I want to start this post by starting with talking about my views towards Calvinism. I’m not a Calvinist, but I’m also not against Calvinism. I’m in the process of studying all of the sides and I am yet to come out with a conclusion. Through my studies, there have been a few questions about Calvinism that continue to come to mind.
These aren’t meant to be “gotcha” questions because I know Calvinists have answered all of these questions before. These are just some of my questions about Calvinism that I’m hoping can further the conversation and deepen my understanding of Calvinism. Here are three of the most pressing questions in my mind!
1.) If we are predestined to love God, can we truly love Him?
In all of my experience, love has been a choice. I choose to love my parents. I choose to love my best friend. I choose to love my sister. I don’t have to love them, I choose to love them. I could neglect them and stop caring about them, but I choose not to because I deeply care about all of them.
So, can we truly love God if we aren’t choosing to love Him? In other words, if I’ve been elected to be a Christian, doesn’t that mean I’m forced to love God? And if that’s true, it doesn’t seem like true love, it feels more like a parent saying you need to follow the rules.
2.) Why would God create people for eternal damnation?
The doctrine of Hell is obviously one of the most troubling doctrines for many Christians. In a universe where free will exists, I don’t have any issues with the doctrine of Hell. But if Calvinism is true, I have some issues with this question.
Why would God create someone, and then give them no choice but to suffer in eternal torment for all eternity? That doesn’t seem very loving to me.
3.) Did God Create Sin?
If we have no free will, it seems to be that God caused Adam to sin. Sin wouldn’t have been Adam’s choice, but rather it would be God’s choice for sin and death to enter the world. While I struggle with this question less than the other two due to understanding the omniscience of God, I still haven’t found a satisfactory answer to this question.
Conclusion
My hope is that through this short post a conversation could be started. I love my reformed brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope this post didn’t come across as rude, because I’m just trying to honestly seek truth. I ask from everyone reading this that you pray for me as I continue to seek truth, and hopefully one day I’ll come upon a Biblical conclusion to this seemingly timeless debate.
Like what We post?
Check out our Social Media! Be sure to like us on Facebook for post notifications. Also be sure to follow us on Twitter, for post notifications and more content! Additionally, check out and subscribe to our YouTube Channel!
Want to learn more? Check out our Must Reads! A portion of your purchase through the links provided supports our blog or you can support us directly through Patron for as little as $1!
Adherent Apologetics 
Hi. Appreciate your humility and seeking answers per your question. I hopefully post in the same spirit. First, I am not a Calvinist but I do believe in Divine election. I more identify with historical baptists (believers baptism, separation of church and state, plurality of elders, freedom of conscience, etc.).
I’ll address #1 to start. According to Jesus, the “condemnation” is “that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (Jn 3:19) Jesus continues to say that “every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (Jn 3:20).
This is a picture of men in their unconverted, carnal or natural state. They hate the light (i.e. Jesus) and they love the darkness (i.e. sin). That is, they hate righteousness, holiness, purity but love evil, wickedness, and licentiousness. This is true of ALL mankind regardless of family background or outward appearances (conceding that some people are more engrossed in sin than others). I’m not sure of your background, but I can testify of this in my own life. I loved darkness, I loved sin and I hated even the thought of holiness or purity (I mocked it actually). This coming from one who was raised in a good family with strict religion. One whom appeared outwardly (outside of the cup) to be a good kid and responsible but inwardly in his heart was anything but which became all too clear when outside of the purview of his elders. For then the true person was evident; appearing to be a different person but different I was not, for that is who I truly was. My mouth spilled vile words, my hands did evil deeds, my mind committed all manner of sin and fornication, (and later with his body); I drank unto drunkenness and committed a host of other sins. Through and through I was a sinner and I loved my sin. The idea of me wanting to leave all that and follow Jesus, give up my beloved sin, abandon my treasured rock and roll. turn my eyes away from nakedness, never ever would I of my own accord have chosen to do that.
Back to the Scriptures, Paul states that, “the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (I Cor 1:18) Â Continuing in his letter he states that “the natural man [unconverted] receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Again, I can testify to this. I was raised in religion, I read the Bible, I heard it quoted on Sundays (Catholic Mass), but I understood not a word of it. Sure, I understood that Jesus was born in a manger, hanged on a cross, raised from the dead. But so too do the devils! But understand it in my heart, understand the things “spiritually discerned?” No, not for a second for I was one who saw but did not perceive and one who heard but did not understand.
