The Sad Truth...

It's really interesting for me to listen to non-Calvinists bash us. It's always the same old story, "Calvinism kills churches" or "Calvinism stifles evangelism". One would think that an Arminian (or non-Calvinist) would be the most evangelistic Christian there is! Sadly, I don't think that's the case.

Some of my readers may recall that I was once a minister in the Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP). During my time in the COGOP, I was a member of two of their churches: one that was one of the more conservative within that movement and one that was more liberal (by that denomination's standards at least).

Here's some alarming things about the two churches I was affiliated with. Keep in mind, the Church of God of Prophecy is a self-consciously Arminian denomination:

• The Pastor's salary is the largest item in both the church budgets.



• One church only sent $25.00 [or maybe $50.00] per quarter to foreign missions, the other took up a missions offering and then spent it on cleaning supplies and church maintenance!



• Neither conducted any personal evangelism training.



• One of them never conducted any community outreach. The other had a monthly community youth outreach (in conjunction with other churches), but they stopped supporting it because it cost around $100.00 a month.



• One had a Easter program and a Christmas program, but behind closed doors I learned that the biggest reason for these events was because during the events the church would receive larger than average offerings, so much so that it helped to get the financially strapped church "in the black" -remember, the pastor got the lion's share of the tithes that people paid. So they had to do something to keep the lights on!
  
  
• The pastor of one often preached against door-to-door evangelism because "we never had anybody come to church as a result of it".



• The international headquarters of the denomination required a tithe of all the tithes the local churches received, but they wouldn't back their own minister's financially while they tried to plant churches (or re-plant it's derelict churches). The state headquarters wouldn't back the ministers either.

If Calvinism stifles evangelism, then what was the problem with those non-Calvinist churches I attended in the COGOP? Please understand, I'm not trying to bash the COGOP here. (One of my most loyal readers is a pastor in the movement.) I'm sure there are many mission minded churches in the COGOP, I just never had the pleasure of being a part of one of them.

I'm now the youth director of a Southern Baptist Church. Compared to my experience in the COGOP, I am amazed at how much my church does for missions and the SBC cooperative program. That being the case -if the statistics are accurate- many of our people are probably not active in personal witnessing or evangelism.

Here's the sad truth: the lack of evangelism in our churches has nothing to do with Calvinism or Arminianism. It's more to do with fear, apathy, or just plain laziness. The bottom line is that none of us, neither Calvinists nor Arminians, Baptists nor Pentecostals are as evangelistic as we ought to be.

So take it from me, don't buy into the hype that's put out by Arminians and other non-Calvinists about Calvinism stifling the gospel. I've been on both sides of the soteriological fence and the grass isn't very green on the Arminian side either!

God help us!

God help me!

Half Way Across The Bridge

I'm about half way through listening to all the messages from the Building Bridges Conference.

For the most part, I'm liking what I'm hearing. Naturally, I'm biased so I think the Calvinists are making the better case, but I also think the "non-Calvinists" [for some reason they eschew being called Arminians!] have put forth some good stuff too -with a couple of notable exceptions.

Those exceptions include Dr. Malcom Yarnell's somewhat venemous rant entitled "Calvinism: A Cause for Concern". The other low point for the non-Calvinists was Ken Keathley's presentation. In an attempt to give Southern Baptists an alternative to Arminianism and both the Infralapsarian and Supralapsarian versions of Calvinism, Keathley pitches the philosophical theories of a 16th Century Jesuit theologian named Luis de Molina. (a.k.a Molinism).

Yarnell almost caused me to have an aneurysm when he took a hard left turn down the road toward Absurdityville with the "Calvin burned Servetus" story. Folks, maybe I'm being too harsh, but when somebody decides to torch that straw man, it takes all the strength I can muster just to continue listening!

As far as Keathley goes, his presentation had a much better tone than Yarnell, but I don't believe I heard Keathley even read a single verse of Scripture to try and prop up his Jesuit doctrine. Perhaps that sort of thing works for the nobles within SBC academia, but for us Calvinistic serfs, we might have been a whole lot more impressed had there been just a wee bit of exegesis of Scripture!

Thus far, the highlight of the non-Calvinist side had to be Dr. Charles Lawless and his message debunking the stereotypes of SBC non-Calvinists. I really believe Dr. Lawless is a good man. I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing him preach at our church earlier this year. If all non-Calvinists in the SBC were like him, I believe the SBC would be heading in the right direction.

