Does Calvinism Make God a “Moral Monster”?

Among the caricatures of Calvinism is the widespread claim that it renders God the author of evil, suffering, sin, and even the fall of humanity itself. In his recent book, Against Calvinism, Roger Olson carefully distinguishes the official teaching of Calvinism from where he thinks it logically leads. However, there are over three dozen statements in his book about Calvinism leading by good and necessary logic to a deity who is a “moral monster,” indistinguishable from the devil.

I respond to this charge directly in my companion volume, For Calvinism. A thoughtful review of my book from an Arminian perspective came to my attention today and this question again rose to the surface. (By the way, Calvinists talk so much about predestination more because of the charges leveled repeatedly against it than because of its alleged centrality.)

If God knew that Adam and Eve were going to transgress his law, why didn’t he change the circumstances so that they would have made a different choice?

Why would God create people he knew would be condemned for their original and actual sin?

The questions multiply.

Taking on this question in a blog post is a little dangerous. For a statement of the Reformed position and its scriptural basis, I’d refer readers to For Calvinism. 

However, there is one point that is worth pondering briefly: Non-Calvinist theologies are just as vulnerable on this question. Classic Arminian theology shares with Calvinism—indeed with all historic branches of Christianity—that God’s foreknowledge comprehends all future events. There is nothing that happens, nothing that you and I do, that lies outside of God’s eternal foreknowledge.    Keep Reading >>>

“Charles Spurgeon was NOT a Calvinist!”

Today I talked to a buddy who has spent the last few months studying the doctrines of grace (i.e. Calvinism).  Like many today, he’s been reading and listening to John Piper, John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul and Paul Washer on the Internet. And to use his own words, “It just seems to make sense.”  He’s coming from a Fundamental Independent Baptist background.  And like many in those circles, has only heard caricatures and straw men arguments about that “Satanic heresy” of Calvinism.

But what a friend told him yesterday almost made me fall out of my chair, “Charles Spurgeon was NOT a Calvinist!“  The logic went something like this: since Charles Spurgeon preached to thousands and was evangelistic, he couldn’t be a Calvinist.  Again, these kinds of statements underscore the ignorance that is rampant amongst many Fundamentalists.

Just for the record, I thought I’d let Spurgeon speak for himself:  Read it HERE

See Also:

Are You Sure You Like Spurgeon?

Satan the Proud and Powerful (Part 1)

Where did the idea of a red-flanneled, pitchfork-bearing Devil come from? The roots of this grotesque caricature of Satan are found in the Middle Ages. It was popular sport in medieval days to mock the Devil by describing him in ludicrous terms. There was a method in this madness. The medieval church believed in the reality of Satan. It was aware that Satan was a fallen angel who suffered from an overdose of pride. Pride was Satan’s supreme weakness. To resist Satan, that proud but fallen creature, required fierce combat. The combat focused on Satan’s most vulnerable point, his pride. The theory was this: Attack Satan at his point of weakness and he will flee from us.

What better way to attack Satan’s pride than to depict him as a cloven-hoofed court jester in a red suit? These silly images of Satan were intentional caricatures. Unfortunately, later generations responded to the caricatures as if they were intended to be the real thing.    Keep Reading...