Calvinism or Just a John 3:16 Kind of Guy Part II
This is a continuation of the previous post. We start this section with the claim of the over-emphasis of God’s sovereignty above man’s free-will. An assertion based on what? We aren’t told. A side observation is that rarely are objections raised when a preacher counts words and verses to make his point. For example, you might hear that money is talked about by Jesus x hundred times in Scripture as a way to validate the importance of money. Usually, people say that is a good point not an over-emphasis. God’s sovereignty is written about in Scripture whereas man’s responsibility, not free-will, is written about. Even in our own households we see parents with sovereignty over their children regardless of how “free” the child’s will is.
As he starts to unpack the five points of Calvinism the foundation is laid that Calvinism’s driving doctrine is predestination. Compton correctly states that Calvinism is more than five points, but that these five points are the famous positions.
Total Depravity – Compton claims that John Calvin taught that the image of God in man was totally destroyed. What did Calvin teach?
It cannot be doubted that when Adam lost his first estate he became alienated from God. Wherefore, although we grant that the image of God was not utterly effaced and destroyed in him, it was, however, so corrupted, that any thing which remains is fearful deformity; (Source: Institutes, I.15.1)
Compton says that Calvin taught that man is:
totally unable to choose God or to do anything that would indicate that they would save themselves. And so God, because man can not respond to God, therefore, God must predestinate and save a person.
Does Compton believe man can save himself? Would it be accurate of me to claim this is what he teaches? It sure sounds like it. This is another one of those instances where the critic of Calvinism doesn’t tell us anything about how grace works either in the Calvinist or Arminian positions. What does Compton believe about God’s grace is salvation? It’s also not that God must predestine someone so they can be saved, but that Calvinists believe God works in this way as revealed in Scripture.
Unconditional Election – Compton explains that this is at the heart of Calvinism. Earlier, he said God’s sovereignty was the cornerstone of Calvinism. He mentions double-predestination which is God predestining some for heaven and some for hell. Is he correct? No. Compton goes on to over-emphasize man’s free-will, or the lack thereof, in unconditional election. Again, no mention of God’s grace.
Limited Atonement – The critique is that Christ did not die for all men. A more accurate way to say this is in the name of the doctrine itself. Christ did not atone for the sins of all men. Even Compton would say, I hope, that only those who believe in Jesus have their sins atoned for which still limits the atonement.
Irresistible Grace – Here Compton asserts that a person will be saved whether he wants to or not. This is not true. This doctrine is about God changing the heart so we can believe. Again, no mention of how God’s grace does actually work in Compton’s world. He mentions that this is the effectual call. If you will remember back in post I of this series about the Sandy Creek Association where Compton says they weren’t Calvinists. Well, the Sandy Creek beliefs state the effectual call as one of their positions.
He even claims that some Calvinists would say that even if some never believe in Christ they will still be saved because God predestined them. This might be a flavor of hyper-Calvinism, but it’s not Calvinism. So why say this without clarification?
Perseverance of the Saints – On this point the John 3:16 Baptists mostly agree so there isn’t much to comment on.
Tomorrow I will be posting, part III, the final part of this sermon review. I will be addressing Dr. Compton’s three concerns, his theology of salvation on John 3:16 and offer some final thoughts.
Bonus: Listen for Yourself (MP3 link updated)
If you’d like to hear the sermon for yourself I’ve provided it here for download. For full disclosure on my part the disclaimer on First Baptist Clinton’s website says.
Usage Rules
By downloading an audio file from First Baptist Church Clinton, you shall be entitled to save, export and burn Products solely for personal, non-commercial use. Any burning or exporting capabilities are solely an accommodation to you and shall not constitute a grant or waiver (or other limitation or implication) of any rights of the copyright owners of any content, sound recording, or artwork embodied in any Products. The delivery of Products does not transfer to you any commercial or promotional use rights in the Product. Refer to Terms of Service for more detailed information on Usage Rules. First Baptist Church Clinton reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the Download at any time. (Source)
Although I am in the guidelines for the usage of this mp3 file, it’s possible that I may be asked to take this sermon down.
For what it’s worth…
Mark
p.s. I will be at the John 3:16 Conference so if anyone wants to look me up just use my “contact me” link.
p.p.s. If anyone would like to hear an exegetical critique of the non-Calvinist Southern Baptist position you can do so here: Part 1 & Part 2. In case anyone wonders how I felt about Adrian Rogers take a look.
tagged as calvinism, calvinist, john 3:16, John Compton, Southern Baptist in Baptist,calvinism,Church Issues,Sermons,Southern Baptist,theology
About the author
Mark is a Christian, husband and father. He is a businessman by day working to support his family while attending seminary in the off hours as he prepares for vocational ministry.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
JohnMark,
Thanks for your work on this review of the sermon. I look forward to reading part 3. I just wanted to make small clarification with regard to the P portion of your outline above, if you don’t mind. I know you know this bit, but I thought it should be included on the same page just in case others don’t.
On Perserverance, pastor Compton made the claim that it is the same as eternal security which he believes and thus he didn’t dwell on it.
In fact, eternal security is a very lightweight version of what the Bible actually teaches.
The Bible makes it clear that persons who are saved will be transformed by God into His image. II Cor. 3:18.
The Bible also makes it clear that salvation by faith will be closely accompanied by good works reflecting the new life. James 2:14-25.
Finally, the Bible makes it clear that only by persevering in the faith to the end will salvation occur. Hebrews 10:35-39.
A calvinist agrees with the Bible on these points. As saved persons we are being transformed by God’s grace, and thus we are able to perform good works and to persevere to the end and not be among those who shrink back.
God’s magnificent wonderful grace toward us is the agent of our regeneration, our salvation, our sanctification and our glorification. Romans 8:28-30.
Eternal security says that if we pray some specific words and really mean it, then we will be brought to heaven when we die no matter what happens in the interim.
The two doctrines are not as equivalent as pastor Compton believes.
Keith
Hi Keith,
Thank you for that clarification. I was trying to focus on the most crucial points of misrepresentation. And keep the writing down a little which doesn’t seem to be working anyways!
I appreciate your input.
Mark
Hey Mark,
enjoy your stuff.
By the way, did they already make you take it down? I tried the link just now and got a 404.
Keith
Keith,
Thanks again! I left off an important part of the file name. It’s fixed now.
Mark
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