@@SteveGreggVideos I can at least agree with you there, God is good! The rest of the video, not so much. I'm sure you've heard every argument, so I'm not going to try, but I've not been persuaded by any of these arguments that calvinism is wrong. I just hear mis-characterizations of the position and a lot of echo chamber talk. I've heard you quote John 6, no one can come unless the Father draws them, and John 12 if I be lifted up, I will draw all men, but those verses seem to contradict each other and make the Father a failure at saving all men if not all are saved. The problem seems to be that you forget the rest of John 6, and all the Father gives Me "will come to Me" AND I will raise up on the last day. I'm genuine in my question, how do you reconcile the "alls" in John 6 to 12? Or can you point me to a video where you've explained it? Thanks.
@@toddcote4904It seems to me the real problem you have is with John 12. 32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." All means all. There are no qualifiers there. Why do you assume that being drawn is the equivalent of forced belief? John 6 refuts Calvinism. Let's start @ verse 40; 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. Ok, it says, "everyone" with no qualifiers. That does not contradict, The Father drawing all men or only those that He draws. There is no issue. Anyone willing to believe, will be drawn by the Father. Again, that does not contradict the Father having to draw all men. Anyone who believes will also be drawn by the Father. Let's continue; 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. 46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. Again, no qualifiers. It is assumed, that anyone who believes, was also drawn. Therefore is no problem. Continuing; 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Did you catch that? "...I will give for the life of the world." Again, no qualifiers. You are seeing nonexistent contradictions and failing to see real contradictions.
@@ringonordstrom692 Good one. You just proved Calvinism. Ringonordstrom692 and his revolutionary "garbage talk" argument will be in theological textbooks centuries from now.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Steve makes a great Point about the verses that calvinist point to that say all are referring to the elect, but questions why they don't ever say that. I think that's a good point that can be taken across the board on any biblical topic if verses across the board don't say a particular thing but say something different then that particular thing is a very unlikely to be true
I thank Steve for this exegesis. It answers to my heart , and after listening to him , Leighton Flowers,Warren Mcgru , and others, this video puts it all together in one video. I am in a group chat with my SIL ( a 5 point Calvinist) and some friends and relatives. Some of them lean towards TULIP, and I took some of this information In my chat with them. God Bless you Steve . Keep up the faith!
No flesh will glory in His presence. All things are from Him through Him and for Him. We did not chose Him, but He chose us from the foundation of the world. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. To God alone is the glory and the honor and the power now and for forever, Amen 🙏
"He chose us from the foundation of the world" *_from_* the foundation of the world not BEFORE. That would be correct. Jesus is the ONE God chose *_before the foundation of the world_* and us IN HIM ... God is clear that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and have access to grace *_after_* we believe (Eph 1:13, Rom 5:1-2) because “whoso keepeth his word, IN HIM verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are _* IN HIM,*_ he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.(1John 2:5-6)... big difference between from the foundation of the world and *_before_* the foundation of the world... do not wander into the vanity of imagining you eternally coexisted in glory with Jesus... you are not the one God chose, Jesus was.
@@inTruthbyGrace “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:” Ep 1:4 He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.
@@inTruthbyGrace “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ep 2:8
@@LifeandLifeMoreAbundantly yes.. *_NOW_* you got it right because you quoted it but your original comment omitted the two most important words in all of Scripture: *_"in Him"_* Paul spends his entire corpus of his writings painstakingly detailing what it means to be "in Him" and considering your original comment completely OMITTED that concept altogether, you can be fairly certain you have not a good grasp on what it means. Peter laid out how you can make your calling and election sure..time to go back and study because he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2Pt 1)
I wouldn’t say so. But they are severely misled. Ultimately, they are saved by grace through election. However, they still preach Christ amd Christ crucified and still hope in the cross….on the surface. For example, they are not going to evangelize and tell strangers that God has already elected who will and wont be in heaven. They usually wait until someone is “in the faith” a bit longer before they start feeding their ideology. Calvinism, in it’s specificity, is usually an inside conversation. Which is already a red flag to me. It’s usually a conversation done in secret. A “good” calvinist would be furious to hear you explaining election to unbelievers because they know it’s not gracious. They would say that is sowing seeds of discord and discouraging a young believer and causing them to stumble.
Steve, thank you for your service to the LORD. It is so needed today in this lost World. I take such abuse doing my small part against the cult of Calvinism. It is so refreshing hearing someone preaching clean, clear, truth, so easily understood. I posted a few of my thoughts for people below as well. TRUTH IN LOVE
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe Yes I did know that they were heretic leaders. Calvinism is not Christianity. It is a Cult by definition. There is no Gospel in Calvinism. Only bad news.
@@truth7416 Your own definition of "cult" is quite convenient. I don't think Christians who are genuinely trying to harmonize all aspects of scripture should be labeled as cult leaders or heretics. This is an ignorant view to take and shows how little you understand of the Calvinist doctrines of grace. A God who shows mercy to whom he wills but also justice to wicked sinful men. A God who works all things to his glory. This is not "bad news". But a strong, powerful and merciful gospel.
@@truth7416 Which God is "bad news". One who allows evil and wickedness to run wild without purpose because he cannot violate man's free will. Or a God who has a purpose for all that comes to pass and is actively working all things to the council of his will.
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe If your in the Calvinist cult what else could you say? Of course you have to answer and defend something you have given yourself over to. There are many who talk about and argue about true Christian matters. But Calvinism is different , he is bent on slandering the character of our loving God. The Calvinist is not a christian anymore than a Morman or a Roman Catholic. The cult member always replies with the same cult answers they have learned. Like " You don't understand Calvinsim" Or "Straw Man" Or 'Free willer'. It is almost funny if it weren't so tragic that they have embraced the Devils doctrine rather than the Good news Gospel offered to mankind. Truth in Love
@Steve Gregg per your question. TULIP was first coined in English by Lorraine Bottner in his book the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. So it’s a rather recent development although you can find the doctrines in the Canons of Dort.
I completely agree with you brother. The bottom-line is, that Love (agape) is not Love (agape) without freewill. If God's true heart for His creation is that He'd rather Love (agapao) us by giving us Grace & Mercy, which we don't deserve, instead of Judgement, which we do deserve, which I believe the Bible unequivocally teaches, how could we ever believe that HE is Love (agape) like we're taught in 1 John 4:8 & 16 and, at the same time, makes us do everything we ultimately do (even making our choices for us), giving us no will or say-so in it at all? How could anyone, in this case God, want to be loved by people that they make love them like that? That's not genuine love. That's a fabricated farce. And how great, really, is a God who would do this? Freewill is seen throughout the Bible from Genesis (Gen. 2:16 & 17) to Revelation (3:20, 22:17, etc.). One of the greatest examples of freewill to me is found in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 & 30:19 & 20. Where God directly tells the people to make a choice and tells them what the result of their choice will be, whichever one they choose (curse or blessing). Time and time again, we see God demonstrating His Love through granting freewill to man. Sure, we blew it over and over again, but nonetheless, He still granted it and, willed & desired, that we would respond correctly by choosing Him. And it's this true genuine Love (agape) of God that called me to Him through His Son many years ago, and caused me to choose Him in faith. When I profess that I love God, I only love Him because HE first loved me and taught me how to love like Him through what He did for me on the cross and His Holy Spirit inside of me. This I know more than anything else in my life, and all thanks and glory only to God for it. So, I find it rather insulting that anyone would equate my God, the God of the Bible, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to a being who would deliberately create some souls for Heaven and some souls for Hell. Then, turnaround and tell me that this same God is Love (agape)?? No! I don't think so. Not my God. He would never do that. Nor would He ever feel the need to do that. I could go on and on, but I'll stop with one final comment (sorry for the rant)... Regarding the Sovereignty of God...God, by His sovereign will, decided that since He loved the world so very much, despite our sin, our shortcomings, our weaknesses, and our ever-wandering hearts, that ALL who choose to believe in His Son shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Thank You Jesus! God Bless you and your ministry brother! :-)
Just some observations on free will: what exactly is it, that would CAUSE a man, clearly in the fallen state and cast out of the garden, completely depraved, whose good deeds are but filthy rags before God, to "choose" to accept Christ? Until the anti-Calvinist can explain where this "will" to choose Christ comes from, when he is clearly spiritually dead, his argument will always be incomplete. The argument against Calvinism is based on the idea that "some" of those dead in sin can awaken themselves just enough to make a proper spiritual choice and believe, and thus obtain for themselves redemption through the belief they have generated from an unknown source for themselves. And others, the ones destined for destruction, just don't have this certain decision-making ability. The fact is, God loved Jacob, and he did not love Esau; he did choose Jacob, but he did not choose Esau; he did bless Jacob, but he never blessed Esau; and he did this before either had a chance to make any free will choice. And the Arminian argument here is: 'well, this was not about salvation, it was just about blessings received or denied.' But that argument is weak in view of the fact that Esau brought God's curse Gen. 27:29 before he had committed ANY act of will. So we are left with the conclusion that God can CURSE someone without that person's act of will being involved, but an act of will is required from that same person to be denied salvation. This is an inconsistent reading of the text.
@@daniel77210 It’s not about ability to make the choice. Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. These were more noble and searched and sought. That’s why they believed. Those in Thessalonica could have done the same thing but it would appear that they loved their sin more than those in Berea. John 3:18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
The reading of Gen 27:29 is forced, It says Cursed is anyone who curses JaCOB, it did not say curse people unilaterally. God indeed denied Esau's proginy to carry the Messiah, to say that God never blessed Esau is cherry picking Esau was blessed in abundance so much that he needed nothing and denied the gifts of Jacob towards him - See the conversation between the two brothers in Gen 32 and Gen 33 specifically Gen 33:9.
Hello Steve concerning calvinism I dont see anyone really talking about 2Peter2:1 I think this destroys limited atonement, perservence of the saints and once saved always saved. Peter says the Lord bought them that is the false teachers. What are your thoughts on this.
One of the other implications of calvinism is in relation to final judgment and the fact that most people believe in eternal conscious torment. I have heard RC sproul on many occasions talk about that and it seems like a horrendous view in and of itself but particularly combined with calvinism seems awfully Cruel.
According to Jesus (not Calvin): Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus said know one can pluck them out of my hand I'm not a Calvinist but Jesus taught once saved always saved because only God can know a person's heart if you are born again you can't be unborn again 😮
@@RisenShine-zy7dnparable of the sower is a great example of what we see in the charismatic church, hearing some word of God, shouting out of emotion you are saved but the heart not changed.
@@sonofcharles3296 Faith in that Jesus is the Messiah of the world and faith that He paid the price of sin & death for you and me. Having faith to believe then your sins are washed away by the pure blood of Christ. Having faith that whatever Jesus said is the way and the truth and the life. Therefore, repent and believe the gospel and your sins will be forgiven and you will have the promise of eternal life. Matthew 4:17 Mark 1:15 Acts 2:38 & 3:19 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For them that come to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 God did His part for humanity and creation and we each individually need to do our part and respond to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved from death into life.
You don’t have trinity in the Bible either so God must not be triune? You @stevegregg have to agree. Yet the idea is there. Just like Jesus in John states he is a “Calvinist”. Or that God is in total control in salvation like Christ said.
Dear Steve, so glad you came out of Dispensationalism. A few years more of study and you will understand Calvinism as well. I was 70 years old when I finally saw the light. God bless.
Ha ha! I don't know about that! Steve did believe in Calvinism earlier in his life, has read so many books in favor of Calvinism and knows all the arguments for both sides. He even gives a full lecture arguing for it (well, he tries) in this series: czcams.com/play/PLtzt3JhaK2U6TE8QkJV6E9OICi4mdxg6J.html&si=Py4DZVRc7IY6Xd_1.
Lol. Calvinists always have a certain smugness. "Oh, if you only understood Calvinism like I do..." Well we actually understand Calvinism completely well. We understand it to be man made, unbiblical nonsense, which maligns the holy character of God, and makes Him the author of every wicked and perverse thing done under the sun. The reformers did well to jettison many of the errors of Catholicism, but unfortunately, this Augustinian nonsense survived, and a number of other errant ideas.
@@koosvanzyl2605 True, there are many things I can only speculate on. With a thousand years, no one could gain a total and complete understanding of God's word. There are MANY things we just won't have a perfect perspective on, on this side of eternity. But I know enough from a clear and plain reading of the Bible to understand that Calvinism is thoroughly refuted many times over, and one must decide to impose a Calvinistic interpretation on the Bible. Anyway, I don't mean to antagonize you, so I'll leave it here. But I really hope you take another serious look at it.
Thankyou. Just a thought on Calvinistic interpretation of God's preordained purposes & causing people to act in certain (mostly sinful) ways eg Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers & Jesus' wrongful condemnation by Caiaphas, etc. What about Esther & Mordecai - he says if you don't (go before the king), God will raise up a deliverer from somewhere else... God is so much bigger than our thoughts/ways. Blessings
Jer 7:31 They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal, something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter my mind. So a calvinist believes that God didn't command people to burn their kids as offerings to Baal, that it didn't even enter his mind, and as a result he punishes those people for doing so, yet before creation he willed for that to happen, calvinism is messed up.
Lets look at the opposite - people believe God is helplessly looking on as man is destroying himself and all creation because he wants to be a god like satan. Man has taken matters in his own hands, and God can but watch and try here and there to remedy things a bit. But free will gets in the way whenever He tries to intervene. Is that your god? Not the God of the Bible. Not the Almighty. If God is not God, God is not God at all. Jer 16:20-21 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods? Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
@@4285johan What do you mean? God did remedy the situation, he sent his son to die on a cross for us so that we can be saved, we simply have to accept his free gift, calvinism on the other hand turns God into a moral monster who randomly decides to save some people but not others, instead he sends them to burn in hell for an eternity for something they have no control over, that's screwed up, and not Biblical at all.
If I ever figure out that I am one of the elect like you, the first thing I do will be teach the kids in Sunday school the real "Jesus Loves me song" for the elect, as it should be. "Jesus loves me, this I know. As for you, I don't think so. Only some to Him belong. We are right and you are wrong. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! But I hope this isn't effervescent grace that I'm walking in and instead I'm actually deceived and one of the reprobates that He created to burn as a candle for His glory in Hell forever." TRUTH IN LOVE
Agree. The debate on determinism and free will was an Aristotelian discussion prior to Christianity. Steve is correct, the first 400 years this was not in the lips of Christians. My theory is that Augustine took this debate since he was once a Manichaean and Christianized it. Augustine used his Aristotlean hermeneutic used it as a grid and imposed it into the Scripture. We must note too that Augustine only relied on the Vulgate not the NT Greek manuscripts. Further, as Luther later in life said, this focus on determinism vs free will or the so called compatibilism - casts Christ out of the picture, he does not come in and the focus is away from Christ.
Heard this guy attempting to raise doubts about the doctrine of hell on an Arminian radio station broadcasting from the Treasure Valley of the Cults (southern Idaho) and was appalled at his effort to appeal to his listeners through novel arguments against plain meaning reading of Scripture. Formal training, he's above that, and it shows.
He says if Judas didn't betray Christ "God would have found someone else" because the prophecy only said it was someone Christ ate with. Steve, Christ dipped the sop and gave it to Judas! Christ said in his prayer in the garden "that a disciple would betray him!" Judas was raised up for this purpose! You are playing with open theism. If Judas got cold feet and changed his mind after receiving the sop, or Satan didn't "enter him" at that moment. Christ would have been a false prophet. God ordains the end and the means.
