Calvinism: None Dare Call It Heresy

Today, a growing number of churches, ministries, and Christian colleges are promoting Calvinism. While Calvinist scholars claim that Calvinism is complex (and they have indeed created a complex system), the rudiments of it are very basic, and it can be readily understood.To call something heresy is clearly a strong accusation and should never be done flippantly. For something to be heresy, it must deviate from the fundamental teachings of the Bible. And nothing can be more serious than a deviation from the Gospel itself. Calvinism does present “another gospel.” John Calvin taught that God will be glorified by bringing billions of people into this world for no other purpose than having them burn in Hell for eternity. This alone depicts a view of God found nowhere in Scripture; in essence, this misrepresents God but also creates a platform upon which “another gospel” has been built that is both fatalistic and makes the sacrifice of Christ no longer freely available to “whosoever may come.” Salvation is no longer a matter of choice. Furthermore, the Calvinist can never actually know if he or she is one of “the elect” thereby placing the Calvinist “Gospel” on a foundation of doubt rather than true biblical belief in the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. If that is not heresy, then what is?