

1) Loraine Boettner - "Even the fall of Adam, and through him the fall of the race, was not by chance or accident, but was so ordained in the secret counsels of God" - In his book, "The Reformed doctrine of Predestination, page 234

2) Jerom Sanchius - "Surely, if God had not willed the fall, He could, and no doubt would, have prevented it; but He did not prevent it: ergo, HE WILLED IT. AND IF HE WILLED IT, HE CERTAINLY DECREED IT." - In his book, "The Doctrine of Absolute Predestination" page 88.

3) A.W. Pink - "Plainly it was God's will that sin should enter this world, otherwise it would not have entered, for nothing happens save as God has eternally decreed. Moreover, there was more than a bare permission, for God only permits that which He has purposed." In his book, "The Sovereignty of God" page 147, (1961).

4) A.W. Pink - "Not only did His omniscient eye see Adam eating of the forbidden fruit, BUT HE DECREED BEFOREHAND THAT HE SHOULD DO SO." In his book, "The Sovereignty of God" page 249

5) Edwin Palmer - "IT IS EVEN BIBLICAL TO SAY THAT GOD HAS FOREORDAINED SIN. If sin was outside the plan of God, then not a single important affair of life would be ruled by God." In his book, "The 5 Points of Calvinism" page 82

6) Edwin Palmer - "All things that happen in all the world at any time and in all history—whether with inorganic matter, vegetation, animals, man, or angels (both the good and evil ones)—come to pass because God ordained them. EVEN SIN -- THE FALL OF THE DEVIL FROM HEAVEN, THE FALL OF ADAM, AND EVERY EVIL THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED IN ALL OF HISTORY, INCLUDING THE WORST SIN OF ALL, Judas’ betrayal of Christ—is included in the eternal decree of our holy God." - page 120, Edwin Palmer - in his book, "The 5 Points of Calvinism".

7) Edwin Palmer - "SIN IS NOT ONLY FOREKNOWN BY GOD, IT IS ALSO FOREORDAINED BY GOD" - On page 122, 1980 in his book, ""The 5 Points of Calvinism".


8) William Shedd - "Nothing comes to pass contrary to his desire. Nothing happens by chance. Even moral evil, which He abhors and forbids, occurs "by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God." In his book, "Calvinism: Pure and Mixed, page 37, 1986.

9) J. Gresham Machen - "All things including even the wicked actions of wicked men and devils -- are brought to pass in accordance with God's eternal purpose." In his book, "Christian View of Man, page 46, 1965.

10) William Shedd - "Sin is one of the "whatsoevers" that have "come to pass", all of which are "ordained". In his book, "Calvinism" Pure and Mixed, page 31, 1986

Finally we have JOHN CALVIN:

John Calvin falsely taught that God is the author of sin and evil.

1) "Thieves and murderers, and other evildoers, are instruments of divine providence, being employed by the Lord himself to execute judgments which he has resolved to inflict." From Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion" - Book 1, Chapter 17, Paragraph 5.

2) "The devil, and the whole train of the ungodly, are in all directions, held in by the hand of God as with a bridle, so that they can neither conceive any mischief, nor plan what they have conceived, nor how muchsoever they may have planned, move a single finger to perpetrate, unless in so far as he permits, NAY UNLESS IN SO FAR AS HE COMMANDS, THAT THEY ARE NOT ONLY BOUND BY HIS FETTERS BUT ARE EVEN FORCED TO DO HIM SERVICE." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 17, Paragraph 11.

3) "I admit that in this miserable condition wherein men are now bound, all of Adam's children have FALLEN BY GOD'S WILL." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 23, Paragraph 4.

4) "The first man fell because THE LORD DEEMED IT MEET THAT HE SHOULD." - John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter, 23, Paragraph 8.


MY comment - The above is what I call DOUBLE TALK where Calvinists say 2 different things out of their mouths contradicting themselves.

[jimkraft]

Calvinism and Arminianism preach God is the author of confusion. Not the gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4. Romans 3:26-28. For He is the just and the justifier of them that BELIEVE in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? Nay, but by the law of FAITH. Therefore we conclude a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

Galatians 1:6-9 Though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel unto you, than ye have received from us, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received from us, let him be accursed.

The Gospel. First Corinthians 15:3-4. That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, that He was buried and rose again on the third day, according to the scriptures.

First John 2:2 And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. John 3:16-18. Romans 6:23 For the penalty for sin is death, BUT, THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE, through Jesus finished work on the cross. Jesus paid the debt and set us free.

John 3:18 Believers are no longer condemned, but unbelievers are condemned already, because they have not believed on the name of the Son of God. John 1:12.

First John 5:13. These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God, that ye may KNOW YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

A gift is paid for in advance of the GIFT. Jesus paid it all and we paid 0. Romans 11:6. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVETH, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. John 6:40 and John 6:29. John 6:47. God cannot lie.

[gregjay]

With the growing popularity of Calvinism and the many voices opposing this doctrine, there is one argument I have not seen presented at any time. It is this –
There are two gods who are influencing our understanding of the Scriptures – the god of this world and the God of creation. The god of this world is a deceiver and liar. He blinds the eyes of the unconverted to the glory of the Gospel. The God of creation is infinite in love, rich in mercy and grace, and kind in all His deeds

The Bible says that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The grace of God has appeared bringing Salvation to all men. God desires that all come to repentance and that Salvation has come to all men. The Bible states repeatedly that whosoever will may come.

And yet, the Calvinist says that God effectually calls only the elect and that the atonement is only effective for the elect. Now, which of these two views would the deceiver, the father of lies support? Would he want Christians to believe that God loves all His fallen creation and that Jesus died for all, or would he want Christians to believe that God only loves a very small percentage of His fallen creation and that only those few are chosen to believe?

Calvinism is an attack on God’s character and isn’t this what the god of this world delights in doing?

Anyone who thinks that the god of this world is asleep on the sidelines and is not actively influencing our understanding of Scripture is delusional.

Is it possible that I have been deceived into believing that God loves all sinners and that Jesus died for all?

[_Prebound]

Do others really believe that God is constantly surprised by events and caught off guard? I prefer a God in control of everything that goes on- which is what we have.