Chuck Smith errors on Calvinism noted: A plea to all who are in Calvary chapel churches. (part 1)

Introduction

In 2008 Chuck Smith, on his radio Show,  "the pastors perspective" the founding Pastor of the Calvary Chapel multiplex web of churches, gave a series of radio discussions on the doctrines of grace, sometimes known by the nickname Calvinism. In which he showed his absolute venom toward these biblical truths. Here it is my desire to respond to one such occasion to clear the air of these false assumptions and fallacious reasons.

While, of course, it is hard now to address this false teacher directly in light of the fact that he has passed away. It, nevertheless, is vital to do this in the hope that it may reach many whom were trapped in his system of lies.

Pastor Chuck Smiths response to a caller question on romans 8:

Well, of course, "for whom he did foreknow he did predestine to be conformed to the image of his son, -- that what -- he predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, (exactly) and they (calvinists) are changing that to be saved or lost (thats not what it says).  its says "for whom he did foreknow he did predestine to be conformed to the image of his son-- that what Gods purpose and plan for you -- that were conformrmed to the image of his son and that he might be the firstborn amongst many brothers and so -"who he predestined he called and who he called he justified and who he justified he glorified

You know I would not recommend that you argue with such a person (Calvinist). I would sort of encourage you to back off a little bit because these guys are like cultists; they get hand full of verses an argue around them and it can be very discouraging to say the least but one of the points of Calvinism,  the 3rd point is 'limited atonement' and this..  all of them are problematic, but this one is very problematic and it contradicts clear statements in the scriptures.

One scripture I would like to throw out is 2nd peter 2 where Peter refers to "false teachers" "false prophets," they bring in destructive heresies, and then he says this,  "and they even deny the lord that bought them."  Now that would seem to say Jesus purchased them with his blood. It is clear they are perishing. So the idea that a limited atonement, it is an atonement only for the elect and the none elect were not atoned for. It contradicts this statement her. Now when I've said it to Calvinists; they tend to say 'That a hard verse, we don't really know what it means, lets not talk about." Of course, its a hard verse cause it contradicts all their theories. But I like to stick with the bible and not the theories of these guys.  

If you need another verse, Kelly. 1 Timothy 2:4 is one I like, speaking of Jesus "Who desires all to be saved and come to a Knowledge of truth." Well, if the Lord wants every one saved, then how comes all aren't saved?  Somethings keeping them from being saved       and it ain't the Lord's will - so some body else has to get in the way. "God is not willing that any should perish but all should came to repentance." If God is sovereign, you know! His will is going to be done, then why did Jesus have to die?  Exactly! His not willing any perish but apparently there are people perishing, so. 

And you know the Calvinist position man does not have a will, there is one will and that is Gods, there is no free will --- how does that sit with the words of the lord Jesus in 5 :40 "you are not willing to come to me" Jesus seems to indicate did have a will but they not exercising it properly -- and they were not going to be saved.  

And again we have to mention one more, Matthew 23 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem how I would have gathered you as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing. But you would not." Yea! you would not. Not you could not; they could not believe. It assumes they had a choice! So if Jesus thought they had a choice, we'll stick with Jesus. We believe they a real legitimate choice.

John 7:17 If any one wills to do his will, he will know whether the teaching is from God." Jesus said it right there. You know I have often said about Calvinism, Guys. Calvinism is Christianity with out Jesus because they leave Jesus out of the equation. They just take certain statements of Paul, of course, and read their own theology into it. 

There you have it the words of this Man that we must deal with in this examination.

Introductory notes

The first statement I want to address is the following one:

Well, of course, "for whom he did foreknow he did predestine to be conformed to the image of his son, -- that what -- he predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, (exactly) and they (calvinists) are changing that to be saved or lost (thats not what it says).  its says "for whom he did foreknow he did predestine to be conformed to the image of his son-- that what Gods purpose and plan for you -- that were conformed to the image of his son and that he might be the firstborn amongst many brothers and so -"who he predestined he called and who he called he justified and who he justified he glorified

Here of course, we are given chuck's deepest insight on the passage; and even through, his absolute hate of Calvinism- he still does not refute or even make a case for his position. He instead makes some assertions. A number of points to be seen:

First of all, where is the context, and where is the exegesis of the this momentous passage which does actually prove the reformed calvinist position; all i am witnessing is a mass assumed postion with no evidence to actually substantiate this claim at all

Second, now lets deal with the passage with at least some honesty and respect for the truth in this matter

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us-- romans 8 :28 -34

In this context,  we note that there is an audience which this is written for .. immediately the Romans, but also note it is all the saints of christ-- we gather this from two points.  (a) from romans 8 :12-13 where it states, "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." And (b) from this second indication in this very passage in verse 27, "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God"

So this initial look into this chapter reveals that Paul is addressing the believers not the non believers, unless they are transformed by the work of the spirit .. verse 12 -17 of this chapter; even more so is that in chapter 12:1-3 we have another point which can be used to bring this point out:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned"

Since this scripture is telling a group of people to not be conformed to the worlds ways of living and thinking but to that of God through a transformation of the heart that means that it could not be everyone, but only believers since this happens due to the work of the Spirit in a believer.

A more in depth look at Romans 8

Now we shall consider the passage in Romans 8 a little more closely:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers-- Romans. 8 28 -29

Here is where we start with our examination, It begins with these three words "And we know"  this is a very important statement to get the meaning of. Paul is not in the context identifying a non personal group that just any one can join. It is wise for us to note the personal connotation here for it will give us the correct balance in assessing the passage.
All the way through the chapter it has been the same point, the believers in Christ "His elect" are being dealt with from the start to the finish. The question that needs to bask is: What makes a believe who he is? The answer is simple, and it is given to us in the passage at the beginning and even here it is solely by the grace of God for his own good purpose. Next, how does these above verses fit in? Well it is in the terminology given.