It was not until God opened my eyes, unstopped my ears and gave me a heart to hate the sin I so loved, and to love the righteousness I once despised. I can assure you I had not reason to leave my sin or lifestyle, and choosing God and to follow Jesus ultimately cost me my marriage. One I could have saved if I simply would have forsaken the truth I understood at the time (some bad theology I believed at first and later grew in grace and knowledge). No, I’m firmly convinced first foundationally from what I believe the Scriptures teach, and secondly from my own experience (which is moot if it contradicts the Word), that God called me unto himself (“No man can come to me [Jesus], except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” Jn 6:44). I believe the Father drew me to Jesus like the parable of the fisherman casting the net and drawing the good and bad fish into the boat. And if God had not initiated the drawing and turned my heart and passions, I NEVER would have chosen Jesus (at least not the True one).
Finally, as far as love, I love God with all my heart for while I know he chose me, I can in truth say I chose him/Jesus likewise. Not first, for he loved me first, but this in my mind is not unlike an adoption (which the Word says we are adopted sons of God). A baby in an orphanage is abandoned and has no love initially for its adopted parents because it knows them not. But one day these precious people come along and choose, of their own free will (likened to God’s free will in choosing his children) one baby out of all the babies they could pick from. Why one and not another? Hard to say as each case is truly unique and many times adoptive parents will chose the weak baby, the sick baby the most pitiful one (exactly as God does! – see I Cor 1:26-28). And the baby knows not these people and does not love them. Often there will even be separation anxiety and trauma for the baby as they have a strong love for the orphanage care giver(s). But in time, this baby will grow to love, truly love with its heart those who chose it first. And this love is as real and maybe even deeper than the love a child will have for its natural parents. Especially if the child learns how special it was in their adoptive parents eyes and how they went to such great sacrifice to chose them and raise them as their own.
Blessings in your question for understanding.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
1. You love because you desire to do so. The unrepented sinner does not live God because his desires are against God. For those He predestined, God removes their heart of stone and replaces it with a heart of flesh. This changes their desires.
2. God’s love is first and foremost for the members of the Trinity. God glorifies himself ultimately through the incarnation, death and resurrection of the 2nd person of the Trinity. His electing love displays his glory as does he just wrath against sinners.
3. First, we gave free will in that we do precisely what we desire. We don’t have libertarian free will, however, due to our sinful nature. Adam, before the fall, did have libertarian free will. Adam could have not signed. We cannot not sin. After our glorification, we will not be able to sin.
For a good, easy to read book on predestination and election, see Chosen by God, by R. C. Sproul.
LikeLiked by 1 person
God made the snake. He knew it wud hapn. Adam was quiet while Eve was deceived. No love? Adam blamed God, bc Adam wanted creation but not God. God must die. God told A His seed will come. God takes back those who are broken and repent. The others still want Him dead. Beware of commentaries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Zac,
I am a Calvinist – i think I should say so up front. I was an Arminianist for most of my Christian life without even knowing these terms – I would be honoured to have a live chat with you about these questions, simply because I sincerely respect your humility in the way you have presented your questions. I do not believe one needs to be “arminian” or “calvinist” to be saved any more than the need for “perfect” repentance – salvation is by belief in the finished work of the cross – reaching with an empty hand out Christ. As we grow in our faith we learn these sorts of truths and have our presuppositions challenged. It’s hard to get to the meet of the matter in a comment box – but I would like to leave you with a few thoughts and offer to have a live chat – perhaps on Streamyard. I am studying Apologetics and Theology at the moment and would love to have an opportunity to debate these questions with you.
1.) If we are predestined to love God, can we truly love Him? – I think there is a better way to frame this question – I would rephrase it like this: “Is libertarian free will required for love”? (This captures the idea that you are struggling with a little better – i.e. given a Calvinist position of denying the “libertarian” idea of free will – man therefore does not “freely chose” to love God, and therefore is not actually loving him.
