Calvinism: Theological Quicksand
I. Like Quicksand, Calvinism Is Easy to Fall Into
Definition: noun; a bed of soft or loose sand saturated with water and having considerable depth, yielding under weight and therefore tending to suck down any object resting on its surface.
My definition of Calvinism as quicksand: a broad bed of theological suppositions saturated by multiple theological works and teachings having considerable breadth, but no substantial exegetical depth, yielding under the weight of unchallenged theological conclusions and therefore tending to inundate and effectively trap the Bible student who attempts to wade through the theological swamp.
A. Because Calvinism has a pithy, easy to remember formula TULIP
1. As an acrostic, TULIP gives a person an easy way to remember the scheme and organization of their beliefs.
Total Depravity/Inability to Believe
Unconditional Election/Predestination to Salvation
Limited Atonement/Efficiency of Christ’s death
Irresistible Grace/Application of New Life to the elect sinner
Perseverance of Saints/Necessity for validation of possessing eternal life
2. As an acronym, TULIP gives a person an identity or niche in the spectrum of religious belief. It identifies what a “Five Point Calvinist” mistakenly believes.
“I am a Calvinist”
“Calvinism is unadulterated Christianity”
“I, but maybe not thee, are loved by God”
B. Because Reformed Theology had an honorable beginning
1. It legitimately opposed the Roman Catholicism’s works-based soteriology
2. It legitimately opposed papal authority in both spiritual and political arenas
3. It legitimately insisted on the right of every believer to have direct access to God
C. Because original Reformed Theology adopted liberating biblical principles
1. Priesthood of the Believer – Intervention by priests is not required, but direct access to God through Christ is available
2. Authority of Scripture – Interpretation by the RCC clergy is not required, but direct access to God’s truth through His Word is available
3. Justification by Faith alone – Indulgences are not required, but immediate forgiveness and acceptance by God is available
D. Because Calvinist terminology and definitions have been accepted as standard fare. Whoever defines the terms wins the argument. We must clarify by asking:
“Elect” unto what? Chosen for what? “Predestined” for what? Depravity? Calling? Effectual Calling? Common grace? Efficient / Efficacious Grace? Prevenient Grace?
E. Why does Calvinism prevail?
Mentally: Calvinism “sticks” because TULIP is easy to remember.
Psychologically: Calvinism “sticks” because TULIP provides an identity, comradery, and a sense of belonging.
Historically: Calvinism assumed the honorable beginning in its attempt to reform the RCC.
Developmentally: Calvinistic concepts have been embedded into theological discussions and literature so as to become a false-face of what is considered orthodox.
However, these liberating principles became compromised in the early years after the Reformation period began. Here are the initial, primary reformers:
In Switzerland:
Huldreich (Ulrich) Zwingli (1484 – 1531) Johann Heinrich Bullinger (1504 – 1575)
In Germany:
Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) Philip Melanchthon (1493 – 1560)
In France, Switzerland, & later in the Netherlands:
John Calvin (1509 – 1564) Theodore Beza (1519 – 1605)
From these men grew and developed a system of theology that expanded and developed, notably from 1517 when Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany to the formulation and publication of the Westminster Confession in 1646 (about 130 years). This development can be summarized thus:
1517 Luther posts his Ninety-Five Theses.
1521 Luther forced into hiding at the Wartburg Castle and Philip Melanchthon wrote/released his Loci Communes, the first expression of Lutheran Theology.
1521 Diet of Worms – Luther is tried by Catholic authorities.
1522 Luther translates the NT into German while in Wartburg Castle.
1523 Zwingli begins to lead the Swiss Reformation which followed his Sixty-Seven Articles.
1525 The Anabaptist Movement began in Switzerland, revolting against Zwingli regarding his teaching of infant baptism.
1525-26 William Tyndale’s New Testament is published in English in Antwerp, Belgium.
1529 Colloquy of Marburg was calledby the Reformers in Marburg, Germany to form a united front against Roman Catholicism.
