Anti-Calvinist Websites

[Deleted member 14259]

Has anyone ever come across arguments such as those given by this website? It has a bunch of articles attempting to argue against Reformed Theology. I'm somewhat new to the faith and Reformed theology (a few years), so I'm not sure where to go or what's the best way to counter such critiques. Is this individual an Arminian or something else? Are their good responses I could study here or elsewhere that rebut the claims on the below website?

EDIT: I understand studying scripture, but Curtis seems to think that us Reformed folk twist scripture to support our views. Sorry for the link spam, just trying to assemble a corpus of what this individual believes.

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com...rmed-theology-is-unfounded-using-ephesians-1/

Reformed Theology Makes Scripture The Ultimate Candy-Coated Gospel Presentation

To candy-coat a message is to describe something as better or more desirable than it actually is. To candy-coat a message is to ignore – or purposefully leave unmentioned – harder trut…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

The Eisegesis Of Reformed Theology – 1 John 2:2

Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2 This passage has caused much consternation for Reformed theolo…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

If You Do Not Like To Think Hard, Then Calvinism Is For You

You just fell for click bait. I do not actually believe that my Calvinist friends do not think hard. Of course they do. I just could not resist this attention-grabbing title. But now that I have yo…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

The Early Church Fathers Taught The Non-Reformed View Of Romans 9:22-23

22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this …

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

Do All Reformed Theologians Stop Thinking In Order To Convince Themselves Their Theology Is True … Or Is It Just John Piper?

Please forgive the appearance of disrespect to the Christ-lover John Piper. I wish that all Christians were as committed to Christ as John Piper. I would take a passionate John Piper over a lackada…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/how-the-calvinistic-god-is-unimpressive/

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com...from-Christ-puts-a-sizable-dent-in-calvinism/

How Proverbs 16 Argues Against Reformed Theology

Proverbs 16 is considered a hotbed for Reformed theology by Reformed theologians. They enjoy quoting 16:1, 4, 9, and 33 in support of their claim. They rightly point out that these verses teach the…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello Greg,

Have you ever considered looking into books refuting Arminian / Pelagian thinking, and other anti-Reformed works? One needs to fortify one's mind and heart before looking into the devil's chest filled with hatred toward the Sovereign and holy One.

 

[Ploutos]

Even more importantly, read commentaries and theology works to help you positively understand why Reformed theology is Biblical, not just why the other guy is wrong.

 

[RamistThomist]

Ignore them. Unless it is in a peer-reviewed work, I really don't care what others say. That sounds arrogant, and it probably is, but it also saves time. Anti-Calvinist websites are only a step above Youtube ministries and discord servers.

 

[83r17h]

Ignore them. Unless it is in a peer-reviewed work, I really don't care what others say. That sounds arrogant, and it probably is, but it also saves time. Anti-Calvinist websites are only a step above Youtube ministries and discord servers.

I have an additional rule for even peer-reviewed work. If I run into more than 3 dishonest/deceptive citations within 20 minutes of engagement, then I ignore it. But in the case of the websites/youtube/etc. stuff, there typically isn't any citation at all. So another helpful guide is to skim the bibliography. If the author's main focus is critiquing a view, and has no representatives of that view in their bibliography, I also don't pay much attention.

 

[Deleted member 14259]

Hello Greg,

Have you ever considered looking into books refuting Arminian / Pelagian thinking, and other anti-Reformed works? One needs to fortify one's mind and heart before looking into the devil's chest filled with hatred toward the Sovereign and holy One.

Hello Steve,

I would be interested in doing so. What resources do you recommend? Likewise, what would you recommend for commentaries and theological works, JP?

Appreciate everyone's responses, as always.

 

[Ploutos]

Hello Steve,

I would be interested in doing so. What resources do you recommend? Likewise, what would you recommend for commentaries and theological works, JP?

Appreciate everyone's responses, as always.

It depends on how deep you are willing and able to go. At a very basic level, a good Reformed study Bible. The ESV Study Bible, Reformation Study Bible, and Reformation Heritage Study Bible all have strengths. Pay particular attention to the blurbs on soteriology and the study notes for Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians. But also look for allusions to these passages and ideas throughout Scripture - for that, a Bible with chain references or cross references is useful.

