At a summer bible conference in the beautiful Norway many years ago an American missionary from New Tribes Mission was the main speaker and brought home to us the cause of missions, by opening the Bible with us to teach us what the word had to say on the subject.  He was simple, practical, down-to-earth, and in between he also had a refreshing sense of humor – a feature, by the way, about our American friends which I personally like.

Afterwards we were a small group who had a talk with that missionary about the next steps to be taken.  A young man from this group said to the missionary:  “I liked your emphasis on obedience and the fear of God, but you know, I´m a five points Calvinist….”  I don´t remember what else the young man said, but he probably explained what that implied.  But  “Calvinism” and “Armenianism” are – thank God! –  unknown concepts over here.

I often thought of that young man and his remark.  Why did he say that?  Did he feel that his theological position was essential?  Evidently he did.

I know very well the “proof verses” of calvinism.  There are truths in it,  but mixed with heresy.  I can´t swallow their “limited atonement” idea and that the individual´s salvation is based on God´s election.  Election is in the Bible, but not in the sense the Calvinists twist it.  But doesn´t Paul speak about the believers whom God chose to be saved?  Yes, but please read what else he says:  “….through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.”  2 Thess. 2:13.  Does God choose some to believe?  The Bible doesn´t say so.  To believe is a gospel command and is synonymous with obeying which is a voluntary thing.  When that happens to the glory of God and to the eternal good of the believer, you can speak of being elected in Christ and chosen to salvation – but not till then.

I was once very close to becoming a Calvinist myself, but by the grace of God I found a different healthy teaching in the word of God.  But weren´t men like Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield and many others Calvinists?  Yes, but in a wholesome way.  God used these men mightily despite their Calvinism,  not because of it.  He likewise used John Wesley (an “Armenian”), not because of his teology, but despite it.  He is still that kind of a God.

-jn-

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