1530 The Augsburg Confession (a summary of Lutheran Theology) was read publically.
1530 William Tyndale was executed due to publication of his Bible.
1531 Ulrich Zwingli died in battle.
1535 Cloverdale Bible is published (the first complete English Bible to be published in England).
1536 Calvin published the first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion revising it five times through 1559 when it consisted of 79 chapters.
1536First Helvetic Confession
1537Matthew’s Bible was the first authorized English Bible to be published in England (“Thomas Matthew” was a pen name for John Rogers). It included much of theTyndale Bible.
1543 Nicholas Copernicus (a Polish astronomer) wrote On Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres proposing the heliocentric concept of the solar system.
1545 Council of Trent (Italy) was called to counter the Protestant movement. It met in three stages: 1545–47, 1551–52, and 1562–63.
1546 Martin Luther died and was succeeded by his colleague, Philip Melanchthon.
1549 Thomas Cranmer (1489–1556), the English archbishop of Canterbury, drafted the Book of Common Prayer.
1553Thomas Cranmer drafted the Forty-Two Articles, which mirror the Augsburg Confession in their teaching on the Trinity and justification by faith. They followed Calvin in their outlook on predestination and the Lord’s Supper. They were adopted as the Anglican Church’s first Protestant confession of faith. In 1562, the Convocation of Anglican Clergy modified and condensed the articles to thirty-nine.
1555 John Calvin is given the right to excommunicate by the councils at Geneva.
1555 Hugh Latimer and Nicolas Ridley were burned at the stake as heretics by the daughter of King Henry VII, Mary Tudor (Queen Mary I, aka. Bloody Mary) on October 16, 1555. As the fire was lit, Latimer said, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as I trust shall never be put out.”
1556 Thomas Cranmer was burned at the stake by Queen Mary I as a heretic who denounced Catholicism.
1559John Knox became the leader of the Scottish Reformation. His relentless efforts made Scotland the most Calvinistic country in the world and the birthplace of modern Presbyterianism.
1559 Final edition of Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion was published.
1559 John Knox returned to Scotland from England. His efforts made Scotland the most Calvinistic country in the world and the birthplace of modern Presbyterianism.
1560Geneva Bible was published by English Protestant exiles in Geneva. It had Reformed notes in it that were not acceptable to the English church and state.
1561Belgic Confession was written by Guido de Bres(Calvinistic, adopted by the Synod of Antwerp in 1566 and eagerly received by the Reformed churches in the Lowlands [Netherlands and Belgium]).
1562-63 German ministers (Zacharias Ursinus and KasparOlevianus) produced the Heidelberg Catechism at Heidelberg University which was approved by the Synod of Heidelberg in 1563. It was re-edited 3x from 1562-66 and finally revised again by the Synod of Dort (1618-19).
1564 John Calvin died In Geneva and was succeeded by Theodore Beza
1565 St. Augustine, Florida was first settled.
1568Second Helvetic Confession
1568Bishop’s Bible was published as a replacement for the Geneva Bible in England, but it was not formally accepted.
1603 Jacobus Arminius (1559-1609) enunciated“Arminianism” at the University of Leiden. His followers later wrote “The Remonstrance,” which systematized Arminian theology. Arminianism holds that 1) God extends his offer of salvation to all who will believe, 2) Jesus Christ died for all people, 3) the Holy Spirit enables people to achieve a right relationship with God, 4) people can resist God’s saving grace, and 5) Christians may lose their salvation.
1609 Jacob Arminius died leaving the Dutch Reformed Church in a bitter controversy over unconditional predestination. His followers, called Remonstrants, argued for man’s free will in the matter of eternal salvation and after his deathwrote “The Remonstrance,” which systematized Arminian theology. Arminianism holds that 1) God extends his offer of salvation to all who will believe, 2) Jesus Christ died for all people, 3) the Holy Spirit enables people to achieve a right relationship with God, 4) people can resist God’s saving grace, and 5) Christians may lose their salvation.
1611King James (Authorized) Bible was published as a replacement of the Geneva Bible and the Bishop’s Bible.
