I found the above Q&A video by the Ligonier Ministries as part of their 2019 National Conference, with Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Stephen Nichols, Burk Parsons, and Derek Thomas participating. At around 35:27 minutes into the video the following question was asked:
“Do the five points of Calvinism hold together as a unit, or can someone claim to be a two-point or three-point or four-point Calvinist?”
To this Robert Godfrey gives the following reply:
“… I really think there is a coherence in the five points of Calvinism, particularly if you start with a serious doctrine of sin, of fall, of lostness, of what we call total depravity, you really need your irresistible grace. Irresistible grace only comes from an eternal electing plan, and you need a Savior who will die for those whom God intends to save, and then you need the persevering work of the Holy Spirit; so there is an internal connection of these things. But in history there have been those who have tried to reject the definite atonement. That for many people has been the most difficult of doctrines, that Christ died only for the elect—even though Isaiah 53 very clearly says, ‘He will bear the sins of many’. It is a little hard to figure out, if Christ died for all, why it would say, ‘He bore the sins of many’? But in any case, there have been people who picked and chose.”
The part that I would like to comment on first is the last bit, about his reading of the Isaiah passage:
Isaiah 53:
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
The word “many” in that passage does not exclude “all”. Webster Dictionary defines “many” as “a large but indefinite number”. That does not exclude “all”—especially given the poetic licence with which Isaiah is composing his verses. For example in another passage Isaiah says the following:
Isaiah 52:
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
“Many nations” in that passage does not exclude “all”. It actually means “all”. The Bible teaches that all nations are to be recipients of the “sprinkling,” or blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, not just “some” nations. All “nations” are included, and none are excluded:
Matthew 24:
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Matthew 28:
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mark 13:
10 And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Luke 24:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
So the word “many” in Isaiah 52 does not exclude “all”. It actually means “all”. The blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the “sprinkling,” are intended for all nations without exception. None are excluded. The same principle applies to the word “many” in Isaiah 53:11–12. It does not exclude “all”. In both instances the word is used with poetic licence to mean “all”.
At 40:35 minutes Robert Godfrey also makes this observation:
“You know I think historically, certainly in the seventeenth century, one of the sharpest challenges to Limited Atonement was a fear that meant you couldn’t preach the gospel freely to everybody; and the Canons of Dort are really very clear that that is not an appropriate application of the doctrine of Definite Atonement. We are to preach the gospel, as the Canons rather charmingly put it, promiscuously. That means everywhere, all the time, to everyone to whom we have an opportunity to preach. And we preach by saying, Come to Jesus. And everyone who comes will be received, as the Savior said in John 6. Everyone who comes will be received. And everyone who comes will know that God planned to save that person from before the foundations of the earth.”
That is a very disingenuous and misleading way of expressing the gospel message. The “gospel” is literally the “good news” of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It is the “good news” that Jesus has died for and atoned for their sins; and that they can be redeemed by that Atonement through faith and repentance:
Matthew 24:
14 And this gospel [good news] of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mark 13:
10 And the gospel [good news] must first be published among all nations.
Mark 16:
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel [good news] to every creature.
And the message itself was one of repentance:
Luke 24:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
That in essence is the “good news” of the “gospel”. It is the message of redemption of Jesus Christ, which becomes effectual in our lives through faith and repentance. The gospel message is not just to “come to Jesus,” as Godfrey puts it; but “come to Jesus” for a reason; that “reason” being that Jesus has redeemed them and atoned for their sins; and they can benefit from it, or have it applied to their lives through faith and repentance. That is the “good news” of the gospel. Now that message of redemption is either applicable to everybody, or only to the “elect”. If it is applicable to everybody, then it is a “good news” to everybody. But if it is applicable only to the “elect,” then it is “good news” only for the “elect,” and bad news for everybody else. Sure you can still preach it to everybody. But that is not the issue. The issue is whether you can preach it to everybody with a straight face or not. If Jesus did not die for and atone for everybody’s sins, and you are pretending that he did, or falsely telling them that he did, then you are being dishonest and hypocritical, which is not what God is or wants us to be. The biblical doctrine, however, is that the Atonement is applicable to, and therefore is a “good news” to everyone without exception; which would only be possible if it was also universal in scope and unlimited in its application. God is not a liar. He is not a hypocrite. He is “holy,” and wants us to be “holy” like him (Lev. 11:45; 1 Pet. 1:15). When he commands us to preach that gospel to “every creature” without exception, that means that it is also a “good news” to “every creature” without exception—not “good news” for some, and “bad news” for others.
