Familiar Misunderstandings Concerning Reformed Theology and Calvinism
There are a large number of misunderstandings and misconceptions amidst many Christians these days concerning the subject of “Calvinism” or “Reformed Theology.” Most people claim that Calvinism is an immoral cult-like doctrine that teaches false doctrine with relation to the Bible. We will take a look at a few of the most common accusations towards the Calvinistic theology and determine whether or not these ideas are valid or indeed flawed misrepresentations of what reformed theology actually teaches.
The first a most common misconception concerning Calvinism revolves around the fact that Calvinism derives its name from the French theologian and preacher John Calvin during the reformation. Therefore, many people assert that any person who believe in the doctrines of Reformed Theology are not following the teachings of the Bible but instead following the doctrines of a man. What must be made clear is the reality that the teachings of Calvinism are not established on the doctrines of man, but rather the conclusions reached as a consequence of reading the Bible. In other words, any person is capable of reading the Bible and coming to the same decision as John Calvin.
It can also be mentioned that it is absolutely hypocritical to make such a declaration, given the reality that any set of teachings can be outlined backward into the past and be seen being instructed by particular men. Does this suggest that everyone believing in those particular doctrines is following those men instead of the Bible? Absolutely not. In the same way, the term “Calvinism” does not illustrate the teachings of John Calvin, but rather the obvious biblical teachings that he spent so much time defending and proclaiming during the reformation.
Another extremely common misunderstanding involves the Calvinistic teaching that God has selected those who will be saved from before the creation of the universe. People usually complain that this is beneath the character of a loving God. They say that God would at no time select and choose who will go to heaven and who goes to hell. However, this misunderstanding is rooted in the failure to understand that actual nature of mankind and the fact that all men are born guilty. God is not looking at a group of neutral, guilt free human beings and selecting and choosing who goes to heaven and hell. Rather, God is considering at a group of already condemned people, and for His own glory selecting a group of people to be saved from that just and correct judgement.
A great example to explain this further would be to take a look at a cluster of people on death row. They have already been accurately and rightly condemned to death. Nonetheless, if the governor of the state desires to use his power to pardon one of these men, has he done any wrong to the rest? Is he under any compulsion to pardon any other person on death row? Absolutely Not. In the same way, God pardons the human beings of His choosing. Why would he do this? Ephesians chapter one tells us it is for His own good reasons, and not based on any one thing in us.
Along the same lines, there is a common misunderstanding concerning the Calvinistic doctrine of “Total Depravity.” Total Depravity teaches that man is dead in trespasses and sin, unable of believing or choosing to believe in Jesus Christ. People will therefore ask: “How can God chastise someone for not doing something they were unable to do?” That is, believing in Jesus Christ. The answer is simple. We are not sent to hell for the “sin of unbelief,” even though that is indeed a sin. Rather, we are condemned to hell in our father Adam, already guilty from our birth. We as humans have put ourselves in the position we are now in, dead in trespasses and sins and unable to come to Christ or have faith in him.
These are just some of the most common misunderstandings concerning Calvinism and Reformed Theology. If you seek to learn what Calvinism actually teaches, rather than going off of misunderstandings, operate a study of your own into this matter. Examine Calvinism and its doctrines, and ask yourself if those doctrines correctly line up with the things the Bible teaches. You may be startled to find that Reformed Theology most truly and correctly lines up with the teachings of the Holy Bible.
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