I stand by what Pastor Paul David Washer said about Calvinism vs. non-Calvinism. Yes, that shouldn’t even be an issue. As I was discussing the pitfalls of non-Calvinism (sometimes called semi-Arminianism), one of them is to just keep witnessing. What’s often ignored is the principle of shaking the dust from one’s feet (Matthew 10:14, Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5,1 10:11). Furthermore, the Apostle Paul later gave this same principle in Titus 3:10-11. The KJV uses the word heretic is translated from the Greek word aihretikos or spelled as haheereteekos. The definition of a heretic is someone who is a schismatic. It means someone who is factious, a follower of false doctrine. The modern translations use terms like divisive person or one who stirs up division.
The advice is that such a person is warped and sinful, that person is self-condemned. The KJV says that such a person is subverted, sins, and is condemned of one’s self. Speaking of the KJV, a few times I believe the KJV nails it better than the easier-to-understand versions. Sure, I left the KJV Only movement but I think the word heretic is a clearer translation than being divisive. Heretic is such a strong translation. Sure, the KJV footnote puts divisive but I prefer the term heretic. I find it ironic when KJV Only churches fail to follow this principle. The principle is that after warning a heretic (or fake convert) once or twice, it’s time to say goodbye. The heretic is someone who has turned aside from the truth.
I was discussing some problems with the non-Calvinist churches. Some of them still practice the statistical aim. It’s a big anniversary? Why not win a certain number of souls to Jesus before that date? The problem is that non-Calvinism focuses more on industrial-age values. Sure, mass production is good but quality checking is just as important. It’s like a bakery can mass produce the bread but there’s the need for quality check for every unit of bread. The problem with semi-Arminian or non-Calvinist preaching is so focused on intellectualism over the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:20-31). It’s always the cue to say, “Please don’t stop, just keep witnessing, and that person will get saved.” However, the more we look into the Bible, people left to themselves will never choose God. The person who elects is indeed the person who selects. However, the person that is part of the elect chose God because God chose that person first.
Some non-Calvinist churches are still focused on hard preaching. They might’ve momentarily coddled some false converts. They may have engaged in sinner’s prayer evangelism. That’s why some people are saved despite it. The pastor would look at these decisions and find out if they were truly decided for Christ. The same pastor leading a sinner’s prayer evangelism shuns fake converts. This pastor doesn’t disciple apostates but dismisses them. This same pastor preaches the message so hard that those who aren’t of the elect, that they leave that local church. They wouldn’t give assurance to fake converts. They would say, “Look, I have no reason to believe you are saved. A sinful life can’t be the outcome if you received Jesus into your heart. You’re excommunicated. I have no reason to believe you’re saved!” Both the Calvinist and the non-Calvinist can agree on that one.
If there’s another thing Washer emphasized, Calvinists and non-Calvinists can agree that salvation is the work of God. Salvation can’t be manipulated. It’s all about focusing on preaching and God will do the rest. Both parties could agree, “Let’s do our best and God will do the rest.” The issue is to focus on the doctrine of regeneration and soulwinning. On the other hand, non-Calvinists should stop focusing on industrial age type of conversion and focus more on witnessing instead.
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