Page 224 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

ELECT

Who Was Augustine? He was so polluted with heresy 9. Calvinism cannot explain the Apostle Paul.
that the Roman Catholic Church has claimed him as one Paul attempted to win the more. “For though I be
of its “doctors.” free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
Augustine was a persecutor and the father of the all, that I might gain the more” (1 Co. 9:19). How can I
doctrine of persecution in the Catholic Church. The win more if the number of the elect has been settled
historian Neander observed that Augustine’s teaching from eternity?
“contains the germ of the whole system of spiritual Paul’s goal was to “save some.” “To the weak became
despotism, intolerance, and persecution, even to the I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all
court of the Inquisition.” He instigated bitter things to all men, that I might by all means save some:
persecutions against the Bible-believing Donatists who (1 Co. 9:22). Isn’t the election of the saved already
were striving to maintain pure churches after the assured without Paul’s help? How could anything he did
apostolic faith. in his life and ministry have any affect upon the elect?
Augustine was the father of a-millennialism, Paul sacrificed so that men would be saved. “Even as
interpreting Bible prophecy allegorically; teaching that I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own
the Catholic Church is the kingdom of God. profit, but the profit of many, that they may be
Augustine taught that Mary did not commit sin. saved” (1 Co. 10:33). If election is sovereignly
Augustine believed in purgatory. predetermined and irresistible, Paul’s statement makes
Augustine was one of the fathers of the heresy of no sense.
infant baptism, claiming that unbaptized infants were Paul persuaded men. “Knowing therefore the terror
lost, and calling all who rejected infant baptism of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made
“infidels” and “cursed.” manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest
Augustine exalted church tradition above the Bible in your consciences” (2 Co. 5:11). If Paul were a
and said, “I should not believe the gospel unless I were Calvinist, he would know that the elect don’t need
moved to do so by the authority of the Catholic persuading and the non-elect can’t be persuaded!
Church.” Paul was willing to go to hell for the unsaved Jews.
8. Calvinism cannot explain Christ’s warnings and his “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ
judgments. for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the
Repeatedly, Christ warned sinners that except they flesh” (Ro. 9:3). How could a mere man care more
about the destiny of the unsaved than God? We are
repent and believe on Him they would perish (e.g., Lk. convinced that the cry of Paul’s heart here is merely a
13:3, 5; Jn. 8:24). Christ also issued judgments upon mirror of the cry of God’s own heart for all lost sinners.
sinners because they did not believe.
Luke 10:12-16 -- “But I say unto you, that it shall be 10. Calvinism cannot explain the book of Hebrews.
more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. The book of Hebrews refutes the Calvinist or TULIP
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for doctrines of unconditional and “sovereign” election and
if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, irresistible grace, that God sovereignly and arbitrarily
which have been done in you, they had a great while chooses who will be saved and irresistibly and
ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall absolutely draws them so that on one hand it is
be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, impossible for the non-elect to be saved and on the
than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted other hand it is impossible for the elect not to be saved.
to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He that heareth If this were true, the Holy Spirit would not give such
you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth dire warnings and exhortations to professing believers
me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent about the possibility of apostasy, because if they are
me.” elected they could not possibly perish and if they are not
In light of Calvinism’s definition of sovereign election elected, nothing they could do would change their
status. Consider, for example, the following passages:
and the irresistible drawing and regeneration of the
elect, Christ’s warnings and judgments make no sense. Consider Hebrews 2:3: “How shall we escape, if we
Why would He warn sinners to repent and believe or neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be
perish and pronounce severe judgment upon sinners for spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them
not believing if He knows that only those who are that heard him.”
sovereignly elected can do such a thing? This exhortation makes no sense in light of Calvinist
Calvinists have made pathetic attempts to answer doctrines. If election is as the Calvinist teaches, how
this, but in my estimation the fact of Christ’s warnings could the elect neglect salvation and how could the non-
simply and plainly refutes their doctrine. elect do anything other than neglect salvation?

224 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity