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Reformed Theology and Evangelism

Why do Calvinists Evangelize?

One of the major accusations that is levelled at me, as a firm believer in what is commonly called 'Calvinism' is that in my claiming that God, and God only decides who does or doesn't become a Christian, is that there's therefore no need for me to evangelize at all.

I hate such things. Such thinking labels me a 'hyper-Calvinist'. Before I go on, I should probably define a few terms.

By Calvinism, I mean the system of theology that emphasises God's sovereign election of some and some only to eternal life, on the basis of nothing in them, but of His own good pleasure. I imply in this that the human being does not make the first move toward God, but that God Himself gives faith as a gift and enables one to believe.

By Arminianism, I mean the system of theology that emphasises that freedom of the human will to either accept or reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ, each human possessing enough individual grace from God to do this without Him having to actively bring someone to new birth before they believe. I imply in this that faith precedes new birth in Arminian theology, where as it follows it as a natural result in the Calvinistic theology.

Ok. Terms defined. In this article, I will not, per se, be defending Calvinism as a system of doctrine; I believe it, and I am happy to defend it if you wish to challenge me on it; please feel free to email me at arron@lawgrace.co.uk and I will respond as I am able. I will simply be exploring the idea that Calvinism is bad for evangelism.

Alright then. Let's dive in!

4 Reasons why Calvinism doesn't cut the ground out from under Evangelism

       1. Calvinism does not deny the Biblically ordained means of salvation

Historic Calvinism does not deny at all that people are saved through hearing the Gospel proclaimed. Not at all. Today, the phrase 'hyper-Calvinism' has come to just mean anyone who is enthusiastic enough to use tag lines like 'Puritan truth', 'sovereign grace' and 'total depravity'. This is a mistake. Hyper-Calvinism is a technical term for a separate system of doctrine that is an UNBIBLICAL extension of Calvinistic theology, teaching that because God is sovereign in salvation (which is true), we therefore are not responsible in our exercise of the means of it coming about (which is untrue). You need only look back to the evangelistic explosion of the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Key men like William Carey, Jonathan Edwards, Adonijram Judson, George Mueller, Andrew Murray, Charles Spurgeon... all these men were 5 point, totally committed, evangelism passionate Calvinists. None of these men can be accused of lacking doctrinal depth or deep theological reflection; I defy any modern man to work his way through the writing of Edwards at any pace greater than a page or two a day, they are such meaty sentiments! But instead, all of these men were pioneer preachers of the Gospel and committed and faithful biblical evangelists, presenting Christ as fully sufficient for the sins of all, and uniquely efficient for those who would trust in Him.

Imagine it like this. We all agree, Arminians and Calvinists, that God decides what happens with regards to inanimate objects. In His providence, every single nail that has ever been sunk into a piece of 2 by 4 is only there because He wills it so (Prov. 16:33). Does that mean there was not a hammer? Does that mean that there was no arm wielding the hammer? Of course not! Because God ordained the nail, He ordained the hammer and the arm! Very clearly when we examine the Biblical text with objectivity and slowness, we see that salvation comes because God wills it, and for no other reason (Romans 9:18). But, God very clearly teaches that nobody gets saved at all without evangelism (Romans 10:13-17). You see, for Paul, there is no thought of salvation apart from the receiving of the good news. But equally, the power isn't the person hearing, or the preacher, or even the preaching, but the Gospel itself (Romans 1:16). Let me illustrate with a verse from 1 Corinthians. Look at 1 Corinthians 1:21. My deepest apologies to all you KJV-only fans out there, but the King James translation is just dead wrong. ESV gets it right with this,

"For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe."

It is not the folly of preaching (as a method -- though hey, it is pretty foolish!) that God is pleased to use to save them that believe - it is the folly of what we preach - namely Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified, that it pleased God to save through. The power is the Gospel itself, to call the dead to life.

