Calvinistic Articles on the Christian Faith

A 21st Century Plague

What is the heresy plaguing the modern church of the 21st century? 

And where did it come from?

“A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself,” (Titus 3:10-11).

The system of doctrine known as Arminianism is heresy. It is an offshoot from Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism. It has been adversely affecting the church and its doctrine for over 250 years. Men like Charles Finney and John Wesley, being the charismatic personalities they were, propagated the doctrine and resurrected the Pelagian error from the pit of hell once again to persecute the church of Christ. Today’s Arminians are not necessarily the same caliber as those of old. Historic Arminianism is altogether heretical. However, contemporary Arminianism is often confusing; it melds together a number of different theological ideas to come up with a theological “soup”. Some things contemporary Arminians believe are radically different than historic Arminians. If we were to live in the days of old, when the caliber of theology for Arminianism reached its zenith in its contentions with the Reformed churches of the Netherlands, we would find men very much deceived and propagating doctrines of a different nature than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, each case for an “Arminian” church must be taken on its own accord since much of 21st Century Christendom really has no idea what they theologically believe. It should never be the self-imposed duty to condemn all men who hold a title of “Arminianism” since many do not know what the title means, much less believe all the historic aspects of the theological system. Walk into any church and ask the difference between Arminianism and Calvinism, and you will find a variety of answers; and most of them will be erroneous on every point. Yet, there are some today who do hold to historic Arminianism, and who do believe the depths of Arminian theology historically speaking. There are even a variety of Arminian websites which propagate the doctrines. But for the most part, each “Arminian” must be dealt with individually in order to assess their understanding, or flavor, of theological soup. It may very well be that they are believing a damning heresy. It may very well be that they are simply confused and need help to understand the doctrines of God’s grace, or their depravity. But in any case, the Calvinist ought always to be fair, gentle and loving in his approach to preaching the grace of God in Jesus Christ.

Charles Spurgeon was correct when he said,

“I have heard it asserted most positively, that those high doctrines which we love and which we find in the Scriptures, are licentious ones. I do not know who has the hardihood to make that assertion, when they consider that the holiest of men have been believers in them. I ask the man who dares to say that Calvinism is a licentious religion, what he thinks of the character of Augustine, or Calvin, or Whitfield, who in successive ages were the great exponents of the system of grace; or what will he say of those Puritans, whose works are full of them? Had a man been an Arminian in those days, he would have been accounted the vilest heretic breathing; but now we are looked upon as the heretics, and they the orthodox.”

Why is this still so? Why are the Calvinists looked upon at the “cultists” and the Arminians as those who are orthodox? Men no longer know how to think, nor desire to do so. They simply do as Eve did in the garden, they accept the lie and the consequence of erroneous ideas then plague the church until they have run their due course.

It is in the course of these errors which the church has taken up their pens and fought vehemently against them – even in the Middle Ages by able men, though such a time was even known as the Dark Ages. But even in our own day men take up the pen hesitantly in fear of other men and the consequence of a biblical stand for the truth. John Owen pleaded with men in his excellent work, “The Death of Death in the Death of Christ,” to take up the pen and write against the errors of Arminius, Pelagius and the like. But men are slow to do so. We need more men to stand for the truth and not shy away from it when the cooker becomes hot with the flames of adversity.

Those who hold to and preach the deviant theological systems known as Arminianism and Pelagianism will not help people find Christ. They deter people from the Christ of the Bible because those who follow such doctrines do become, as Christ said, “twice the sons of hell” as those that propagate the doctrines. Sincerity does not necessarily breed truth. Sincere, theologically astute Arminians are more destructive to the church than sincere Buddhists will ever be. It is because the system of doctrine known as Arminianism clothes itself so well that people actually believe the crafty fox is really a live sheep. Satan has so sown the seeds of confusion among such men and such churches that this clever lie continues to breed and grow through the world.

