Why I Think Calvinism Is Unbiblical

title: Why I Think Calvinism Is Unbiblical
sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxakEl8BYBE
media_link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxakEl8BYBE
contentPublished: 2018-09-11
noteCreated: 2025-02-12
description: I present this in Christian brotherhood to my fellow believers. Expand this description for TIME STAMPS for the video...I am not intending to attack or misrepresent Calvinism but to offer an honest
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Status: ✅ Read
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Youtube_Duration: 1:13:45

Description

I present this in Christian brotherhood to my fellow believers. Expand this description for TIME STAMPS for the video...

I am not intending to attack or misrepresent Calvinism but to offer an honest biblical critique of what I see as one of the major pillars in Calvinism. I welcome responses and encourage them to stay on topic and to focus on clear exegesis. However, if a comment or response ignores what I am saying and how I am building my case biblically I probably won't give it much time.
Links you may be interested in
My video on predestination and election - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO92L11L9jc&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHvQ9G4NCvuiN4Evbp13uQa1&index=25&t=0s
My video on a non-Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqj3ZSVAWGc&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHvQ9G4NCvuiN4Evbp13uQa1&index=26&t=0s
My video on why God hardens hearts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMuiT_R0zFQ&list=PLZ3iRMLYFlHvQ9G4NCvuiN4Evbp13uQa1&index=28&t=0s

My Notes

Introduction (0:00)

0:02 Mike Winger introduces the topic of Calvinism.
0:11 The central issue: Whether faith is a work and it's relevance to Calvinism.
- 0:21 ⭐ This is a key reason he is not a Calvinist.
0:35 Focus is on biblical reasons, not fluff or rhetoric.
- 0:51 ⭐ The primary question is: Is it biblical?
1:10 Plan: Calvinist quotes, scriptures, and demonstrating how a biblical truth undermines a pillar of Calvinism.
1:30 Disclaimer: Respect for Calvinist friends; this is a "family matter."
1:46 No vilification of Calvinists or Calvinism.
2:18 Prioritizing Calvinist comments in the live chat.

Is Faith a Work? (2:39)

2:39 The central issue: Is faith a work?
- 2:48 ⭐ Mike believes this is deeply connected to the validity of Calvinism.
- 2:59 Calvinists treat faith as a work when defending their positions.
- 3:09 If faith is not a work, there are fewer reasons to be Calvinist.
3:22 Does Calvinism teach faith is a meritorious labor for God?

Biblical Perspective: Romans 3 (3:33)

3:33 Bible first, then Calvinist quotes, then response, then comments.
3:36 Romans 3.20: Justification is not by works of the law.
3:41 Romans 3:21-22: Righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
- 4:24 Belief leads to righteousness, the opposite of works.
4:37 The works of the law include loving God and loving your neighbor.
4:58 Salvation is by believing, contrasting works and faith.
5:09 Romans 3:27: Boasting is excluded by the law of faith, not works.
- 5:50 ⭐ Key verse: Romans 3.27 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
- 5:52 If saved by faith, there's no reason to boast.
- 6:02 Belief (faith in Jesus' finished work) means no boasting.
6:25 When Calvinists act like faith is a work, it contradicts the Bible.
- 6:31 Faith and works are contrary; one rules out the other.

Biblical Perspective: Romans 4 (6:48)

6:48 Romans 4.1: Abraham was not justified by works; if so, he could boast.
7:01 Same concept as Romans 3: Do you get credit?
7:11 If saved by faith, you can't boast because you didn't earn it.
7:21 Faith merits nothing.
7:27 Romans 4.3: Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.
- 7:33 His belief was counted as righteousness, not earned righteousness.
7:40 Romans 4:4-5: Faith contrasted with work; belief justifies the ungodly.
- 8:02 Faith is not a work, as verse 5 states.
8:20 Romans 4.13: Promise to Abraham came through the righteousness of faith.
8:48 Righteousness of faith: Believe God, He gives righteousness.
- 9:01 God gets all the credit; you can't boast.
9:05 Romans 4.16: Salvation depends on faith so that the promise rests on grace.
- 9:21 ⭐ Romans 4.16 is very important on this issue
- 9:52 Faith establishes grace.