1618-19 Synod of Dort (Netherlands) decided against the Remonstrants, who didn’t participate in the synod, and declared Arminius’ followers to be unorthodox. Remonstrant leaders were removed from pulpits and exiled from the Netherlands.
1620 Mayflower Compact – Pilgrims, having left the Netherlands, land in Massachusetts (Plymouth) on the Mayflower.
1630 Puritans settle in Massachusetts.
1637 Anne Hutchinson was tried for heresy by Puritan inclined Massachusetts Gov. John Winthrop for the heresy regarding the covenant of God’s grace and in 1638 was expelled to Rhode Island and later went to the area of present day New York City where she and most of her family was killed by American Indians.
1646Westminster Confession of Faithwas completed after 3 years by 121 Puritan and Calvinistic delegates and became the most influential document of the Reformed faith. It is, for some today, considered to be as authoritative as the Bible itself.
This historical development gave an ongoing credence to the doctrines that were hammered out by scholarly debates and even martyrdom of some who participated. Of note, though, is that no major revival came about as a result. Given this psychological and historical crystallization of Calvinistic doctrine, one who is educated and who falls into its teaching finds it very difficult to escape.
II. Like Quicksand, Calvinism Is Difficult to Escape
A. Because Calvinism provides a comfortable identity
B. Because identity with Calvinism generates unrealized pride
C. Because Calvinism seems to be a reasonable and logical system of faith
D. Becausewe’re given the impression that the only other alternative is to follow Arminius (Calvin’s nemesis) or Pelagius (Augustine’s nemesis).
E. Because if you reject Calvinism you are considered ananti-intellectual and a heretic.
F. Because there is little published support for any other biblical alternative. Folks are simply not aware of the Free Grace movement.
III. Like Quicksand, Calvinism Must Be Washed Away Once Intellectually Rejected
A. The sense of contamination must be acknowledged– The inundation of Calvinism creates theological baggage (traditions) that must be jettisoned.
B. A process of cleansing must be deliberate– The recognition of each assumption must be squarely compared to what the words of the Scripture actually say.
C. Only after cleansing can there be an application of the fragrance of God’s free grace– Only then can there be a full appreciation for God, His love, His glorious attributes, His kindness and satisfaction toward all mankind, and the privilege of serving Him in His magnificent cause.
Galli and Olsen give a composite view of the Reformation Period:
1517 Martin Luther posts his Ninety-Five Theses
1518 Ulrich Zwingli comes to Zurich
1521 Diet of Worms
1524 The Peasants’ Revolt erupts
1525 William Tyndale’s New Testament published
1525 Anabaptist movement begins
1527Schleitheim Confession of Faith
1529 Colloquy of Marburg
1530 Augsburg Confession
1534 Act of Supremacy; Henry VIII heads English church
1536 John Calvin publishes first edition of Institutes
1536 Menno Simons baptized as Anabaptist
1540 Ignatius Loyola gains approval for Society of Jesus
1545 Council of Trent begins
1549Book of Common Prayer released
1549 Xavier begins mission to Japan
1555 Peace of Augsburg
1555 Latimer and Ridley burned at stake
1559 John Knox makes final return to Scotland
1563 First text of Thirty-Nine Articles issued
1563 John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs published
1565 Teresa of Avila writes The Way of Perfection
1572 St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre
1577 Formula of Concord
1582 Mateo Ricci and colleague begin mission in China
1589 Moscow becomes independent patriarchate
1598 Edict of Nantes (revoked 1685)
1609 John Smyth baptizes self and first Baptists
1611 King James Version of Bible published
1618 Synod of Dort begins
1618 Thirty Years’ War begins
1620 Mayflower Compact drafted
1633 Galileo forced to recant his theories
1636 Harvard College founded
1636 Roger Williams founds Providence, R.I.
1647 George Fox begins to preach
1646 Westminster Confession drafted
1648 Peace of Westphalia ends Thirty Years’ War[1]
Anthony B. Badger, Th.D.Page 1
[1] Mark Galli and Ted Olsen, “Introduction,” 131 Christians Everyone Should Know (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), xv.