Or what about Peter? Denying Christ was a sin. Could he have changed his mind after Christ predicted the denial? Could the rooster have failed to crow? No! This was ordained to happen! We have to be consistent with everything we see of God's working in Scripture, rather than make these emotional arguments like "that wouldn't be fair if God decreed someone to do that". Remember we are all sinners deserving judgement, God's grace cannot be demanded on the basis of what we think is fair. It is no longer grace if we think it is owed to us.
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe Jesus one of the three persons of the Triune God (being both the Son of God and Son of Man) was dependent on the Holy Spirt, prayer to his Father, he lived obediently and learned obedience from the suffering he endured (Hebrews 5:8), he learned the word (Luke 2:49-50). Jesus exalted the Father in everything and pursued loving relationships with those he discipled . Now we are commanded to do the same. If a church does not evangelize it is dead. If a church does not disciple, it is irresponsible. Spread the Gospel, make disciples. Lost people are not goats. They are sheep without a shepherd
@@makedisciples8653 If you are implying that Calvinists don't evangelize, I would recommend looking up William Carey, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon. History is clear
After praying all night Jesus appointed twelve of the disciples including Judas as Apostles. It’s interesting that this event happened 2 1/2 years into his earthly ministry. Now there were likely hundreds of disciples to pick from. But after praying all night the Father told him who to name as Apostles. While on earth Jesus never played the God card. Because if he would have then he would not been like us in every way with the exception of sinning. Adam entered a sinless world and CHOSE to sin. Jesus entered a sin soaked world and CHOSE not to sin. Philippians 2 Jesus came to show us what God intended man to be. We are not what God wanted man to be, we are broken men (and women) because we also chose to sin and still do sin So God sent His Son - John3:16, Through Jesus we have the gift of Salvation. But a gift must be received or rejected- John 3:36 While Jesus is the Lamb that took away the sins of the world (a biblical fact), you are not saved until YOU chose to believe - Luke 13:3,5 and UNLESS YOU make that choice you WILL (future) perish. It wasn’t determined for the Galileans and wasn’t predetermined for you It was NECESSARY that Jesus died for our sins, because we could do nothing to save ourselves Even the Pharisees were given the choice - John 8:24, John 10:38 Yes even the Pharisees (and apparently at least one did!) And remember….faith is not works
@@makedisciples8653 You did not respond to my previous comment. Christ was the Son of God, not just a man who "chose not to sin". If mankind somehow had the natural ability to choose to live a sinless life, I see major problems harmonizing such a belief with scripture. I believe Christ is both the author and finisher of my faith. Every part of salvation is a gift. "Within me dwelleth no good thing" as the Apostle Paul observed. I'm glad God's grace changes hearts and causes us wicked men to believe the gospel. Predestination is Biblical and I do not see how people can just glaze over this doctrine.
Calvinism overview It is a doctrine of demons, it is a different gospel then the Bible. Total depravity says you can not choose The bible says choose this day whom you will serve. Unconditional election says God chose those that would be saved and no one can choose on their own to have faith God says WHOSOEVER believes shall be saved. Limited attonment says Jesus only died for some The Bible says that jesus died for everyone Irresistible grace says God will force you to be saved The bible says it is up to you to accept his free gift Perseverance of the saints says God will cause you to endure till the end. The Bible says God remains faithful even if you dont. He cannot deny himself. The Bible says that even if an angel or any other man brings another gospel let him be acursed. God created us to love him, love has to have a choice to love or to not love. God gave us the ability to make the choice ourselves. Calvin said that God chose some and the rest our "doomed from the womb". My God is way more loving than that. God bless
Steve, I like your channel and agree with most of what you have come to understand as the truth, but I’m still a Calvinist. I know that had it been left to me to make the right decision when it came to trusting in Jesus, I would have failed and chosen the world instead. Left to my own devices I’m no different to so many of the people I know that have seemingly made that wrong choice and rejected Christ. Hindsight has shown that the choices I made were in the end not my choices - once God opens your eyes you cannot not see. Good Bless
I spent most of my life as a Baptistic-Arminio-Dispy. The problem I always had was that it didn't square with the scripture. Over the years I came to see that the Reformed view (AKA Calvinism) fit the teaching of scripture much better. I seriously doubt that I will ever go back.
Is 63:17 Why o LORD do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our hearts so we do not fear you?.Listen to his summation.."You become a Christian by an act of your will," vs "You become a Christian by an act of God's will." This is the essence of man centered religion. He presupposes the freedom of man's will without a biblical foundation. Simple question..what does it mean to be born again? How much of your will was involved in your 1st birth? John 1 says we are born not of our will, but God's. In John 3, Jesus draws from Ez 36 (born of water and spirit) and you see a biblical depiction of the new birth, and the spirit's freedom, not ours. You don't "accept Jesus," you repent and believe, both described as a gift from God. Salvation starts and ends with God.
Luke 13:3, 5 No. unless you repent you to will all perish. (It’s your choice David) It has not been determined…. Yet! No one will choose for you, the consequences are in the future (Will …the future) Even the Pharisees had the ability to choose John 8:24, John 10:38 THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE (they had the responsibility) Salvation is a gift that must be received or rejected John 3:36
God does not owe mankind ANYTHING. He would have been completely righteous if he immediately killed Adam and Eve as soon as they disobeyed Him. Thus ending humanity with them. However, God wanted a people to himself and let them and the human race that came from them continue. So, we have no right to judge God (and his "character") in any way. I find what is known as Calvinism and TULIP able to stand up to strict Biblical scrutiny.
3:00 Yes. In my view, THIS is the problem with 'reformed'/Augustinian/Calvinist teaching at its core; those accepting its false premises as truth have fallen prey to the same lie Satan posed to Eve in the Garden. The effect of which is to foster a fundamental doubt about the goodness of God as it correlates to the very conscience God gave to all men. It describes the nature and motives of an all powerful creator which literally begs the question; "Can God can ever truly be trusted".... inadvertently bringing into doubt His character. (I do not believe this is unintentional at it's core. I believe it is by design, but not the design of Calvinists.) What better accomplishment could the enemy of our soul hope to achieve other than to cause those who believe "God is"... not to easily believe in their heart that He could be trusted to be truly good to them....personally? Despite the fact that scripture declares God truly IS the personification of "Love"... not as an adjective, but a noun, they seem prefer to focus on "supreme power" as His most significant attribute. To my mind they would have to worship not from a position of true love but with an ever present fear of what God might actually do to them in the end and the possibility He might use that power as they would if they had it. Because they often prefer to have a constant laser focus on the lack of their worthiness and "worm-like" status in God's eyes, (as if that mattered after believing in Christ), I don't see how they can ever personally accept their status as the ‘righteousness of God in Christ’ because they never really ‘know’ if they were ever ‘chosen’ for salvation. Their hope is more in that they are truly 'elected to salvation' rather than trusting in Christ himself. Calvinistic interpretations of scripture and beliefs literally perpetuate Satan's original lie, “God cannot be trusted to have your best interests in mind”. One can never know if God truly loves “them”.
Thanks for putting out this video. Gods character is almost as that of Allah in islam and the one created by Sofia in the Hammadi scriptures. Its sounds like gnostic theology dressed with some elements of tradition. I understand why the orthodox church never accepted Agustine and Calvin. Such a diviant from Martin Luther. Blessed is Gods loving and righteous nature, to know him is to love and fear him. (Amen)
The poison words of the greatest living Calvinist today. John Piper quote :God . . . brings about all things in accordance with his will. In other words, it isn’t just that God manages to turn the evil aspects of our world to good for those who love him; it is rather that he himself brings about these evil aspects for his glory (see Ex. 9:13-16; John 9:3) and his people’s good (see Heb. 12:3-11; James 1:2-4). This includes-as incredible and as unacceptable as it may currently seem-God’s having even brought about the Nazis’ brutality at Birkenau and Auschwitz as well as the terrible killings of Dennis Rader and even the sexual abuse of a young child . . . This is the Calvin god not the loving God of the Bible. TRUTH IN LOVE
Brother, God ordained an evil infinitely worse than those things, the torture and death of his innocent son in the place of hell-deserving sinners. If you don't like that, you don't like God. I love it, because that's the only way to be saved.
