Comments on the "Sincere Offer"

NOTICE:
This is an outdated and unofficial item. The article was released as a draft/preview to The Author of Sin. For the current and official version of the article, please download the book from the online library.

A reader sent me the following message about my blog article on the "sincere offer" of the gospel. He has agreed to let me share his message and my response, edited for the purpose of this blog.

Thank you for the recent post on the "sincere offer" of the gospel.

As someone who's still growing in my faith, I have noticed the inconsistancies in apologetics when I asked my youth director at my home church (I'm at college now) how, as a believer in predestination I could best present the gospel. I was told to "live like a Calvinist but preach like an Arminian," and I wondered how that could possibly be right, but without a better alternative I tried to follow that as best I could, always running up against walls when knowledgeable opponents to Calvinism pointed out the inconsistancies.

Thank you for making a clear (and above all, biblical) presentation on the purpose and need of preaching the gospel — definitely something that was really enlightening and edifying. God has truly gifted you with a great clarity and it's really encouraging (and helpful) that you're sharing this with the world through your books, articles, and blog. Thanks once again!

Mickey S.

Thanks for your message.

What you've described here is a good example of the theological and practical problems that invariably arise with inconsistent Calvinism. To "live like a Calvinist but preach like an Arminian" is the same as to "live as if the Bible is true but preach as if it is a lie." If what we call Calvinism is really what the Bible teaches, then we should both live and preach it, and to consistently speak and act as if it is true, because it is really true.

As is often the case when Calvinists become inconsistent, they are trying to protect certain things that either do not need protection or that do not need to be protected by making compromises with unbiblical assumptions. Then, when challenged about the inconsistencies, they cry "Paradox!" and "Mystery!" Someone who is attracted to the "sincere offer" might be trying to protect the indiscriminate preaching of the gospel, or to present God as good and fair. However, there is a biblical basis for the indiscriminate preaching of the gospel, and the "sincere offer" is not it; moreover, God is good and fair by definition, and we do not need to make him a schizophrenic to protect his image.

To affirm and teach inconsistent Calvinism is biblically, rationally, and morally wrong. Since the inconsistencies are not really part of the gospel, the product robs the original message of its power and invites unnecessary objections and ridicules, and thus it hinders the progress of God's kingdom. And it is a disservice to young and learning believers like you who are convinced that the Bible is self-consistent, but is being forced-fed an inconsistent system whose leaks are patched up by chants of "paradox" and "mystery." And if you dare present the consistent and biblical message, you are called a "Hyper-Calvinist."

I am glad that you were able to see the inconsistencies yourself before this, so that it was clearly not something that I insinuated into your thinking. But now that you understand that you were right (that some of what you've been taught were indeed inconsistent and unbiblical), and now that you have come to understand a consistent expression of biblical teaching on the subject, you must also be prepared for more opposition. Now you will be opposed not only by unbelievers, and not only by Arminians, but also by those who call themselves Calvinists. They will call you extreme, a "Hyper-Calvinist," and sometimes a "rationalist" (because they are irrational and proud of it).

But if you are living to please men (Galatians 1:10), then you are not a servant of Christ. The important thing, then, is to truly understand and confirm that what you believe is biblical and consistent. It doesn't matter whether or not it is popular. You must carefully work out in your mind all the relevant questions and the proper answers to them. Don't be sloppy or imprecise. Then, explain and defend these biblical beliefs as Providence grants you the opportunity.