Now some will say, “You have not told us what Arminianism is. How do we know it is bad theology if you do not have anything here comparing the system to the Bible?” Well, the articles in this section of the site are filled with information about Arminianism and the ideas that it houses. In those articles there are a wealth of information about what it teaches. But that may take lots of study time that you, the reader, may not have today. So, to gain a clear understanding of where Arminianism came from and what heresies it teaches, read this article that I wrote on its history and theology: The Pelagian Captivity of the Church, by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon. It is in the Historical Theology section of this website. It not only covers the history of Semi-Pelagianism / Arminianism as it is called, but also its roots in the original Pelagian heresy. That will give the reader a clear understanding of what Semi-Pelagians believe, and what contemporary Semi-Pelagians / Arminians have said in sermons, on the TV, and in books.

It is not that this part of the web site offers every answer. As I am able, I hope to write more articles, as well as post other like-minded articles and papers which may help the Christian traveler who is searching for the biblical Christ find Him clearly in the bible and its responsible exposition. Consider these books on the subject.

Some who hold a banner for Arminianism may be readily offended at this website and especially at this section of the site. I am truly saddened that some would feel this way, but not surprised. I do not think this part of the site contradicts 2 Tim. 2:24-26, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” I believe loving men begins with telling them the truth in love. Jesus did this with the Rich Young Ruler. He loved him in that he preached the truth to him. But alas, the Rich Young Ruler went away sad.

I hope, in this section of the site, to help others become strengthened in their faith, and turn the wayward back to Christ, peradventure, God would grant them repentance. Those that have ears to hear, I pray they will hear. Christ promised they would. So as you read, listen to the voice of Christ, for, “My sheep hear my voice.”

Consider God’s Providence first. THis biblical teaching from Ruth 2:2-3 will help see how God orders all things.

• “Kosmos” in John 3:16 – by AW Pink
• A Brief and Untechnical Statement of the Reformed Faith by B.B. Warfield
• A Brief Treatise On Predestination – by Anthonie Gylbie
• A Defense of Calvinism – by Charles Spurgeon
• A Sermon on Predestination – by Henry Bullinger
• A Treatise on Christian Faith by Herman Witsius
• An Antidote Against Arminianism by Rev. Christopher Ness (1621-1705)
• An Exegetical Look at John 3:16 – by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
• An Open Letter to Calvary Chapel of Ft. Lauderdale – by Mr. John Nolan
• Arminianism – by Augustus Toplady
• Arminianism is The Road to Rome – by Augustus Toplady
• Calvinism in History – by Mr. Loraine Boettner
• Calvinism in the Early Church (The Doctrines of Grace taught by the Early Church Fathers)
• Christ’s Last Design on His people by Robert Traill (1642-1716)
• Covenant, Universal Call And Definite Atonement – by Dr. Roger Nicole
• Dealing with Universalism and Limited Atonement – by Samuel Rutherford
• Decrees and Human Exertion – by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
• Depravity, Augustine and Pelagius – by Dr. RC Sproul
• Erskine’s Poems – by Rev. Ralph Erskine (1685-1752)
• Exegesis of 2 Peter 2:1 – To Buy or Not to Buy – Dr. Matthew McMahon
• Introduction to the Death of Death – JI Packer
• James Arminius (1560-1609)
• John Calvin’s view of Limited Atonement – by Dr. Roger Nicole
• John Knox on Predestination – by Rev. Brian L. Dole
• Predestination and Romans 9 – by Dr. William Twisse
• Providence by William S. Plumer (1802-1880)
• Reprobation – by AW Pink
• The “christ” of Arminianism – by Rev. Steven Houck
• The Case for Definite Atonement – by Dr. Roger Nicole
• The Chief Points of Religion – by Dr. Theodore Beza
• The Crook in the Lot by Thomas Boston
• The Myth of Free Will – by Walter Chantry
• The Predestination of the Saints – by Augustine
• The “god” of Arminianism is Not Worshippable – by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
• Two Thoughts from Augustus Toplady
• What does the Bible mean by “All Men”? – by John Calvin
• What is the Gospel? – by Zacharias Ursinus (1534-1583)