I was studying in preparation for a sermon when I came across this quote from a well-known Calvinist:
“God gives life and He takes life. Everybody who dies, dies because God wills that they die.” I know that
God has, indeed, taken lives. The Bible gives examples of that. But every life? When a drunk driver
smashes head-on into another car and kills people…God did that? When a store clerk is murdered
during a robbery…God did that?
But Calvinism does teach that. That ideology says that every single thing that happens is preplanned
and carried out by God; nothing is an accident, and everything that happens is an act of God. There are
several reasons why I cannot accept the Calvinistic teachings, but this is chief among them. It teaches
that the source of our comfort is also the source of our pain! It means that Satan is an agent of God,
carrying out His commands and wishes!
Satan is the father of lies and the great seducer. He deceives us and cause much discord and pain. At
least that’s what I’ve always taught. But according to Calvinist beliefs, God planned every step the devil
takes and controls our every response to the devil’s temptations. So, every murder, every suicide, every
divorce, every disease, and every broken heart is the direct hand of God? Sorry…I’m not buying that,
and I will never preach it.
God is the source of our comfort and the protector of our souls. He has grace and love above our ability
to understand. He is compassionate and merciful. Do not ever…for one minute…believe that God is the
source of pain and misery.
Say good things about your Savior and His church on this mountain!
 
Bro. Tony