Reformed?  Non-Reformed?  
Always Reforming !
Sid Galloway, B.S., M.Div., N.W.J. (Nothing Without Jesus)

Please don't assume what position I take, until you've read the following carefully :-)
Non-Calvinist ?  Calvinist? Neither?

Updated September 16, 2002

This diagram pokes fun at man's attempts to comprehend the infinite mind of God.
Many of you have higher IQ's than the rest of us, but don't forget, yours is infinitely lower than God's!
And remember, Jesus didn't call us "sheep" to boost our "self-esteem".  
As an ex-zookeeper, I know first hand, a sheep's brain is nearly as dense as a rock.
Thank God, His truths are simple enough for a child, yet profound enough for any Ph.D.!

All Christians agree that our Lord holds all men responsible to repent and submit in faith to His saving Lordship.  We all agree that only God knows who will become a believer.  So we, now as believers, are to proclaim His gospel to all men, and then to disciple those who repent, believe, and seek to grow.  We all agree that God by His grace overshadows the entire process of salvation.  And we all agree that His holy love is the motive that under girds it.  Yet, the interface between God’s transcendent reality and man’s finite virtual-reality is impossible for any human to grasp.  

I periodically am tempted to think that IQ and education ought to make it possible to comprehend beyond what God has revealed in Scripture.  But each time I quickly am humbled, as I once again come to the end of my own severe limitations. Maybe the temptation is even stronger for many of you men and women out there who are geniuses, yet please don't forget that every man’s thoughts fall infinitely short of our Father’s.  Remember that Jesus said we are to come and to walk with Him as humble children, not as Rabbis or Doctors of Philosophy.  Legitimate degrees can be good and useful, but they can also be stumbling blocks to the profoundly simple truths of our Father (1 Cor 8:1).

Scripture reveals that Jesus is 100% God as well as 100% Man. Can you understand that important, biblical fact? I can’t, yet I fully accept that the Bible teaches both truths. Great controversies raged in the early years of Christianity, as finite human minds demanded of themselves and others, that they comprehend the "what" and "how" of Jesus’ incarnation. More like Greek philosophers than the Hebrew disciples of Scripture, many early Christians "thinkers" let speculation eclipse humble, simple, practical application of revealed truths. In their futile efforts, some even slid so far beyond the Bible’s written revelation (1 Cor 4:6), that they ended up in heresy, over emphasizing either Jesus’ deity or His humanity, to the exclusion of the other.

I believe that a similar danger prowls about in the ongoing human debate over the origin and causation of the will, and the order of salvation. The debate teams are the Non-Calvinists vs. the Calvinists, with subgroups in both camps, adding fuel to the fire. Most theologians agree on the terms used by Scripture regarding the process of salvation, but they disagree on the meaning of those terms. Too many men on both sides insist, or perhaps for some - pretend - that they understand the "how" behind each and every dimension, even God's sovereign role.  But is that necessary for a person, family, or church to grow to maturity in Christ, for the Father's glory?  Part of the Good News is that dumb sheep, like me, don’t have to comprehend the speculative, philosophical depths of God’s truths the way God does, in order to be saved and grow toward maturity.

I’ve tried my best to study the relevant Scripture passages in context, many of the writings of men on both sides, and even many secular philosophers like Hume. As a result, I’ve become increasingly convinced that the simple, and most biblical solution to this debate is the same as the one that settled the incarnation speculations. I believe the best position to take regarding the origin of man’s will and the order of salvation is to have both feet firmly planted on the twin truths of God’s 100% sovereignty and man’s 100% responsibility. Then we are simply to apply those truths to our daily lives and relationships, without allowing the apparent tension between them to pull us too far to one side or the other. 

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found.  Was blind but now I see.

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.

Thru many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.
This grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we'd first begun."
                                                                            John Newton

John Newton (author of the hymn, Amazing Grace) in,  "More Than A 'Calvinist'" (1762), said:

    "To be enabled to form a clear, consistent, and comprehensive judgment of the truths revealed in the Scripture, is a great privilege; but they who possess it are exposed to the temptation of thinking too highly of themselves, and too meanly of others, especially of those who not only refuse to adopt their sentiments, but venture to oppose them. We see few controversial writings, however excellent in other respects, but are tinctured with this spirit of self-superiority; and they who are not called to this service (of writing) if they are attentive to what passes in their hearts, may feel it working within them, upon a thousand occasions; though so far as it prevails, it brings forcibly home to ourselves the charge of ignorance and inconsistence, which we are so ready to fix upon our opponents. I know nothing as a means more likely to correct this evil, than a serious consideration of the amazing difference between our acquired judgment, and our actual experience; or, in other words, how little influence our knowledge and judgment have upon our own conduct. This may confirm to us the truth and propriety of the apostle’s observation, "If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.' "  [Emphasis Added]

Who am I?