After that at 38:13 minutes Burk Parsons joins the conversation, and defends the five points of Calvinism (TULIP) on the grounds of their internal coherence or consistency (as Godfrey does), which is a circular reasoning. He is saying that the “five points” of Calvinism are internally consistent, coherent, and interdependent. You can’t have the T without the U, and the U without the L, and the L without the I, and the I without the P; therefore the whole thing is logically interdependent, self-consistent, and coherent; with the implied suggestion that they are also therefore theologically sound. But that is circular reasoning. It is like saying that you can’t have Communism without Socialism, and you can’t have Socialism without the redistribution of wealth, and you can’t have the redistribution of wealth without the state ownership of means of production, distribution, and exchange; and you can’t have those without dictatorship; it therefore follows that Communism, Socialism, and dictatorship are a good thing. That idea in fact had a lot of logical appeal for many European intellectuals a hundred years ago. The trouble with it was that when it was tried, it did not work. It was a disastrous failure all-round, and had catastrophic consequences for those who tried it. Calvinism is like that. It is the theological equivalent of Socialism and Communism in the political sphere. It is the dictatorship of the divine. The truth of course is that all of the “five points” of Calvinism are heretical and false, and any apparent “coherence” among them is illusory. To add more detail, At 39:25 minutes Burk Parsons makes the following comment on “propitiation”:
“… If we don’t understand that [Definite Atonement], then we really can’t quite fully grasp propitiation. Propitiation is the assuaging or the satisfying of God’s wrath through Christ for sin; and if we don’t grasp Definite Atonement, then we really can’t grasp propitiation.”
That is the Calvinistic idea of “propitiation,” not the biblical one. Propitiation is another word for Atonement. He is saying that the Atonement has to be “definite” in order for it to be logically coherent, and therefore practically possible. But that is only the inevitable consequence of the Calvinistic theological construct. If you start with a deterministic paradigm, Definite Atonement becomes the inevitable consequence. The question then is not whether Definite Atonement is correct or not, but whether the deterministic paradigm is correct or not. If the deterministic worldview is discarded, indefinite, unlimited, or universal Atonement becomes perfectly feasible and logically possible. The Calvinistic system is so constructed as to make that outcome logically impossible or incoherent. But that is a problem that Calvinism has artificially created for itself. It is not a biblical issue. In biblical terms, the Atonement (propitiation) is universal. It covers everyone’s sins. The sins of the saved as well as of the damned, the elect as well as the non-elect are covered by the Atonement. None are excluded:
1 John 2:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours [the elect] only, but also for the sins of the whole world [i.e. the non-elect too].
How can “the whole world” mean anything other than what it says? John goes even further, and actually distinguishes between “our sins” (the “elect’s”), and everybody else’s sins in the “whole world,” so that none are excluded from the Atonement of Jesus Christ. How can that mean anything other than what it says? The Atonement is universal; but the application of it is particular, specific, and conditional on individual repentance. We can only benefit from the Atonement if we choose to repent of our sins; and that is a choice that only we can make. God doesn’t make, or predetermine that choice for anyone. The Atonement (propitiation) does not redeem anyone unconditionally. It redeems and saves only on condition of faith and repentance—which is entirely man’s choice. In Calvinism, that “choice” doesn’t exist; therefore the only kind of Atonement (propitiation) that is logically possible is the “definite” one. But that is a dilemma that Calvinism has artificially created for itself. It is not a biblical issue. Once the deterministic element is removed, everything else falls into place, and becomes logically consistent and biblical.
The Bible is all about “choice”. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve,” says Joshua to Israel (Josh. 24:15); and that doctrine is repeated and affirmed, directly and indirectly throughout the rest of the Bible. Calvinism is the antithesis of that eternal truth enshrined in the Bible. Calvinism is the theological equivalent of Socialism and Communism. It is the dictatorship of the divine. All decisions are predetermined, and you have no choice in what happens to you. That simply is not biblical. It is a heresy. It is demonic. If people can be persuaded to believe that, then all incentive to strive to do good, to be good, and to keep God’s commandments are removed—which is the central message of the whole of the Bible. God is not a tyrant! That is how Calvinism likes to portray him to be; but it is not biblical. God is sovereign, but not tyrannical. In Calvinism “sovereignty” equals “tyranny!” It is the tyranny of the divine! But not so in the Bible. Burk Parsons also has this comment to make:
The Bible is all about “choice”. “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve,” says Joshua to Israel (Josh. 24:15); and that doctrine is repeated and affirmed, directly and indirectly throughout the rest of the Bible. Calvinism is the antithesis of that eternal truth enshrined in the Bible. Calvinism is the theological equivalent of Socialism and Communism. It is the dictatorship of the divine. All decisions are predetermined, and you have no choice in what happens to you. That simply is not biblical. It is a heresy. It is demonic. If people can be persuaded to believe that, then all incentive to strive to do good, to be good, and to keep God’s commandments are removed—which is the central message of the whole of the Bible. God is not a tyrant! That is how Calvinism likes to portray him to be; but it is not biblical. God is sovereign, but not tyrannical. In Calvinism “sovereignty” equals “tyranny!” It is the tyranny of the divine! But not so in the Bible. Burk Parsons also has this comment to make:
“And a part of that doctrinal system and a part of understanding salvation is that God actually saves sinners. He doesn’t just make salvation possible, he actually saves sinners.”