Overall I think this conference was a positive for the Southern Baptist Convention. The fact is, Calvinism is on the rise within many denominations. With that growth, I believe there will be a need for many more conferences just like Building Bridges. Again, if you're in the SBC or curious about the Calvinism vs. "non-Calvinism" debate, listening to these messages will be worth your time -and I reckon that includes Yarnell and Keathley's stuff too...


(Image: Sterling Bridge from wikipedia)

Building Bridges: Southern Baptists and Calvinism

Many of you are probably aware of the Nov. 26-28 Building Bridges conference held at the Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center in North Carolina. This was a historic meeting that discussed Calvinism and it's role in the Southern Baptist Convention. From the accounts I have read, this meeting was a huge success.

All the messages are freely available here and I really hope that folks on both sides of the theological divide will take time to listen to the sermons. I've saved the messages to my computer and I'm listening through them now. So far both sides have (for the most part) presented their case maturely and with a spirit of Christian charity.

Soli Deo Gloria!

If Election is True, Why Evangelize?

This segment of the Amazing Grace DVD addresses the question that most people ask when first exposed to the Biblical doctrine of Sovereign Election:

God's Sovereignty vs. Libertarian Free Will

Another clip from the Amazing Grace DVD. This time dealing with the topic of God's sovereignty and human freedom. The quality is not the best, but it is well worth watching... Ideas have consequences. And when man's freewill is elevated above God's sovereignty, it only leads to problems: theologically as well as socially!

Perseverance: Not a License to Sin!

Another helpful clip from the Amazing Grace DVD.



Hopefully you will see that true Calvinists are not teaching the modern version of "Once Saved Always Saved" -that a Christian is free to live like the devil and have hope of Heaven. It's also worth noting the similarities of the Arminian and Roman Catholic teachings on this issue.

Atonement: Payment or Possibility?

A helpful video segment on a very controversial topic:



From the video Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism

Great Deal on Owen Book!

I recently found a website that carries John Owen's A Display of Arminianism at a great price (and I ordered a copy right away)!

The first chapter of this book was quoted in the appendix of another book I have in my library. Having read just that chapter alone, I can tell you this: They sure don't make Calvinists like him anymore!!

You may read or preview this classic work online at this website!

More on Owen: http://www.johnowen.org/

Thoughts on Conditional Security and Predestination

As I am able, I plan to continue pointing to reasons why I believe that a true Saint of God cannot forfeit his/her Salvation. In this article I want to write about a controversial, but Biblical, doctrine known as "Predestination."

The passage I want to look at today is one that I would often skip over -or explain away- back when I was an Arminian. The passage is Romans 8: 29 & 30 (ESV):

29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Notice if you will that this passage says "those WHOM [God] foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." What this passage says is very plain. Some will counter by saying that it means that God used his omniscience (or prescience) to see what was going to happen (what men would choose concerning Christ) and then planned everything accordingly. I used to believe this too, but after thinking about it and studying the Reformed perspective, the Arminian scheme no longer makes sense.

First of all, it says "WHOM He foreknew," not "WHAT He foreknew". Of course God has foreknowledge of all facts past, present, and future; however, this passage is speaking of God foreknowing PEOPLE, not just the facts about people. It speaks of God having a intimate personal knowledge of a person. You will recall that the Bible says Adam "knew" Eve and she conceived. This is the same idea in Romans 8: God had an intimate personal knowledge and relationship with the Elect before the world began (c.f. Eph. 1:4 & 5). For example, look at what God said to Jeremiah:

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)

Secondly, I would like you to notice the progression of Paul's statement concerning those whom God has foreknown and predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ. Theologians have called this the "Golden Chain of Salvation". In this passage we see those whom God predestined (a.k.a. the Elect) would be "called," "justified," and "glorified." Had Paul thought there was a chance of God's Elect forfeiting Eternal Life, he would not been able to write like he did in this passage. Had Paul been an Arminian (pardon the anachronism), the passage would have read much differently.

The "Conditional Security Version" of this passage would read like this:

Those whom God foreknew would choose to be saved he also predestined to the possibility of being conformed to the image of his Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And some of those whom He predestined He also called and some of those whom he tried to call hopefully will choose to be saved so they can be justified, and of those who might be justified, peradventure some of those could be glorified unless they mess it up somehow.

