Does Romans 9 Teach Calvinism? Part 1: Accursed And Cut Off

This is a series where I use the book of Galatians to help understand Paul's argument in Romans 9 and give a non-Calvinist interpretation of this difficult and often confused chapter of scripture. I believe that the "faith vs. works" argumentation of Paul in Galatians can be very helpful in understanding what his main point is in Romans 9 and why he is not arguing for unconditional election or Calvinism.

WATCH THE FULL SERIES COMPARING AND INTERPRETING ROMANS 9 WITH GALATIANS:

The topic of Calvinism is something that I have personally spent a lot of time studying and thinking about for the past decade. In recent years this theology has grown a lot in popularity, being propagated by popular and prominent pastors and christian leaders like John Piper, John Macarthur, RC Sproul and ministry organizations like the Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Ligonier Ministries and Apologia Studios.

This theology is based on a particular understanding of passages like Romans 9, John 6 and Ephesians 1, which are interpreted by Calvinists in a way that results in the conclusion that God has determined before the foundation of the world which individuals he will save and has ultimately created a countless mass of humanity throughout history for the purpose of condemning them to eternal torment in hell for committing sins that he himself determined that they commit. This may be a bit more of an abrasive and pointed way of putting it, but I think if you come to understand the claims and beliefs of the theologians mentioned above who teach these doctrines, you will see that this is an accurate and honest representation of their ultimate conclusions.

I personally find the view of God that is communicated in Calvinism to be immoral and a gross misrepresentation of what the bible actually describes God to be like. Although I do have moral and emotional apprehensions toward this theology, that is not ultimately the reason why I came to reject it. I came to reject it on biblical grounds. After examining the many Calvinistic proof texts like Romans 9 and Ephesians 1, I became convinced that Calvinists are simply misunderstanding and misinterpreting these texts.

I make videos about this topic because I believe that bad theology is harmful to people - emotionally, mentally and spiritually. My goal in making videos like this is not to demonize Calvinists who teach these things or to say they are evil heretics or anything of the sort, but to simply explain why I strongly disagree with their conclusions and offer what I consider to be a better way of understanding the many biblical texts that are often used to support these views.

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#calvinism #apologiastudios #noncalvinist #calvinist #LeightonFlowers #soteriology #Predestination #Calvinism #Provisionism #Calvinist #Salvation #calvinismdebate #christianity

[minorsingingairhead]

So good! Keep on making these high quality videos!
It blew my mind the first time (after being a Calvinist for a long time) to see that Paul is NOT suddenly changing subjects in Romans 9 but is picking up the same theme he developed throughout his letter - righteousness by grace through faith. This makes way more sense of his argument as a whole. I'm so glad the idea of the deterministic God of Calvinism is just a fabrication of confused theologians.

[JStevensdk]

Great study much appreciated. I agree with the majority for sure. 👍 I think it is more than just works however.

My brother got into Calvinism and I debated him and Calvinists for about three years almost every day. During this time I decided to do my own personal study on Rom 9 because even the non Calvinist side was making claims that I don't think are mentioned in the text such as referrals to nations. I read through Romans 6 to 7 times, read acts a few times.

In doing so I came across what I think is the key verse to "unlocking" Romans 9 and that is Rom 7:1. Throughout Romans Paul changes his commentary focus between Jews, Gentiles, Jewish converts and the entire church. Starting in 7:1 Paul focuses his comments towards those who know the law or the Jewish converts. In ROM 8 Paul goes through all of the wonderful blessings and benefits of those being saved and then in 9:1 it hits him, those who were not benefiting, his Jewish brothers.

Rom 9 - 11 is Paul explaining to the Jewish converts why the mass majority of the Jews missed the Messiah and in doing so, was God done with them. It was more than just works, it was their heritage as Jews with Abraham being "their father", them being entrusted with the law, temple rites and so on. Paul's examples of Jacob and Esau and other examples he gives is to drive the one point, just because you are ethnically a Jew does not mean you are saved or righteous before God. The reference of vessels of wrath and mercy both refer to the Jews, not the elect nor reprobate.

Anyhow those are my two cents much appreciated.

[peterfox]

It also talks about God's sovereign choice to make salvation available also to the gentiles, not only the Jews

[jennyniemi]

Thank you so much for these videos. I recently stumbled into your channel when trying to gain a non-Calvinist view of Romans 9. Your videos on Romans and Ephesians are helpful. God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility is one of those areas of mystery and Biblical tension.
I would be really interested in a video on how you view the Sovereignty of God in general, maybe commenting on passages like Exodus 4:11 and Lamentations 3:37-39, etc.
God bless.

[willwidrick]

Well explained and said! I’m actually having a conversation with a Calvinist friend soon, we are going over Romans 9. This is so helpful, thanks!

[EugeneHolley-rcry]

These are really good videos on this chapter. I liked the one with Sam and Jason you did, I believe you nailed it in that video.

[mattgates]

Good job on these videos brother! Great quality, great exegesis, easy to understand!

[terciocampos]

Very good. Your channel appeared to me without seeking for it. And even I'm not being Calvinist or Arminianist, I love to read about this topic. I'll see the other parts.
Thanks.
Regards from Brazil 😊🙏

[garfd]

So glad more channels are taking this issue on with exegesis!

[seanvann]

Excellent point about being under "the curse" and bringing in Galatians.

Galatians 3:13-14
[13]Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
[14]That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Anyone that is under the law is under a curse.

Blessings to you and your ministry!

[elijahraya]

Hey brother, I appreciate your diligence in studying and interpreting the scriptures. I’m a Calvinist, so I obviously disagree with your conclusions. I would kindly suggest a more thorough breakdown of Romana 9 rather than just focusing on first 5 verses and 30-33. I know you highlighted Galatians as well. Could you make a video of walking through the entire chapter? I’m interested in hearing how you would explain verses 6-29. Or maybe you have made a video that I have not watched yet. God bless

[m.lw.]

Thank you 🙏 and keep on doing this amazing work it’s really helping me a lot 😊

[theeagle]

You are missing the principle of 1st and 2nd causes. How does a unregenerate person get Faith if we are 'dead in our sins and trespasses' Eph 2:1 and Romans 3 10-11 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;, if God does not First have us be born again?

[sid]

Romans 9:19–23 (ESV): You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

[jeffreybomba]

God has determined that those that come to Him according to His plan (Cain and Able) and get in the tower, will be saved. God loves THE world, offers salvation to the world, many will profess faith (but not according to His definition), so not all that professes are chose for salvation.

[johncrawford]

As a Calvinist I agree with you saying Romans 9 is absolutely about god's sovereignty and he does whatever he wants.
Unfortunately, like every Arminian debate I've been heard you skipped the most critical part of romans- what if God wanted his wrath to be known? Vessels prepared for destructive and vessels of mercy which he prepared beforehand.
If you did a study and made a video about the whole of Romans 9 harmonized with Ephesians I would be very interested to hear your conclusion.
It's always disappointing to see Arminian debates avoid Romans 9, which is what you did my friend. You grabbed a chunk at the beginning and the end and you left out the glorious grace of God's sovereign gn election of his saints that he foreknew, predestined, and chose before the world began.
God wants his wrath to be known, that's why he chooses to replace some people's hearts of stone with a heart of flesh, and he leaves others to their own wickedness.

[gojohnnygo]

Calvinist do works because they are imputed with righteousness: Not seeking righteousness, understand.