Calvinism's Scorched Earth Results?

In 2009 I did a series on TULIP called "Tripping TULIP." Though I have not yet found reason to doubt my findings, I have often admitted that it was hastily written and could have been much more thorough.

Recently Brother Stephen has become bold and is speaking out about what he calls his "de-calvinism." Discussion about Stephen's experience led Pastor Gary Small (of Liberty Fundamental Baptist Church) to link those reading to a series of sermons by Dr. Dan Sweatt from Berean Baptist Church which are an indictment of modern Calvinism as expressed by the acronym TULIP.

I listened to these four sermons last night, and at the beginning I wondered if the Pastor was going to be able to back up the things he was saying. I believe he mostly has, however there are some points that I am sure I can hear what the TULIP proponent will argue about.

I can't count how many times I've been told by those who believe in TULIP that the test of a true Christian is to look at their fruit. They'll say "You shall know them by their fruit!" Of course referring to Mat 7:16. The Lord is speaking of people claiming to be prophets here, not people claiming to be Christian. Read Mat 7:15-20 to see this. That being said the sermons speak of the fruit of Calvinist Prophets (or Preachers), and the things that are said are explosive! Here are just a few comments to whet your whistle.

"Since Calvinism has been out there, it has never survived a few charismatic leaders. In other words there are men who come up who believe in Calvinistic Doctrine who somehow are able to balance things out in their own ministry, and they do pretty well until they leave or they die. 

Let me ask you a question. 

Who was Charles Spurgeon's successor at Metropolitan Tabernacle? Charles Spurgeon preached for 40 years to 10,000 people per week. Who was his successor? You don't know do you. 

Who was John Knox' successor in Edinburgh? 

Who was Jonathan Edwards' successor in Massachusetts? 

Now let me show you, the deadest spiritual places in the world, outside of the Muslim countries. I'm talking about places where Christianity was the religion. Do you want to know where they are? England, New England and Scottland. 

This doctrine leaves a scorched earth. It does not; it will not; support missions and church planting and evangelism. It will not, and you'll see why when you understand what it says. Again there are a few who balance it out. Who are able to say 'I know what it says but I'm still going to do this that and the other.' But when you see it you will understand." 

Those are great questions, and harsh statements. As the preacher notes, there are some who balance the doctrine with obedience and do engage in evangelism. I know some who do this. Unfortunately, the doctrine mutes any pleading persuasion, and reasoning they ought to engage in. Instead they bring a dead message of no hope, no power, and no rest.

These are indictments of the system of Calvinism, but the series focuses on each of the points of TULIP. You cannot deny the result of Calvinism, scorched earth, and lack of assurance in those who ought to know that Christ died for their sins and so they are secure. But, what if the fruit we can see is only visible because of our poor vision.. selective vision... interpretation? Well we must test TULIP by the Scriptures, and that is what this preacher attempts to do.

He starts by introducing "The Eternal Decrees of God" and then defines each of the points of TULIP as the preachers of TULIP defines them.

Dr. Sweatt notes (as I have also often experienced) "When the tenants of Calvinism are confronted Calvinists in their own defence proclaim 'THIS IS NOT WHAT I BELIEVE!' I cannot tell you how many times I've heard that."  He then goes on to note how Mormons suffer the same issues. They don't know what the people they follow actually teach. You can quote their teachers and they will still deny that this is what Mormonism teaches... I tire of this problem with Calvinism, and to go beyond what Dr. Sweatt notes, I think it is more a case of Calvinists just don't like reading what they preach stated in plain English because it most obviously does not match Scripture when it is expressed plainly.

Here is where he lays down something I've never been quite brave enough to say. "The definitions given are exactly as the teachers and recognized spokesmen of Calvinism express them. If you don't believe these then you do not believe Calvinism." 

These are some thoughts from the beginning of the series. He's made some pretty big claims and as I listened to the messages I found he supported them. However, I am most interested in how Calvinists react to such sermons. If you can take it, I ask you to listen to these and then comment.  Does he accurately express Calvinism? Are his arguments sound?

You can find all the mp3s on this page with the titles "An Overview of TULIP" and then "What does a TULIP look like" Parts 2 - 4.

Because they are a bit hard to find on the page I'm going to link to them directly here.

An Overview of TULIP
What Does a TULIP Look Like? Part 2
What Does a TULIP Look Like? Part 3
What Does a TULIP Look Like? Part 4