If it is so that “libertarian free will” is required to love God – then how can there be love within the Trinitarian God head – given that they surely cannot be said to have “libertarian free will” – since that would require there to be “an alternate possibility” i.e. there would have to be the “possibility that Jesus could not love God” – I would say that both the Arminian and the Calvinist would hold to the idea that it is impossible for Jesus not to love God – and it is impossible for Jesus to sin – so Jesus cannot have “libertarian free will” – and yet Jesus loves God. And in case you object that there is a difference between humans and God. Think about eternity – believers will spend eternity with Christ – they will most certainly not have libertarian free will in eternity yet they will willingly and voluntarily love Christ. Therefore the notion of “libertarian free will is not required” in order to love God
2.) Why would God create people for eternal damnation? That is a tough and a really good question. I do not want to take this lightly as no believer should. I would however say that this is just as much a problem for an Arminian as it is for a Calvinist. The difference is purely one of at which point does the sovereignty of God kick in. In the Calvinist view God indeed created all people, and only chose some (for reasons that bring glory to himself and yet we are not told and most certainly we are told that they are not to be found within those who are chosen) – nonetheless God only chose some to be saved and therefore the others are passed over. In the Arminian system God equally created all people. Some chose to believe him and some do not. The simple difference is the big and hard question “why” – this answer must be answered and the answer in the end still leads to the unavoidable conclusion that God created some with the ability and the willingness to submit to him and others without it. The “libertarian free will” does not get you “scott free” out of this hard question. God created us and – there has to be “some” reason why some chose Jesus and some do not – it is either “intelligence or humility or something within man” (in the Arminian system) and therefore there must be “some deficiency” in the person who does not chose Christ. It follows logically in my humble opinion that God made the person who does not decide for Christ somehow “deficient” and therefore makes God “unjust” by giving the person who did chose Christ an unfair advantage. In all honesty I think the Arminian view rather raises some very difficult questions about the “justice” of God. In the Calvinist view – all men were made equal and given that we all sinned in Adam and are all equally guilty before God – the reason that some are saved – is pure mercy – nothing more. No one deserves to be saved – this I am sure you would agree with. All believers are faced with this difficult question – there is considerable tension in the Bible and I think rather than denying it – it is right to “confess” that this tension is there and that God has not given us “all answers” – yet scripture clearly teaches that there is no unrighteousness in God. No one will be punished unrighteously or unfairly. Why are some chosen and some passed over? This is God’s prerogative – we are not told – we are simply told that when someone is chosen it is to bring glory to God – it is not due to the person. If the choice was left to humans – no one would chose God – since we are all sinners. The question you have raised is a “problem” for all believers – Calvinists and Arminians alike. The Arminian cannot escape it. Once that is recognised – the really important question is – what does scripture tell us – and this I believe strongly points to “God’s sovereign election”. This comment box is possibly not the place for “biblical exegesis” – but I would be happy to do that with you on a live stream..
3.) Did God Create Sin? Again I think the question is perhaps better phrased like this. Is God involved in sin as a primary or secondary agent. In that sense I would say God created humans with the ability to sin, therefore he is naturally involved in the creation of sin. He knew that man would sin – both Arminians and Calvinists would agree with that. (the point of difference is the reasons for God chosing one over another). You can “state” that God did not create sin, by pushing the responsibility onto man – but that I think is being dishonest and just avoids the real consequence. God created the universe and everything in it – including the devil and the angels. He created them each for a purpose – ultimately he created everything in order to bring glory to himself. Naturally the “prime cause behind sin” does not bring glory to God – it dishonours and brings shame. It cannot however by extension be said that the secondary cause in sin cannot therefore bring glory to God. Think of the most vile and sinful act ever committed by man – the crucifixion of Christ. Acts 4 tells us that it was a deliberate act of God to put the punishment of our sin onto his own son – the son wilfully laid down his life – and yet at the same time – the Romans and the Jews are completely culpable for the self same sin. There are multiple actors and causes involved in every sin and this is no difference with the extreme wickedness of the killing of the son of God. This sin was equally wicked and yet at the same time it brought ultimate glory to God. The same thing could and should be said about the sin Adam committed. God not only “knew in advance” this would occur – but be pre-ordained it to so occur as this would be part of God’s great plan of redemption that would bring ultimate glory to God. The church has always been “wary” of the concept of God creating sin – as the statement itself is “ugly” – God’s involvement must be seen in the difference between primary and secondary causes and in that way `yes` God was indeed fully responsible for everything he created – even if that at the same time does not mean God is culpable for evil and sin – which he most certainly is not. Again there is tension in scripture that we can only grasp to a degree and will most fully understand only when we meet Christ and spend eternity with him. Nonetheless we should not be aiming to turn God into an impotent God who did not know what he was doing when he created the universe…. I have heard it said “the only consistent Arminian is an open theist” — I am not fond of this statement in the sense that it naturally does not hold true for all Arminians, but I believe when the conclusions of Arminian theology are consistently followed the ultimate and end result is open theism – which dethrones God and turns him into something of our own making and no longer the God of the Bible
LikeLiked by 1 person