Page 47 - Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2011

…I TESTIFY TO YOU THIS DAY THAT I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF ALL MEN. 47
FOR I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE TO YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD…FOR I KNOW THIS,
THAT AFTER MY DEPARTURE SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE
FLOCK. ALSO FROM AMONG YOURSELVES MEN WILL RISE UP, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS,
TO DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES AFTER THEMSELVES.” Acts 20:26-30

We live in the times in which “perverse things” are indeed being spoken to God’s people under the
banner of truth. Foremost, the diverse perversity of the doctrines of Calvinism come to mind.
“The absolute sovereignty of God”, “unconditional election by God” (meaning, if you are chosen-once
saved, always saved), “limited Atonement” (meaning not everyone can be saved-just the elect by
God’s sovereign will) , “irresistible grace” ( meaning you will be saved regardless of your choices-you
can’t resist God’s will if He chooses you), “the total depravity of man” (meaning, a sinner can’t repent
until saved-has no free-will to choose).

How serious is the problem of Calvinistic theology in Christianity? Nearly every denomination that
considers themselves as “Fundamentalist” have their roots deep in various forms of Calvinistic
doctrines. Charles Spurgeon, the most widely read theologian, stated that “Calvinism is the gospel!”
Because of Calvinistic beliefs that not everyone is eligible to be saved, Spurgeon championed the
erroneous interpretation of Scriptures that “Christ died for all” means “all sins” and not “all people.”
Therefore we have the widespread doctrinal acceptance that “every sin I commit, past, present and
future is already forgiven.” If “all people” can’t be saved, then it must be “all sins” that are pre-forgiven.
There is not one ounce of Scriptural proof for such a theory (see my August 2009 newsletter, “Dealing
Thoroughly With Sin”, and Sept. 2009, “Calvinism-Assassination of God’s Character”) .

The subtle problem with Calvinism is that it is a theological position that places all responsibility upon
God and nothing upon the Christian. The call to things like we find in the Beatitudes are made null and
void by the ineptness of the believer to make such choices as to “hunger and thirst after
righteousness.” Calvinism contains a brutal assassination of the character of God. Under the banner of
“Absolute Sovereignty”, God who depicts Himself as “The Righteous Judge”, is totally lost. The
Calvinist presents as the ultimate revelation of God His “absolute sovereignty.” There are no uses in
Scripture of the word “sovereignty” by God in describing Himself, but the Scriptures abound with His
own description of being righteous. I am limited in space, but here are a few of what you will find:

“ FOR I PROCLAIM THE NAME OF THE LORD: ASCRIBE GREATNESS TO OUR GOD.

HE IS THE ROCK, HIS WORK IS PERFECT; FOR ALL HIS WAYS ARE JUSTICE,

A GOD OF TRUTH AND WITHOUT INJUSTICE; RIGHTEOUS AND UPRIGHT IS HE.” Deut 32:3-4
“FOR THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS, HE LOVES RIGHTEOUSNESS…” Psm. 11:7

“THE JUDGMENTS OF THE LORD ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER.” Psm. 19:9

“RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE ARE THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR THRONE…” Psm. 89:14

“MY TONGUE ALSO SHALL TALK OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ALL THE DAY LONG… Psm. 71:24

“FOR HE IS COMING, FOR HE IS COMING TO JUDGE THE EARTH. HE SHALL JUDGE THE WORLD

WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THE PEOPLES WITH HIS TRUTH.” Ps 96:13
“THE WORKS OF THE LORD ARE GREAT, STUDIED BY ALL WHO HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM.

HIS WORK IS HONORABLE AND GLORIOUS,AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” Psm. 111:2-3

“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER; A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF

YOUR KINGDOM. YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS…” Heb 1:8-9

Change the Scriptural emphasis of “righteousness” in describing who God is to a preferred man-made
emphasis of “sovereignty”, and you change the image of God in the minds of His people. Thus we lose
the thrust that a Righteous God is looking for a people who focus upon the need of righteousness as a
fruit, as a blessed Beatitude to hunger and thirst after. Paul’s motivation in life was not based on a
depiction of God’s sovereignty, but rather on the fact that He is “the Righteous Judge” :

“…THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND, I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED
THE RACE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH. FINALLY, THERE IS LAID UP FOR ME THE CROWN OF

RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH THE LORD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, WILL GIVE TO ME ON THAT DAY…”

2 Tim 4:6-8

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS,
FOR THEY SHALL BE FILLED.” Matt. 5:6

Pastor Randy Shupe