Beyond that, popular works by authors like Sproul and Piper can be helpful. Although Reformed theology is more than the Five Points, Sproul's "What Is Reformed Theology" is helpful.

Beyond that, Berkhof, Calvin's Institutes, the Reformed confessional standards.

Commentaries on Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians by men like Calvin, Hodge, F.F. Bruce, and Matthew Henry.

Underneath all of that, though, you should know your Bible cover to cover from prayerful reading. None of those other reads will be effectual without the Holy Spirit showing you God's plan of salvation present as one magnificent thread from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22. Read it all the way through at least 2 or 3 times, hold it up to the Reformed doctrine of salvation, and ask yourself if any other view can possibly fit as well.

 

[Sovereign Grace]

Has anyone ever come across arguments such as those given by this website? It has a bunch of articles attempting to argue against Reformed Theology. I'm somewhat new to the faith and Reformed theology (a few years), so I'm not sure where to go or what's the best way to counter such critiques. Is this individual an Arminian or something else? Are their good responses I could study here or elsewhere that rebut the claims on the below website?

EDIT: I understand studying scripture, but Curtis seems to think that us Reformed folk twist scripture to support our views. Sorry for the link spam, just trying to assemble a corpus of what this individual believes.

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com...rmed-theology-is-unfounded-using-ephesians-1/

Reformed Theology Makes Scripture The Ultimate Candy-Coated Gospel Presentation

To candy-coat a message is to describe something as better or more desirable than it actually is. To candy-coat a message is to ignore – or purposefully leave unmentioned – harder trut…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

The Eisegesis Of Reformed Theology – 1 John 2:2

Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2 This passage has caused much consternation for Reformed theolo…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

If You Do Not Like To Think Hard, Then Calvinism Is For You

You just fell for click bait. I do not actually believe that my Calvinist friends do not think hard. Of course they do. I just could not resist this attention-grabbing title. But now that I have yo…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

The Early Church Fathers Taught The Non-Reformed View Of Romans 9:22-23

22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this …

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

Do All Reformed Theologians Stop Thinking In Order To Convince Themselves Their Theology Is True … Or Is It Just John Piper?

Please forgive the appearance of disrespect to the Christ-lover John Piper. I wish that all Christians were as committed to Christ as John Piper. I would take a passionate John Piper over a lackada…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/how-the-calvinistic-god-is-unimpressive/

https://curtiseschulz.wordpress.com...from-Christ-puts-a-sizable-dent-in-calvinism/

How Proverbs 16 Argues Against Reformed Theology

Proverbs 16 is considered a hotbed for Reformed theology by Reformed theologians. They enjoy quoting 16:1, 4, 9, and 33 in support of their claim. They rightly point out that these verses teach the…

curtiseschulz.wordpress.com

To me, sites such as these are on the same level as “click bait” articles. They never live up to what the articles state.

 

[arapahoepark]

I have an additional rule for even peer-reviewed work. If I run into more than 3 dishonest/deceptive citations within 20 minutes of engagement, then I ignore it. But in the case of the websites/youtube/etc. stuff, there typically isn't any citation at all. So another helpful guide is to skim the bibliography. If the author's main focus is critiquing a view, and has no representatives of that view in their bibliography, I also don't pay much attention.

Plus videos are more tedious. I think most of us can read faster than the guy spouting off.

 

[Theoretical]

Plus videos are more tedious. I think most of us can read faster than the guy spouting off.

Truth. Videos are exhausting. Podcasts at least can be listened to while doing other things.

 

[Ryan&Amber2013]

Yeah, to save yourself time I would only study credible people. As noted above, be very well studied in the Bible so you are not easily led astray.

But personally I enjoy hearing what others believe and why they don't believe what I do. It points out any blind spots and inconsistencies I may have, and makes me more sympathetic towards those who don't believe what I do. I think it's a bit cultish if we seclude ourselves to study only what we believe. I'm not afraid to learn other things with an open mind, as I've done this and am still convinced of reformed theology. We should all want truth regardless of where it leads us, and think critically as we learn. Thankfully as I've done this, I believe God has led me to the best place

 

[RamistThomist]

And if you read the best objective peer-reviewed sources, you will find out what the other side says, anyway. Mindless pro-Reformed (i.e., pop-Calvinist conference stuff) is just as useless as mindless anti-Reformed stuff. Neither will help you grow in knowledge.

