TO M—-

M—-, here is what I’m sending about your question on Calvinism.
The problem as I see it is that Calvinism begins in the middle. An example would be Genesis 2: 4-6. This passage could be interpreted different ways, which is why the evolutionists like it. Genesis One is perfectly clear which is why the theistic evolutionists always want to interpret it in the light of Genesis 2: 4-6. The real problem that the Calvinist has is his determination to start in the middle, ignore the context and insist that he reads everything in the light of all of Scripture.
From the very beginning God talks to people assuming that they know what He is talking about. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the long suffering waited in the days of Noah” : I Peter 3: 20. Joshua is even more specific in Joshua 24: 15: “choose you this day whom ye will serve”. In Isaiah 1: 18 we see clearly that God assumes that these people have the ability to reason, using this very word.
Look at what God says of Himself:
A As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: Ezekiel 33: 11
B Eliphaz the Temanite said in Job 22: 3 “Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous?” But in Job 42: 7 we note that God was angry with Eliphaz because he had not spoken of God “the thing that was right”. I think Eliphaz was the original Calvinist.
C “if thine heart be wise, My heart shall rejoice”: Proverbs 23: 15
D Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world: John 1: 29
E God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son: John 3: 16
F Herein is love, not that we loved God , but that He loved us: I John 4:10
Now lets look at Romans 9. But first we must go back to Isaiah (as we want to get everything in the light of all of Scripture). In Isaiah 45: 4 God very specifically tells us that Israel is His elect. Se also Isaiah 41:8; 44:1; 49:3 and 65:9 and 22.
Now , as we go to Romans 9 (at least 1-29) we have to recognize that Paul is talking about Israel. It is clear that he has the Old Testament in mind.
In the first we see the special place that Israel has before God. They are the chosen ones, the Israelites who have received the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the service of God, the promises. Theirs are the fathers and of them Christ came.
Compare this with Ephesians 2:11 and 12. They are God’s elect people. We do not have a like claim on God. He chose the Gentiles as a special act of mercy. In Matthew 24: 22 Jesus is talking of the elect or Israel. And in Mark 13: 20 we see the same thing. Also in 1 Peter 1: 2 Peter is referring primarily to Israelites (but here as members of the church). See also 1: 18 and 2: 12.
Next, let’s take verses 6-9. I know that some people like to apply this to Christians but it’s referring to the children of Israel. They take this statement “they are not all Israel”,etc. That would be like the British royalty saying “The only good Englishman is one who faithfully serves the King”. The American may be as loyal to the crown as any Englishman but that will never make him into a Britisher. Verses 6-9 is only about Jews, whether good or bad.
In verses 10 –21 Paul is writing to Israelites about Israel and her foes. The election speaks of God simply choosing one over the other. The reference in verse 13 goes back to Malachi 1: 3 and has more to do with Edom as a people and their rejection of God. God hardened Pharoah’s heart so that he would not let the people go.
Neither had anything to do with salvation. We also read in Luke 14: 26 about hating father and mother. As in Romans 9: 13 it has to do with making a choice in favor of one.
In Romans 9: 22-29 Paul is writing to Jews about the Gentiles. “also of the Gentiles—which were not My people—called the children of the living God—“
Again, in verses 27-29 Paul makes it clear that not all Israelites will be saved.
Finally, 9: 30 to 10: 4 is the great message on faith versus works. Again we
see that God expects us to have the ability to respond by faith in the gospel. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 18 that a corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit.
If your pastor showed up in Geneva in Calvin’s day he would have been punished for believing the Bible instead of Calvin.
Remember, this doctrine had it’s birth with Augustine. It was unknown until then.
Hope this helps or call me
Dad