No.
Persons constructing straw men of the Calvinist's views by claiming we operate from the same presuppositions
they do and therefore believe about our beliefs what
they believe about
our beliefs leaves no hope for honest discussion.
If persons would avail themselves of a scripturally accurate summary of our beliefs, e.g.,
WCF, with a nice exposition of the same
here, much clarity would ensue.
Unfortunately some prefer to just parrot others in discussion forums and not dig deeper.
Had you dug deeper, you would find that it is invariably the Calvinist that would declare that the elect are a great multitude no man can number (Rev. 7:9), while the anti-Calvinist is always going on about how few will actually be saved, misunderstanding their favorite
narrow and wide gate verses.
For example, it appears that no more than one third of the angels fell (Rev. 12:4 and following). Should we suppose that God, who made man in his own image, and the Son of God, who took upon himself not the nature of angels but the seed of Abraham, should have purposed to redeem a lesser percentage (one-third) of men than angels were kept from apostasy? This seems to misrepresent the claim that God's redemption of men is
more exalted than his upholding and confirming of the elect angels (1 Pet. 1:12 and forward).
There is no war going on within the heart and mind of the non-believer, for the non-believer is not able to do other than sin more or sin less (Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; Eph. 2:2; Eph. 2:4-5; Titus 3:5; John 3:19; Rom. 3:10-12; 5:6; 6:16-20; Eph. 2:1,3;1 Cor. 2:14). Further your notion ends up in the sad conclusion that those that choose wisely apparently have something special within themselves than does those that choose poorly. After all, if as you say, God the Holy Spirit is speaking to all humanity, then the only reason one chooses rightly and another does not is but based upon their own merits, thus making God out to be a
debtor to man's wise choices. Nonsense.
Go into your private space, think, pray and study, while honestly answering why it was that you chose wisely and your neighbor did not.
What was so special about you over your poor foolish neighbor? There is only one correct answer that gives all glory to God without robbing Him of His sovereignty: "because God first acted (Eze. 36:26), for had He not so acted, I would never ever choose rightly."
Do not be one of those that lift up this sort of boastful prayer:
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“Lord, I thank thee that I am not like these poor, presumptuous Calvinists. Lord, I was born with a glorious free will; I was born with a power by which I can turn to thee of myself; I have improved my grace. If everybody had done the same with their grace as I have, they might all have been saved. Lord, I know that thou dost not make us willing if we are not willing ourselves… it was not thy grace that made us differ… I made use of what was given me, and others did not—that is the difference between me and them.”
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Src: Spurgeon, Sermon on John 5:40 “Free Will a Slave” The New Park Street Pulpit, 1855- 1856, Volumes I & II (Pilgrim 1975), 395-402.
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Next time you want to make an
accurate statement about what Calvinists believe, read our Confession (see above) or ask an actual Calvinist. :AMR:
AMR
