I hope to discuss Calvinism with a SDA friend who is investing Latter-day Saint theology and other theologies next week. I sent him the following article where I discuss the many problems of Reformed theology:
An
Examination and Critique of the Theological Presuppositions Underlying Reformed
Theology
One distinction Calvinists try to make is
that of the secret and revealed wills in God in order to reconcile the command
to all people (without distinction) to repent with the fact that the
vast majority of people have been (whether actively or passively) reprobated by
God from the eternal past, coupled with the fact that Christ only died to save
the elect only and intercedes for the elect only.
We see John Calvin try to offer this
apologetic in Institutes 3:24:8:
Section 8. Explanation of the saying, that many are called, but few
chosen. A twofold call.
The expression of our Savior, "Many are called, but
few are chosen," (Mat 22: 14), is also very improperly interpreted,
(see 3.2.11 and 12).
There will be no ambiguity in it, if we attend to what our former remarks ought
to have made clear, viz., that there are two species of calling: for there is
an universal call, by which God, through the external preaching of the word,
invites all men alike, even those for whom he designs the call to be a savor of
death, and the ground of a severer condemnation. Besides this there is a
special call which, for the most part, God bestows on believers only, when by
the internal illumination of the Spirit he causes the word preached to take
deep root in their hearts. Sometimes, however, he communicates it also to those
whom he enlightens only for a time, and whom afterwards, in just punishment for
their ingratitude, he abandons and smites with greater blindness. Now, our Lord
seeing that the gospel was published far and wide, was despised by multitudes,
and justly valued by few, describes God under the character of a King, who,
preparing a great feast, sends his servants all around to invite a great
multitude, but can only obtain the presence of a very few, because almost all
allege causes of excuse; at length, in consequence of their refusal, he is
obliged to send his servants out into the highways to invite every one they
meet. It is perfectly clear, that thus far the parable is to be understood of
external calling. He afterwards adds, that God acts the part of a kind
entertainer, who goes round his table and affably receives his guests; but
still if he finds any one not adorned with the nuptial garment, he will by no
means allow him to insult the festivity by his sordid dress. I admit that this
branch of the parable is to be understood of those who, by a profession of
faith, enter the Church, but are not at all invested with the sanctification of
Christ. Such disgraces to his Church, such cankers God will not always
tolerate, but will cast them forth as their turpitude deserves. Few, then, out
of the great number of called are chosen; the calling, however, not being of
that kind which enables believers to judge of their election. The former call
is common to the wicked, the latter brings with it the spirit of regeneration,
which is the earnest and seal of the future inheritance by which our hearts are
sealed unto the day of the Lord, (Eph 1: 13, 14). In one word, while hypocrites
pretend to piety, just as if they were true worshipers of God, Christ declares
that they will ultimately be ejected from the place which they improperly
occupy, as it is said in the psalm, "Lord, who shall abide in thy
tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and
worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart," (Psa 15: 1,
2). Again in another passage, "This is the generation of them that seek
him, that seek thy face, O Jacob," (Psa 24: 6). And thus the Spirit exhorts
believers to patience, and not to murmur because Ishmaelites are mingled with
them in the Church since the mask will at length be torn off, and they will be
ejected with disgrace.
Interestingly, in Institutes 1:18:3,
Calvin teaches that God's will is "one," at least in the mind of God
Himself:
Still, however, the will of God
is not at variance with itself. It undergoes no change. He makes no pretence of
not willing what he wills, but while in himself the will is one and undivided,
to us it appears manifold, because, from the feebleness of our intellect, we
cannot comprehend how, though after a different manner, he wills and wills not
the very same thing. Paul terms the calling of the Gentiles a hidden mystery,
and shortly after adds, that therein was manifested the manifold wisdom of God,
(Eph 3: 10)
Clearly, Calvin did not seem to see that a distinction between the
"revealed" will/calling and "secret" will/calling of God
leads to (1) dualism and (2) a contradiction in the will of God. This is just
the tip of the iceberg of the truly blasphemous nature of Calvinism.
