Question: Haven't you focused too much on Calvinism?

Question (composite of several): A number of us think you have given more than enough attention to the subject of Calvinism. This should not be the focal point of your ministry! It is time to move on to more edifying subjects; you are only adding fuel to the fires of division. You admit there are good Christians on both sides—so let it go at that.

Answer: I appreciate (and share) your concern lest too much attention be given to debating Calvinism. But I am confronted by a dilemma. Almost everywhere I look in God’s Word one’s understanding of the passage depends entirely upon whether one is a Calvinist or not. That’s a fact I can’t escape no matter how much I’d prefer to ignore it!

For biblical understanding, one must either accept or reject Calvinism. Much of Scripture involves God’s pleadings with Israel to repent. I must either believe that He sincerely desires to bless them (in which case Calvinism is false)—or that He is mocking those whom He has predestined to eternal torment and from whom He withholds the very grace they need to repent. How can I study the Passover and deliverance from Egypt, the Levitical sacrifices, the passage through the Red Sea, water out of the Rock, daily manna etc., without recognizing that these provisions that picture Christ’s sacrifice were for all of Israel, not for an elect among them—and thus that Calvinism can’t be true? How can I read of the serpent lifted up in the wilderness for the healing of all who believed (not for an elect within Israel who had been predestined to believe) without recognizing that here also Calvinism opposes the plain teaching of Scripture?

And how can I overlook the fact that Christ used this incident to explain His sacrifice on the Cross, which therefore likewise must have been for all, not for an elect predestined to believe from eternity past? Moreover, how can I overlook the additional fact that in none of the Old Testament types of Christ and His Sacrifice for our sins was anyone first regenerated before they believed, as Calvinism claims must be the case.

I’m not trying to argue, only to share my dilemma. I can’t ignore God’s Word! Christ’s exhortation to pray, “Thy will be done...” is cruel and misleading if Calvinism is true and thus rape, murder, war, lust, etc. are all exactly what God wants according to His sovereign will—and is a genuine and earnest appeal only if Calvinism is false and men by their own free will continually go against God’s will. What do “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua:24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
See All...), “if ye be willing and obedient” (Isaiah:1:19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
See All...), and a host of other similar scriptures mean? They are misleading if Calvinism is true, and honest appeals only if Calvinism is false. Is “whosoever will may come” a genuine invitation to all, or misleading because only the predestined elect can come? Paul earnestly tried to persuade all the lost he encountered to repent and believe. Was he wasting his time because Christ hadn’t died for most of them and they had already been damned before they were born—or does salvation depend upon one’s willingness to believe? The meaning of almost every page of Scripture hinges upon whether Calvinism is true or false. This is a fact which I cannot escape!

I agree, we don’t want Calvinism to be “the focal point of our ministry.” I don’t think it ever has been. At the same time, however, we can’t ignore the fact that the Bible repeatedly deals with these issues. In any study of the biblical teaching of redemption, the love of God and manifesting that love in our lives, we must either decide for Calvinism or against it. Surely, since I am to be merciful as my Heavenly “Father also is merciful” (Luke:6:36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
See All...), it matters whether God is merciful to all or just to an elect.

I’m not trying to persuade you, but isn’t it important whether God loves all and wants all to be saved, or damns multitudes he could save? How can I preach the gospel without deciding whether it is a genuine offer of salvation for all, or only for the elect?

Some of my best friends are Calvinists. We don’t argue, much less break fellowship over our disagreement. But are not these issues of vital importance? How can I ignore them? I don’t want to perpetuate a quarrel, but I must deal honestly with God’s Word. I hope this helps you to understand my sincere dilemma and why I can’t just drop these issues.