CALVINISM
To me, Calvinism means the placing of the eternal God at the head of all things. AM337
The doctrines of original sin, election, effectual calling, final perseverance, and all
those great truths which are called Calvinism—though Calvin was not the author of
them, but simply an able writer and preacher upon the subject—are, I believe, the
essential doctrines of the Gospel that is in Jesus Christ. Now, I do not ask you
whether you believe all this—it is possible you may not; but I believe you will before
you enter heaven. I am persuaded, that as God may have washed your hearts, he will
wash your brains before you enter heaven. 12.92
Speaking of Arminians, Whitfield said, “We are all born Arminians.” It is grace that
turns us into Calvinists, grace that makes Christians of us, grace that makes us free,
and makes us know our standing in Christ Jesus. 69.124
That doctrine which is called “Calvinism” did not spring from Calvin; we believe that
it sprang from the great founder of all truth. 385.298
Now, there are certain doctrines commonly called Calvinistic (but which ought never
to have been called by such a name, for they are simply Christian doctrines) which I
think commend themselves to the minds of all thoughtful persons, for this reason
mainly, that they do ascribe to God everything. 572.308
I am not a Calvinist by choice, but because I cannot help it. 1085.692
I believe nothing merely because Calvin taught it, but because I have found his
teaching in the Word of God. 2584.402
Some seem to believe in a kind of free agency which virtually dethrones God, while
others run to the opposite extreme by believing in a sort of fatalism which practically
exonerates man from all blame. Both of these views are utterly false, and I scarcely
know which of the two is the more to be deprecated. We are bound to believe both
sides of the truth revealed in the Scriptures, so I admit that, when a Calvinist says
that all things happen according to the predestination of God, he speaks the truth,
and I am willing to be called a Calvinist; but when an Arminian says that, when a
man sins, the sin is his own, and that, if he continues in sin, and perishes, his eternal
damnation will lie entirely at his own door, I believe that he also speaks the truth,
although I am not willing to be called an Arminian. The fact is, there is some truth in
both these systems of theology. 2862.602
Have you ever noticed, in the great summary of doctrines, that, as surely as you
believe one, you must believe the rest? One doctrine so leans upon the others that, if
you deny one, you must deny the rest. Some think that they can believe four out of
the five points, and reject the last. It is impossible; God’s truths are all joined
together like links in a chain. 3093.247
They are all Calvinists there, every soul of them. They may have been Arminians on
earth; thousands and millions of them were; but they are not after they get there, for
here is their song, “Salvation unto our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto
the Lamb.” 3403.202