A. Introduction
A Uniquely Protestant Cult
Like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and a number of other cults that use the Bible, Calvinism uses the language of Christianity but means something different by those key words which are common to the salvational vocabulary of the gospel of Yah'shua the Messiah (Jesus Christ).
Simplifying the Convolution
This can make untangling the thinking behind Calvinism very difficult for the layman to properly understand in light of the original teachings of Scripture. Up until now most of our materials on Calvinism have used technical theological terms to explain the convolutions and twistings of this strange religion. This book aims to simplify matters and arm the pastor, teacher, evangelist, apologist and layman with explanations that can be clearly and simply understood.
The Four Principle Heresies of Calvinism
The thesis of this book is that Calvinism has more in common with Islamic ideas about fate and pagan notions of punishment than it does with biblical Christianity. There are at least four major heresies that are central to Calvinistic belief, most of it baggage brought by Augustine (who was a Platonist) from his previous religion of Manicheism into the emerging Roman Catholicism - and Calvin was heavily influenced by Augustine:
- 1. Manicheism - which taught determinism and total depravity;
- 2. Gnosticism - salvation by nature dressed to look like grace;
- 3. Fatalism - denial of human free will; and
- 4. Neoplatonism - the Greek pagan philosophy of Plotinus (the doctrine that the soul is composed of a higher and lower part) in biblical garb.
Augustine (left) & Calvin (right)
Plotinus
Mutilating the Character of Yahweh
It is for this and other reasons that we regard it as a dangerous cult that warps the minds and dulls the hearts of those adherents who take it seriously. Worst of all, it blasphemes the character and scandalises the heart of our Heavenly Father, Yahweh-Elohim.
An Ongoing Collaboration of Several Authors
The book you are about to read is a collaboration between several authors though the framework and principle contributor was an unknown writer who began publishing an in-depth exposé around the turn of the century but never finished his work. Whether he became too ill or passed into eternity is unknown to us as he left no means of contacting him or his heirs to thank him though he has given premission to reproduce his work. We have taken his excellent work and expanded it and hope the brother, who inspired and fleshed out the core of this work, would be pleased to know that his labour has not been in vain and getting extensive exposure through this website.
Mimimal Messianic Terminology
Because those who are caught up in the cult of Calvinism are not messianics, minimal cosmetic changes into messianic terminology have been made save to honour the true names of Deity to make it more intelligible and to enable a freer flow. We wanted to use and preserve a familiar Protestant delivery style that would be readable for evangelicals of all denominations.
Contributors Welcome
We welcome the work of anyone who would like to contribute materials to this book. You will find a number of proposed chapters that need writing, usually centering on a particular biblical text, and if you think you could write something useful that preserves the style and overall aims of this project, please contact us and let us know what you have in mind. We have done this before with other inter-denominational projects such as the Rapture.
Not an Attack on Calvinist People
Finally, we wish it to be known that we are not attacking Calvinists but Calvinism many of whom have been born-again but were waylaid. We love Calvinists and want to see them delivered from a false, destructive and fanatical system of religion.
Many Kinds of Calvinist
There are many who attend Calvinist churches who have little or no idea what the true doctrines of Calvinism are. Many of my relatives are counted amongst that number. Then there are those whose allegiance to Calvinism is more tribal than doctrinal. This is because of their upbringing and loyalties. They are nominal or 'Calvinist-in-name' only and are largely ignorant of what their religion is all about. The hearts of so many of these lovely people are truly connected to the living Messiah - they simply do not understand Calvinism. Indeed, there are many kinds of 'Calvinist'.
Famous Calvinists
Some of the better known Calvinists include John MacArthur, R.C.Sproul, James White, J.I.Packer, John Piper, Paul Washer, Todd Friel, Sye Ten Bruggencate ('Sye TebB'), Steve Lawson, Loraine Boettner, C.H.Spurgeon, A.W.Pink, B.B.Warfield, Jonathan Edwards, and John Calvin himself. Calvinists very much dominate the Internet, presenting a distorted version of the Gospel, a reason this website was created.
May Yahweh our Heavenly father bless and enlighten you as you study this book.
All Bible quotations in this book, unless otherwise stated, are taken from the RSV (1952), the preferred Protestant scholars' version prior to the publication of the New RSV or NRSV (2003):
