Letters    

 ON GOD'S LOVE FOR MEN

Dear E. H.                                                                                                   November 6, 1993

      ...I write because I was disappointed by your recent article in R. T. dealing with what you call "hyper-calvinism." First, you stated that the hyper-calvinist denies that God loves all mankind, but is this not what the Bible teaches? In Psalm 5:5, we read that God "hatest all workers of iniquity" and in Psalm 11:5, we are told that with his soul God hates "the wicked and him that loveth violence." Both psalms are the work of David, "the man after God's own heart."

         Earlier this year, the Southern Baptists put up billboards about the city which read, "God loves you." Recently, the Roman Catholics have done the same with billboards that read, "The message of Medjugorge (sp.) is God loves you." They sound quite similar to me.

        Some of the problem may be in your translation of Psalm 5:5 to read, "You hate all who do wrong." The King James expresses it as "Thou hatest all workers of iniquity." Should we not make a difference between "sinners" and the "workers of iniquity?" Are not such "workers" people like Ahab who sold himself to work evil in the sight of the Lord? and as those who work all uncleanness with greediness? The Bible no where says the Lord hates "sinners."

       Second, your sentence continues by saying " ...and that the gospel is good news to be declared to all without exception." Certainly the Word of God is to be proclaimed to every man, wherever man is found, but the Word of God that reveals the gospel was not designed to save all men. It is a two-edged sword: it is designed to save some, and to call the rest to judgment.

      Neither you nor I are pure Calvinists as evidenced in the doctrine of baptism. We believe Calvin was a great revivalist as well as reformer. As a true Christian I am sure he would have us to be faithful to the Scriptures. Therefore, when you (thirdly) say, "He calls all without exception to the faith of Christ" it is certain he does generally, but not specifically.

     The Apostle John writing to a Jewish audience in both his Gospel and Epistles, shocked them with such a revolutionary idea that God would love Gentiles as well as Jews. There is no way to be consistent with Scripture unless we understand God loves all men without distinction, but not all men without exception. Love and Prayers.

ARE CALVINISTS OR ARMINIANS SAVED?

Dear T. L.                                                                                                 September 25, 1985

       ...I believe it to be arrogant and haughty to say only Calvinists are saved. It sounds very suspiciously like the Arminians who say only they belong to the household of faith. While I have those who will fight me over it, I nevertheless believe people like John Wesley knew the Lord. "Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye, but not to doubtful disputation," wrote Paul (Romans 14:1).

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