Pet Sayings Exposed and Exploded Number 4 "I'm Neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian"
By David Heesen
A preacher—a Christian, for that matter—has a two-edged sword to wield in preaching the Gospel. One side is human responsibility; the other side is God’s sovereignty. Arminianism emphasizes the former; Calvinism emphasizes the latter. (My own opinion is that the warm Calvinism of the Puritans and their followers provides a proper balance in itself, but we’ll be patient with the Arminians and grant that they have an element of truth.)
Many preachers boast, “I’m neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian.” Or, if they don’t state it they feel it strongly.
At worst it means that they have no two-edged sword at their disposal. Their sword has no edges at all to it.
Either edge is meaningless without the other edge. We have no business proclaiming man’s responsibility unless we proclaim God’s sovereignty. And we have no business proclaiming God’s sovereignty unless we proclaim man’s responsibility.
The Gospel is offensive. If the “gospel” you preach offends no one, then it is not the whole Gospel.
Here’s a paraphrase from John Reisinger: “If we’re not accused one week of being an Arminian and another week of being a Calvinist, can we really claim to be teaching the whole counsel of God?”)
Today’s well-meaning preacher or Christian thinks he’s above the fray. If you’re not in the fray, then you’re missing out. You have no need for the armor that God has given you.
This sentiment usually stems from a misunderstanding of Calvinism. Calvinism is the Bible, the whole Bible. To demonstrate, here is a screen capture of an online video:
Many preachers boast, “I’m neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian.” Or, if they don’t state it they feel it strongly.
At worst it means that they have no two-edged sword at their disposal. Their sword has no edges at all to it.
Either edge is meaningless without the other edge. We have no business proclaiming man’s responsibility unless we proclaim God’s sovereignty. And we have no business proclaiming God’s sovereignty unless we proclaim man’s responsibility.
The Gospel is offensive. If the “gospel” you preach offends no one, then it is not the whole Gospel.
Here’s a paraphrase from John Reisinger: “If we’re not accused one week of being an Arminian and another week of being a Calvinist, can we really claim to be teaching the whole counsel of God?”)
Today’s well-meaning preacher or Christian thinks he’s above the fray. If you’re not in the fray, then you’re missing out. You have no need for the armor that God has given you.
This sentiment usually stems from a misunderstanding of Calvinism. Calvinism is the Bible, the whole Bible. To demonstrate, here is a screen capture of an online video:
Notice the caption at the top of the screen: “Calvinism vs. Arminianism, which view is correct? Neither!”
And then the main screen says, “Furthermore, God never forces anyone to be saved.” This is what a lot of people think Calvinists teach. Then it says, “Not one instance in the Word of God is found where God forced anyone to get saved.” What about Zaccheus? the apostle Paul? “But that wasn’t against their will,” I hear someone say. Exactly, but He got the job done.
By saying “I’m neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian,” one is limiting himself. He can never proclaim God’s sovereignty; he can never cry, “Whosoever will.”
A Calvinist can proclaim both sides unabashedly. We should “go where the Bible takes us” even if causes controversy or discomfort. Of course that is open to a lot of interpretation. Just where does the Bible take us? A lot further than many pretend it does.
And then the main screen says, “Furthermore, God never forces anyone to be saved.” This is what a lot of people think Calvinists teach. Then it says, “Not one instance in the Word of God is found where God forced anyone to get saved.” What about Zaccheus? the apostle Paul? “But that wasn’t against their will,” I hear someone say. Exactly, but He got the job done.
By saying “I’m neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian,” one is limiting himself. He can never proclaim God’s sovereignty; he can never cry, “Whosoever will.”
A Calvinist can proclaim both sides unabashedly. We should “go where the Bible takes us” even if causes controversy or discomfort. Of course that is open to a lot of interpretation. Just where does the Bible take us? A lot further than many pretend it does.
