Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 9/20/2010

Question
Recently, my pastor has become a five point Calvinist and has pressed this doctrine on us. This Calvinist view has shattered my heart! I do agree that Man is totally depraived and headed for Hell and God must change the believer's heart first for he/she to even have faith in Jesus and repent but what I'm confused about is the view that God doesn't extend this wonderful grace to everyone? I am aware that everyone will not accept this grace due to our wickedness but aren't we all wicked? So does this mean that God choses some and not others? Is His grace extended to everyone and man rejects God? Hasn't ALL men rejected God though?

Answer
Hi Brenda,
 Thank you for writing and may I begin by saying you and your church are not alone.  Many modern pastors are accepting and teaching the false doctrines of Calvinism.  I will not comment on why, more than to say I really do not think many of them truly understand what they are teaching.
   Years ago before I was a pastor or went to Bible college my pastor who was a Calvinist, began teaching me its tenants, although I never embraced them.   It did not seem to be consistent with God's word, and certainly not God's nature, but I really was not prepared to refute it.   He once had the Calvinist evangelist in who told our congregation that you could not find the Gospel or salvation in John 3:16. That raised a red flag !
  While in school and afterwards I was continually confronted with Calvinism.   I years ago made a promise to the Lord I would never preach or teach anything I had not thoroughly studied and knew absolutely  that it was "thus saith the Lord."  So I began my research with spanned years.   I began to write an article and as time went by I revised and expanded it.  That article is posted on my web site at   http://bible-truth.org/election.htm   and is titled "Is Calvinism or Arminianism Biblical? A Biblical Explanation of the Doctrine of Election."
  Thousands of people have read the article and many have written commending that it cleared the matter up for them.  You can even read some of their comments I have posted on the page.
  May I suggest that you read the article carefully with your open Bible and I believe it will answer all you questions.
  However, if not please write me at cpabrams3@gmail.com and I will be happy to discuss or answer any questions you might have.
  This is a serious matter because Calvinism is a false doctrine, has a false gospel, and is deceiving many people and robbing them of the truth and its blessing and peace in their lives.
  Thank you again and please write if you have further questions.

Cooper Abrams
Bible Truth Web Site
http://bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2
          "You cannot serve God without serving others."
      "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with charity"  (1 Corinthians 16:13-14 )

For a clear explanation of God's plan of salvation please go to: http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html