Biblical Perspective: Galatians 2 and 3 (9:59)

9:59 Galatians 2.16: Justification is not by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ.
- 10:10 Juxtaposition: faith = grace, free; works = boasting (but everyone fails).
10:36 Faith is obviously not a work.
10:40 Cannot "switcheroo" and say believing is meritorious/boastful.
10:56 Galatians 3.2: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
- 11:18 You have to hear and believe.
11:21 Galatians 3.5: God supplies the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?
11:44 Abraham can't boast; you can't either.
- 11:51 Faith = grace = no boasting = all credit to God.
12:01 In the Calvinistic system, this changes quickly.

Summary of Bible Passages (13:12)

13:15 Three things established:
- 13:17 1. Works as earning salvation are unbiblical.
- 13:21 2. Faith is not a work.
- 14:02 3. Faith establishes grace and gives no reason to boast.

How Calvinism Treats Faith as a Work (14:15)

Synergism vs. Monergism (14:23)

14:23 Quoting RC Sproul on synergism and monergism.
14:47 Must know synergism/monergism for this discussion.
14:59 Synergism: Cooperative venture of working together.
15:01 Monergism: Operates by itself, works alone.
15:04 Sproul Quote - Monergism:
- 15:59 Regeneration happens maaan urges tically with only God working
17:51 Every Christian agrees salvation is monergistic (God does all the work).
18:01 The "switcheroo": Calvinists say if you believe based on a decision you made, that's synergism.
18:28 Contradiction: Scriptures say faith is not a work; don't say choice to believe is synergism.
18:41 Starts to act like the act of believing is a work
18:56 Choice to believe is faith is working for salvation that is not biblical

James White on Synergism (19:08)

19:08 Quoting James White on synergism.
19:52 White: God is not the one who saves
- 20:00 God makes salvation possible aids by some kind of grace
20:27 What binds everyone together if you're a modernist God can actually save
- 20:29 If you're a synergist God can only try to save
20:46 God could not have saved me without me
22:23 All Synergists God Alone doesn't do the saving
22:57 Choice just trust in Christ that itself is a work
24:00 Belief the Holy Spirit did a work in me to help me do it still getting credit
25:01 Monergist is believing God saves you entirely includes making you have faith
25:23 The God doing all the work in that exact scenario
25:38 Suggest is means God tries to save and can't
25:43 Fluff Rhetoric not Accurate

RC Sproul Jr. on Faith as Not a Work (26:04)

26:04 Quoting RC Sproul Jr. on why faith is not a work.
26:17 Violation Biblical Text
26:21 Faith is not a work on two counts
26:23 1 it is a gift from God
- 26:50 Not even choosing faith given to me
- 27:14 the idea that you're dead
- 27:20 Dead in sin means cannot even say I believe
- 27:27 Have to actually get regenerated first
27:45 2 Faith by its nature is passive we rest we don't work we received we do not earn

Reformation Theology (28:31)

28:36 Reformation Theology: "Is faith a work?"
28:44 Confess that our regeneration or new birth in Christ is monastic a work of God alone
- 29:06 Thus our faith in Christ arises out of a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit
29:26 All other schemes unregenerate either takes initiative or cooperates

Analysis of Calvinist Perspectives (31:06)

31:06 Faith is not a work according to the Bible
- 31:26 There's something about just trusting God that Calvinism elevates and makes a gospel issue
31:41 Like Mike you have a false gospel
32:00 Tulip Test

The Tulip Test (31:56)

31:56 Presenting the "Tulip Test" as a sneaky way to make people think faith is a work.
33:33 Sneaky trick questions
33:56 How Much Glory Does Jesus Get for My Salvation All of It
34:46 Asking What did you make a different
35:50 Perfect Example