-  I'm nothing without the LORD!  (N.W.J. - nothing without Jesus)
-  I'm of Jesus, not Paul, Apollos, Augustine, Calvin, Arminius, or Amyraut - 1 Co 1:12.
    (As I recently heard a brother proclaim, "I'm a Jesusist".)
-  We're all, as protestants, reformed in one since, because we're not Roman Catholic.
-  I'm a two point biblicist, embracing God's revealed antinomies 100%.
        (Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man)  Incomprehensible, yet true and proven by the cross.  
        (God is 100% sovereign and Man is 100% responsible.)  Incomprehensible, yet true and proven by the cross.
-  These twin truths of sovereignty and responsibility are the cornerstone of counseling. 

God's Sovereignty:  A biblical understanding of the "© Providential Pressures" orchestrated for the growth of those who love Him is essential to true joy.  Nothing sneaks past God.  He is good, wise, and in control, so I know I can trust Him, in all situations.  Therefore, there is no room or excuse for frustration or anxiety.

Man's Responsibility:  A biblical understanding of the personal accountability we each bear under the hand of God's sovereign authority is the foundation of true integrity.  I have no excuse for bitter resentment, self-pity, or despair.

-  Sola scriptura and sola fide apply to progressive sanctification, as well as justification.
-  I'm both transformed and continually reforming.
-  I'm a bridge building, equal opportunity iron sharpener, desiring only to glory our Father.

Dangerous Logical Extensions:  You could call me an equal opportunity irritator, since I see logical inconsistencies and flesh flaws in the writings of some men from both sides, especially my own - at times.  Please remember, that when humans over focus on one side of an antinomy, the inevitable, logical extension of that focus becomes an unbiblical extreme.  When man continues to focus on God's sovereignty to the exclusion of man's responsibility, the end result becomes fatalistic determinism (like hyper-Calvinism, or Islam).  When the finite human mind continues to focus on man's responsibility to the exclusion of God's sovereignty, the end result becomes "open theism" or "process theology".  Both of these extremes are recognized as heretical.  So, just like the antinomy of the Incarnation, the biblically safe position on which to stand is with one foot firmly planted on both truths.

** Since this issue is becoming a growing source of debate (both healthy iron sharpening and sadly even some fleshly arguing on both sides), I'll be including brief synopses of the resources below, and adding more recommended resources from both sides as the Lord allows.  Please remember, brothers, not one of us on either side of this subject has a mind capable of fully comprehending the interface between finite, fallen humanity and the infinitely perfect reality of our Heavenly Father.  So I encourage all of us to dialogue about GRACE in a GRACIOUS manner - soli deo gloria

[From our "SOULCARE.ORG" doctrinal statement] 
Any effort to explain God's revealed truths must be handled with prayerful humility (1 Cor 13:12-13; 2 Tim 2:14-15, 23-26; Jam 3:1). His ways and His thoughts are beyond the greatest of human minds (Exo 3:14; Exo 33-34; Isa 55:8-9; 57:15; Micah 5:2; Mat 6:10; 1 Tim 6:16; etc.). Yet His revelation is so simple, that even children can know Him intimately as Father (Mat 18:1-6).

Terms like "paradox" and "antinomy" fall short of explaining truths that bridge the intellectual chasm between human comprehension and God's reality. We are like the two dimensional beings of Edwin Abbott's fictional "Flatland", who were unable to perceive and unwilling to believe in a three dimensional reality. Like the "Flatlanders", we are dependent on direct revelation from someone who transcends our realm.

Rational faith, therefore, must not stand on subjective feeling, but on objective evidence unveiled directly from the Creator who is high and lifted up, not bound by the limits of our space-time domain. We are spiritually blind apart from the gracious light of our Creator's Word. But how can we know whether the Bible is truly God-breathed? Across the world and through all of human history, only the Bible verifies its divine authorship with hundreds of prophetic proofs (Isa 41-48; 53).

Isaiah 44:6-7
"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel
... Besides Me there is no God
...who can proclaim as I do
...the things that are coming and shall come....?"

We teach that one of the most significant aspects of the truth of God's sovereignty is the practical, joyful assurance it provides the believer. God is both good and in full control (Rom 8:28-29). Nothing slips past the mind of God who transcends both space and time. Therefore, we can rest in His providential orchestration of the events of our lives for His will, which is our best interest (1 Co 10:13; Rom 5:1-5; Jam 1:2-8).

We teach that while the biblical doctrines of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility are not fully comprehensible to the human intellect, they are both nonetheless proclaimed by God's Word (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 1:12-13; 3:16-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2). This revealed antinomy is as mysterious a set of truths as is the truth of the incarnation, which has historically been used by Satan to tempt human pride toward unbiblical extremes. Men who expected to be able to fully understand the depths of how Jesus could be 100% God as well as 100% man, ended up out of balance neglecting one truth at the expense of the other.

We believe that in much the same way, we should simply and humbly embrace these profound truths totally, not because we fully comprehend them, but because they are both revealed in Scripture.

We teach that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2).

We teach that sovereign election does not contradict or negate the responsibility of man to repent and submissively trust Christ as Savior and Lord (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Romans 8:28-29; 9:22-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; Revelation 22:17).

