What Is Calvinism?: Calvinism and the Christian Life with Ian Hamilton 

This message is from Ian Hamilton'sl 6-part teaching series Calvinism and the Christian Life. Watch the entire series: www.ligonier.org/learn/series/calvinism-and-the-christian-life/

God chose me, I didn't choose him. I love him because he loved me first. I wasn't looking for God and I didn't ask to believe in him when I was filled with the Holy Spirit during a suicide attempt . It changed my life in a way I could never imagine. God is sovereign and will save who he wishes. I don't know why he chose me because I'm one of the most wretched men I know.

It really annoys me much when people say that the Doctrines of Grace are "invented" by John Calvin. I didn't even know who Calvin was when I first understood Election and Predestination in the Scriptures

Thank you God for this awesome teaching, in Christ Jesus.

Excellent lecture.Expecting more good stuff.I was a couple of years behind Ian at New College.

That's a modern notion that you should go around telling everyone your conversion story. The New Testement actually only described one dramatic conversion, Paul's. We are not even told when James and Jude stopped mocking their half brother and started worshipping him. We just know they did and each wrote a New Testement book.

Thanks Ian Hamilton *4 This Powerful, Blessful, Deep Teaching on "What Is Calvinism ?: Calvinism & The Christian Life" Where I Say That John Calvin Was a Doer of God's Word, Not Just An Hearer Written In James 1:22 4 I Have Learnt That Calvinism Is Defined In Romans 11:32-36 Where Now I Can Say That Calvinism Is Good Where It Preaches The Gospel of Grace Where We've Been Saved By Grace Thru Faith 4 It's Not Our Own That We Should Boast 4 Salvation Is The Gift of God Written In Ephesians 2:8* & May Our Great Almighty God Bless Yu Ian Hamilton & Ligonier Ministries So Very Much 4 I Have Been Blessed.🙏🙏🕊️🕊️

WOW...that was so amazing, I've truly been blessed with the opportunity to listen to pastor Hamilton speak on this subject. I honestly have the same attitude of humility toward life in general, but even more so toward the word of God & the reverence of God the Father & the Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless pastor Hamilton & Ligonier Ministries. P.s. I love pastor Hamilton's accent.

Thank you kindly. Excellent presentation.

Predestination is a better word Rather than calvinism Promoting the glory of god Is the first priority Leaving salvation to his saving power!

I think one of the major reasons why people angrily reject the Doctrines of Grace is because it wounds our pride.

Great expositional learning resource.

All I know is that JESUS is the way, the TRUTH, and the life!! Selah!! That’s all I know.

Calvinism is a system of propositional truth logically deduced from the Bible by good and necessary consequence.

I know a 100%, if it lay upon me to choose God, i would never be saved. I ran away from God with all my strength. But God “subdued” my heart as well! All the glory be unto Him! Amen!

i myself did not know that i have a "calvinistic" understanding until i listened to the late R. C. Sproul.😉

'' What is The chief end of man?'' ''To _GLORIFY GOD_ and enjoy Him forever.'' John MacArthur was the first one that told me that! lt was like he turned the key that unlocked the secret to everything! :D

I know that we have to make a living and we love to show our own doctrine, but I believe in the one and only doctrine of christ jesus.

thank u and Gd bless u in ur teachings.

