Of all the fortresses in the 5-point Calvinist system, none seems more imposing than Romans 9. For many of us who have walked this path, it was the chapter that sealed the deal, the exegetical high ground from which all other texts were viewed. I remember reading R.C. Sproul’s classic, Chosen by God, and feeling…
The Calvinist Claim: Salvation Is All God’s Work Calvinism teaches a doctrine called monergism, which asserts that salvation is entirely the work of God, with zero human contribution. One prominent Calvinist thinker, R.C. Sproul, sums it up clearly: “Man lacks moral ability to desire God without divine intervention” (The Holiness of God, p. 61). In…
The Calvinist Position: Unconditional Election In Chosen by God, R.C. Sproul tackles the idea of predestination head-on, especially in his discussion of Romans 8:29. He firmly rejects the notion that God’s election—choosing who gets saved—is based on foreseen faith. On pages 127–130, Sproul argues that God’s choice is “unconditional,” rooted solely in His sovereign will,…
The Calvinist Position: Regeneration Precedes Faith In his book Chosen by God, R.C. Sproul lays out a cornerstone of Calvinist theology: regeneration must come before faith. On page 72, he writes, “Regeneration liberates us from original sin,” arguing that God’s act of making a person spiritually alive is what enables them to believe. Sproul insists…
Introduction: The Theological Dilemma Calvinism asserts God’s absolute sovereignty, including His decree of all events (Ephesians 1:11). Critics argue this makes God the author of sin—a claim Calvinists vehemently deny. Yet, if God ordains evil acts (like Judas’ betrayal), how is He not culpable? James 1:13 states, “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He…
Introduction: The Calvinist Claim Calvinists argue that Ezekiel 36:26 (“I will give you a new heart… I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”) teaches monergistic regeneration—that God alone replaces the human heart without any cooperation from the sinner. James White (The Potter’s Freedom) asserts: “Just as a corpse cannot resist resurrection,…
Calvinist Interpretation: Irresistible Grace James White, in The Potter’s Freedom, argues that John 6:44 (“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them”) teaches monergistic regeneration: God’s grace irresistibly compels the elect to faith. White insists this “drawing” (Gk. helkō) is a divine act of resurrection power that overcomes human inability (pp. 283–285). For Calvinists,…
Introduction: The Calvinist-Arminian Spectrum Theological debates often frame Calvinism and Arminianism as opposing systems. Norman Geisler’s Chosen But Free proposes a “moderate Calvinism” as a middle ground, claiming to balance divine sovereignty and human free will. However, this article argues that Geisler’s “moderate Calvinism” is functionally Arminian, exposing inconsistencies in blending free will with divine determinism. The…
Introduction: Understanding the Debate Romans 9 is one of the most controversial passages in the Bible, often cited by Calvinists to defend their doctrines of predestination and election. In The Potter’s Freedom, James White argues that Romans 9 teaches God’s sovereign and unconditional election of individuals to salvation or judgment. Specifically, White frames the passage as evidence…
Introduction: The Calvinist Claim Calvinism’s Perseverance of the Saints (also known as “Eternal Security”) asserts that true believers will persevere in faith until the end, as their salvation is guaranteed by God’s sovereign grace. James White, in The Potter’s Freedom, defends this doctrine as an expression of God’s sovereignty, ensuring that no true believer will ever fall away….