It is somewhat comical when I hear those who are anti-Calvinist referred to themselves as a 1-2-3 or 4-point Calvinist. It is like they are ashamed to refer to themselves as a 1-2-3 or 4-point Arminian. It is like they want to give a little credit to God for their salvation, but they just cannot relinquish all of it. Yet, by admitting the Calvinist part to their identity, they unknowingly give credit to our sovereign God, though they really do not want to. They would prefer to think and have others think that as one Calvary Chapel pastor said, “God gave man just a little sovereignty to be able to make a decision for Jesus.”
Give man a little sovereignty? What an insult to a Sovereign and Holy God Who without the help of corrupt and sinful man chose those before the foundation of the world that He would save. Those He chose were and are the elect. They were not the “whosoever wills.” They were not the goats who became the sheep. Each point of the 5-points of Calvinism are not individual rogue points wandering about on their own. They are all connected. One reflects the need for the other. The Arminian cannot truly believe in man’s total depravity and honestly believe that he can make a spiritual decision to have faith in the Messiah. That depravity has to be overruled by the faith which comes from God.
Of course, they can try to make excuses for semi-Pelagianism or prevenient grace and think that they can sneak around the depravity issue. But scripture is clear. Man is depraved and cannot change on his own. Had there not been unconditional election, no one would be saved. No one is worthy or can work for their salvation. Therefore, God elected some, not everyone, to salvation. Will the Arminian erase this point from their salvific doctrine? Romans 9:14-23 clearly states that “God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.” If God had not elected some to salvation, their depraved nature would not have allowed it.
Jesus Christ shed His Blood for the sheep, not the “whosoever wills.” There is not only efficacy in His calling, but efficacy in His atonement. Why the educated Arminian wants to call Jesus Christ a failure at this point is shameful. He came for His sheep, and His sheep will hear His voice (John 10:16), and He will save them because He was slain before the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8) for them. He did not shed His Blood for every single person that ever lived or will live. His atonement was perfect and for a specific people.
So, will they also try to eliminate God’s irresistible grace or calling? Have they not read Romans 8:28-30? What about John 6:37, 40, 44? What about limited atonement/particular redemption? This seems to be the big one that the Arminian just cannot jump over. Instead, they prefer to trip over this plainly taught doctrine from the Bible. Does John 10:15, 16 not plainly mention the sheep and the “other sheep?” Not a word is spoken about the goats here.
Certainly, they refuse to acknowledge the inspired words written by Paul in Ephesians 1:4, etc.
God chooses. Jesus Christ atones. The Holy Spirit regenerates. The Trinity is in perfect harmony. The elect are depraved and spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1); therefore, they need to be called with an efficacious calling of grace; therefore, they have been atoned for; therefore, unconditional election has to be predetermined; therefore, because of the perfectness of the Triune God Who is involved in one’s salvation, they will be protected and preserved through all eternity.
Will the so-called 4-point Calvinist actually admit that they are a 1-point Arminian? If they were honest, the 1-point or 2-point Arminian would acknowledge that he is, in fact, a full-blown Arminian who refuses to give credit and praise to our Sovereign God for his own salvation.
