Critiquing Calvinism 2014
A look at the foundational doctrinal errors in the modern day non-biblical Cult of Calvinism
I’m going to keep this article short and to the point though the more that Calvinism is examined the more evident it becomes that Calvinism has serious and extensive doctrinal inconsistencies when compared to the Bible and Calvinism as an establishment has serious administrative flaws, defects and inefficiencies that also could be extensively written about though this article is going to be intentionally short and more doctrinally concise.
An aspect of this blog posting is to discuss the commonly known factor that Calvinism especially modern Calvinism teaches an unbiblical concept of faith, justification, sanctification, election and salvation and in doing so revealing that Calvinism particularly when involving the Calvinist doctrine of Election Calvinism is actually practicing a variant of the heretical doctrine of Modalism.
1. Biblical Holy Feasts
The doctrines of Calvinism in neglecting the events of the Christian Holy Week the doctrines of Calvinism do not have in them the foundation of being ‘Redeemed’ by the blood of the cross of Jesus Christ and ‘Saved’ into the one True Resurrection of Jesus Christ but instead by the doctrines of Calvinism a person is not necessarily ‘Redeemed’ or ‘Saved’ by the Holy Week Ministry of Jesus Christ but instead a person is merely nebulously ‘Chosen’ via some form of ‘Election’ that is built and affirmed upon the assumptions, presuppositions and confirmations of man not as a result of the confirming presence of the Holy Spirit. Calvinistic doctrine wrongfully negates the works and ministry of Jesus Christ during Holy Week and exchanges the sure Foundation of the Christian Faith derived from the Holy Week events of Jesus Christ for a man centered gospel message of ‘chosen’ and ‘elect’.
The Eight Old Testament Holy Feasts of Leviticus Chapter 23
Holy Convocations, A Statute Forever, All Generations
Spring Feasts (Justification/Salvation): Passover – Holy Week
Summer ‘Middle’ Feast (Sanctification): Pentecost – Acts 2
Fall Feasts (Redemption): Day of Atonement – 2nd Coming, Final Restoration
Schedule of the Lord’s 8 Holy Feasts
Spring Feasts: Holy Week is comprised of the four Salvation Feasts {Sabbath (Rest), The Lord’s Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits (Easter)}
Pentecost [Acts 2:1] is the Middle Feast: The Sanctification Feast
The Fall Feasts: The three Redemption Feasts are comprised of {Feast of Trumpets [possibly the future Rapture of the Christian Church] (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)}
The 3 Feast Groups of Israel
Three times in a year shall all [those who desire to] thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which He shall choose [i.e. Temple Mount]; in the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover – Holy Week), and in the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), and in the Feast of Tabernacles (Fall Feasts): and they shall not appear before the LORD empty [without an offering]: ~ Deuteronomy 16:16
2. Atonement
Jesus became a man “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14) primarily for the main reason of offering Atonement on our behalf to God the Father. Sinful man is unable to offer eternal atonement, man being unable to save ourselves from our own sin necessitate that God become a human High Priest and offer an eternal sacrifice (Himself), one that would provide Eternal Salvation to all mankind, for all those who would answer the calling of God and enter into an eternal relationship with God – through the provided and completed eternal Atonement of Jesus Christ. The eternal Atonement happened for mankind at one time, in one location, the cross of Jesus Christ.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. ~ Romans 5:11
Atonement is an offering, a High Priest offering, it is an offering from man (only the High Priest) on behalf of all men to God and then God either accepts the offering (atonement) or God rejects the offering (non-atonement) and the result is universal to all men either there is atonement or there isn’t, there is no partial-atonement.
If therefore perfection [completion] were by the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people received the [Levitical] law [at Mt. Sinai], what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec [Melchizedek – Genesis 14:18-22] , and not be called after the [Levitical] order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed [from Levitical to Melchizedek], there is made of necessity a change also of the law [Old Testament to New Testament]. For He (Jesus) of whom these [High Priest] things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe [Judah, not Levi], of which [Tribe of Judah – Tribe of the Kings] no man gave attendance at the [Levitical – Tribe of Levi – Tribe of the Priests] altar. For it is evident that our Lord [Jesus] sprang out of Juda [Tribe of Judah]; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec (Melchizedek) there ariseth another priest, [Eternal] Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an [Eternal] endless life. For He [Holy Spirit] testifieth, [Psalm 110:4] “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Melchizedek). For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment [Levitical Laws – O.T.] going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the (O.T.) law made nothing perfect [completed], but the bringing in of a better hope [Promises of God] did; ***by the which we draw nigh unto God. And inasmuch as not without an oath [with an oath, promise – Psalm 110:4] He (Jesus) was made Priest (Eternal – High Priest): For those [Levi] priests were made without an oath; but this (N.T.) with an oath by Him [Father] that said unto Him [Jesus], The Lord sware and will not repent, [Psalm 110:4] “Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec” (Melchizedek): By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better Testament (N.T.) And they truly were many [Levi] priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: ***But this man (Jesus, our High Priest), because He continueth ever [eternal], hath an unchangeable priesthood. ***Wherefore He (Jesus) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing **He ever [eternal] liveth to make intercession for them [sinners]. For such an High Priest [Jesus] became [i.e. fittingly for] us, who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made Higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those [Levi] high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He (Jesus) did once, when He offered up Himself (on the cross). For the [Levitical] law maketh men [Levi] High Priests which have infirmity; but the Word of the Oath [Promises of God], which was since the law [Psalm 110 via King David came years after the law via Moses and Mt. Sinai], maketh the Son, who is consecrated [lit. complete] for evermore. ~ Hebrews 7:11-28
Even in the Old Testament the atonement was not limited to just Israel as in practice it was a universal atonement from the one High Priest of Israel on behalf of all mankind.
Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of Thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for Thy Great Name’s sake, and Thy mighty hand, and Thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this House [Temple, greater Temple area]; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for; that all people of the earth may know Thy Name, and fear thee, as doth Thy people Israel, and may know that this House [Temple] which I [King Solomon] have built is called by Thy Name. ~ 1 Kings 8:41-43
The Levitical Atonement was both a yearly reminder of sin and also an instructional for better things to come [permanent sacrifice] through the Messiah but the O.T. atonement did not ‘save’ Israel or anyone from their sins as the [atonement] blood of bulls and goats did not save anyone, Jew or Gentile.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats [Old Testament Levitical atonement] should take away sins. Wherefore when He (Jesus-Messiah) cometh into the world, He saith, [Levitical] Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not [didn’t want], but a body [sacrifice – offering] hast thou prepared [made] Me: ~ Hebrews 10:4-5
The Old Testament atonement was in a sense universal in that there was the one Jewish High Priest offering to God on behalf of mankind and yes there were probably problems (i.e. John 2:16) with the administration of the O.T. atonement. Since the O.T. atonement was universal in form (not necessarily in function) how much more is the one offering of the Messiah, Jesus Christ universal to all. But unlike the previous O.T. Levitical administration the administration of the Melchizedek Priesthood is complete, trustworthy and without any errors.
But [Jesus] Christ being come an [human] High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the Holy Place [Heaven], having obtained **eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth [Levitical redemption] to the purifying of the flesh: **How much more shall the [N.T. Salvation] blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit offered Himself [as a human for Atonement] without spot to God [Father], purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He (Jesus) is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death [payment for sin (Romans 6:23)], for the redemption of the transgressions (sins) that were [kept, covered] under the first testament (O.T.), they which are called [all dispensations] might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ~ Hebrews 9:11-15
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. ~ Romans 5:11
3. Justification
The false doctrine of Justification through Sanctification i.e. the Progressive Justification of Augustinian and Calvinism doctrines by wrongly claiming that both the Christian Church (Justification – Salvation) and individual Sanctification (individual Christian growth) both began only at Pentecost and that now both continue simultaneously based on our own individual actions and deeds are either knowingly or unknowingly perpetuating perhaps the biggest error in modern Christianity when in fact the work of Christian Church (Justification for our Salvation) was completed on Resurrection Sunday at the completion of Jesus’ Holy Week Ministry almost two months before the individual Sanctification empowerment (Acts 1:8, Romans 15:16) work of Pentecost even began.
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ Sermon on our Justification (Righteousness) by Faith in Jesus and not by any works of man. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is making it clear that any notion of a previous Law Righteousness (Matthew 5:20) or of a Works Righteousness (Matthew 5:27-30) is completely inadequate and unacceptable in the Kingdom of God. To the point that Jesus says that if even though you have your works and you sin then cut off your arm (Matthew 5:30), illustrating the point that if a person were to cut off one arm or pluck out one eye in an attempt at sinless self-works righteousness it wouldn’t work because we would still have another arm and another eye to sin with and even if we lost both arms and both eyes we still have our mouth to sin with so the answer to our Righteousness is not in our works nor in the Law but ONLY by our faith in Jesus Christ.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine (Jesus), and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house Upon a Rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded Upon a Rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at **His Doctrine: For He taught them as One having Authority, and not as the scribes. ~ Matthew 7:24-29
4. Sanctification
Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify [set apart from the world that is perishing] the people with His own blood, [He] suffered without [outside] the [city] gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without [outside] the camp [of secular and pseudo religious society i.e. Calvinism], bearing His reproach. For here [earthly] have we no continuing city, but we seek [the Heavenly] one to come. By Him [Jesus’ Melchizedek Priesthood] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such [individual Priestly] sacrifices God is well pleased. ~ Hebrews 13:12-16
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but all of you are washed, but all of you are sanctified, but all of you are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:10-11
5. Election – (Calvinist Modalism)
The work of Salvation is the TriUne work of God [Father, Son Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit] something that John Calvin’s original version of Calvinism did acknowledge but the more modern variations of Calvinism have been systematically stepping back from this important Christian doctrine and in doing so have entered into a type of Modalism in that modern Calvinism is more likely to neglect the synergistic work of the TriUne God and instead present a singular, non- synergistic Modalism view of salvation.
And I (Jesus Christ), if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. ~ John 12:32
Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to Me, except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ~ John 6:43-44
But all of you (Christians) are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood, an Holy Nation, an exclusive people; that all of you should show forth the praises of Him [God] who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; Which in time past (Gentiles) were not a [godly] people, but are now (Christians) the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now [New Covenant] have obtained mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:9-10
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the [Holy] Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. ~ 1 Peter 1:1-2
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifies. Who is he that condemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that has risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ~ Romans 8:33-34
But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the [Holy] Spirit and belief of the Truth: Unto which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [i.e. baptism, communion, prayer, service, etc.] which all of you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which has loved us, and has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called [Holy Spirit Election – individual office calling]: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. ~ Jude v. 1-2
* I just wanted to give a heads-up alert that I was going to post this article in that I think it’s good to give people some time to work through some frustrations on both sides even before I post. I’m still a day or two away from posting but I think it is really important that Calvinism be examined! There shouldn’t be any free passes especially for something that is as out of control, unstable (human centric) and intentionally unaccountable as the modern Calvinist movement.
** Also, comments are off and will remain off. There is some glitch that is still providing the comments option at least temporarily but comments are off and not being received on my side.
David Anson Brown
