Answering Calvinism 101

0:00 The Nature of the Problem
1:04 Positives and Negatives
4:51 Foreknowledge
5:59 Predestination
7:30 Sovereignty
9:14 Conclusion

Strength for Life is a Ministry of NorthStone Baptist Church in Pensacola
Pastor James C. Johnson
2550 W Nine Mile Road
Pensacola, FL 32534
850-478-1691

#Pensacola #ExpositoryPreaching #SpiritualStrength #KJV #bible #baptist #church #gospel #christianity

[joeblacke]

I am so thankful for you making this video. We recently joined a small startup church and after getting involved did we learn that everyone there but us is a Calvinist. It has been really affecting our family as we interact with them outside of church on Sunday. There is a constant focus that constantly has everyone feeling they have to “show works” or they are not part of the elect. The worst part is the sovereignty issue. We constantly hear “ God is Sovereign” which we finally realized that they meant God makes us think, say and act (not just his authority over all). This includes our sin. In the end, it makes God the author of our sin, yet we retain all accountability.

There is no doubt these brothers and sisters love the Lord. However, there does appear to be some fundamental differences in how we understand God, his nature, how he works, evangelism, salvation, and ultimately our ability to control our own action - including sin.

[GiveMeLibertyBaptist]

Appreciate you standing against Calvinism. God bless.

[MartyAinsworth-ne]

Again, thankful for a Pastor who doesn’t shy away from hot topics. Thank you for a clear explanation of a very confusing topic.

[marcjohnson]

Great video. Some of my closest friends are calvinists and we can all still be friends and discuss our view of God—and in doing so actually strengthen each other’s faiths and walks with Christ. Definitely a fitting topic for Strength for Life.

[jasonhamilton]

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) I'm thankful God is longsuffering. Thank you for addressing this topic.

[ryanking]

Thank you Pastor Johnson for tackling this subject!

[johnevans]

As a Calvinist, I think this video is fair and something we all need to hear. I admit that many (if not most) modern Calvinists are arrogant and unhelpful to the functional ministry of the Church. I appreciate you brother.

We must also admit that from John Chrystostom to Adrian Rogers, there are many non-Calvinistic pastors who have done incredible works for God.

Btw- Foreknowledge in our economy is an experiential or a dynamic knowledge which would be different than a static foreknowledge. Also, all who are “called” are “justified.” We love him because he first loved us.

To the Calvinists- We may describe things a little differently, but salvation is by grace through the gift of faith. Let’s get busy preaching the gospel “for it is the power of God unto salvation”.

[marcmonte]

This brief but excellent refutation of Calvinism serves as a good introduction to an important topic. I actually read and approved the script prior to its being posted online by Pastor Johnson. It is sure to rile some of the Calvinistic brethren, but for no good reason. If you’re a Calvinist, you shouldn’t be upset about this video because your own doctrine teaches that this video was posted by Pastor Johnson as predetermined and decreed by God in his sovereignty. If you’re a Calvinist, why push back against that? In fact, if you argue with me in an attempt to win me to Calvinism, you betray a subtle denial of your own professed doctrine. You see, since I am not a Calvinist, God (according to Calvinism) must have foreordained that I would not be a Calvinist. So why would you argue with me if God foreordained I would not be a Calvinist? And, if this line of argumentation irritates you, it’s only because it makes Calvinism look ridiculous, which it is. Now, hold on, Calvinist cowboy! Before you blast me, just remember that (according to you) this comment was preordained and decreed by the determinate foreknowledge and will of God in eternity past. Take it up with Him!