Thirdly, when it comes to Predestination, it doesn't make sense to say that God "looked into the future" to see how men would act and then predestined them accordingly. If that scheme was true, it would make God a mere observer who was bound to predestine (and then create) things based upon that in which He had no ultimate control. If God simply "looked into the future" and saw how things were already predestined to occur, why then would he have to predestine anything?? The notion of "prescient predestination" is illogical, untenable, and an insult to the Sovereignty of God!

Fourthly, the Arminian must admit that even if men are predestined because God looked into the future, then people are already predestined to go to Heaven or to Hell, from the foundation of the world, whether they like it or not! Ultimately, the Arminian (and Open Theist) schemes are simply ways to deny that God is Sovereign determiner of "all things whatsoever come to pass." (See 1689 Baptist Confession Ch 3)

I believe the Arminian view of God (whether they realize it or not) teaches that God leaves salvation up to chance. However, the God of the Bible, by His very nature, cannot leave anything to chance. In fact, Proverbs 16:33 (ESV) tells us that "the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD"!! As R.C. Sproul says, "chance is not a thing: chance is nothing!" If the eternal destiny of one microbe is left to chance or luck; if one atom in the entire Universe is not under the control of it's Creator, if chance or luck play any part in God's plan of salvation, then God is not Sovereign and our entire belief system is a flimsy house of cards.

The fact is, God already knows who will -and who will not- be saved. Even some Arminians will admit this fact. God can know these things not simply because of His prescience, but because ultimately, it was His choice! He chose whom He chose for His own reasons and for His own Glory. Ephesians 1: 5-6 (ESV) confirms this:

"He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

You see, the plan of Salvation is an infallible PLAN of Salvation. God's not sitting up in Heaven wondering how things are going to turn out. Nay my friends, God is in control and things will turn out exactly as He has decreed.

Those whom God set his affections upon in eternity past have been Predestined to salvation and will be infallibly Called, Justified, and Glorified; none of the Elect will ever perish! Christ will be the firstborn among many brethren because His Father has ordained it to be so! If we serve a Sovereign God, how can His plan to redeem His people go any way but according to His perfect plan? How can the Good Shepherd lose any of His sheep?

Sol Deo Gloria!

Answering the Reformed Challenge

The Reformed Mafia has been placed under arrest! We have been placed in the dock by J.C. Thibodaux to answer for the crime of preaching the doctrine known as Perseverance of the Saints! (see this also) It's a most interesting case because the evidence that Mr. Thibodaux has brought against the Mafia is not something we have said or written, but rather, his own eisegesis of Matthew 5:27-30, Hebrews 4:9-11, Revelation 22:18-19! He believes these three passages are somehow the death of the Reformed doctrine of Perseverance.

The prosecutor seems to believe he has an air tight case against us. However, the Mafia, acting as their own attorneys, have already began to dismantle the prosecution's evidence and it looks as if the whole case against the Mafia is beginning to crumble (please see the links to their responses below).

I may take some flak from the Prosecution for what I am about to do, but I have decided that I would rather approach this case, not by swinging at his supposed proof-texts, (others in the Mafia are doing a good job of that already), but by showing Mr. Thibodaux a couple things that our Lord said which prove his interpretation of the aforementioned passages cannot be correct. In fact, I intend to show solid proof that a true Christian cannot forfeit the gift of Eternal Life.

Have a look at John 10: 26-30 (ESV) for example. Jesus said:

"But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”

Did you get that? Did you see what Jesus plainly said? It reads very "Calvinistic", eh? His Sheep hear His voice, they follow Him, they are given Eternal (not temporary) Life, and "they shall NEVER PERISH." Neither can anyone snatch them out of His or His Father's hand!

This passage is crystal clear. TRUE Christians (Christ's sheep) will never perish (underline the word NEVER in your Bible!). Christ, with His own words, totally overthrows any possibility of the the true believer losing his/her Salvation. If no other passage in the Bible said a single solitary thing about the security of the Christian, this one passage alone is enough for us to contend for the doctrine of Perseverance forever and ever.