 

[Ploutos]

Mindless pro-Reformed (i.e., pop-Calvinist conference stuff) is just as useless as mindless anti-Reformed stuff.

What falls in this category in your mind? I don't have my cage-match gloves on... I've found Sproul and my study Bibles helpful in grounding me, particularly in my early years as a Christian, but I'd be interested to hear alternative takes, if some of what I listed falls into your net.

 

[ReformedChristian]

The most Anti Reformed claims I have heard have been emotional such as:

1. The Doctrine of Predestination is pagan and comes from Augustine and Gnosticism
2. John Calvin killed Servetus thus Reformed Theology is wrong.
3. We deny the Salvation of Infants and Calvin taught infant damnation (I just read Book 3 of the Institutes he never said that)
4. Romans 9 is about corporate election. But of course, that fails to see that even on that level nations are people so that's a bad argument.

Also Another few things to point out. If you read classical Reformed thinkers on the atonement they will tell you the death of Christ has the power to save all but is only effectual to those that believe. Even an Anti Reformed person has to believe that in some sense unless you're a full-blown universalist. A good book I would recommend is John Gill's for the Cause of God and Truth he goes into Pre-Christian Jewish Sources showing these ideas are not new.

I even wrote on some of these issues here: https://www.puritanboard.com/ams/a-...lvinistic-view-of-predestination-is-pagan.34/

 

[RamistThomist]

What falls in this category in your mind? I don't have my cage-match gloves on... I've found Sproul and my study Bibles helpful in grounding me, particularly in my early years as a Christian, but I'd be interested to hear alternative takes, if some of what I listed falls into your net.

Anything that is quote-mining, for one. Other times it could be simply asserting a position when there is substantial evidence to consider otherwise.

 

[Joshua]

Wait... there are people who have beef with Calvinism?!

 

[Sovereign Grace]

Wait... there are people who have beef with Calvinism?!

And some have chicken. And a soda, as drinking alcohol with a meal is sin.

 

[MyCrows]

I am shocked to discover that there are hate-websites directed at my youngest son. I am appalled.

 

[Ploutos]

I am shocked to discover that there are hate-websites directed at my youngest son. I am appalled.

I didn't know your son's name was Barron. But, good news... the sites aren't directed at him.

 

[Theoretical]

What falls in this category in your mind? I don't have my cage-match gloves on... I've found Sproul and my study Bibles helpful in grounding me, particularly in my early years as a Christian, but I'd be interested to hear alternative takes, if some of what I listed falls into your net.

If every sermon, book, article, and the like is about some aspect of predestination, regardless of the context, that's a good sign someone's a taking a good horse and beating it dead, flat, and pulpy.

Westminster has 33 chapters.
2nd Helvetic has 30 chapters
Belgic has 37 chapters
39 Articles have, well, 39 articles
2nd London has 32 chapters

etc... God's sovereignty is present throughout, but there's other teachings beyond this one and you can't just simply stretch everything into a TULIP issue.

 

[Grant]

Most helpful to understand what John Calvin taught: Read Calvin (particularly The Institutes). Not only will you better grasp the dangers of Roman Catholic teaching, you will know more about what Calvin actually taught compared to the vast majority who claim to be Calvinist or Anti-Calvinist. Plus you’ll be deeply edified and blessed.

 

[Jerusalem Blade]

Hello again, Greg @AgentWillis ,

I would recommend two volumes, which I have used when refuting the classic arguments such as you have been confronted with. They are,

The Death of Death in the Death of Christ: A Treatise in Which the Whole Controversy about Universal Redemption is Fully Discussed, by John Owen (intro by JI Packer), and

The Cause of God and Truth: Defending the Doctrines of Grace, by John Gill

There are different editions out now, just make sure you get the full volumes. They have been invaluable in my defense of the Faith. It may take you a little while to get accustomed to them — learning how to navigate through them to the specific points in question. I have found nothing better in such concise forms.

As regards Calvin and Servetus, this is a brief but remarkable examination and defense of the matter: The Trial of the 16th Century: Calvin & Servetus, by Jonathan Moorhead.