The objections are growing louder because of theological ignorance and
lack of teaching. Basic Calvinism minus its emphasis on Limited
Atonement and the made-up teaching of Covenant Theology, has always been
a part of the larger body of Evangelicals, and also, of almost all
dispensationalists. All of the early dispensationalists were Calvinistic
in their belief. And all that I know and admire today are still
Calvinistic in their theology. The reason you are now hearing so many
flaps against God's sovereignty and His divine absolute election is
because of the ignorance of so-called Bible teachers who really do not
know the Scriptures, and certainly seem to know nothing about church
history.
America was founded by the Puritan Calvinists.
The basic tenets of Calvinism, such as Total Depravity, are woven into
the fabric of our governmental system. The checks and balances of our
three branches of government come about because of a distrust in human
depraved nature. So those who complain about "Basic" Calvinism are
ignorant to the maximum degree!
Lewis Sperry Chafer, founder of Dallas Seminary,
defends basic Calvinism in his class work on "Systematic Theology." He
wrote:
"The Calvinistic system, which is here both held and defended as being
more nearly Pauline than any other, is built upon a recognition of four
basic truths, each of which should be comprehended in its basic character.
These truths are: 1. Depravity, 2. Efficacious grace, 3. Sovereign and
Eternal election, and 4. Eternal security. (Systematic Theology, 3:267-68)"
Minus Limited Atonement, all of our
Premillennial/Dispensational Bible colleges, seminaries, and institutes,
taught the four points of Calvinism. (Though most are now sliding to
the left and denying some of the great biblical teachings.) I taught it
to students at Philadelphia College of Bible when I was a professor
there. The four seminaries I attended held to basic Calvinism. If we
want to biblically now reject basic Calvinism we would have to close the
doors of our schools, turn out the lights, and go sell shoes! This was
standard theology some years back.
As a young "theolog" I rejected Calvinism and
election when I was first taught it. I then went off to a Christian
college and spent three years in the library, studying every commentary,
theological text, Bible dictionary, etc. I ended up biblically "seeing
the light," and seeing the verses. No one should try to debate me on
this issue! I have all the arguments, verses, and the grammar down pat!
You won't win! By the way, I don't get mad at those who react when they
first hear about Calvinism. I do however expect them to ask questions,
take good, solid books, and look up the passages and read the arguments.
I get angry when people react but do not then follow up to find out
what the Bible is really teaching!
The reason some are attracted to Covenant
Calvinism and Presbyterianism, is because of the mystique and the
traditions behind Covenant thinking. While I certainly admire Calvin,
and all the great Reformers who came after him, I do not worship them!
And I certainly do not throw what they taught that was biblical in the
garbage can.
The big difference between Calvinists and
Arminians is that the Calvinists emphasize the sovereignty of God and
clearly see and teach the depravity of man. The Arminians elevate the
will of man and put down God's sovereignty. The Bible really emphasizes
God's absolute sovereignty and providence in history. If you see that in
Scripture, the main doctrinal tenets of Calvinism fall into place.
I have heard some Calvinists react in amazement that
dispensationalists can be basic Calvinists. This only shows their
ignorance about premillennial/dispensationalism. And they claim to be so
intelligent!
