10 Things Consistent Calvinists SHOULD Say (But Usually Don’t) – Refuting Calvinism | Kerrigan Skelly

Posted on September 26, 2014 by Kerrigan Skelly

This post is in the same theme as my last “10 Things” post (SEE HERE FOR ON THAT POST), except that this one is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the last one. Sometimes Calvinists remind me of Mormons. Now, I know that sounds insulting, but please let me explain. Mormons, often times, try to “hide” some of their more “hard to believe” doctrines from new converts or people they are trying to convert. They won’t talk about polygamy, the blood atonement doctrine, that Joseph Smith said that the “rest of Christianity” was apostate, that you could have your own planet someday, that God used to be a human being or that Jesus and Satan are brothers.

I see the same thing happening with Calvinists, a lot of the time. They rarely ever mention their “hard to believe” doctrines while witnessing to the lost, while preaching in the open air or in their prayers. They rarely ever talk about Unconditional Election or Unconditional Reprobation, on the streets. They rarely ever talk about Limited/Definite Atonement, while they are witnessing to someone. They rarely ever mention Irresistible Grace, while they pray.

Why is that? Are they ashamed of such doctrines? Do they not think that such doctrines are important? Do they really believe in them? In light of these experiences of mine, I have made a list of 10 things that consistent Calvinists SHOULD say, but usually don’t say. As with the last list, this list doesn’t include all Calvinists. There may be some Calvinists who would and do say these things. I couldn’t possibly include all Calvinists, since I don’t know all Calvinists and haven’t had an experience with all Calvinists. I am simply going by my extended experience with Calvinists, over the last 8 years or so.

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Why Do People Die (Physically)? – The Doctrine of Original Sin – Kerrigan Skelly

Posted on September 17, 2014 by Kerrigan Skelly

One question that seems to come up often, in the discussion on the doctrine of original sin, is “Why do people die?” Another offshoot of this question is, “If babies aren’t born sinners, then why do they die?” The implication is that the reason why everyone dies physically, is directly because of their own personal sin. In the case of the infant, they die because Adam’s sin is also “their sin”, i.e. the “doctrine of original sin”. In the case of adults, they die because of their own personal sin, that they continue in until the day they die, i.e. the “doctrine of perpetual sinfulness.”

Both of these “answers” to the question of, why people die are wrong. Both are insufficient answers to the question. If everyone dies because of their own personal sin (whether they actually committed it or they “committed it” in Adam), then we have a GREAT PROBLEM. This one problem should be enough to utterly demolish such unbiblical thinking. Are you ready?

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John Calvin Quotes – The Calvinism of John Calvin – Are Calvinists REALLY “Calvinists”?

Posted on September 1, 2014 by Kerrigan Skelly

As I have dealt with Calvinists throughout the years, there has been one objection that has stood out the most. There is one thing that I hear them say, more than anything else. They say this on YouTube videos, on Facebook posts, through email correspondence with them, etc. They are constantly accusing people of misrepresenting Calvinism, of not knowing what Calvinism “REALLY IS” and of engaging in straw man arguments against their doctrines.

You know what I think the problem is? I think that that most “Calvinists” aren’t REALLY Calvinists. They don’t even know what “Calvinism” is. I’ve been studying Calvinism for about 10 years now. I’ve studied a lot about Calvinism, both from Calvinists and from those against Calvinism. I’ve watched videos from both sides, listened to sermons from both sides, read books and articles from both sides, etc. For the most part, those who are against Calvinism have properly represented it. There have been those who have engaged in straw man arguments, but they have been few and far between, from what I have seen.

I think that many people who call themselves “Calvinists” haven’t studied much about Calvinism. They probably heard a passionate sermon from Paul Washer (and YES, HE IS a Calvinist), read an article by Charles Spurgeon, read a book by John Piper, listened to a James White debate, watched an R.C. Sproul lecture or read a John MacArthur Commentary. Then they put their theological “stake in the ground” and say, “I’m a Calvinist”. Also, some people are just “bandwagon” Calvinists. They see it as a popular trend in the circles they are in and “jump in”. I wonder what will happen when it’s no longer a “popular trend”?

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