For Calvinism

by Michael Scott Horton

Critics have frequently confused Calvinism with hyper-Calvinism, and sometimes contact with hyper-Calvinists proves the caricature.

Total depravity: Our bondage to sin in Adam is complete in its extensiveness, though not in its intensity. In other words, we’re not as bad as we can possibly be, but original sin has thoroughly corrupted every aspect of our existence — including the will. • Unconditional election: Out of his lavish grace, the Father chose out of the fallen race a people from every race to be redeemed through his Son and united to his Son by his Spirit. This determination was made in eternity, apart from anything foreseen in the believer. • Particular redemption: Christ’s death is sufficient for the whole world, but secured the redemption of the elect. • Effectual grace: The Holy Spirit unites sinners to Christ through the gospel and faith is the effect, not the cause, of the new birth. • Perseverance of the saints: All of those chosen, redeemed, and regenerated will be given the gift of persevering faith, so that not one will be lost.

Tulip

All Christians have some assumptions about God’s sovereignty and human freedom, sin and grace, election and free will, the nature and extent of Christ’s saving work, God’s faithfulness, and human faith and obedience. The question is whether we have tested these assumptions by Scripture, arriving at explicit convictions rather than vague sentiments. You

This debate goes to the heart of the gospel itself. That does not mean that those with whom we differ don’t really believe the gospel. We are justified through faith in Christ, not through doctrinal precision. However, are our doctrinal assumptions and convictions consistent with that profession of faith? Much of the debate comes down to one basic difference: Arminians affirm synergism (i.e., “working-together,” or cooperation between God’s grace and human willing and activity), while Calvinists affirm monergism (i.e., “one-working,” or God’s grace as the effectual source of election, redemption, faith, and perseverance). Calvinists do not deny that there are commands in Scripture and that these reveal God’s moral will. Nevertheless, as Calvin put the matter, “we must have this gospel daily repeated in the church.” “For although faith believes every word of God, it rests solely on the word of grace or mercy, the promise of God’s fatherly goodwill,”

Many Christians assume that the questions at issue between Calvinists and Arminians are ultimately irresolvable. Calvinists have “their verses” and Arminians have theirs. Calvinism reminds us that we cannot save ourselves and Arminianism reminds us of our responsibility to trust and obey. Furthermore, there have been good people on both sides of this debate throughout the centuries; do we really think that we’ll be able to come down on one side or the other? However, with all due respect to those who assume it, it must be said that this is a lazy position.

First, neither Calvinists nor Arminians have “their verses.” All of Scripture is God-breathed and is therefore the common treasure of all Christians.

To say that there are “Calvinist” verses and “Arminian” verses is to conclude that the Bible itself is internally incoherent and self-contradictory. If Calvinism cannot do justice to the passages put forward by Arminians, then it is inadequate from the start.

have never met an evangelical Arminian who would say, “I’m trusting in Christ and in my own effort for salvation.” It is not only unhelpful but erroneous to suggest that Arminians do not take the Bible seriously or entrust their salvation to God’s grace in Christ.