Not enough? Okay. Look at John 6: 35-40 (ESV):

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

There's that word NEVER again!!! If Jesus himself says that all the Father gives to Him will come to Him, and those who come to Him will NEVER be cast out. How can anyone dispute that? Can Christ lie? Can the Good Shepherd lose any of His Sheep? It doesn't appear to me that Jesus believed any such thing! If Mr. Thibodaux's interpretation is correct, then Christ has lied to us in these two passages. However, because Christ never lied, and because there are no contradictions in Scripture -and no duplicity within the Godhead- I have to conclude that the passages Mr. Thibodaux has presented against us cannot possibly support his position. Whatever the passages do teach, it cannot possibly be that a true Christian can forfeit the gift of Eternal life.

Here's my challenge to Mr. Thibodaux. As a former Arminian (who can totally relate to where you are coming from), I would like to purchase and send you either a copy of the book called "Why I am Not An Arminian", or a copy of the Amazing Grace DVD: which ever you chose. All I ask is that you actually read (or watch) it. No strings attached. No reply needed. If your position is truly what the Bible teaches, you have nothing to fear from what I am offering you. Please email me at rhettswhips@yahoo.com if you would like to take me up on the offer.

Mafia Responses to the Challenge:

Gordan: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3,

Josh: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4,

I'll continue to update the responses from the Mafia as they are posted!

I would also like to submit the following resources to those open to studying this controversial topic with an open Bible and an open mind:

• Chapter 26 of R.L. Dabney's Systematic Theology
• Chapter 38 of J.P. Boyce's Abstract of Systematic Theology
• Chapter 17 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Year

I found this video while searching for videos about Ergun Caner on Youtube.

My jaw dropped and I laughed really hard when I saw this, so I'm posting it here so others can see it and have a laugh too!

I mean no offense to Ergun Caner --or the goat!

Decisional Regeneration: The Plague of Modern Evangelism

Please see also my Rant called Decisions or Disciples: What's the Goal?

2 Peter 3:9: Does it defeat Calvinism?

Dr. Jerry Falwell has now declared that the Reformed doctrine of the Atonement is heretical. As my pastor has pointed out on the Reformed Mafia blog, Falwell must then include Baptists such as Spurgeon, Gill, Fuller, Carey, Dagg, and Boyce as heretics as well.

One of the main proof texts people like to use to attack the doctrine of Particular Redemption is 2 Peter 3:9 which states "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

Does this text overthrow Calvinism? Or could this passage -when take in context- actually be further proof that the Reformed view is actually the true teaching of Scripture? Please watch the YouTube video below for an eye opening exegesis of the passage.





Somebody forward this to Dr. Falwell! Please!

So, you disagree with Calvinists, eh?

Well, don't worry, because you are not alone...

There's plenty of people who disagree with Calvinists on the issues of Free Will and Predestination.

To see a some of the groups who will stand with you against Calvinists on these doctrines, please check out this post by Josh Hitchcock.

Arminian Contradictions

"If salvation depends upon free will, what do you mean by praying that God will have mercy upon all men, and save them with an everlasting salvation, and then tell the congregation that God has done all He can to save them, and the matter now rests with them, whether they will be saved or not? Surely, such vain jangling can never be acceptable to God, however it may feed the carnal mind of man; for if God has done all He can, why pray for him to do more? And if He has not done all He can, why tell the people He has? Strange as such contradictions may seem to a sensible mind, they are frequently produced in the course of one hour by an Arminian preacher." --From a letter by Willian Gadsby (1773-1844) to Edward Smyth.

-Appearing on p. 91 of the April 2006 edition of the Primitive Baptist publication "Advocate and Messenger."

A Waste of Good Money

I am shocked and amazed that people actually pay good money to send their children to some of these so-called "Christian colleges" that indoctrinate students with man-centered theology...

To see why I am making such a statement, please visit the link below and watch the video:
http://www.calvinistgadfly.com/?p=372

UPDATE:

Please understand, I am not beating up on the folks singing the song. They did a fine job. I just think the theology of the song is really flawed... Please see the Fired with Desire blog for a critque of the theology.

Huh???

"The Bible does speak about the elect of God or God's elect. It is important to note that when the phrase is used it is not a mere statement of fact or even of purpose, but like the scriptural expression "first born", it is a title of dignity and that title is only applied to those who are believers. It is a descriptive term and is used to refer to rank and privilege, not deliverance from damnation or eternal torment." (emphasis added)

-Quote from the book Trouble With The TULIP, written by Dr. Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Decisions or Disciples: What's the Goal?

