The debate over the sovereignty of God versus the free will of man has raged for centuries. In recent years, there seems to have been a resurgence in interest in the teachings of Calvin, thanks in particular to several popular radio preachers. This has caused a lot of unrest in certain churches where the issue had lain dormant but now has become a focal point and all too often a source of division.
Into this situation steps Dave Hunt, with an extensive look at the roots and teachings of Calvinism. Hunt makes it clear from the start that he finds the Calvinistic view of God to be repulsive. The very title raises one of his fundamental objections to the Calvinist system—What Love is This? How can God be a God of love when, in the Calvinistic view of things, He deliberately chose not to save all when it was within His power to do so?
In spite of the biblical presentation from Genesis to Revelation of God’s love, grace and mercy to all, Calvinism portray(s) God as pleased to damn billions. Who could fail to be gravely concerned for this gross misrepresentation of our loving God!
Calvinists try to get around the clear teaching of God’s love to all by redefining words. According to them, “the world” in John 3:16, “all men” in 1 Timothy 2:4 and “any” in 2 Peter 3:9 refer only to the “elect” not to all mankind. Yet even R. C. Sproul, a prominent apologist for Calvinism, admits:
If some people are not elected unto salvation then it would seem that God is not at all that loving toward them. Further, it seems that it would have been more loving of God not to have allowed them to be born.
As well as dealing with the central issue of the love of God, Hunt carefully examines the so-called five points of Calvinism—Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints—and shows how none can stand the test of Scripture.
Of particular interest is his section on “Perseverance,” which is not at all the same as eternal security. He shows how Calvinism, rightly understood, offers no assurance for the Christian. While the Calvinist says with confidence that all the elect will be saved, he does not and cannot have complete assurance that he is one of the elect!
One of the aspects of Hunt’s writing that I most enjoy is his treatment of Church history. In this book, along with many of his others, he provides a detailed historical background for his subject. Here he illustrates how Calvinism is deeply rooted in Augustinian theology—the same Augustine who gave Roman Catholicism many of its key doctrines. As well, he gives us an interesting glimpse into Calvin’s 16th century Geneva where Calvin attempted to “impose his brand of Christianity upon the citizenry with floggings, imprisonments, banishments and burnings at the stake.” According to the historian Durant, this Protestant “pope” completely rejected any individualism of belief and “heresy again became treason and was to be punished with death.”
He sheds light on the story of Jacob Arminius, one man who dared to stand up to Calvin and who has been vilified ever since as a rank heretic. Hunt shows how Arminius was the victim of a rigged trial and that in fact his beliefs were far more biblical than Calvin’s.
While Hunt is obviously strongly opposed to the Calvinist position, this book is not merely a rant against it. It is an honest examination of the issues and the scriptures that pertain to it. Hunt’s belief is “that many sincere, Bible-believing Christians are Calvinists only by default” and that they do not really understand what the Calvinist doctrine fully entails. It is to these people in particular that this book is directed.
What Love is This?
Author: Dave Hunt
Publisher: Loyal Publishing, © 2002
ISBN: 192-912-5305
Retail Price: $15.99 USD
Binding: Paper, 436 pages