Its all about God's character. God is full of grace to everyone He has made. His love is held out in His hand to all. These men are who God warns us about who will come into the World in our age. In the old testament God sees that people are sacrificing their children in the fire to Baal. (Baal another name for Satan) Jeremiah 19:5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal-something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. God says it never entered His mind that man would do such a thing. Who do you think inspired men to burn their own children to Satan. Satan of course. (The Calvinist must say that burning these children was God’s idea and God forced these men to do it! In their minds God controls very action of every human being, as man has no free will.) The fact is that Satan hates God and wants to destroy everything that brings joy to God and everything that is precious to God. How many human children were tortured to death on the alter of Baal to glorify Satan. Thousands, perhaps? God called it evil and put a stop to it and said He was grieved that He had made man. To the Calvinist, God has created billions of people He has doomed from birth to be destroyed on His alter of what they call “Glorify Himself by the destruction of the wicked!” How is this different to sacrificing their children in the fire to Baal? A Calvinist should not be shocked at these statements because it is standard John Calvin teaching all Reformed Churches follow. I say shame on you who teach your children this Heresy. You teach your Calvinist poison describing Satan’s character applying it to God. You make out God to be more of a monster than Satan is. Satan can only torture for a moment and then can do no more. You and your Calvinist teaching teach that God will torture billions of children for eternity. Don’t say that you don’t believe this as it is standard Calvinist doctrine! Perhaps it has been hidden from you as most Reform church’s are careful to hide the extremes they stand for, because they know that baby Calvinists that have not yet been completely processed in their Cult, might run at the hideousness of it! You ignored John Piper spitting it all out on the sexual abuse of children being caused by God. Guess your OK with that! Or listen to the nut John Calvin spewing out his poison : "God arranges all things by his sovereign counsel, in such a way that individuals are born, who are doomed from the womb to certain death and are to glorify him by their destruction.( John Calvin Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 23, Paragraph 6) “thieves and murderers, and other evildoers, are instruments of divine providence, being employed by the Lord himself to execute judgments which he has resolved to inflict.” (John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 17, Paragraph 5) That is some wonder full loving fake god you are serving there. Shame on you!!!! THE TRUTH IS THIS This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. 1 Timothy 2 : 3-6 Those that don't see this, can't see this, because they have blinded themselves and will not see. There isn't one thing attractive about the Calvinist god. Hate, destruction, false salvation by lottery, pleasure in creating and forcing sin on the World! TRUTH IN LOVE
What lead you out of Adventism? I have friends in that group. How is Calvinism a cult like the SDA? A calvinist claims no prophet or prophetess. A calvinist has no private interpretation of scripture like Daniel 8:14. A calvinist makes no claim as to dating the return of Christ. A calvinist does not try to reestablish Mosiac law. A calvinist makes no exclusive claim to the gospel or organization of the remnant church. So how is it the same as the SDA cult? Do you disagree that salvation is the work of God alone? Do you disagree that without belief in Christ you remain lost? Do you disagree that the unbeliever will suffer in the lake of fire for their sins? Do you disagree that we are kept by the power of God? Do you disagree that God's wrath remains upon those who don't repent and turn to Christ? Do you disagree that God is not the Father of all men? Do you disagree that salvation is based on Christ and not on the value of man? Do you disagree that salvation is limited to those who believe whereby everyone else remains in their sin? Do you disagree that darkness hates light?
@@toddcote4904 Calvinism is a cult in that it elevates 'truths' that are ambiguous to be salvific or almost so depending on who's talking, and it then anathematizes the rest of Christianity as being false and corrupt for not agreeing with it. It establishes doctrine by means of proof texting. It then insists it's exclusively "biblical" and insists no other Christian school of thought can possibly have developed doctrine through biblical exegesis but are merely 'ideas of men', because look at all of our proof texts.... It also oozes spiritual pride and arrogance and is absolutely incapable of self examination. It elevates Calvin to infallible interpreter of Scripture . Its the same animal as SDAism and other cults.
@@redcolt777 Sounds like you ran into a doosie of a person there. Be careful to not homogenize calvinists into a cult as you will inherently be condemning many saints who have gone before you, Edwards, Spurgeon, and Whitfield for example. Anyone can be a jerk regardless of their beliefs. This doesn't make anyone a partaker of a cult though. God bless!
@@toddcote4904 cult is cult no matter how u put it. Calvinism is not only a cult, but one of the most twisted and brainwashing theology thanks to the ppl u mention. No wonder why u and others like u almost like worship them.
Going out on a limb here, but if you think a calvinist is believing in a God that gives date rape drugs, then you clearly don't understand what a calvinist believes. This lecture was full of fallacies and other biblical problems. I like Steve Gregg's teachings on other topics, but this was terrible.
Yourself don't understand Calvinist. I'm Studying in Calvinist seminary right now. I have asked All this question because I don't agree their Doctrine., They are making God is author of Sin. God is showing partiality, and God is doing all this for His glory😢
This is just plain awful exegesis all the way through. It really isn't exegesis at all, Steve works through all of this mainly by giving you his reactions, his own opinions. What is apparent here is the irony of ironies; Steve has been saved by a gospel that he hates. Spurgeon said it right when he said; “Whatever may be said about the doctrine of election, it is written in the Word of God as with an iron pen, and there is no getting rid of it. To me, it is one of the sweetest and most blessed truths in the whole of revelation, and those who are afraid of it are so because they do not understand it. If they could but know that the Lord had chosen them, it would make their hearts dance for joy.”
I love Steve Gregg he’s my favourite teacher. Here are the FACTS: The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is described in Revelation. Did Paul decide to get knocked off his horse? I could go on and on but it’s pointless because only God can reveal this important Truth. God knew satan would fall but He created him anyway. No wiggle room on that fact. Isaiah told us it please The Father to bruise Him..for OUR iniquity. Isaiah 45:5-7 Gods Ways are Higher than our ways.
Thank you so much for shining some light on Calvinism's doctrine
Gods sovereignty to me is His knowledge of everything that has or will transpire, and His power to ensure His will is always accomplished.
Excellent work! I praise God that I found your teachings because I've been so confused.
God is good!
@@SteveGreggVideos
I can at least agree with you there, God is good! The rest of the video, not so much.
I'm sure you've heard every argument, so I'm not going to try, but I've not been persuaded by any of these arguments that calvinism is wrong. I just hear mis-characterizations of the position and a lot of echo chamber talk.
I've heard you quote John 6, no one can come unless the Father draws them, and John 12 if I be lifted up, I will draw all men, but those verses seem to contradict each other and make the Father a failure at saving all men if not all are saved.
The problem seems to be that you forget the rest of John 6, and all the Father gives Me "will come to Me" AND I will raise up on the last day.
I'm genuine in my question, how do you reconcile the "alls" in John 6 to 12? Or can you point me to a video where you've explained it?
Thanks.
@@toddcote4904It seems to me the real problem you have is with John 12. 32 "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." All means all. There are no qualifiers there. Why do you assume that being drawn is the equivalent of forced belief?
John 6 refuts Calvinism. Let's start @ verse 40;
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Ok, it says, "everyone" with no qualifiers. That does not contradict, The Father drawing all men or only those that He draws. There is no issue. Anyone willing to believe, will be drawn by the Father. Again, that does not contradict the Father having to draw all men. Anyone who believes will also be drawn by the Father.
Let's continue;
41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.
47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Again, no qualifiers. It is assumed, that anyone who believes, was also drawn. Therefore is no problem. Continuing;
48 I am that bread of life.
49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Did you catch that? "...I will give for the life of the world." Again, no qualifiers.
You are seeing nonexistent contradictions and failing to see real contradictions.
Great question, it is obvious why he didn't bother to answer. @@toddcote4904
Fantastic teaching! Thank you so much for this. I’ll be checking out your in-depth teachings too! 👍🏼
Very good teaching session.