I believe it may be safely stated that the majority of confessing Evangelicals can be classified in the Arminian camp (or at least the "non-5 point Calvinist" camp). For example: a recent survey by Lifeway Research has found that a mere 10% of Southern Baptist pastors identify themselves as "5 point Calvinists". If Calvinists are so few in a denomination with its roots in Reformed theology, then in other movements, such as Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations, I doubt you would find a fraction of one percent who would claim to be "5-pointers" (however there are a few!). Therefore, assuming most of the the Evangelical community are not Calvinists, I will grant that the majority of the "decisions for Christ" we have seen in modern times are being generated by those who are NOT 5 point Calvinists!

Now that I have admitted that Calvinists are probably not the ones primarily generating the majority of the reported decisions for Christ, don't get too happy just yet... Looking at the raw data of "decisions for Christ" can be misleading. Getting a "decision" and making a DISCIPLE may not be synonymous! As a preacher, I'm not ignorant to the fact that many preachers know how to say just the right things to "push people's buttons" in order to invoke an emotional response or get a few hands raised (aka decisions) during an invitation, it's not too hard to do!

My questions are these: Are the modern -primarily Arminian- evangelism efforts really changing lives? Should the detractors of Reformed theology be pointing fingers while gloating over their own evangelistic efforts? Are all these reported decisions translating into disciples for Christ? If you think so, I have some shocking news and statistics to share with you:

• In Cleveland, Ohio, an inner-city outreach brought 400 decisions. The rejoicing no doubt tapered off when workers involved in the follow-up campaign couldn't find a single one of the 400 who had supposedly made a decision.



• In 1985, a four-day crusade obtained 217 decisions. However, according to a member of the organizing committee, 92 percent fell away.



• A pastor in Boulder, Colorado, sent a team to Russia in 1991 and obtained 2,500 decisions. The next year, the team found only thirty continuing in their faith.



• In November 1970, a number of churches combined for a convention in Ft. Worth, Texas, and secured 30,000 decisions. Six months later, the follow-up committee could find only thirty still continuing in their faith.



• At a 1990 crusade in the United States, 600 "decisions for Christ" were obtained.... However, 90 days later, follow-up workers couldn't find even one who was continuing in his or her faith. That crusade created 600 backsliders- or, to be more scriptural, false converts.



• In 1991, organizers of a Salt Lake City concert encouraged follow-up. They said, "Less than 5 percent of those who responded to an altar call during a public crusade... are living a Christian life one year later." In other words, more than 95% proved to be false converts.



• A leading U.S. denomination reported that during 1995 they secured 384,057 decisions, but retained only 22,983 in fellowship. They could not account for 361,074 supposed conversions. That's a 94 percent fall-away rate!



• In Sacramento, CA. a combined crusade yielded more than 2,000 commitments. One church followed up on 52 of those commitments and could not find one true convert.



• In Leeds, England, a visiting American speaker acquired 400 decisions for a local church. Six weeks later, only two were still committed and they eventually fell away [as well].





• Charles E. Hacket, [the national director of the division of home missions] of the Assemblies of God in the United States, said, "A soul at the altar does not generate much excitement in some circles because we realize that approximately 95 out of 100 will not become integrated into the church. In fact, most of them will not return for a second visit."
  
  (Statistics are from the book: The Way Of The Master, by Ray Comfort)

Are you shocked? In some ways I was when I read these statistics, but after I began to think about it for a bit, I am sad to say the percentage of false conversions in these statistics are probably close the same results I have seen in my own ministry and in churches I have attended! In my 6 years of ministry, have seen too many people "decide to follow Jesus"only to end up more reprobate than ever not a year later -despite intense follow-up and personal ministry to them. Sadly, as we have seen above, these results are almost expected in some churches -and at some church youth camps.

Can't you see that something is terribly wrong?!! Sure, there are some people who are being truly saved and will live the rest of their life for Christ. However, only the most rank Antinomian would be foolish enough to look at the statistics above and believe that all of these "decisions" are going to result in every one of the people actually going to Heaven! This is the very sad -but very true- results of modern evangelistic methods which are so revered by our Arminian friends!

Honestly folks, if modern evangelism methods are proving that they are not resulting in people being truly saved and integrated into local churches, then what good is it accomplishing? Why are Arminians so adamant that they are the avid evangelists in the Body of Christ, when the majority of what they are creating is hard-hearted backsliders who are inoculated to the true Gospel because they've "tried Jesus" and found out He didn't provide them with what some silver-tongued preacher promised? These big decision numbers do not matter unless people are born of the Spirit! Without true conversions taking place, all this effort is vanity!