Sure he “saves sinners,” but he doesn’t do so unconditionally. He does so on condition of faith and repentance. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). That is the condition. Calvinism is deterministic, therefore “conditions” do not apply. The Bible is not deterministic. It applies conditions to salvation. When the condition is fulfilled, however, salvation is guaranteed.
Burk Parsons in his comments also makes reference to the book, Death of Death in the Death of Christ by John Owen (1616–1683) which I was not familiar with, so I had to look it up. After some searches I discovered that it is another classic, 17th century Puritan theological work similar to The Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758), which I had previously commented on here. Like Jonathan Edwards’ book, it has been very influential in shaping the theological thinking of later Reformed theologians. I found several PDF copies of it online. It is around 300 pages long, with a lengthy introductory essay on it written by J.I. Packer. It is another lengthy, convoluted, Puritan theological treaties whose objective is to try to justify the Calvinistic doctrine of Definite (Limited) Atonement. Now I know where R.C. Sproul got his theological thinking on Limited Atonement from; he got it from this book! I doubt that I will ever read it; but it looks interesting; and if I can find a good summary of it online, like I did for Jonathan Edwards’ book, I may decide to comment on it on my blog later on (which I have since, see here). So special thanks to Burke Parsons for introducing me to this interesting book. I am sure I am going to have some fun playing around with it.
The last question asked of the panel towards the end at 44:46 minutes is appropriately about divine sovereignty versus human freewill, as follows:
“How do we reconcile God’s sovereignty with the freewill of humans?”
To this Steven Lawson gives the typical Calvinistic reply, as follows:
“Well, man does not have freewill. There’s only one freewill, and that belongs to God. Man is dead in trespasses and sin. He has a moral inability. He cannot come to Christ, he cannot believe. So freewill, in essence, he has only ability to remain in unbelief. So the way the question is posed is faulty. The tension is not between freewill and sovereign will; the tension is between human responsibility and sovereign will; that we are actually responsible to do that which we cannot do. That is what is intended by God to put the sinners conscience in a vise grip, that they are held accountable by God, and responsible to God to do that which they cannot do apart from divine intervention. There is a real sense, depending upon your lapsarian view, you can say that all who are in heaven are there by the sovereign will of God, and all in hell are there by the freewill of man, as they have chosen to go their own way, and been permitted to go their own way. And I realize a supralapsarian mode puts a different spin on that. You don’t want freewill, because you would always choose unbelief, you would always choose to reject Christ. You want sovereign grace, and a sovereign will that is greater than the obstinance of your own freewill. You want God to conquer your freewill, and you want God to grant to you repentance and faith, because you cannot repent, and you cannot believe by your freewill. You will forever reject Christ. So the tension is not freewill–sovereign will, the tension is human responsibility and sovereign will.”
I have already discussed the subject of divine sovereignty vs. human freewill more than once elsewhere in my blog, therefore it is unnecessary to repeat it again here; so instead I decided to search the Internet to see if I could find some fresh perspectives on the subject by others, which is not merely a repeat of what I had said before. I found two interesting videos which do a good job defending the biblical doctrine of freewill, against the heresy of determinism. The first is an interesting debate between James White and Dr. Michael Brown, in which he does an excellent job of refuting the Calvinist heresy of determinism, and defending the biblical doctrine of the freewill of man. It can be seen here:
The second is a brief but good presentation of the subject by Leighton Flowers, which can be seen here:
I think their arguments are more convincing. For the remainder of this post I am going to briefly respond to Steven Lawson’s remarks that man is “dead in trespasses and sin;” that he has a “moral inability;” that we are “actually responsible to do that which we cannot do;” that “all in hell” are there by the “freewill of man;” that “you don’t want freewill!” etc.; the essence of which is that no one is or can be righteous by their own choice. In scripture there is one Psalm, Psalm 14, which seems to support that view, and a couple of misunderstood verses of Paul. By contrast, there are hundreds of passages in the Bible that suggest the opposite, that men are, can be, have been, and will be righteous by their own free choices (and be approved of God, and blessed accordingly). The following list is by no means complete. A complete list would be much larger. I found these by simply looking up the word “righteous” in the Bible, and then reducing result to these:
Genesis 7:
1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Psalm 32:
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Psalm 33:
1 Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Psalm 34:
15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
• • •
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
• • •
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 37:
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
• • •
29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psalm 55:
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 64:
10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.
