John Calvin’s (really Augustine’s) double predestination or Horrible Decree says one is elected to salvation or passed over as non elect by the sovereign choice of God! According to them man has no free will or choice in salvation, either before or after it occurs! To be overlooked for salvation by God and given the horrible decree of being non elect means that such a person never had any chance for salvation and will surely burn forever in the fires of hell.
The Horrible Decree and Infant Damnation
That even includes non elect infants who die! Calvinism’s infant damnation doctrine is a repulsive myth, which many of them have never been told about and is related to the horrible decree! Such is the mythical cruel God of Calvinism, who does will for some to perish, in definite contradistinction to the Biblical account (2 Peter. 3:9). Scripture is clear that God:
Wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim 2:4)
In fact, the true God of the Bible commands all people to enter through the narrow gate (Mt. 7:13), to repent (Acts 17:30) and to cut off their hand, foot or gouge their eye out if it is causing them to sin rather than go to hell (Mk. 9:43-48). Jesus also invites all to come to himself who are weary and burdened to find rest for their souls (Mt. 11:28-30), and draws all men to himself (Jn. 12:32).
Peter Didn’t Proclaim Calvin’s Horrible Decree
Peter preached to whole groups and made general statements, which doesn’t allow for Calvin’s horrible decree:
With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)
It is not logical for anyone who believes in Calvin’s horrible decree to preach like Peter did! Clearly, man has a choice in getting saved. According to Scripture, the real reason why people perish is not because they were issued the horrible decree, but because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (2 Th 2:10) That basic Bible truth parallels Jesus’ teaching in John 18:37 where he said:
“Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Man’s heart must love truth (God’s word) to come to salvation, for we are born again by the word of God (1 Pet. 1:23). Furthermore, not everyone Jesus told, follow me did follow him! Matthew did (Mt. 9:9), as did Peter and Andrew (Mt. 4:18,19), but the unnamed in Lk. 9:59,60 didn’t! Jesus called him, but he didn’t respond even though it was God’s will for him to follow and be saved!
Though Calvinists hate to admit it, it is a fact that all 5 points of Calvinism hang or fall together, according to one of their own theologians! Don’t be deceived: Calvinism is not the doctrines of grace as taught in the Bible! Man does have free will and a choice in his salvation. Calvin’s Horrible Decree is mythical as Santa Claus.
Help For A Calvinist (pdf)