Simply excellent
Excellent, thank you.
The biggest proof of the sovereignty of God is the ability to give free will to a creature!
garbage talk
@@ringonordstrom692 Good one. You just proved Calvinism. Ringonordstrom692 and his revolutionary "garbage talk" argument will be in theological textbooks centuries from now.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
So, how exactly does one become uncircumcised? Think on that.
Thanks
Steve makes a great Point about the verses that calvinist point to that say all are referring to the elect, but questions why they don't ever say that. I think that's a good point that can be taken across the board on any biblical topic if verses across the board don't say a particular thing but say something different then that particular thing is a very unlikely to be true
I thank Steve for this exegesis. It answers to my heart , and after listening to him , Leighton Flowers,Warren Mcgru , and others, this video puts it all together in one video. I am in a group chat with my SIL ( a 5 point Calvinist) and some friends and relatives. Some of them lean towards TULIP, and I took some of this information In my chat with them. God Bless you Steve . Keep up the faith!
No flesh will glory in His presence. All things are from Him through Him and for Him.
We did not chose Him, but He chose us from the foundation of the world. Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. To God alone is the glory and the honor and the power now and for forever, Amen 🙏
"He chose us from the foundation of the world" *_from_* the foundation of the world not BEFORE. That would be correct. Jesus is the ONE God chose *_before the foundation of the world_* and us IN HIM ... God is clear that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and have access to grace *_after_* we believe (Eph 1:13, Rom 5:1-2) because “whoso keepeth his word, IN HIM verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are _* IN HIM,*_ he that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.(1John 2:5-6)... big difference between from the foundation of the world and *_before_* the foundation of the world...
do not wander into the vanity of imagining you eternally coexisted in glory with Jesus... you are not the one God chose, Jesus was.
@@inTruthbyGrace “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:” Ep 1:4
He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.
@@inTruthbyGrace “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” -Ep 2:8
@@LifeandLifeMoreAbundantly yes.. *_NOW_* you got it right because you quoted it but your original comment omitted the two most important words in all of Scripture: *_"in Him"_* Paul spends his entire corpus of his writings painstakingly detailing what it means to be "in Him" and considering your original comment completely OMITTED that concept altogether, you can be fairly certain you have not a good grasp on what it means.
Peter laid out how you can make your calling and election sure..time to go back and study because he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2Pt 1)
@@LifeandLifeMoreAbundantlythat isn't talking about salvation. It's talking about sanctification.
What a great analogy about the roofie drug, calvinism is God basically casting a love spell on people.
Blessing really clarified a lot of points on calvinism for me
The Flood demolishes every point that Calvinists make.
They remind me of two-year-old children.
Every other word they say is "NO!"
Is it safe to say that Calvinism has another gospel?
I would say so
I wouldn’t say so. But they are severely misled. Ultimately, they are saved by grace through election. However, they still preach Christ amd Christ crucified and still hope in the cross….on the surface. For example, they are not going to evangelize and tell strangers that God has already elected who will and wont be in heaven. They usually wait until someone is “in the faith” a bit longer before they start feeding their ideology. Calvinism, in it’s specificity, is usually an inside conversation. Which is already a red flag to me. It’s usually a conversation done in secret. A “good” calvinist would be furious to hear you explaining election to unbelievers because they know it’s not gracious. They would say that is sowing seeds of discord and discouraging a young believer and causing them to stumble.
TULIP is simply a point by point response to the Remonstrance.
Hyper calvanism is clearly contradictory of so much in the old and new testament
"Dead" as in: You must be born again.
Steve, thank you for your service to the LORD. It is so needed today in this lost World.
I take such abuse doing my small part against the cult of Calvinism.
It is so refreshing hearing someone preaching clean, clear, truth, so easily understood.
I posted a few of my thoughts for people below as well.
TRUTH IN LOVE
Hmmmm, cult? Really? I guess Edwards, Spurgeon, Whitefield, Carey, and others were all cult leaders. I did not know that.
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe Yes I did know that they were heretic leaders. Calvinism is not Christianity. It is a Cult by definition.
There is no Gospel in Calvinism. Only bad news.
@@truth7416 Your own definition of "cult" is quite convenient. I don't think Christians who are genuinely trying to harmonize all aspects of scripture should be labeled as cult leaders or heretics.
This is an ignorant view to take and shows how little you understand of the Calvinist doctrines of grace. A God who shows mercy to whom he wills but also justice to wicked sinful men. A God who works all things to his glory. This is not "bad news". But a strong, powerful and merciful gospel.
@@truth7416 Which God is "bad news". One who allows evil and wickedness to run wild without purpose because he cannot violate man's free will.
Or a God who has a purpose for all that comes to pass and is actively working all things to the council of his will.
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe If your in the Calvinist cult what else could you say? Of course you have to answer and defend something you have given yourself over to. There are many who talk about and argue about true Christian matters. But Calvinism is different , he is bent on slandering the character of our loving God. The Calvinist is not a christian anymore than a Morman or a Roman Catholic.
The cult member always replies with the same cult answers they have learned.
Like " You don't understand Calvinsim"
Or "Straw Man"
Or 'Free willer'. It is almost funny if it weren't so tragic that they have embraced the Devils doctrine rather than the Good news Gospel offered to mankind.
Truth in Love
@Steve Gregg per your question. TULIP was first coined in English by Lorraine Bottner in his book the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination. So it’s a rather recent development although you can find the doctrines in the Canons of Dort.
I completely agree with you brother. The bottom-line is, that Love (agape) is not Love (agape) without freewill. If God's true heart for His creation is that He'd rather Love (agapao) us by giving us Grace & Mercy, which we don't deserve, instead of Judgement, which we do deserve, which I believe the Bible unequivocally teaches, how could we ever believe that HE is Love (agape) like we're taught in 1 John 4:8 & 16 and, at the same time, makes us do everything we ultimately do (even making our choices for us), giving us no will or say-so in it at all? How could anyone, in this case God, want to be loved by people that they make love them like that? That's not genuine love. That's a fabricated farce. And how great, really, is a God who would do this?
Freewill is seen throughout the Bible from Genesis (Gen. 2:16 & 17) to Revelation (3:20, 22:17, etc.). One of the greatest examples of freewill to me is found in Deuteronomy 11:26-28 & 30:19 & 20. Where God directly tells the people to make a choice and tells them what the result of their choice will be, whichever one they choose (curse or blessing). Time and time again, we see God demonstrating His Love through granting freewill to man. Sure, we blew it over and over again, but nonetheless, He still granted it and, willed & desired, that we would respond correctly by choosing Him. And it's this true genuine Love (agape) of God that called me to Him through His Son many years ago, and caused me to choose Him in faith. When I profess that I love God, I only love Him because HE first loved me and taught me how to love like Him through what He did for me on the cross and His Holy Spirit inside of me. This I know more than anything else in my life, and all thanks and glory only to God for it.
So, I find it rather insulting that anyone would equate my God, the God of the Bible, of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to a being who would deliberately create some souls for Heaven and some souls for Hell. Then, turnaround and tell me that this same God is Love (agape)?? No! I don't think so. Not my God. He would never do that. Nor would He ever feel the need to do that. I could go on and on, but I'll stop with one final comment (sorry for the rant)...
Regarding the Sovereignty of God...God, by His sovereign will, decided that since He loved the world so very much, despite our sin, our shortcomings, our weaknesses, and our ever-wandering hearts, that ALL who choose to believe in His Son shall not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Thank You Jesus!
God Bless you and your ministry brother! :-)
👏👏👏👏👏
Just some observations on free will: what exactly is it, that would CAUSE a man, clearly in the fallen state and cast out of the garden, completely depraved, whose good deeds are but filthy rags before God, to "choose" to accept Christ?
Until the anti-Calvinist can explain where this "will" to choose Christ comes from, when he is clearly spiritually dead, his argument will always be incomplete. The argument against Calvinism is based on the idea that "some" of those dead in sin can awaken themselves just enough to make a proper spiritual choice and believe, and thus obtain for themselves redemption through the belief they have generated from an unknown source for themselves. And others, the ones destined for destruction, just don't have this certain decision-making ability.