I heard Ian Hamilton preach on several occasions, back in the day, when I used to attend reformed churches. Yes, back then, I was a staunch believer in Calvinist and Reformed Theology, until God, by his abundant goodness, and mercy, set me free, by giving me a discerning knowledge of his truth, (which may sound shamefully immodest, but God does impart his wisdom to those who earnestly seek his divine wisdom). That aside, I always found Ian to have presented himself in a very gracious, and dignified manner, entirely appropriate to his calling. Therefore, I have nothing against Ian personally, on the contrary, I found him to have been a very agreeable fellow, which I am sure he still is. However, I abandoned Calvinism and Reformed Theology, as a young man because it does not adhere to or promote, especially, beyond the members of its own sect, the fundamental Christian values of faith, love, and charity, that are so emphatically ensconced in the Word of God, as prerequisites for true Christian living. It blatantly denies the full extent of God's love for his humanity. It engenders a "we are superior," religious arrogance, in its adherents. It plants a judgemental, hard heartedness, when those hearts should be kind and loving, and it causes its followers to waste their time on a pseudo form of theological intellectualism, that is not based on the truth of God. It was, responsible, however, for the Protestant work ethic, that created a culture suited to the growth and development of an extremely hard working, socially responsible, and law abiding middle class, that became the bedrock of western societies, to varying degrees; which of course was the primary function of organised religion to mould and organise whatever culture it held power in. On the immediate downside, it procures a snooty aloofness that many Calvinist Protestants are accused of having. The "I'm too good and superior to have anything to do with you" effect. Instead of reaching out to people with God's love, in a spirit of humility and meekness. The 5 points of Calvinism are TULIP. TULIP, however, did not crystalise as a condensed explanation of Calvinism until well after the death of Calvin, at the Synod of Dort, which ran from 1618 to 1619, in the Netherlands. The Synod of Dort was fundamentally a debate between the Calvinists and the Arminians, about whose theology was right. The Calvinists mustered the support of the Dutch state officials, in a corrupt fashion, thereby, predictably gaining the upper hand. This resulted in many Arminians being brutally persecuted, as well as some being executed for merely disagreeing with the beliefs of Calvinism. There never has been any room for descension against Calvinist beliefs, when the Calvinists hold the keys of power. Whenever possible, they have sought to rely on the power of the state, to gain and maintain control. That is why in the traditionally Protestant countries, the established state churches are Calvinist. Calvin's Institutes and his other writings, are for the most part plagiarized versions of the works of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who was arguably the most influential and important figure in the early Roman Catholic Church. This is ironic because Calvinists have shown nothing but contempt and distain towards the Church of Rome, since the inception of Calvinism. In reality, Calvinism should be renamed Augustinism, after its true author, who Calvin assiduously copied. It is absolutely true, that you will find scripture that supports TULIP. Notwithstanding that, you will also find a plethora of scripture that categorically refutes TULIP. Therefore, Calvinism is at best a half truth, which renders it to be a very subtle, and dangerous lie. Calvinists believe and promote the perversely heretical doctrine that the majority of mankind will suffer eternal torment in the Lake of Fire, because they are incapable of receiving a saving faith in Jesus Christ, as a result of what Calvin coined their "Total Depravity.” Notwithstanding that, the Bible tells us that man is made in God's image. Furthermore, human beings, even total atheists, are capable of acts of sublime love and kindness. For Calvinists there are two types of people, "the Elect," and "the Damned." According to Calvin, God foreknew, from the beginning of time those who would spend eternity with him, in heaven, (His Elect), and those who he would eternally punish and reject, in the Lake of Fire, (the Damned). For Calvinists this is an expression of God's Sovereign Will. For Calvinists, the Elect cannot help or stop being the Elect; and the Damned can do nothing to prevent their fate of being destined to an eternity of God's wrath and punishment. Therefore, for Calvinists, most of the human race are vile reprobates, who are justly destined to perdition. Mercifully, the aforesaid doctrines are unbiblical and false! God gave human beings a free will, he did not create automatons to sadistically persecute and destroy, for his, what Calvin, in essence described, warped pleasure. God is Love, and his nature is one of being a loving Father. John 3:16: "For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance." Mark 2:17: Jesus said: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Paradoxically, I am unequivocally certain that many Reformed Calvinists are born again believers in Jesus Christ. However, they are not saved in the Lord because of their Calvinist beliefs, no, they are saved in the Lord, in spite of their Calvinist beliefs, as a result of God's loving pardon, for sin, through a faith in his son Jesus, which transcends any of the hateful and blasphemous doctrines contained in the Calvinist system of belief. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, remember that Jesus taught us to "beware of the leven of the Pharisees."

