Why Romans 9 Does Not Teach Calvinism

Great Light Studios

In this episode Jordan gives an explanation of Romans 9, and utilizes some of Paul’s arguments, language and analogies in Galatians to unpack its meaning and to explain why this controversial chapter is not teaching Calvinism.

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://youtu.be/3NMA-8PFkCE
Calvinism’s Critical Error Part 1: https://youtu.be/ygePIgd7DJU
Calvinism’s Critical Error Part 2: https://youtu.be/A23Mc_eqWu8

The topic of Calvinism is something that I have personally spent a lot of time studying and thinking about for the past decade. In recent years this theology has grown a lot in popularity, being propagated by popular and prominent pastors and christian leaders like John Piper, John Macarthur, RC Sproul and ministry organizations like the Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Ligonier Ministries and Apologia Studios.

This theology is based on a particular understanding of passages like Romans 9, John 6 and Ephesians 1, which are interpreted by Calvinists in a way that results in the conclusion that God has determined before the foundation of the world which individuals he will save and has ultimately created a countless mass of humanity throughout history for the purpose of condemning them to eternal torment in hell for committing sins that he himself determined that they commit. This may be a bit more of an abrasive and pointed way of putting it, but I think if you come to understand the claims and beliefs of the theologians mentioned above who teach these doctrines, you will see that this is an accurate and honest representation of their ultimate conclusions. I personally find the view of God that is communicated in Calvinism to be immoral and a gross misrepresentation of what the bible actually describes God to be like.

Although I do have moral and emotional apprehensions toward this theology, that is not ultimately the reason why I came to reject it. I came to reject it on biblical grounds. After examining the many Calvinistic proof texts like Romans 9 and Ephesians 1, I became convinced that Calvinists are simply misunderstanding and misinterpreting these texts. I make videos about this topic because I believe that bad theology is harmful to people - emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

My goal in making videos like this is not to demonize Calvinists who teach these things or to say they are evil heretics or anything of the sort, but to simply explain why I strongly disagree with their conclusions and offer what I consider to be a better way of understanding the many biblical texts that are often used to support these views.

Watch more of my videos on Calvinism: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlJNUrjZLBEq2FhrqzT-coMx-7nbls9Vw
Watch my films here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlJNUrjZLBEp7tApoCOPhEw4F0BBQg-Gr
Seek First: Freedom From Worry And Anxiety (Matthew 6:25-33) https://youtu.be/Cjbj1qOIzk8
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