Calvinism and Arminianism:
Myths & Realities
Calvinist, James White: “God is under no obligation to extend His grace to the rebel sinner, and every single person who enters into eternal punishment would, were they given the opportunity, freely choose to remain under punishment rather than bow the knee in loving adoration of the God they hate.” (Debating Calvinism, p.19, emphasis mine)
That’s why Calvary was such a gracious gift, given for each rebel sinner, that they might be saved, if they will believe in His Son, whom He does not leave to their free will, but actively chases.
James White: “The wonder is not that God passes by rebel sinners and shows His justice in their condemnation; the wonder is that in eternity past He foreknew a people, chosen them in love, and decreed their eternal salvation in their perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.” (Debating Calvinism, p.152, emphasis mine)
So it is a “wonder” that God would irresistibly save so few and damn so many? How is that gracious?
Former Calvinist, Steven Hitchcock: “We ought to stop and question a gospel that proclaims, ‘The wonder is not that He withholds mercy from some, but that He should be gracious to any.’ It sounds so spiritual, so humble, so weighty, and awesome, and yet it is a lie. Because of Calvinism we have actually come to think that God’s great willingness to be gracious is more unlikely than likely.” (Recanting Calvinism, pp.xxvi-xxvii, emphasis mine)
Arminian Charge: Calvinism distorts God’s grace.
Myth or Reality: To a Calvinist, it is a wonder why God would show His saving grace to anyone, much less everyone. However, beware of the fact that the Calvinist’s real aim here is to mitigate against the scandalous nature of special election, in terms of why God should prearrange to limit Christ’s atonement at Calvary to only a comparative few (i.e. the narrow path vs. wide road to destruction).
