Was Jesus given as a ransom for the elect? No. It was for all beloved. Does God desire that those He chose come to the knowledge of truth? No again. He desires all people to be saved. Is it only the elect that has the chance to believe in Jesus so that they might not perish but inherit eternal life? No again. It is whoever believes. Is it the pre-destined that is saved through Him? No again. It is the entire world. Why does Jesus say come to me all who are heavy laden if He really only means the elect? A careful reading of the Gospels shows that He originally only came for the chosen people of Israel yet even then He had room for the Roman Centurion and the Canaanite woman. Even then, He had room for those who came to Him in faith. I find it ironically sad that preachers as good as John MacArthur and John Piper cannot see that they are the Pharisee in the key verses today. Let's break it down verse by verse:
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: - Luke 18: 9 (ESV)
If there are any people who trust in themselves that they are righteous while treating everyone else with contempt, it is Calvinists. Sure they blame it on God and try their level best to sound humbled but the very act of believing you are in heaven by His choice alone while others go to hell by the same choice is the textbook definition of self declared righteousness and contempt for others. Look at the missionary prayer from Piper's sermon! Thank you for choosing me! I am thankful for I know what I have been called to do! I marvel at my Father's goodness to me! I, I, I - me, me, me. Those other missionaries not chosen? Yeah. That's a tough break!
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' - Luke 18: 10-12 (ESV)
Look at the Pharisee in these verses. Thank you Lord that I am not like other men. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all I get. I, I, I - me, me, me. Those other people, like even this tax collector over there? Thank you I am better than him! Granted, I have never heard a Calvinist brag about their perceived status but they do not have to when the braggadocious is baked into the theology. By default, those who do not share in this winning lottery ticket to eternal life are automatically looked down upon. They would have to be wouldn't they? Either in abject pity or contemptuous disdain. The parable continues:
But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." - Luke 18: 13-14 (ESV)
The true state of the penitent on display. Not even worthy of lifting his head up to heaven. Beating his breast. Pleading for mercy. What is more problematic however for hardcore Calvinists is the end result of this Pharisee. The one who thought he was already secure ends up not justified and the one who was the ultimate wretch ends up justified. When this parable speaks of justification it is speaking about salvation. It is the humbled that is saved, not the self-exalting. MacArthur defenders may balk at this because they do not see themselves as their doctrine makes them. Consider for a moment one of the five core beliefs of Calvinism, limited atonement; defined as follows:
Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God's unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone.
How self exalting can you be? So now the work of the cross only belongs to the elect. Christ did not die for those pre-destined for hell. Don't look to Calvary you wicked tax collector! The cross belongs to me! The arrogance is staggering! This flips the entire Gospel accounts right on their heads. Why did Jesus heal everyone? Why did He preach to everyone? If God decided already, what is even the point of the cross at all? No beloved. I think that men like John MacArthur, who are probably well intended have missed the overall point of the Bible. He is confusing the fact that God foreknows everything with God fore-choosing everything. I read an interview with MacArthur once where he claimed if you believe in the Bible you must believe in pre-destination. Besides the arrogant nature of that statement, let's take a look at the two Scriptures he offered as proof of this ludicrous statement:
and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. - Revelation 13: 8 (ESV)
even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, - Ephesians 1: 4-5 (ESV)
