One of the things i've learned, is that when one is dialoguing with a person that has a different set of beliefs, that it's best to understand where theu are coming from in order to not be speaking past each other.
Just because someone makes the claim that they are a believer in a term, doesn't mean that they actually hold to the general beliefs defined by that term.
For example, i've spoken to "muslims" who don't believe that mohammed was a prophet.
I've also spoken to "christians" who believe that the God of the Old Testament, is not the God of the New Testament.
One shouldn't assume a person holds to a set of certain beliefs simply because they claim a certain title/label for themselves.
It bothers me when I see people who claim to he christians, simply dismiss scripture because it doesn't fit into their theology.
They don't try to harmonise scripture at all, but seem content to have two "seemingly" contradictory positions within scripture, and not think of the consequences.
I once met a christian who believed in baptismal regeneration.
When I enquired about cornelius and his household in the book of Acts, he dismissed it as irrelevant and told me he doesn't teach from that section of scripture.
I find the anti-calvinist to be the same type of person.
Dismissing scripture is all too easy for them for my comfort.
This, of course, makes it hard for the concerned brother or sister to bring correction to the anti-calvinist by pointing to scripture.
So let's examine some other verses and think of how we can deal with them.
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1 Timothy 2:3-4 (ESV) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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The anti-calvinist uses this verse to say that God wants everybody in the world to be saved.
Using the skeletal argument to ground then on the words of Christ is dismissed.
They see these verses as trumping, or altering the meaning of the clear claims of Christ.
One could always try to appeal to the verses before this, which say...
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
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These verses qualify the "all people" to mean "all kinds of people" - the widows, fatherless, and the poor as well as kings and those on high positions.
Of course, that idea will be dismissed.
So what should we do?
Give the anti-calvinist what they want.
The next two verses will show you what I mean.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 (ESV) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
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If God desires all men to be saved, and to that end, Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all - what must happen?
All men must be saved.
Why? Because Jesus paid the price for them. He paid for all of their sins. That's what being ransomed means. A payment... an exchange... has taken place.
That verse about being ransomed, must equal to universalism. Because the ransom has indeed been paid.
It's because the anti-calvinist has a low view of scripture, at least in action, why one is able to use their interpretation of the scriptures against them.
The calvinist doesn't have to introduce anything the anti-calvinist doesn't like, but rather just press the issue to it's logical conclusion if their view is correct.
Some might question why would Jesus being a ransom for all people in the world equal universalism.
Some might say that the person has the free will to accept or reject the gospel.
The problem with this is their view on the atonement.
When Christ died on the cross, did He actually pay for your sins?
The scriptures clearly says that He did.
If your sins are paid for, you can't be punished for them afterwards.
When we look at everywhere the New Testament uses the word "ransom", you will clearly see that those who the Son was ransomed for, will be/are saved.
Let's take a look.
Matthew 20:28 (ESV) even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Parallel Verse)
Mark 10:45 (ESV) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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1 Peter 1:17-19 (ESV) And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
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Revelation 5:9-10 (ESV) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
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Now, will the fact that Jesus says His life is ransomed for many instead of all people on earth, cause the anti-calvinist to see the "all people" as "all of the many" that Jesus clearly speaks about?
No.
Will they see the clearness in the Apostle Peter saying that only those whom have God as their Father, are those whose lives have been ransomed by the blood of Christ?
No.
Will they take notice of the song that the Apostle John heard in his vision of all those that were redeemed?
No.
But, at least you know that the calvinist position is actually the biblical position.
And you know that even when using the logic that the anti-calvinist applies to those verses, one either has to become a heretic by believing universalism, or one has to become a heretic by denying that Jesus is the messiah and God
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