Hyper Calvinists believe in unconditional election—the teaching that there is no condition for God choosing you to be saved before creation, other than His secret will. In fact, one well known Calvinist has even stated that faith is not a condition for election. For some, Calvinism is just another fad. Others believe Calvinism is clearly taught in the Bible. As we will see, there are a number of legitimate errors that need to be addressed when it comes to Calvinism.
Below are three reasons that unconditional election is unbiblical. I know this article is woefully incomplete, but I trust that it will be a blessing to you.
1. God Wants Everyone to Be Saved
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?—Ezekiel 33:11
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:—Acts 17:30.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Are we to believe that Jesus is offering us something He has already decided not to give us?
Then there’s my favorite, 2 Peter 3:9, which says God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” This is the revealed will of God—that God wants all men everywhere to repent and be saved. I do not need to understand God’s secret will; I need to understand the conditions of His revealed will.
2. God Wants Everyone to Be Saved through Faith
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.—Ephesians 2:8–9
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.—Hebrews 11:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.—Romans 4:3–5
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.—Romans 10:14–17
Faith is the condition for salvation. Once God sees faith, He counts it as righteousness. When we place our faith in Christ, God imputes Christ’s righteousness to us.
3. God Gave Everyone the Ability to Respond to Grace and Be Saved
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.—John 1:9
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.—John 3:14–16
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die.—John 12:32–33
First John 2:2 tells us Jesus “is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” It is the revealed will of God that He wants all men to respond; but not all will respond. Who then are the elect? Those who respond.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.—Romans 8:29.
So before there is predestination there is foreknowledge: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied” (1 Peter 1:2). Before God elected us, He had foreknowledge of us—He knew that we would meet the conditions of salvation.
Although much more could be said about each of these points and many other points not raised here, the Bible is very clear that God wants every person to be saved through faith in Him. If the teaching of unconditional election were true, then God’s Word would be in error. I will go with God’s Word every time.