Two Questions Asked on Facebook Page and Twitter (38:01)

38:09 1. Do you consider faith to be a work in the sense that it merits anything?
38:14 2. If not, how can a non-Calvinist position be considered synergism?
38:33 Like the Left Brain Wants to Say Faith Is Not a Work

Responses from Calvinists (38:52)

38:56 Jeff Robinson: Agrees that Ephesians 2 says salvation is by grace so there's no boasting, but faith itself is a gift.
- 39:14 Take us back to the scripture here boasting is excluded by the law of faith
39:20 David Wilson: Puts faith in a different category than works, but it's still a command.
- 39:46 That is exactly followed the track of Calvinism
40:11 Steve Hayes: In Calvinism, both faith and works are nonmeritorious.
- 40:31 In freewill theism, faith is an independent contribution made by the sinner no
- 40:55 God didn't make you have faith would be a work now
41:07 Joe Dunn: Faith is kind of a work.
- 41:34 Faith is not a work
41:55 Terrence Theodore: Faith is a work performed by God.
- 42:06 Non Calvinists understand freel will believe chose in of themselves hints synergism
- 42:24 Every time God says choose this implies Free Will
42:33 Sonny Burrell: Faith is neither a work nor meritorious.
- 42:42 Non Calvin is synergistic because effect made faith meritorious
- 42:49 Assumptions to push you to Calvinist views

Laura Elizabeth McGregor (43:31)

43:31 Laura Elizabeth McGregor answers on facebook
43:33 Yes faith is Gods work merits everything

Pre-Sub Guy (44:07)

44:07 No faith is not meritorious

Ashley Gardner (44:55)

44:55 Alone God Alone makes me have face so I have no free will

Aaron Break (45:21)

45:32 You consider face to be a work does not merit
45:37 No faith is not a work but is itself a gift of God
45:53 Calvinist refers to faith as Meritorious work
46:11 You're saying faith is not a work that it is

Summary of Responses (47:22)

47:38 Prioritize objections
47:50 If change the subject probably not respond

Q&A (48:11)

Michael Cato (48:14)

48:18 Question for Mike regardless of whether faith is a work or not
48:22 Passages such as acts 1348 in John 644 suggest God is absolute
48:49 the passage does not say anything about
49:05 Being the catalyst for belief except
49:14 Calvinism Arminianism predestination and election
49:40 compatible and the Bible does not talk clearly
49:43 about those issues

Christopher Jank (51:03)

51:03 How does one explain
51:04 Scriptures like Peter 28 or other clear
51:11 Trying to remember is that first Peter

Thomas Rize (52:35)

52:35 If you would have a good in-house conversation

Michael Celestia (52:42)

52:42 And never heard that faith

Triggerman (53:58)

53:58 Mike you claimed
54:02 That faith is not a gift in Ephesians 2
54:06 8 clearly says faith is a

Gospel Hand (57:42)

57:42 Throwing some verses I would like Mike Wenger to

Sarah Boot Camp (60:13)

60:13 If faith isn't a work what can we do or
60:26 Trespassers and sins point because even

Conclusion (70:45)

70:45 Legitimate Achilles heel of Calvinism
70:53 Faith is not a work
71:12 Something that's gonna make a difference
71:17 Do I want you to change from Calvinist to non
71:21 Because think going from left
71:29 Want to be a Calvinist

Next Week (71:45)

71:45 Next Week the Passion Translation

⭐ ➡️ Actionable Next Steps:

➡️ Review Romans 3 and 4, focusing on whether Paul implies God gives faith in the specific sense Calvinists claim.
➡️ Research the Greek in Ephesians 2:8 to understand the grammatical arguments about whether "this" refers to faith specifically.
➡️ Consider and research different perspectives on the "dead in trespasses and sins" concept in Ephesians.

Transcript

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