This is what Calvinism is grasping it in it's approach to evangelism. We are seeking to recognise that, no matter how eloquent I am, or how good my methods are, only God can save. The power is the Gospel itself, not my presentation of it. Ultimately, my methods in and of themselves draw nobody to Jesus. Because, "No one can come to me, unless the Father who sent me draws him." (Jn. 6:44). The greek word translated 'draw' is being translated too tamely, and gives the impression of a sort of, spiritual 'wooing' - it's the word for drag. The same word is used of the fish that Peter drags ashore.

In light of this, we preach the Gospel, knowing a) that it is the God ordained means of salvation, and b) that it is itself the power of it's effectiveness.

       2. Calvinism means that faithful evangelism never fails

When people tell me that I must feel like I'm wasting my time when I evangelise, because of my Calvinistic beliefs, it simply doesn't compute. I go out with great joy, and boldness and confidence, because I know that when I faithfully present the word of God, it does exactly as it is supposed to! My evangelism cannot fail.

God has said quite clearly, that His word never returns to Him void, but always accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent (Isaiah 55:11). However, if we were to believe that God efficaciously desires to save everyone, then we would have to admit that He has failed to the uttermost! As Shai Linne puts it in his song, "Mission Accomplished", "To say that everybody was why Christ came in history/ with so many in Hell, we'd have to save He failed miserably/." Ah, one loves the Reformed Hip Hop. Anyway, my point is this; I know that God's word the Gospel, will always accomplish it's purpose in the life of every single person I share it with, one way or another. The issue is, Calvinism acknowledges the scriptural precedent for saying that the purpose of the Gospel is not always to save; but sometimes to condemn. This is a mysterious thing; but God always performs His will, as and how He pleases.

       3. Calvinism makes prayer for the lost meaningful

Charles Spurgeon writes, "You have heard a great many Arminian sermons, I dare say; but you never heard an Arminian prayer - for the saints in prayer appear as one in word, and deed and mind. An Arminian on his knees would pray desperately like a Calvinist. He cannot pray about free-will: there is no room for it. Fancy him praying,

"Lord, I thank thee I am not like those poor presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a glorious free-will; I was born with power by which I can turn to thee of myself; I have improved my grace. If everybody had done the same with their grace that I have, they might all have been saved. Lord, I know thou dost not make us willing if we are not willing ourselves. Thou givest grace to everybody; some do not improve it, but I do. There are many that will go to hell as much bought with the blood of Christ as I was; they had as much of the Holy Ghost given to them; they had as good a chance, and were as much blessed as I am. It was not thy grace that made us to differ; I know it did a great deal, still I turned the point; I made use of what was given me, and others did not-that is the difference between me and them." ¹

Spurgeon jests a little. But the point he is making is mine. The idea that the belief that God and God alone without human assistance saves does not in any way contradict the idea that one would passionately pray for the lost; it inspires it! For in such a belief, where else would one go? If did not believe that God could actually do something in response to my asking for someone to be saved, I wouldn't bother; I'd leave Him to whatever mere wooing He plans to do, and read more books about presuppositional apologetics-- and I haven't read any of those in awhile, I must admit. I probably ought to.

       4. Calvinism gives God all the glory for salvation

Whatever way you slice it, an Arminian approach to evangelism leaves the glory, in some small measure, to the person who did the evangelism. God will not be having this. As it is written,

"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."" - 1 Corinthians 1:27-31

God designs the order of things that there might be no boasting in anything except Him. He will get all the glory, and you and I shall get none of it. Again it says,

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

If on judgement day, one were to try and put ones salvation down to the words of an evangelist, God shall respond, "and who put breath in his nostrils?" and all arguments shall cease. May God alone receive glory for salvation. Soli Deo Gloria!

So there are some things to ponder over. No flaming in the forums!

In Christ,

Arron

1From C.H. Spurgeon's Sermon, "Free Will-- A Slave", The New Park Street Pulpit, No. 52