The worn out allegations that "Calvinism kills evangelism" are totally unfounded. While it may be true that some Calvinists do not employ the same "decision" generating tactics as non-Calvinists, I think this is due to the fact that Calvinists are more concerned about making true disciples, rather than generating big numbers of "decisions" that result in people backsliding in two weeks!

Big numbers may receive the praise of men and earn political appointments within denominations, but these numbers are worthless if lives are not being changed! I am concerned that there are many preachers who are more worried about growing big churches -and bigger salaries- even if it means generating hundreds of false converts in the process!

In conclusion, our "non-5 point Calvinist" friends need not boast about being so "evangelical" with the percentages of people falling-away as high as they are! If anything, Calvinists and Arminians ought to join together and mourn over these numbers and seek God's face for true revival! Something has got to change, and I believe the change will come when people wake up to the fact that their methodology is not scriptural and could actually be a hindrance to effective witnessing and evangelism!

What a wonderful day it will be when preachers put their trust in the Word of God -and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit- to save souls, rather than some gimmick method to try and get people to raise their hand, walk down an isle, and repeat the sinner's prayer!

Suggested reading:

The Way of The Master

Photo from:

http://www.bottradionetwork.com/billygrahamkc.asp

I'm at a loss of words...

It seems that these days no tactic is too shameful- or too dishonorable- just as long as it's done in the name of "reaching people for Christ". Is this the kind of "evangelism" Arminians claim Calvinism is killing? If so, I'd be happy to preach its funeral!

Reader discretion is advised:

Porn Sunday and Phallic Evangelism???

Anti-Porn "Ministry" Brings Shame on Jesus Christ


ROB BELL’S PORN SUNDAY “MISSION”

Bus Stop Theology

I want to point out a few things about the illustration used by Dr. Nelson Price in his article called "Evangelical Calvinism is an Oxymoron".

Here is the illustration below:

"A graphic understood by many Baptists regarding predestination is illustrated by this. A mass of people are gathered at a bus stop marked “Planet Earth.” Along comes the Celestial Bus marked 'Destination Heaven.' It pulls up and stops. The driver, who is God, opens the door, and says, 'All destined for heaven get on board.' A number do. "A missionary couple who with zeal have served Christ all their lives start on and God says, 'Step aside. You haven’t been chosen to ride this bus.' A couple of infants start on and God tells them to step aside. Persons who from youth have loved and ministered in Christ's name are told to step aside. As the bus is about to depart and the door is closing God says to those not on board, 'Catch the next bus.' “No,” they plead, “here comes the next bus and it is driven by Satan and marked ‘Destination Hell.’ “Sorry,” says God. “I didn’t choose to save you. Your love and commitment to Jesus doesn’t matter.”

First of all, this is a total misrepresentation of Calvinism. This illustration is as far from the truth as any that I have seen! I think this whole story is designed to play on the emotions of the hearer and to create a bias against Calvinism in the mind of the audience. It does not treat the issues fairly and shows a lack of understanding of the Reformed position and the Biblical treachings on the state of man since Adam fell.

Here's the truth of the matter attempting to use Price's Bus Stop Theology:

All of humanity is not standing around at a bus stop waiting eagerly to get on the bus to Heaven. In reality, all of humanity (because of the Fall of Adam), already eagerly got on Satan's bus headed for Hell! Not only that, but they are loving every minute of the ride and throwing a huge party too! They blaspheme the driver of the Heaven bound bus, and totally ignore His warnings that they must get on His bus or meet their doom!

Even though God would have been totally just to let them have their own way and all ride Satan's bus straight to the pits of Hell, God in His mercy, actually pulls a great number of people off of Satan's bus and ushers them onto His bus to Heaven! Those God spared are grateful once they get on his bus and see what God spared them from. They too begin to warn the rebellious mulititudes of humanity to get off the bus ride to Hell. Those who remain on Satan's bus do so because they love riding with him. When they get to the end of the line, they will receive the wages of their choice to stay on Satan's bus.

The bottom line is this:

God refuses no one who genuinely wants on His bus. The problem is that no human will ever want to get on the bus unless God graciously rescues them! This is what Dr. Price fails to understand...