The fact is, God loved Jacob, and he did not love Esau; he did choose Jacob, but he did not choose Esau; he did bless Jacob, but he never blessed Esau; and he did this before either had a chance to make any free will choice. And the Arminian argument here is: 'well, this was not about salvation, it was just about blessings received or denied.' But that argument is weak in view of the fact that Esau brought God's curse Gen. 27:29 before he had committed ANY act of will. So we are left with the conclusion that God can CURSE someone without that person's act of will being involved, but an act of will is required from that same person to be denied salvation. This is an inconsistent reading of the text.
@@daniel77210
It’s not about ability to make the choice.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
These were more noble and searched and sought. That’s why they believed.
Those in Thessalonica could have done the same thing but it would appear that they loved their sin more than those in Berea.
John 3:18 ¶ He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
You don't understand John 3:16. And you don't understand "free" will.
The reading of Gen 27:29 is forced, It says Cursed is anyone who curses JaCOB, it did not say curse people unilaterally. God indeed denied Esau's proginy to carry the Messiah, to say that God never blessed Esau is cherry picking Esau was blessed in abundance so much that he needed nothing and denied the gifts of Jacob towards him - See the conversation between the two brothers in Gen 32 and Gen 33 specifically Gen 33:9.
Hello Steve concerning calvinism I dont see anyone really talking about 2Peter2:1 I think this destroys limited atonement, perservence of the saints and once saved always saved. Peter says the Lord bought them that is the false teachers. What are your thoughts on this.
Doesn’t the scripture say Jesus knew from the beginning who would betray him? How would he know that?
Well, he did talk to the Father all the time.
No link to his series on this?
czcams.com/video/iH5Kd_f-X-c/video.html
What are you today?
To me it seems that the Calvinist God is actually a different God at least as evidenced by the difference in character.
There’s only one true doctrine
One of the other implications of calvinism is in relation to final judgment and the fact that most people believe in eternal conscious torment. I have heard RC sproul on many occasions talk about that and it seems like a horrendous view in and of itself but particularly combined with calvinism seems awfully Cruel.
According to Jesus (not Calvin): Mat 13:40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
Mat 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
Mat 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
According to John the Baptist Luke 3:17 "...but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."
It's not atonement, it's propitiation.
Jesus said know one can pluck them out of my hand I'm not a Calvinist but Jesus taught once saved always saved because only God can know a person's heart if you are born again you can't be unborn again 😮
You can walk away and be like the seed that fell on Matthew 13:18-30 is the parable of the sower in the field.
John 15:1-17
@@RisenShine-zy7dnparable of the sower is a great example of what we see in the charismatic church, hearing some word of God, shouting out of emotion you are saved but the heart not changed.
What does he mean when he says Faith ? Faith in what?
@@sonofcharles3296 Faith in that Jesus is the Messiah of the world and faith that He paid the price of sin & death for you and me.
Having faith to believe then your sins are washed away by the pure blood of Christ.
Having faith that whatever Jesus said is the way and the truth and the life.
Therefore, repent and believe the gospel and your sins will be forgiven and you will have the promise of eternal life.
Matthew 4:17
Mark 1:15
Acts 2:38 & 3:19
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him. For them that come to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
God did His part for humanity and creation and we each individually need to do our part and respond to the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved from death into life.
@@sonofcharles3296really?
You don’t have trinity in the Bible either so God must not be triune? You @stevegregg have to agree.
Yet the idea is there. Just like Jesus in John states he is a “Calvinist”. Or that God is in total control in salvation like Christ said.
Dear Steve, so glad you came out of Dispensationalism. A few years more of study and you will understand Calvinism as well. I was 70 years old when I finally saw the light. God bless.
Ha ha! I don't know about that! Steve did believe in Calvinism earlier in his life, has read so many books in favor of Calvinism and knows all the arguments for both sides. He even gives a full lecture arguing for it (well, he tries) in this series: czcams.com/play/PLtzt3JhaK2U6TE8QkJV6E9OICi4mdxg6J.html&si=Py4DZVRc7IY6Xd_1.
Lol. Calvinists always have a certain smugness. "Oh, if you only understood Calvinism like I do..."
Well we actually understand Calvinism completely well. We understand it to be man made, unbiblical nonsense, which maligns the holy character of God, and makes Him the author of every wicked and perverse thing done under the sun. The reformers did well to jettison many of the errors of Catholicism, but unfortunately, this Augustinian nonsense survived, and a number of other errant ideas.
@@Drummr88 so sad you do not read and understand your Bible. But enjoy yourself.
@@koosvanzyl2605 True, there are many things I can only speculate on. With a thousand years, no one could gain a total and complete understanding of God's word. There are MANY things we just won't have a perfect perspective on, on this side of eternity.
But I know enough from a clear and plain reading of the Bible to understand that Calvinism is thoroughly refuted many times over, and one must decide to impose a Calvinistic interpretation on the Bible.
Anyway, I don't mean to antagonize you, so I'll leave it here. But I really hope you take another serious look at it.
Thankyou. Just a thought on Calvinistic interpretation of God's preordained purposes & causing people to act in certain (mostly sinful) ways eg Joseph sold into slavery by his brothers & Jesus' wrongful condemnation by Caiaphas, etc. What about Esther & Mordecai - he says if you don't (go before the king), God will raise up a deliverer from somewhere else...
God is so much bigger than our thoughts/ways. Blessings
Jer 7:31 They have built high places to Baal on which to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal, something I never commanded or mentioned, nor did it even enter my mind.
So a calvinist believes that God didn't command people to burn their kids as offerings to Baal, that it didn't even enter his mind, and as a result he punishes those people for doing so, yet before creation he willed for that to happen, calvinism is messed up.
Lets look at the opposite - people believe God is helplessly looking on as man is destroying himself and all creation because he wants to be a god like satan. Man has taken matters in his own hands, and God can but watch and try here and there to remedy things a bit. But free will gets in the way whenever He tries to intervene. Is that your god? Not the God of the Bible. Not the Almighty. If God is not God, God is not God at all.
Jer 16:20-21 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The LORD.
@@4285johan What do you mean? God did remedy the situation, he sent his son to die on a cross for us so that we can be saved, we simply have to accept his free gift, calvinism on the other hand turns God into a moral monster who randomly decides to save some people but not others, instead he sends them to burn in hell for an eternity for something they have no control over, that's screwed up, and not Biblical at all.
If I ever figure out that I am one of the elect like you, the first thing I do will be teach the kids in Sunday school the real "Jesus Loves me song" for the elect, as it should be.
"Jesus loves me, this I know.
As for you, I don't think so.
Only some to Him belong. We are right and you are wrong.
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
But I hope this isn't effervescent grace that I'm walking in and instead I'm actually deceived and one of the reprobates that He created to burn as a candle for His glory in Hell forever."
TRUTH IN LOVE
Agree. The debate on determinism and free will was an Aristotelian discussion prior to Christianity. Steve is correct, the first 400 years this was not in the lips of Christians. My theory is that Augustine took this debate since he was once a Manichaean and Christianized it. Augustine used his Aristotlean hermeneutic used it as a grid and imposed it into the Scripture. We must note too that Augustine only relied on the Vulgate not the NT Greek manuscripts. Further, as Luther later in life said, this focus on determinism vs free will or the so called compatibilism - casts Christ out of the picture, he does not come in and the focus is away from Christ.
How would God exalt his Son to the throne if he didn’t ordain man’s fall?
What does one have to do with the other?
@@SteveGreggVideos Man had to fall so that Christ would come to die, rise again, and be exalted after He completed our salvation.
Heard this guy attempting to raise doubts about the doctrine of hell on an Arminian radio station broadcasting from the Treasure Valley of the Cults (southern Idaho) and was appalled at his effort to appeal to his listeners through novel arguments against plain meaning reading of Scripture. Formal training, he's above that, and it shows.