We teach nevertheless, since sovereign grace includes the means of receiving the gift of salvation as well as the gift itself, sovereign election will result in what God determines. All whom the Father calls to Himself will come in faith and all who come in faith God will receive (John 6:37-40, 44; Acts 13:48; James 4:8).

We teach that the unmerited favor that God grants to totally depraved sinners to become children of God is not dependent on any effort on their part to achieve salvation through good works or mystical will-power (Joh 1:12-13; Rom 8:28-29; Eph 2:8-10; Jam 2:19). Salvation is solely of God's sovereign grace and mercy through submissive faith apart from human works (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 1:4-7; Titus 3:4-7; Jam 2:19; 1 Peter 1:2). 

We teach that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. God is truly sovereign but He exercises this sovereignty in harmony with His other attributes, especially His omniscience, justice, holiness, wisdom, grace, and love (Romans 9:11-16). This sovereignty will always exalt the will of God in a manner totally consistent with His character as revealed in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:25-28; 2 Timothy 1:9). 

Further reading on sovereignty/responsibility:  

Gary Johnson & R. Fowler White, eds., Whatever Happened to the Reformation? (2001)
[Chapters by MacArthur, Wells, Sproul, Powlison, et. al., call the "modern" church to turn away from "open theism", "psychotherapy", and "evolutionary theory", and to turn back to the historic, biblical truths of the reformation.]

Norman Geisler, Chosen but Free : A Balanced View of Divine Election (2001).  This book is not one of Dr. Geisler's best, but it does highlight a number of the exegetical and logical problems associated with the logical extensions/extremes, which necessarily flow from five point Calvinism.  Please note, however, my article above, which makes the point that the same holds true for the logical extensions/extremes of Arminianism.

Timothy George,  Amazing Grace:  God's Initiative - Our Response. (2000)  [A great place to start for a simple overview of the Calvinist's position.  This brief little book is one of the best introductions to the vital subject and debate regarding God's sovereignty and man's personal responsibility.  I don't agree with all of Dr. George's conclusions, but the tone of his presentation is the Christ-like countenance that should characterize anyone truly desiring to honor our Heavenly Father.  Dr. George is a "reformed" theologian, who graciously and fairly presents a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the subject, its history, and its profound importance to the glory of God and the health of the Body of Christ.]

Dave Hunt, WHAT LOVE IS THIS:  Calvinism's Misrepresentation of God (2002).  [This new book by Dave is filled with documented quotations, however, I am concerned that some of Dave's references are misunderstood by him and therefore misused to support his position.  For example, his claim that Spurgeon rejected limited atonement is, I believe, historically inaccurate.  Dave's book begins with an historical survey from Augustine to Calvin to the present.  He then compares each of the five points of Calvinism (TULIP) to his understanding of Scripture.  I agree with his general historical concerns regarding the character of both Calvin and Luther.  This is why I do not want to be labeled by the name of any man other than the God/Man, Jesus Christ.  To my friends who insist on calling themselves, "Calvinists", please re-examine your label, in light of the historical record of the character of John Calvin.  No, I don't believe that the culture in which these men lived excuses their serious errors in belief and life.  In addition, folks, please be careful about calling Augustine and Calvin "great exegetes" of Scripture, without qualification, since both men believed, taught, and practiced some unbiblical principles that none of us could embrace today.]

Iain H. Murray, Spurgeon Vs Hyper Calvinism : The Battle for Gospel Preaching.  [There are different presentations of "Calvinism", and this little book helps to reveal the subtle dangers of the extremes so natural to the logical extension of any side of any antinomy.]

John Newton (author of the hymn, Amazing Grace).  "More Than A 'Calvinist'" (1762)

James White, THE POTTER'S FREEDOM: (2001).  [James' book is endorsed by numerous respected leaders among conservative Christianity.  The primary benefit of the work is that it has potential to help pull churches back from the dangerous realm of mystical dependence and focus on man, so common today due to the infectious influence of psychological theology.  There is a definite need for a return to the biblical emphasis on God and His protective provision over all things, for His glory and then, secondarily, our joy.]

Beware the Logical Extensions/Extremes of Antinomies
We humans see in a mirror dimly . . .
Praise God that it is not necessary for anyone to fully comprehend such truths,
in order to be saved and grow to maturity in His character!
Simple enough for a child, profound enough for any Ph.D.

Dr. John Piper http://www.soundofgrace.com/piper81/100481m.htm  

“If all that is not God came into being at the word of God then it follows that every second of our existence is owing to the word of God. The Biblical teaching is that no creature has a principle of ongoing existence in itself apart from God's perpetual preservation. Hebrews 1:3 says that Christ reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. If God should ever cease to address your body and soul with the command, "Be!", you would cease to be. The only barrier between you and nothingness is the word of God. Have we even begun to plumb the depths of that saying ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ (Matt. 4:4, Deut. 8:3)!”
[Emphasis added]

2 Thessalonians 1:9

"These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."