Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism

edited by David L. Allen and Steve W. Lemke

reviewed by John Harris                                                                                                                      Vol. XXIV, No. 4, April 2011

[Editor’s Note: The Banner has been publishing a series of articles about various aspects of Calvinism. It is not my intent to espouse one view or another, but rather to make available various thoughts on this long-running debate. If you would like to participate, please send your article to The Baptist Banner, 8601 Buckboard Drive, Alexandria, VA 22308. TCP]

This book is a by-product of the John 3:16 conference held in November 2008 and attended by about 1,000 participants. “The presenters at the John 3:16 Conference stand in the great Baptist tradition. ... They believe that the great majority of Southern Baptists do not fully embrace Calvinism or Reformed theology.

While this book is written by Southern Baptist leaders primarily for Southern Baptists, it will be of interest and value to other Baptists and other Evangelical Christians who are interested in the Calvinism issue.

The book is divided into two parts. Part One includes a sermon by Jerry Vines on John 3:16 and separate chapters on each of the five points of TULIP. Part Two includes chapters on the following topics: Was Calvin a Calvinist?, The Potential Impact of Calvinist Tendencies upon Local Baptist Churches, The Public Invitation and Calvinism, Reflections on Determinism and Human Freedom, and Evil and God’s Sovereignty.

It is generally recognized there are several hues or shades of Calvinism. Some identify themselves as TULIP or five-point Calvinists, while others identify themselves as four-point, or in some cases even fewer points. However, staunch Calvinist Richard Muller believes “to be a true Calvinist requires the affirmation of other beliefs such as baptism of infants, the identification of sacraments as means of grace, and an amillennial eschatology. When these additional Calvinist doctrines ‘are stripped away or forgotten,’ Muller laments, ‘the remaining famous five make very little sense.’”

Jerry Vines identifies nine “isms” that he believes John 3:16 responds to. Of particular interest are his statements about Calvinism and Arminianism. Of the former he writes “The phrase ‘that whosoever believes’ responds to five-point Calvinism, which says Christ died only for the elect.” Of the latter he writes “The phrase ‘but have everlasting life’ responds to Arminianism, which says God only gives life conditionally.” He concludes by saying “John 3:16 is a simple biblicism which reveals the mind, the heart, and the will of God.”

In a slightly different context is the article by Ken Keathley on perseverance and assurance in which he writes “At a symposium honoring Dale Moody, I. Howard Marshall recited the old saw that Arminians know they are saved but are afraid they cannot keep it, while Calvinists know they cannot lose their salvation but are afraid they do not have it...It is more than just a little ironic that though they travel different routes, many Arminians and Calvinists arrive basically at the same answer – assurance is based on evidence of sanctification.”

The most important chapter in Part Two is “The Potential Impact of Calvinist Tendencies upon Local Baptist Churches” by Malcolm Yarnell. He writes “...there has been a rise of late, by most accounts, of Calvinism’s influence on local churches...Relying on biblical theology and historical theology, this essay intends to outline a potential range of theological changes that Calvinism may introduce into the reader’s local Baptist church, especially with regard to church polity and practice ... Of greater significance for Baptists are the apparently insurmountable differences between Calvinist ecclesiology and Baptist ecclesiology...Calvinism also holds to theological standard for the church that moves far beyond Scripture.” Some specific issues Yarnell cites are (1) “the diminishing of congregational governance in favor of elder rule” (2) “admission of members on the basis of infant baptism and/or baptism by sprinkling” (3) “infant baptism” and (4) “a healthy working relationship between church and state.” Yarnell concludes by writing “In the end, it is impossible to be at once both truly Reformed and truly Baptist, especially when the local church is considered.”

There were several endorsements of the book by Southern Baptist pastors, theology professors, and administrative leaders. Two are quoted here. Pastor Mac Brunson writes “Here are the clarion voices that are crystalline clear about one of the most important issues of our. day. This scholarly work with pastoral practicality gives great guidance through a thorny issue. I encourage every pastor to read this book.” Professor Roger Olson writes “A much needed corrective to the contemporary rise of Calvinism especially among young Christians; it presents a scholarly, biblically accurate, and reasonable case against radical Reformed theology.”

Time spent reading, thinking, and wrestling with the issues explored in this book will be time well spent.