This is really good!

„For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men? What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:4-11‬ ‭ASV‬‬

Jesus the hope for the whole world.

Reading all the comments about Calvinism is sad. This is the reason why I don't like the term because it is named after a man and you get the logical fallacy of irrelevant thesis because then people start attacking Calvin and then assuming anyone that believes these doctrines are followers of Calvin. I've read my Bible cover to cover for over twenty years and when I read Ephesians 1:4, Romans 9, John 6:37-44, Isaiah 46:9-11, and many, many other verses: I never knew who Calvin was or the name Calvinism until about eight years as a Christian. And it was when I asked other believers about those verses (and verses that had the word "elect" in them) that I was told I was a Calvinist or that I was learning from Calvinists. This was the first time I heard the term. It's funny; the way most Christians described Calvinists to me, I thought they were the most arrogant and rude people on the face of the earth. And some did come across that way. But now that I see the scriptures in the Bible that actually validate the doctrines about sovereignty, election, etc. and I try to discuss it with others, I find the non-Calvinists also are just as arrogant and rude. But at the end of the day I don't mind discussing it from scripture alone because that is our guide based on Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15. So it is best to ignore name calling, blanket assertions, etc. and just explain the meaning of verses to see if something is true. As Christians, we should lovingly and prayerfully do that, but unfortunately social media is ripe to make Christians act more fleshly than they ever would in person. That saddens me.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

California vote for Larry Elder!!!

Are we not all out of our depth? We should all live by Acts 2:38

I have a non subject question, Is there any biblical view on cremation?

Anything trying to rob God of his glory is a thing of belial, and again, God has defeated all enemies in their own games and hung them all upon their own gallows from eon to eon. αἰώνων (aiōnōn)

I enjoy the video, but looking at the comments section not everyone like this topic.

I don't wish to speak out of turn, but, I find it a little strange that Calvin says almost nothing about his conversion.

To believe in Calvinism all you have to do is read your Bible. That’s it. It’s plain as day. Anybody else is just trying to shape Gods character into what they want.

Does God love the people He reprobates for His own glory?

Boy oh boy, people sure do get offended and upset when hearing that God is sovereign, even over your salvation. I Chose God!! ME!! And I can leave him if I want!

Soli deo Gloria 2 John 1:6

Oh, the Depths! That can drown calvinism is Romans11:32

I am disappointed. I expected to learn what the title suggested. Calvinism first then how it applies to we Christians. I miss R C Sprouls.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish in hell but that ALL , meaning every single human being on this Earth, should come to repentance.

I don't know how the non-Calvinists can ignore, so many scriptures!

God Over Everything!

Salvation it's not about choosing but about having no other choice than to believe and be saves, true elects are born to believe and they have no other choice being destined to eternal life by God decree before the beginning God wrote all the names of is chosen one in Christ in the book of life of the Lamb.This is the TRUE PRE-DESTINATION.

lies dont exist

Unfortunately, this didn't explain the doctrine of Calvinism and why he thinks it's scripturally accurate. I'm not a Calvinist but I'm always open to hearing people defend its position.

Calvin forced a theocracy in his own image and killed some who disagreed with him. Look up how he roasted Servatus slowly for questioning his dogma.

One said it best; IF I COULD LOSE MY SALVATION I WOULD... Because I'm wretched 😏

It never should be called, 'What is Calvinisim ' But, 'What is the doctrine of Election?' You weaken the bibical word such as Election to a mere man this is sinful. Do we use another bibical word such as 'Salvation' do we assign this also to Calvin because he believed in this word also. This is sinful and dodging the real topic such as Election just do a word study on Elect, Election, Chosen, Choose, Predesinate, Predesination, Ordain, Appoint, Appointed. You will see these bibical words of God are mentioned hundreds of times do we dismiss them also or assign those words to a mere man? God forbid! God commands us To make are calling and Election sure if you do this you shall not fall. 2 Peter 1:10. Do you believe this command from God? Let Hod be true and every man a liar.