[MrHwaynefair]

I am a former Calvinist pastor - and I deeply appreciate the spirit of your presentation.
2:24 Your soteriological "grid" left out one very significant historical position: universal reconciliation.
About 15+ years ago I came to embrace this perspective which many simply write off as "obviously" heretical.
But there is a substantial Biblical basis for this perspective as there are for others that disagree with it.
Robin Parry is (here on YouTube) one of the most able defenders of this ancient view predominant among the 6 theological "schools" of the first three centuries of the Church's history (he is featured in the most recent edition of Zondervan's "Four View of Hell").
I have found in it a wonderful reconciliation of the Sovereignty of God and the "free" agency of we who are all made in His image. God's familial love is no longer limited to the elect - and His sovereignty is no longer conceived of as fundamentally determining all events before they occur - especially the horrific and horrifying idea of predestined "reprobation".
No - here the fact of God's essence as Love ("God IS Love") is fully embraced and acknowledged - but also His sovereign determination for "the reconciliation of ALL things" (Col.1) is fully embraced as well.
One of the most defining moments for me was when I had to face the indisputable fact that the word translated "eternal" (Greek: aeon) in most of our Bibles is by its very definition first and foremost a long period of time - that it is at best an ambiguous term that should never be "simply" (and misleadingly) translated "eternal" - but better, "the age [or world] to come..."
Simply look up the definition in any online Bible search engine like BibleHub, etc.
Thanks for indulging me this little interjection.
Again I thank you for taking a strong but gracious stand against the pernicious (and ironically called) "doctrines of Grace"...
Richest Blessings!
-wayne

[jeramieneisler]

Thank you for explaining these terms Pastor.

[Sgomes-isor]

Amen! Ill be reading those books soon. Thought i was becoming calvinist but struggled with Lordship salvation and other points. So glad to find this podcast!

[MarkWarriner-ytyz]

I think that you explained the non calvanistic position very clearly. Additionally if I was in the church that suddenly found their minister was calvanistic then I would either leave or get him removed or agree with him not to push reform theology.
Steve Lawson has recently had to stand down.I think its good to pray for him and his family. But I'm delighted that he is not going to be pushing his reform theology and Lordship salvation. I would not go to a calvanistic church as a matter of choice.

[ruthann_g]

Often, the primary apologetic stance given when discussing Calvinism is the topic of predestination. Teachers/authors focus on that one thing (in my experience). I appreciate the fact that you pointed out and explained briefly the other pillars of Calvinism: foreknowledge and sovereignty. Helpful content for the church body, displayed a Titus 1:9 mindset.

[nunyabeeswax]

Excellent title for your video.
I don't like seeing or hearing followers of Jesus get in the mud when talking about the minutia of Christian ideology. It's not helpful.
I do enjoy learning things about my personal relationship with Christ from more knowledgeable people.
The title of you video attracted me because I want to learn more about the bible and it's various interpretations.
FYI.... I abandoned the concept of predestination decades ago. God didn't create robots.
How does a Calvinist explain evil then???
God "knew" Lucifer, the morning star, would rebel???
FYI... It makes my brain hurt thinking about that conundrum.... lol.

[MrNichols]

Amen Pastor !
This message on Calvinism
Is interesting. I just don’t understand how people can misinterpret the bible like that and twist the meaning of words around. It sure can be confusing.

[rogersuberville]

Good stuff, Pastor. May God continue to bless you. 💯

[MatthewJohnson-gb]

Amazing delivery of helpful information! Your point about Peter and the denial of Jesus clearly show the foreknowledge of God. I am so thankful we are volitional creation. My ability to accept Christ's gift of salvation, flee temptation, and go soul winning all give me opportunity to glorify my Lord. I praise the Lord for what he has done through you and this ministry.

[michealferrell]

I have noticed that the 1689 Reformed Baptist have been the most consistent among the reformed groups.

[chuckmiller]

It shouldn't be an issue of whether some doctrine is Calvinist but whether it is Biblical, and it is what the Bible, rightly divided, teaches. When Calvinism is wrong, it is because it disagrees with scripture. The same is true for every theological system. "What saith the scriptures"

[michealferrell]

I like your spirit brother!
You have given some proof texts for study, so could you also give the rebuttals and explanations of the same passages from a confessional reformed perspective as well ?