He says if Judas didn't betray Christ "God would have found someone else" because the prophecy only said it was someone Christ ate with. Steve, Christ dipped the sop and gave it to Judas! Christ said in his prayer in the garden "that a disciple would betray him!" Judas was raised up for this purpose!
You are playing with open theism. If Judas got cold feet and changed his mind after receiving the sop, or Satan didn't "enter him" at that moment. Christ would have been a false prophet. God ordains the end and the means.
Or what about Peter? Denying Christ was a sin. Could he have changed his mind after Christ predicted the denial? Could the rooster have failed to crow? No! This was ordained to happen!
We have to be consistent with everything we see of God's working in Scripture, rather than make these emotional arguments like "that wouldn't be fair if God decreed someone to do that". Remember we are all sinners deserving judgement, God's grace cannot be demanded on the basis of what we think is fair. It is no longer grace if we think it is owed to us.
@@BarkHillBrewsCafe Jesus one of the three persons of the Triune God (being both the Son of God and Son of Man) was dependent on the Holy Spirt, prayer to his Father, he lived obediently and learned obedience from the suffering he endured (Hebrews 5:8), he learned the word (Luke 2:49-50). Jesus exalted the Father in everything and pursued loving relationships with those he discipled .
Now we are commanded to do the same. If a church does not evangelize it is dead. If a church does not disciple, it is irresponsible. Spread the Gospel, make disciples.
Lost people are not goats. They are sheep without a shepherd
@@makedisciples8653 If you are implying that Calvinists don't evangelize, I would recommend looking up William Carey, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon. History is clear
After praying all night Jesus appointed twelve of the disciples including Judas as Apostles. It’s interesting that this event happened 2 1/2 years into his earthly ministry. Now there were likely hundreds of disciples to pick from. But after praying all night the Father told him who to name as Apostles. While on earth Jesus never played the God card. Because if he would have then he would not been like us in every way with the exception of sinning.
Adam entered a sinless world and CHOSE to sin.
Jesus entered a sin soaked world and CHOSE not to sin. Philippians 2
Jesus came to show us what God intended man to be.
We are not what God wanted man to be, we are broken men (and women) because we also chose to sin and still do sin
So God sent His Son - John3:16,
Through Jesus we have the gift of Salvation. But a gift must be received or rejected- John 3:36
While Jesus is the Lamb that took away the sins of the world (a biblical fact), you are not saved until YOU chose to believe - Luke 13:3,5 and UNLESS YOU make that choice you WILL (future) perish. It wasn’t determined for the Galileans and wasn’t predetermined for you
It was NECESSARY that Jesus died for our sins, because we could do nothing to save ourselves
Even the Pharisees were given the choice - John 8:24, John 10:38 Yes even the Pharisees (and apparently at least one did!)
And remember….faith is not works
@@makedisciples8653 You did not respond to my previous comment.
Christ was the Son of God, not just a man who "chose not to sin". If mankind somehow had the natural ability to choose to live a sinless life, I see major problems harmonizing such a belief with scripture. I believe Christ is both the author and finisher of my faith. Every part of salvation is a gift. "Within me dwelleth no good thing" as the Apostle Paul observed. I'm glad God's grace changes hearts and causes us wicked men to believe the gospel.
Predestination is Biblical and I do not see how people can just glaze over this doctrine.
Jesus died for the Elect. God does not love all of His children. ROMANS 9:13 ✝️
Calvinism overview
It is a doctrine of demons, it is a different gospel then the Bible.
Total depravity says you can not choose
The bible says choose this day whom you will serve.
Unconditional election says God chose those that would be saved and no one can choose on their own to have faith
God says WHOSOEVER believes shall be saved.
Limited attonment says Jesus only died for some
The Bible says that jesus died for everyone
Irresistible grace says God will force you to be saved
The bible says it is up to you to accept his free gift
Perseverance of the saints says God will cause you to endure till the end.
The Bible says God remains faithful even if you dont. He cannot deny himself.
The Bible says that even if an angel or any other man brings another gospel let him be acursed.
God created us to love him, love has to have a choice to love or to not love. God gave us the ability to make the choice ourselves.
Calvin said that God chose some and the rest our "doomed from the womb".
My God is way more loving than that.
God bless
Steve, I like your channel and agree with most of what you have come to understand as the truth, but I’m still a Calvinist. I know that had it been left to me to make the right decision when it came to trusting in Jesus, I would have failed and chosen the world instead. Left to my own devices I’m no different to so many of the people I know that have seemingly made that wrong choice and rejected Christ. Hindsight has shown that the choices I made were in the end not my choices - once God opens your eyes you cannot not see.
Good Bless
I spent most of my life as a Baptistic-Arminio-Dispy. The problem I always had was that it didn't square with the scripture. Over the years I came to see that the Reformed view (AKA Calvinism) fit the teaching of scripture much better. I seriously doubt that I will ever go back.
A painful subject -- like the Holocaust or Ilhan Omar's US citizenship -- that must nonetheless be faced.
😆👍
Is 63:17 Why o LORD do you make us wander from your ways, and harden our hearts so we do not fear you?.Listen to his summation.."You become a Christian by an act of your will," vs "You become a Christian by an act of God's will." This is the essence of man centered religion. He presupposes the freedom of man's will without a biblical foundation. Simple question..what does it mean to be born again? How much of your will was involved in your 1st birth? John 1 says we are born not of our will, but God's. In John 3, Jesus draws from Ez 36 (born of water and spirit) and you see a biblical depiction of the new birth, and the spirit's freedom, not ours. You don't "accept Jesus," you repent and believe, both described as a gift from God. Salvation starts and ends with God.
Luke 13:3, 5 No. unless you repent you to will all perish. (It’s your choice David) It has not been determined…. Yet!
No one will choose for you, the consequences are in the future (Will …the future)
Even the Pharisees had the ability to choose John 8:24, John 10:38 THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE (they had the responsibility)
Salvation is a gift that must be received or rejected John 3:36
God does not owe mankind ANYTHING. He would have been completely righteous if he immediately killed Adam and Eve as soon as they disobeyed Him. Thus ending humanity with them. However, God wanted a people to himself and let them and the human race that came from them continue. So, we have no right to judge God (and his "character") in any way. I find what is known as Calvinism and TULIP able to stand up to strict Biblical scrutiny.
He's Old Gregg
What do you mean? Did Steve change his mind on the subject recently?
3:00 Yes. In my view, THIS is the problem with 'reformed'/Augustinian/Calvinist teaching at its core; those accepting its false premises as truth have fallen prey to the same lie Satan posed to Eve in the Garden. The effect of which is to foster a fundamental doubt about the goodness of God as it correlates to the very conscience God gave to all men. It describes the nature and motives of an all powerful creator which literally begs the question; "Can God can ever truly be trusted".... inadvertently bringing into doubt His character. (I do not believe this is unintentional at it's core. I believe it is by design, but not the design of Calvinists.) What better accomplishment could the enemy of our soul hope to achieve other than to cause those who believe "God is"... not to easily believe in their heart that He could be trusted to be truly good to them....personally?
Despite the fact that scripture declares God truly IS the personification of "Love"... not as an adjective, but a noun, they seem prefer to focus on "supreme power" as His most significant attribute. To my mind they would have to worship not from a position of true love but with an ever present fear of what God might actually do to them in the end and the possibility He might use that power as they would if they had it. Because they often prefer to have a constant laser focus on the lack of their worthiness and "worm-like" status in God's eyes, (as if that mattered after believing in Christ), I don't see how they can ever personally accept their status as the ‘righteousness of God in Christ’ because they never really ‘know’ if they were ever ‘chosen’ for salvation. Their hope is more in that they are truly 'elected to salvation' rather than trusting in Christ himself.
Calvinistic interpretations of scripture and beliefs literally perpetuate Satan's original lie, “God cannot be trusted to have your best interests in mind”. One can never know if God truly loves “them”.