Just Watched your hilarious vedio from PineCreek Doug... disagree with you 💯. Wondering if you have just you view on hell?

What I hope, is that persons will stop teaching Calvinism...according to which...a Creator who is Light and TRUTH, commission His Saints to go out as deceivers and Liars, telling people the GOOD NEWS of Salvation, then in (a few years) on Wednesday Bible study they break it to them... Only God knows if I the Teacher are Saved, and Only God knows which of You will be saved! Statistics show maybe....1...5....10% of us! Maybe less? But Meanwhile, keep telling the Masses that they Will be Saved if they repent, Believe on Jesus, and Baptized in the Name of Father, Son And Holy Spirit!

Calvinism is heresy.

If Calvinism is true then the reason people get upset about it is because God decreed it.

What about the people Calvin had murdered for not converting to his interpretation of the bible in Geneva?

Calvinism broke the bondage of the Roman church - a great event. However, it broke the bond of the Holy Spirit with the indivivual - a great tragedy. Galatians 3:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 2:1-3.

Humanity would even walk away from the FULLY BIBLICAL living, real, true, present,etc,etc,etc God even if no sin at all would dwell in humanity, as has been proven by biblical Adam and Eve. We would ultimately always reject God *EVEN WITHOUT SIN IN US* (Adam and Eve before the fall). After the fall of mankind anyway now: We willingly and freely only would 100% not accept and reject the 100% sovereign FULLY BIBLICAL God who is 100% independent from us humans. Humans only freely and voluntarily and willingly accept any other thought, mindset, belief, religion, belief system in existence in the universe but NEVER the 100% Sovereignty God. God has to 100% sovereignly save us, to come to indwell us again, make us a new creature/creation in our human spirits. Only if the Father, s Son (Messiah) and the Holy Ghost dwells in us do we possess biblical Faith, Repentance, unto believing, trusting, etc ....He give it all to us so that all of it all becomes our/their Faith, Repentance,etc. Remember: God has FULLFILLED every single command, commandment,prerequisite, condition, requirement unto Salvation from Genesis to Revelation, which He Himself is, for us, in our stead, as our substitute, in our place. So: All Salvation and our Faith, our believe, our trust in Him, all repentance is first all given(which implies that we have received it all if it is all given to us) to all those who are effectually chosen, predestinated, made the elect, ordained, etc, etc.All benefits, gifts and blessings of all Salvation which God Himself is, are ours like the spokes of the wheel. Each spoke represents a fit, benefit and blessing of YESHUA, our Salvation..the nano-second we are born of God, from above they all move together at once(like biblical faith, believe, trust, repentance, etc, etc, etc...and it all becomes our, their faith, believe, trust,repentance, etc...all these gifts become our possession....our inheritance...ours...

Stay away from calvinism, be a Christian. Called in the name of God not of man like Calvin.

Calvinism is a perversion of the Christian message. If God has predetermined all whom he will save, what is the point of evangelism?

Calvinism is simply the gospel of Jesus Christ explained in greater detail. 💜🌷

Waited to hear what Calvin's is...still waiting

If "No free will to choose" were true then the Judgment Seat of Christ and the Great White Throne Judgment would be a joke. Think on these things:. how could souls be judged and held responsible if their actions had been predestined without free will? That would be such an unjust God!

Should Calvinism be the basis for someone to know that he's predetermined by God to be saved? I'm sure Calvinists would definitely say no. But, it is almost impossible to say that, that's not they're doing, they preach and interpret the Gospel through Calvinism's eyes. How about try exegesis and Hermeneutics?

Don't like the term Calvinism because my Saviour is Christ, but the doctrines of Calvinism, (T.U.L.I.P) are all throughout scripture. Depravity is seen in Genesis 6:5, and if you believe therefore that you are unable to incline yourself to Christ, then unconditional (sovereign) election, limited (definite) atonement and ireesistable grace (effectual calling) fall nicely into place. Perseverance (Preservation) of the Saints is seen in Philippians 1:6 and John 10:28.

