The Calling
Norman Geisler: “Now, it would be both deceptive and absurd for God to command all to repent when He had not provided salvation for all.” (Chosen But Free, p.209)
Exactly, there has to be substance to the Call.
Now, of course, Christians are also referred to as “the called,” which has the same effect as meaning, the Named: “...among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:6)
John Calvin on The Calling: “...as lawgiver He illuminates all with the external doctrine of life, in this first sense calling all men to life. But in the other sense, He brings to life whom He will, as Father regenerating by the Spirit only His sons.” (Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, p.106, emphasis mine)
John Calvin: “The calling is therefore a certain and specific calling, which seals and ratifies the eternal election of God so as to make manifest what was before hidden in God.” (Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, p.70, emphasis mine)
Calvin continues: “Our Heavenly Father invites everyone to faith by the external, human voice; but he effectually calls by his Spirit only those he has decided to save. Now if God’s election, by which he ordains us to life, is the cause of faith and salvation, nothing remains for worthiness or merits.” (Acts: Calvin, Crossway Classic Commentaries, p.229, emphasis mine)
What John Calvin is describing is what Calvinism terms the “General Call” to everyone vs. the “Effectual Call” (i.e. Irresistible Grace) in terms of the Father’s drawing of His eternally elect sheep.
4-Point Calvinist, Ron Rhodes explains the Calvinist perspective: “Theologians point out that the phrase ‘many are invited, but few are chosen’ (Matthew 22:14) indicates that God issues two calls to sinners inviting them to receive His salvation: a general call to all and a specific call (or election) to some.” (Commonly Misunderstood Bible Verses, p.154, emphasis mine)
In contrast, while Arminianism agrees that there are two calls, it is not for an ineffectual call to the alleged, eternally non-elect goats vs. an effectual call to the alleged, eternally elect sheep. Instead, Arminianism’s two calls reflect:
God’s call of everyone to live IN Christ, that is, to become saved (which to Calvinism is the ineffectual, General Call), and
God’s call of Christians to live FOR Christ, that is, their vocation in Christ (which Christians often refer to as “their calling,” whether to be a Pastor, or to the Mission Field, ect.)
Examples of the General Invitation:
“Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31)
“‘Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.” (Matthew 22:9-10)
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
Examples of the Christian’s Calling:
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” (Ephesians 4:1, KJV)
“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.” (2nd Timothy 1:9)
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” (1st Thessalonians 5:24)
Arminian, Robert Shank: “We have observed that the Gospel call is to all men alike, and that those who answer affirmatively become in a particular sense ‘the called.’” (Elect in the Son, p.208)
This is evident at Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” [KJV] Speaking of this kind of calling, consider the following:
J. Vernon McGee: “My friend, if you are a believer, you are a minister of Christ. What kind of message are you giving? Notice that a minister of Christ is a ‘steward of the mysteries of God.’ ... The ‘mystery’ here is actually the Gospel, the Word of God. Since we are stewards of the ‘mysteries of God,’ we are to dispense those mysteries. ... That is the calling of a steward of the mysteries of God, and I can’t think of any calling higher than that. ‘Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful’ [1 Cor. 4:2]. Notice that it is not required of a steward to be eloquent or to have many gifts, only that he be found faithful.” (Thru the Bible commentary series: First Corinthians, pp.49-50, emphasis mine)
Question: What is the Calling?
Answer: There is the calling to become a Christian, when Jesus knocks upon the door of your heart for conversion, and there is also the calling which relates to your purpose as a Christian. However, Calvinists view the Calling as either an Efficacious Call (being an Irresistible Grace, made only to the Calvinistically elect), or a General Call (being unanswerable, and made only for the alleged, non-elect). The strange thing, however, is if Jesus didn’t die for the alleged, non-elect, then what exactly is the alleged General Call, calling a person to? (To call a person to repentance, naturally implies that there is some benefit to it, and yet if there is no backing of an Atonement, then what is the basis for repentance to be met with forgiveness, knowing that without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins?)