Thanks for putting out this video. Gods character is almost as that of Allah in islam and the one created by Sofia in the Hammadi scriptures. Its sounds like gnostic theology dressed with some elements of tradition. I understand why the orthodox church never accepted Agustine and Calvin. Such a diviant from Martin Luther. Blessed is Gods loving and righteous nature, to know him is to love and fear him. (Amen)
No such thing as Allah only one God the others are nonexistent🤦🙄
The poison words of the greatest living Calvinist today. John Piper
quote :God . . . brings about all things in accordance with his will. In other words, it isn’t just that God manages to turn the evil aspects of our world to good for those who love him; it is rather that he himself brings about these evil aspects for his glory (see Ex. 9:13-16; John 9:3) and his people’s good (see Heb. 12:3-11; James 1:2-4). This includes-as incredible and as unacceptable as it may currently seem-God’s having even brought about the Nazis’ brutality at Birkenau and Auschwitz as well as the terrible killings of Dennis Rader and even the sexual abuse of a young child . . .
This is the Calvin god not the loving God of the Bible.
TRUTH IN LOVE
Brother, God ordained an evil infinitely worse than those things, the torture and death of his innocent son in the place of hell-deserving sinners. If you don't like that, you don't like God. I love it, because that's the only way to be saved.
Its all about God's character.
God is full of grace to everyone He has made. His love is held out in His hand to all.
These men are who God warns us about who will come into the World in our age.
In the old testament God sees that people are sacrificing their children in the fire to Baal. (Baal another name for Satan) Jeremiah 19:5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal-something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind. God says it never entered His mind that man would do such a thing.
Who do you think inspired men to burn their own children to Satan. Satan of course. (The Calvinist must say that burning these children was God’s idea and God forced these men to do it! In their minds God controls very action of every human being, as man has no free will.)
The fact is that Satan hates God and wants to destroy everything that brings joy to God and everything that is precious to God. How many human children were tortured to death on the alter of Baal to glorify Satan. Thousands, perhaps?
God called it evil and put a stop to it and said He was grieved that He had made man. To the Calvinist, God has created billions of people He has doomed from birth to be destroyed on His alter of what they call “Glorify Himself by the destruction of the wicked!” How is this different to sacrificing their children in the fire to Baal?
A Calvinist should not be shocked at these statements because it is standard John Calvin teaching all Reformed Churches follow.
I say shame on you who teach your children this Heresy. You teach your Calvinist poison describing Satan’s character applying it to God.
You make out God to be more of a monster than Satan is.
Satan can only torture for a moment and then can do no more. You and your Calvinist teaching teach that God will torture billions of children for eternity.
Don’t say that you don’t believe this as it is standard Calvinist doctrine! Perhaps it has been hidden from you as most Reform church’s are careful to hide the extremes they stand for, because they know that baby Calvinists that have not yet been completely processed in their Cult, might run at the hideousness of it!
You ignored John Piper spitting it all out on the sexual abuse of children being caused by God. Guess your OK with that!
Or listen to the nut John Calvin spewing out his poison :
"God arranges all things by his sovereign counsel, in such a way that individuals are born, who are doomed from the womb to certain death and are to glorify him by their destruction.( John Calvin Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 23, Paragraph 6)
“thieves and murderers, and other evildoers, are instruments of divine providence, being employed by the Lord himself to execute judgments which he has resolved to inflict.” (John Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 17, Paragraph 5)
That is some wonder full loving fake god you are serving there. Shame on you!!!!
THE TRUTH IS THIS
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. 1 Timothy 2 : 3-6
Those that don't see this, can't see this, because they have blinded themselves and will not see. There isn't one thing attractive about the Calvinist god. Hate, destruction, false salvation by lottery, pleasure in creating and forcing sin on the World!
TRUTH IN LOVE
As a former Seventh Day Adventist, I recognize Calvinism as a pseudo Christian cult in exactly the same way SDAism is.
What lead you out of Adventism? I have friends in that group.
How is Calvinism a cult like the SDA?
A calvinist claims no prophet or prophetess.
A calvinist has no private interpretation of scripture like Daniel 8:14.
A calvinist makes no claim as to dating the return of Christ.
A calvinist does not try to reestablish Mosiac law.
A calvinist makes no exclusive claim to the gospel or organization of the remnant church.
So how is it the same as the SDA cult?
Do you disagree that salvation is the work of God alone?
Do you disagree that without belief in Christ you remain lost?
Do you disagree that the unbeliever will suffer in the lake of fire for their sins?
Do you disagree that we are kept by the power of God?
Do you disagree that God's wrath remains upon those who don't repent and turn to Christ?
Do you disagree that God is not the Father of all men?
Do you disagree that salvation is based on Christ and not on the value of man?
Do you disagree that salvation is limited to those who believe whereby everyone else remains in their sin?
Do you disagree that darkness hates light?
@@toddcote4904 Calvinism is a cult in that it elevates 'truths' that are ambiguous to be salvific or almost so depending on who's talking, and it then anathematizes the rest of Christianity as being false and corrupt for not agreeing with it. It establishes doctrine by means of proof texting. It then insists it's exclusively "biblical" and insists no other Christian school of thought can possibly have developed doctrine through biblical exegesis but are merely 'ideas of men', because look at all of our proof texts.... It also oozes spiritual pride and arrogance and is absolutely incapable of self examination. It elevates Calvin to infallible interpreter of Scripture . Its the same animal as SDAism and other cults.
@@redcolt777
Sounds like you ran into a doosie of a person there. Be careful to not homogenize calvinists into a cult as you will inherently be condemning many saints who have gone before you, Edwards, Spurgeon, and Whitfield for example. Anyone can be a jerk regardless of their beliefs. This doesn't make anyone a partaker of a cult though.
God bless!
@@toddcote4904 cult is cult no matter how u put it. Calvinism is not only a cult, but one of the most twisted and brainwashing theology thanks to the ppl u mention. No wonder why u and others like u almost like worship them.
Going out on a limb here, but if you think a calvinist is believing in a God that gives date rape drugs, then you clearly don't understand what a calvinist believes.
This lecture was full of fallacies and other biblical problems.
I like Steve Gregg's teachings on other topics, but this was terrible.
It was an analogy ( date rape drug ) and it is pretty logical, you don’t like it but that’s exactly what it boils down to.
@@markshaneh
It's not logical at all. There's not a shred of support that any calvinist, ever, holds to this type of trash. Do better.
Yourself don't understand Calvinist. I'm Studying in Calvinist seminary right now. I have asked All this question because I don't agree their Doctrine., They are making God is author of Sin. God is showing partiality, and God is doing all this for His glory😢
This is just plain awful exegesis all the way through. It really isn't exegesis at all, Steve works through all of this mainly by giving you his reactions, his own opinions. What is apparent here is the irony of ironies; Steve has been saved by a gospel that he hates. Spurgeon said it right when he said; “Whatever may be said about the doctrine of election, it is written in the Word of God as with an iron pen, and there is no getting rid of it. To me, it is one of the sweetest and most blessed truths in the whole of revelation, and those who are afraid of it are so because they do not understand it. If they could but know that the Lord had chosen them, it would make their hearts dance for joy.”
I've listened to Steve Gregg go into great amounts of scripture brilliantly explained to refute Calavanist doctrine. He is excellent at exegesis.
I love Steve Gregg he’s my favourite teacher.
Here are the FACTS:
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world is described in Revelation.
Did Paul decide to get knocked off his horse?
I could go on and on but it’s pointless because only God can reveal this important Truth.
God knew satan would fall but He created him anyway. No wiggle room on that fact. Isaiah told us it please The Father to bruise Him..for OUR iniquity.
Isaiah 45:5-7
Gods Ways are Higher than our ways.
God loves every man even those who will be lost I’m not a five pointer but lean in the reformed direction and I KNOW I’m saved 100%
Steve typically does not try to sway his teachings one way or another. This js why many like him.