J.I. Packer, in his book Evangelism & The Sovereignty of God, seeks to build a case that true Reformed theology doesn’t lead away from evangelism but actually helps it. Packer is building his case in light of the Arminian attacks against Calvinism that true Calvinism hinders evangelism since it teaches that regeneration proceeds faith and since God has already elected who will be saved and they will be saved no matter what. Packer argues that belief in the absolute sovereignty of God in salvation and the doctrine of unconditional election should encourage Christians to evangelize since it means that their evangelism efforts will be successful since God is in total control. For the most part, I actually enjoyed this book, and despite my disagreements over Packer’s Calvinism, I found the book to be an encouragement to me to make disciples.
However, it was Packer’s views on Arminianism that I had my biggest problems with in the book. Packer argues that Arminianism is man-centered theology, that due to the overemphasis on free will, Arminians must seek to argue and force people into the kingdom. Packer argues that since Arminians believe in an unlimited atonement, Arminians then don’t have any assurance that their missionary efforts will prove successful apart from human works and coercion. He seems to believe that only Calvinism stresses the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing the lost to Christ and that Arminians believe that man wills their way into the kingdom of heaven.
Is that a fair assessment of Arminianism? I think not. Is that a fair assessment of Arminianism’s view on the work of the Spirit in salvation, on free will, or on the Arminian doctrine of salvation? I think not.
Within the Arminian framework concerning evangelism, I believe the Arminianism actually has a stronger defense for the gospel and for reaching the lost. I don’t believe that Packer’s assessment on evangelism in the Reformed framework is completely honest as I will explain a bit later. For now, lets begin with the Arminian viewpoint on evangelism.
- Arminians Believe in the Sovereignty of God in Salvation
No reformation Arminian (based on the works and teachings of Arminius) holds that salvation is based on man or his efforts. Salvation is a work of grace from beginning to end and is based on the unmerited favor of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). Paul makes this clear in Romans 4:1-5 that works do not play a part in salvation in terms of justification before God. James 2:14-26 is not arguing that we are saved by works plus faith but simply that works flow out of faith (Romans 1:5).
The idea that one can simply will themselves to salvation is not Arminianism but semi-Pelegianism. Arminians believe that people are saved by faith (Romans 5:1) and repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 2 Corinthians 7:10). We believe that people must believe the gospel to be saved (Acts 16:30-34; Romans 10:14-17), but we believe that the Holy Spirit works through the Word to draw the lost to Jesus (John 6:44; Ephesians 1:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:12-13). Apart from the grace of God and the drawing of the Spirit, we have no hope for salvation (Ephesians 2:1-6).
Therefore, no Reformed Arminian should begin to evangelize with the premise that salvation is obtained by the flesh. Too often in semi-Pelegian churches you will find an emphasis on gimmicks such as “altar calls” or “the sinner’s prayer” but little emphasis on the grace of God and the sovereignty of God in salvation. No doubt people must respond to the gospel, but this only happens through God’s grace working in the hearts of the lost (Acts 16:14-15). Through God’s grace people receive new hearts and not by human efforts (Ezekiel 36:25-27).
- The Doctrine of Unlimited Atonement Motivates Us To Evangelize
Since we believe that Jesus died for all our sins (John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:1-6; 1 John 2:2) and since we believe that Jesus tasted death for every person (Hebrews 2:9) and since we believe that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-21) and since we believe that Jesus died for the unrighteous to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18), then this should motivate us to truly tell the world the good news. Unlike our Calvinist brethren, we can honestly look people in the eyes and proclaim to them that God loves them and He has proven this in His Son (1 John 4:10).
Obviously we must first begin the gospel with the bad news and we must use God’s Law to show sinners that they are guilty before Him (Romans 3:19; 7:7; 1 Timothy 1:8-11; James 2:10), but then we can turn in the Bible and show them that God has sent His one and only Son to die for them and to save them from their sins (1 Peter 2:21-25). What wonderful news to know that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and that He is the Savior from our own sins (Isaiah 53:10-12; Matthew 1:21).
Packer seems to think that the Calvinist doctrine of limited atonement alone guarantees success within the Reformed context of evangelism, but I believe that Packer is not honest here. The Calvinist, since they don’t know if God loves the person they are studying the Bible with, cannot honestly tell people that Jesus died for them. They can hope and pray that Jesus died for the person but in actuality, no Calvinist can know if they are truly elect until they die (Matthew 7:21-23). It’s possible that they are not truly elect (1 John 2:19 is a favorite verse here) and they are deceived. In essence, Packer’s position offers no hope nor does it offer assurance of sins forgiven since its possible they are not truly elect.
- Arminianism is God-Centered Theology
The idea that only Calvinism is truly God-centered theology is simply not true. I have heard so many Calvinists on blogs, sermons, and books declare that Calvinism is God-centered and that their doctrines are “the doctrines of grace.” However, Arminianism is truly a God-centered theology and anyone who wishes to challenge such a view needs to look at the work of Arminius and try to find where he seeks to exalt humanity above the Lord God. Nothing in the works of Arminius can lead one to believe that he was focused on anyone worthy of exaltation but Jesus Christ alone!
So within evangelism in the Arminian context we find nothing more than Reformation theology at its best and that is Christ honoring, Christ exalting theology.
For instance, in our preaching we seek to preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-5). In our discipleship, Christ is to be the one that we focus our faith on and He is the one worthy to copy (Hebrews 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:21-25; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:3-6). In our singing, we are to glorify Christ (Ephesians 5:19). In our lives, we are to glorify Christ (1 Peter 2:11-12). In holiness, we are to honor Christ (1 Peter 1:15-16). In our prayers, we are to exalt Christ (Ephesians 3:20-21). “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31) “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).
The Arminian context of evangelism should be the same: Christ exalting. Jesus died for our sins and the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2) and our passion should be to glorify Him alone who is worthy (Revelation 5:12-14). Our passion should be to take this blessed gospel all over the world with the good news that Jesus came to save sinners and the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). May we be fishers of men as Jesus was (Matthew 4:19).
[Link to original post and comments at Roy Ingle’s website.]
