What Love is This? Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God
Updated: Nov 10, 2022
This, from the late Dave Hunt from The Berean Call, is one of the most profound expositions on the errors of Calvinism. For the record, I'm neither Calvinist nor Arminian. I believe man has both free will and exercises that free will under the sovereign plan of God.
This illustration is to reconcile God's sovereignty in salvation with man's free will to choose salvation. From H.A. Ironside:
"It has been pictured in this way. Here is a vast host of people hurrying down the broad road with their minds fixed upon their sins, and one stands calling attention to yonder door, the entrance into the narrow way that leads to life eternal.
On it is plainly depicted the text, "Whosoever will, let him come." Every man is invited, no one need hesitate. Some may say, "Well, I may not be of the elect, and so it would be useless for me to endeavor to come, for the door will not open for me." But God's invitation is absolutely sincere; it is addressed to every man, "I'mWhosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Rev. 22: 17).
If men refuse to come, if they pursue their own godless way down to the pit, whom can they blame but themselves for their eternal judgment? The messenger addressed himself to all, the call came to all, the door could be entered by all, but many refused to come and perished in their sins. Such men can never blame God for their eternal destruction.
The door was open, the invitation was given, they refused, and He says to them sorrowfully, "Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life." ... [But some will say], "I am going inside: I will accept the invitation; I will enter that door," and he presses his way in and it shuts behind him. As he turns about he finds written on the inside of the door the words, "Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.
H.A. Ironside, In the Heavenlies (Ephesians), pages 27-28
Summarized
Free Will and Predestination are like a door. The side of the door toward us says, "Free Will." Once you go through the door you turn around and see that the other side says, "Predestination."