Is Calvinism Catholic?

Pastor Bill Farrow

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There has been much reaction to Dare Hunt's new book against Calvinism. One of the allegations he makes in the book is that Calvinism has its roots in Augustine and that Augustine is the Father of the Roman church. He alleges that this makes Calvinistic Doctrine essentially Catholic, and thus unBiblical and unacceptable.

The problem I have with this is that it is essentially the exact opposite of what is true as far as I can see. It is Arminianism and its offshoots that are essentially not much different than Catholicism. The very point of view that Hunt is seeking to establish is more Catholic than the point of view he is attacking!

Roman Catholicism essentially argues that man is capable of co-operating with God in the matter of salvation. They further assert that if he is capable, then he must co-operate if Salvation is to be achieved. Roman Catholic Theology basically asserts that man has it within his nature to assent to truth and to submit himself to God. Because he has this ability, God requires him to do so. In R. C. theology, this submission is basically done by submitting onesself to the church and to the sacraments.

In Arminian Baptist theology the assumptions are remarkably similar. They also believe that all men have the capacity, in and of themselves, to submit themselves to the Gospel. They believe that this being so, God requires it of them and will not do it for them.

On both sides, it approaches the state of dogma, which, of course, it is! The aspects of the view of the essential nature of man that they share are very disturbing. The Catholic side, of course goes much further in this direction than the Baptist do. Catholic theology is essentially Pelagian. Baptist theology limits itself to Arminianism. Whereas Catholics would have us submit to the sacraments; Baptists certainly have a different, much more Biblical authority and practice.

It is their essential view of the nature of man that they share with Catholicism that is such a problem. Both systems are essentially synergistic. Thy both assert that God has made salvation possible for all, but certain for none. Making salvation certain is the responsibility of man. He makes salvation sure by fulfilling the condition of the system. For Catholics; this is the sacraments, etc. For Baptists this is believing and/or submitting your will to the Gospel. In both systems, salvation does not, cannot occur apart from the co-operation of man.

This is precisely the amazing point of Hunt's assertion. Calvinism declares that salvation is monergistic. It is entirely a work of God from beginning to end. Far from being Catholic; there could be nothing further from the fundamental R. C. position than true 5-point Calvinism. Hunt's assertion really only demonstrates his ignorance of understanding of both R. C. position as well as true Calvinism.