Rise of Calvinism: Where did Calvinism Originate?

John Calvin a Protestant reformer from the 1500’s, who at the age of only 27, published his book “Institutes of the Christian Religion”, which is the first book of many that would later form the manual of Protestant theology. His work became well known and was an important figure of second generation protestant reformers and as you can tell from his last name, he was responsible for the rise of Calvinism. And if you need a little refresher: The major reformation in the 16th century was a huge breaking away from the Roman Catholic churches, as people rebelled and started to form other groups.

“American Calvinism owes its existence to the transplanting of European churches and religious institutions to North America, a process that began in the 16th century, first with Spanish and French Roman Catholics, and accelerated a century later when Dutch, English, Scottish, and German colonists and immigrants of diverse Protestant backgrounds settled in the New World.”

Today there are 5 points that Calvinism stands on:

Today the doctrine of predestination is central to Calvinism, though it was not Calvin himself who taught these things, but the denomination took a life of its own, and it slowly grew to what it is today.

Basically, Calvinism is best known by an acronym: T.U.L.I.P.

• Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
• Unconditional Election
• Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
• Irresistible Grace
• Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)

These five categories do not comprise Calvinism in totality. They simply represent some of its main points.

Matt Slick

In simple terms, total depravity acknowledges that the entire human race is inherently evil as a result of the fall, which the bible tells us is true and is common ground for most believers. However, in Calvinism this is used to justify their belief that we cannot respond to the gospel ourselves, and that only God can do that for us (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).

Next on the list is unconditional election, which simply put means if God ‘elected you’, there is absolutely nothing you can do, that will prevent you from entering his kingdom, which is also why many don’t believe in free will (Romans 8:29-30;9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6, 11-12).

Third is limited atonement, meaning that there is unconditional grace, but not for all, only the special elect (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).

Irresistible grace means the elected are drawn to God, when God calls, the elect respond (John 6:37).

Lastly, perseverance of the saints (Once Saved Always Saved) states that not one of whom God has elected will be lost. They are eternally protected (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).

A deeper dive into ‘Once Saved Always Saved’

Calvinism leaves the terms for exclusion from the call, or exclusion from election, completely undefined, essentially leaving many tortured about whether they are called or not, and leaving many damned without any clear terms or reasons. As we know the scriptures define the terms for damnation and salvation very clearly. To believe is to be saved, and to not believe is damnation.

Another popular argument would then say, that the need to believe in Jesus as well as repentance, is works based salvation. However, works based salvation requires actual physical actions to be counted towards earning salvation.

Calvinists will often say that the rest of the Christian community does not have true eternal security, because we acknowledge that we have free will to follow him and that some will turn away, be deceived or turn back to their old lives. (2 Peter 2; Hebrews 6: 4-6; Matthew 13; Matthew 24:24). The Calvinistic reasoning against this, is that you cannot ‘lose’ your salvation. And let’s be clear, ‘losing’ your salvation is not mentioned in scripture and there for does not exist. Your salvation isn’t something you can simply misplace, or mistakenly leave somewhere. What IS mentioned in scripture are warnings about deception and sin.

Romans says this regarding our security in Christ:

Romans 8

“38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

So let us read it as it is, nothing will ever separate us from God, nothing will be able to take us out from under his grace. – ESV

But in the parable of the Sower Jesus is also clear that not all who receive the word, will keep it and bear fruit, Matthew says this:

Matthew 13

¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. ²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³ As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” – ESV

And in Hebrews we are given a very clear warning about crucifying Christ anew:

Hebrews 6

 ³ And this we will do if God permits. ⁴ For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵ and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶ and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. ⁷ For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. – ESV

Peter issues a warning against being deceived by false teachers:

2 Peter 2

1Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. 3In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. – ESV

These scriptures do not contradict themselves, but they are a part of the whole truth, and complete each other.

The heresy

The scriptures tell us that the elect are the people who come to Jesus, out of their own free will, and that God foreknew, all who would come to him. It does not say that the elect are drawn to him against their will, this was inferred because it pleased them. The Calvinists agonized over not knowing for sure whether they were saved or not, even though the scriptures were clear. If you believe then you are saved, but because they were insecure in their salvation, they devised and created a way for them to ‘know for sure’. And so T.U.L.I.P. was born.

In my mind there are few things more evil, than telling the world: God gave his only begotten son, so that whoever believes in him, will not perish but have eternal life. BUT WAIT, only if you are elect, because otherwise there is nothing you can do about it, you’re damned. Essentially this makes most of the population fillers, and puppets. Now, don’t be fooled, Calvinism sounds mostly like the Gospel you are used to hearing, if you’re not listening closely. But don’t forget that the devil knows every inch of scripture and he is not afraid to use it. Just as he distorted scripture to tempt Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11), he will use it to tempt and deceive the world. But there is a way for you to know whether something is true or not. The word of God is perfect and does not contradict itself, if it seems like the word speaks against itself, then you do not have the truth.

Below I will post some scriptures, the first one (Romans 8) is commonly used to justify Calvinism. If you could cut certain verses and chapters without considering the rest of the bible or the context, you could make this view work. What pulls the falsehood of Calvinistic teachings into the light, is the rest of God’s word bound together, to make a whole perfect picture of his plan for us. God’s word as a whole is perfect and makes perfect sense. Below this I will post scriptures for you to compare.

Romans 8

28 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. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written,
“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – ESV

John 3

13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.” – ESV

1 Corinthians 15

20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 24 then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. – ESV

Why is Calvinism popular in reformed Mennonite communities?

I have been to many churches, and been surprised to find that Calvinistic principles are sneaking their way in. Many sit in their seats and listen to a counterfeit gospel, but do not recognize it. If you do not know the true original well enough, you will not recognize a counterfeit when it greets you. And to understand why Calvinism, or other versions of it, have become popular in the latter years, I think you have to consider how most Mennonites grew up. And most grew up with no hope, and no certainty of their fate, damnation was almost certain.

So, when one hears that you will never truly know that Jesus forgave you, and you will never know if you will enter his kingdom, where do you turn? It is complete agony, believe me I know, because I was there for over half my life. When I then did hear the truth, it took over a year for it to sink in, Jesus died for my sins, for the sins of the world. I believe he died and rose again and therefor, his spirit testifies with mine that I am a child of God. It has nothing to do with whether I feel saved or not. And I think many who were like me, needed more than just his word. Instead of searching his word for clarity, some have turned to men on a pulpit, to tell them they are undeniably saved.

These teachings highlight a great insecurity. For some, simply reading and believing what God has said wasn’t enough for them to feel secure in his salvation. Some want more assurance than the word of God gives them. And this was the case for the first of their kind in the 16th century. Though the word was clear:

Romans 8

⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. – ESV

Calvinism is said to be the ‘absolute certainty’ of salvation, when in reality it is a safety blanket for those who did not take God’s word at face value. It adds an extra layer that is not necessary, and in the process damns the outlier, for whom there is supposedly no hope. But our God is clear, there is a hope for everyone: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Below I’ve added a link to a Podcast, if you’d like to learn more!