He says "for those who are called according to his purpose."  Again, this is very personal in its application. Who are the called?  Those God has delighted in giving to his son from all eternity; it is of course, all because of God that any believer is chosen in the first place, and they are not based on some thing in them nor based on a foreseen (passive act by God) of the person such as faith as it does not answer anything.
And now while it is true that his "purpose" or plan is to "to be conformed to the image of his Son," that of course,  is the end result of glorification. But it does not start with this, but ends there. This conformity is not not a bleak thing it is a very act in which all these other acts lead too. In other words, you cannot separate this from the other act with out doing severe damage to the final point. So now what of the these terms!

He states " For those whom he foreknew he also predestined"  and of course, I do recognise the end result of "being conformed" is what is predestined. But again, it misses a vital ingredient if we just see it as a plan in the way Chuck did. It misses the personal nature of this act, in as much as the points of conformity.  In this we are given two of these points:

(1) "Foreknew"  this is something God does, and as it is something he actively does. Therefore, there is a central focal point to which he does it to and that is a people of whom he knows individually and intimately. In other words, God has an active relationship with those to whom he has set his grace upon.  
(2) "Predestination"  Because God has this amazing gracious love for a people, he has chosen them in Christ to be the ones that will bring him the ultimate glory. And before the foundation of the world, before they could do anything good or evil, these specially selected people were given to Christ to whom his work on the cross would secure.

Having given the basis of what the Calvinist have correctly identified from this passage based on contextual exegesis. Something that was missing from Chuck above statement. Repeating what it say and re-emphasising what it teaches is not how we are to handle the text. Let us now consider the following verse:

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified -- Romans  8: 30

Now as we continue with this examination of Romans 8:28-30; it is important to point out the often used term of this passage as it provides a striking truth concerning these doctrinal truths. It is called "the golden chain of redemption" for each link or chain is strengthened and made clear in light of each other.
As I have already touched on the first point mentioned above we will continue with "Called." Let us begin:

(3) "Called" This is a very important truth declared by the scriptures, while it must be seen that there are two kinds of calls in the scripture. First, the general call which is the proclamation of Gods word to the world, a very important one indeed.  This however, is not the subject of this passage where as Romans 10 is. Second, the specific or effective call, this is the inward work of God's Spirit with precision that is undeniable. It penetrate those to whom God has previously chosen and draws them to Christ.  The saints are also known by the this term "the called" as it speaks to the fact they have been open up by the Spirit to whom they are new creatures. It not regeneration but is a fundamental link to it.
(4) "Justification" this of course is the sole act of God to which a believer upon his conversion, receives the benefits and glories that were made on his stead by Christ in his death upon the cross. It of course,  is an act which is best understood as fully accomplished work. We must also recognise that Justification is that which is meted out by the gift of grace and faith, for it is known as "justified by grace through faith alone" on the sinners end; but it is never alone on God's end for the atonement necessarily include many other acts which establish it's solidness; acts such as propitiation, intercession, reconciliation, redemption. All these thing are vital aspects of the atonement that must be seen.
(5) "Glorification" this I believe is a much harder one to give a balanced view of as we at this point have no direct experience of what it will be like in its fullest sense. Now of course this does not mean we can't gleam some insight from the truths beforehand to help us with a beginners understanding of this matter; it also is important to consider the act of conformity mention in verse 29 of this passage and in many other passage such as 1 John 3:1-3. And to each and every believer this our inheritance as God promises by his word.

Additional clarification on the Reformed position from the Biblical witness

Now for a couple more texts which demonstrate this important truth of God's election of individual believers:

 John 17

 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled -- I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. -- john 17 :9 -12, 20 -21

Here Jesus in his high priestly prayer makes a point of not praying for those of "the world, but for those who the father gave him," this can be seen that Jesus has a particular group which does not include some people and even earlier in john (in john 6 and 10)  he says that he came for those who were drawn by the father, and not every jew was his, and then also note in the beginning John 10, he says that he has two group the jewish fold of believers and the others who would come to him -- and in this passage in John 17 he states the same point that not all are his, but that the father protect those who believe due to hearing the message of the apostles. So this is also confirmation of this divine mandate of election truth that Jesus died for a select people

 Romans 9

You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”   Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honourable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles (Verses 19-24)

Here is the one passage which will end this whole thing since paul comes out and says that there are two groups that God has created, the saved (chosen); and the unsaved (the non chosen). Let's consider a few points in this text: "Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honourable use and another for dishonourable use?"  Here Paul speaks of God sovereign right to do as he choice, making a connection to the potter and clay which is a re occurring theme in the bible and that as the potter make something for good use / honourable use. He also makes something for not such a good use / dishonourable use. And this is exactly how God views he creation and free will like the imaginary objector of Paul fails to see this since they are not thinking Godly but humanistic thoughts. It continues: "desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—"
Here the point is that even the useless creature man who doesn't want to know God due to selfish desire or something which he feels is his right or choice. In the end, it's doing Gods will and is bring God the glory of doing what God designed him to do. Paul caps this off with this comment "even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles" which points to the fact all men whether elect or non elect are really under Gods control.

When one actually reads through the bible with serious dedication we can find more important passages on the topic of Election, which all form the basis of this wonderful truth. Such texts as John 6: 37-45; 65, Ephesians 1:3-11, 1 Thessalonians 1: 4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15; 1 Peter 1: 1-5 and then for two last ones we have 2 Timothy 1: 8-10, Ephesians 2: 1-5.  Election of the saints based on God's Character,  kindness, will and intention.