Psalm 68:
3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.
Psalm 92:
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Psalm 97:
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalm 112:
6 Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
Proverbs 2:
7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Proverbs 10:
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
• • •
25 As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Proverbs 12:
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Proverbs 15:
29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 29:
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
• • •
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Isaiah 3:
10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Malachi 3:
18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
Matthew 10:
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
Matthew 13:
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 25:
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
• • •
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 1:
6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5: 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
1 Peter 3:
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
A Bible search for the word “righteousness” produced many more results, of which the following is a selection:
Psalm 15: 1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 18: 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. Psalm 106: 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Proverbs 10: 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 11: 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. • • • 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. Proverbs 12: 28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Proverbs 13: 6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. Proverbs 14: 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 15: 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Proverbs 16: 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. • • • 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. • • • 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 21: 21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 25: 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Isaiah 1: 21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Isaiah 51: 1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Isaiah 62: 1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Ezekiel 18: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Daniel 4: 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Daniel 12: 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Zephaniah 2: 3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. Matthew 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Luke 1: 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Acts 10: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Romans 6: 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 1 Corinthians 15: 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 2 Timothy 2: 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Another word that is used in scripture as a synonym for “righteous” is the word “just”. A “just man” in scriptural terms is the same as a “righteous man”. A scripture search for the word “just” produced more results, of which the following is a selection:
Psalm 15: 1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. Psalm 18: 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. Psalm 106: 3 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Proverbs 10: 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. Proverbs 11: 4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. 5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. • • • 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death. Proverbs 12: 28 In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death. Proverbs 13: 6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. Proverbs 14: 34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 15: 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Proverbs 16: 8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. • • • 12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. • • • 31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 21: 21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 25: 5 Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Isaiah 1: 21 How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers. Isaiah 51: 1 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Isaiah 62: 1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. Ezekiel 18: 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Daniel 4: 27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. Daniel 12: 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Zephaniah 2: 3 Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger. Matthew 6: 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Luke 1: 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. Acts 10: 34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Romans 6: 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 1 Corinthians 15: 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 2 Timothy 2: 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 3: 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Another word that is used in scripture as a synonym for “righteous” is the word “just”. A “just man” in scriptural terms is the same as a “righteous man”. A scripture search for the word “just” produced more results, of which the following is a selection:
Genesis 6:
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Proverbs 4:
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 10:
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 20:
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Isaiah 26:
7 The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.
Matthew 5:
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 13:
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
Mark 6:
20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
Luke 2:
25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
Luke 15:
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Luke 23:
50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
Acts 10:
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
Acts 24:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Still another word that is used in scripture as a synonym for righteous is “upright”. An “upright man” is equivalent to a “just man,” a “righteous man,” in scriptural terms. A Bible search for the word “upright” produced many more results, of which the following is a selection:
2 Samuel 22:
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
2 Samuel 22:
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
Job 1:
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
Job 1:
8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Psalm 7:
10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
Psalm 11:
2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.
Psalm 11:
7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
Psalm 18:
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
Psalm 25:
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.
Psalm 36:
10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
Psalm 37:
14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
• • •
18 The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.
• • •
37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.
Psalm 84:
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 94:
15 But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.
Psalm 111:
1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psalm 112:
1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
4 Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Psalm 119:
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
Psalm 125:
4 Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
Psalm 140:
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.
Proverbs 2:
21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
Proverbs 10:
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
• • •
29 The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 11:
3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
• • •
6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.
• • •
11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
• • •
20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Proverbs 12:
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Proverbs 14:
2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Proverbs 14:
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Proverbs 15:
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Proverbs 15:
21 Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.
Proverbs 16:
17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
Proverbs 21:
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
Proverbs 21:
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Proverbs 28:
6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
• • •
10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.
• • •
18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Proverbs 29:
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Amos 5:
10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
Micah 2:
7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the Lord straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
This list is still not exhaustive. A truly exhaustive search would have produced even more results. The whole of the Sermon on the Mount, for example, is a witness to the fact that people can by their own free choice do good or evil, and be rewarded (or punished) accordingly. When Jesus mourns to his disciples, “Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The Calvinistic answer to that would have to be, “Too bad! Not my problem! You made me that way! You have nothing to complain about! You should know better than to ask me such a stupid question!” If I have to choose between Psalm 14, and a couple of misconstrued verses of Paul on the one hand; and almost the entirety of the rest of the Bible on the other; it is a no-brainer which one I should choose. 1% of the Bible against 99% is not a difficult choice to make. So the bottom line is that Calvinistic theology is heretical and false, and these guys are teaching and believing a whole bunch of erroneous principles. The sooner they admit that and get rid of it, the better it will be for themselves first, and for everybody else second.
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