Calvin wasn't entirely Biblical; he sprinkled babies and called it baptism.

Why did John Calvin endorse men to be executed for theological differences?

Calvinists have their opinions based on the truth of scripture. The problem is that the gospel and scripture comes from two directions in the New Testament. The sovereignty of God and on the other side man's responsibility. Calvinists try to stick to God's sovereignty and go to the likes of Ephesians. Whereas Romans has man's responsibility to turn from sin and the need for forgiveness of sins. Calvinists read Romans and jump to chapter 8 whereas the earlier chapters show clearly man's condition before God. We need, for a sound understanding of salvation, see it from God's side first, then from man's side. Knowing how God's sees us 'in Christ' gives the assurance of salvation.

Calvinism removes free will from human creation… if God has chosen those will enter heaven and those who will be separated from Him. A free gift is only a gift if the person accepts the gift… my brother has been speaking to a friend over years about Christ (my brother is a Calvinist) but when his friend didn’t come to believe my brother told me “ it’s his choice” oops we’ll there goes Calvinism because it’s not his choice… why do we need people out there telling others about Christ if it’s already been decided? By Grace we are saved through Faith not of our own works (works used not acceptance or decisions). Yes God knows who will accept him since He is outside the realm of time but that doesn’t mean He still doesn’t desire for none to perish. Only real love gives free will… you can’t make someone love you.

Why you people preach because, god only chooses and once save always saved then why u people preach!!!!wrong doctrine calvinism

Who cares

It is then when a Calvinist draws his or her last breath that he or she will know if he or she is one of the elect or not. Many dedicated Christians after years of following Christ faithfully dispensed with their faith and became an atheist or a pagan; according to the Calvinist, they were never saved. This means that you might not be one of His elect; you do not have the assurance of your salvation.

What is Calvinism? Incorrect, that’s what. Following the teachings of a man 1500 years after Christ, rather than the teachings of the original church…never a good thing. God gave us free will to choose, or walk away from Him. He wants all to choose Him, not just a select bunch. TULIP is false. Predestination is true, but does not negate our free will, or God’s desire for ALL to be saved.

I believe the bibles have been manipulated, words taken out, and words added to them

The jealous sardine experimentally damage because december genotypically spray pace a squeamish japan. deranged, frightened frightening full fumbling functional melody

Calvinism is Biblical throughout its system. Well done sir.

I believe in the saving truth of the Holy gospel which is available to every single person, anyone and I mean anyone, can respond to the truth of the Gospel and find salvation. God has no favorites, none are righteous and we are all as filthy rags in his sight.

Easy answer false doctrine.

God does not predestined no one before you are born to hell God chooses only the Elect John Calvin's Theology is wrong only the apostle Paul is teaching to all he wrote the word of GOD not teaching of Calvinism

Why oh why do you need calvin? God receives ALL the GLORY and HE WILL NOT share HIS GLORY with another. God's sovereignty is absolutely true BUT leave calvin out. I don't even know if he was saved

Why u people talk of man rather than christ?

I am greatly encouraged by the majority of these comments which rightly reject Calvinism for the lie of Satan that it is.

Calvinism is watching a documentary on, for instance, Joseph Mengella "the Auschwitz angel of death", and having to conclude that God was, "in a mystery" ordaining those sadistic child experiments. Calvinism is having to reach horrendous conclusions in order to be consistent with the presupposed hermeneutic. Calvin was a remarkable man in many ways, but Calvin's "determinism" is not the classical, historical, biblical and orthodox view of God's predestination and sovereignty.

This is about the glory of John Calvin than giving the Glory to God. Awful.

Calvinism was by Paul through God, Studied by John Calvin.

Calvin was so concerned with unity, he burned Michael servetus at the stake. Wonderful man…… Calvinism is great news for anyone who is “elect”🙄 If you can do nothing about your salvation. You can do nothing about your damnation…….yeah what a beautiful gospel….🤮 Calvinism is a false gospel