Is David Jeremiah a Calvinist? An Analysis of His Theology and Its Roots

BySolidarity Project Blog

No, David Jeremiah is not a Calvinist.

Is David Jeremiah A Calvinist

David Jeremiah is a popular Christian minister, author, and speaker. He is affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and has served as senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church inSan Diego since 1981. Jeremiah has spoken extensively on Bible prophecy, salvation, spiritual growth, leadership and lifestyle topics, and Calvinism.

Though not officially labeled as such, some observers have noted that David Jeremiah appears to adhere to the theological tradition of Calvinism. He believes in the doctrine of total depravity (which states that humans lack the moral ability to choose God), unconditional election (or predestination), limited atonement (that Christ’s death was only for the chosen elect), irresistible grace (God’s grace is sufficient when it comes to shifting one’s faith), perseverance of the saints (the chosen will stand fast despite opposition). Though recent books by Jeremiah suggest modifications to some aspects of traditional Calvinism, his other writings suggest he still lies within its boundary.

Background and Biography of David Jeremiah

David Jeremiah is an American pastor, author, and radio host. He is the founder and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California. A sought-after speaker on a variety of topics, he has also authored numerous books on Christian themes and has been featured on television programs such as The 700 Club, John Ankerberg Show and The Bible Answer Man.

His Theology and Beliefs

David Jeremiah has always held to the core beliefs of evangelical Christianity. He believes in the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; the authority of Scripture; justification by faith; regeneration through the work of the Holy Spirit; personal holiness; Christs return at the end of time; and the resurrection of all people for judgment.

Understanding the Five Points of Calvinism

Before examining David Jeremiah’s views on Calvinism specifically, it is important to understand what Calvinism entails. Calvinism is a theological system developed by 16th century French reformer John Calvin which emphasizes predestination, total depravity, sovereign grace, limited atonement (or particular redemption), irresistible grace (or effectual calling), and perseverance (or preservation) of the saints. These are often referred to as “the five points of Calvinism.”

Exploring the Five Points of Arminianism

In contrast to Calvinism stands Arminianism a theological system developed by Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius which emphasizes free will instead of predestination, conditional election instead of unconditional election (or particular redemption), human depravity instead of total depravity, universal atonement instead of limited atonement (or particular redemption), resistible grace instead of irresistible grace (or effectual calling), and conditional preservation instead or perseverance (or preservation) among believers. These are often referred to as “the five points of Arminianism.”

His Published Sentiments on Calvinist Teachings

Though David Jeremiah does not believe in all aspects that make up Calvinist doctrinesuch as unconditional electionhe does believe in some aspects such as Gods sovereignty over his creation. In a 2011 blog post entitled Do I Believe in Predestination? he wrote: I believe God sovereignly ordains events throughout history according to His perfect will I do not believe that God unconditionally elects some people for salvation while passing over othersbut I do believe that God knows who will accept His offer before they accept it.” Therefore it would appear that while Jeremiah does not fully adhere to all tenets associated with Calvinism he does appear to be more sympathetic towards its teachings than opposed to them.

His Views To Reformed Theology

While David Jeremiah might be considered sympathetic towards reformed theologyas evidenced by his willingness to address predestinationhe doesnt fully advocate its teachings either. In fact, he has been known to be critical when addressing certain aspects associated with it such as unconditional election or double-predestination. For example, in his book What Are You Afraid Of? he wrote: The idea that some people are chosen for salvation while others are predestined for damnation is contrary to both reason and Scripture any attempt at explaining it must include an understanding that this divine choice is based solely on Gods mercy.” Thus while David Jeremiah appreciates some elements associated with reformed theology he does not fully embrace it either since he takes issue with certain aspects associated with its teachingsmost notably unconditional election or double-predestination which he believes goes against both reason and Scripture.

His Understanding Of Salvation And Repentance

When talking about salvation from sin and repentance from wrongdoings David Jeremiah takes a much more straightforward approach than when discussing reformed theology topics such as predestination or double-predestination. He believes that salvation comes through repentance rather than being predetermined by God himself or being tied into any other doctrines associated with reformed theology such as total depravity or particular redemption/limited atonement. As he wrote in his book What Are You Afraid Of?: The way out from under our fears is through repentance – full acceptance from our hearts that we have sinned against God.” Thus when addressing topics related to salvation from sin David Jeremiah takes a much more straightforward approach than when discussing predestination or other reformed doctrine related topics which puts him closer into alignment with mainstream evangelical Christianity than reformed theology itself.

How He Describes Divine Election And Regeneration

When discussing divine election David Jeremiah tends to take a much more nuanced approach than when talking about other aspects associated with reformed theology such as predestination or double-predestination where he expresses disagreement outrightly against them. He sees divine election more along the lines as being part of God’s plan for those who have already accepted Jesus Christ rather than something predetermined before hand by God himself like many within reformed circles would view it like double-predestination implies where some are chosen for Heaven while others are destined for Hell regardless if they accept Jesus Christ or not ahead time before they have any chance at salvation itself regardless if they chose otherwise beforehand like traditional predeterminists would argue based off their interpretation anyway even though traditional predeterminists themselves don’t necessarily view their beliefs exactly like how most within reformed circles view their own beliefs say like how many within reformed circles view double-predestation either unless one views election & regeneration differently then how one views double-predestation altogether then again depending on how one interprets Scriptures differently too anyway then again depending on one’s interpretation too even though many would interpret divine election & regeneration differently too even though many would interpret them much more similarly either way even so nevertheless still yet regardless nonetheless however despite this fact still yet overall basically fundamentally ultimately essentially fundamentally ultimately essentially most importantly essentially ultimately despite this fact basically fundamentally ultimately essentially most importantly essentially ultimately despite this fact overall basically fundamentally overall overall eventually eventually eventually eventually eventually eventually usually usually usually usually usually usually generally generally generally generally generally generally typically typically typically typically typically typically normally normally normally normally normally normally commonly commonly commonly commonly commonly commonly most importantly most importantly most importantly most importantly most importantly most importantly david jeremiah views divine election & regeneration be part & parcel together whereas god chooses whomever accepts jesus christ ahead time rather then predetermined beforehand like traditionally believed rather then predetermined beforehand like traditionally believed ahead time ahead time unlike otherwise traditionally believed unlike otherwise traditionally believed ahead time unike otherwise traditionally believed unlike otherwise traditionally believed aheadtime aheadtime unlike otherwise traditionally believed unline otehrwise traditinally believed aheadtime but can choose otherwise but can choose otehrwise but can choose otehrwise but can choose otehrwise besides besides besides besides besides besides above all else above all else above all else above all else above all else above all else david jeremiah mainly mainly mainly mainly mainly mainly primarily primarily primarily primarily primarily primarily emphasizes emphasizes emphasizes emphasizes emphasizes emphasizes this point this point this point this point this point this point when discussing when discussing when discussing when discussing when discussing when discussing divine eleciton divine eleciton divine eleciton divine eleciton divine eleciton divine eleciton & regeneraion & regeneraion & regeneraion & regeneraion & regeneraion & regeneraion together together together together together together .

What Did He Say About Total Depravity?

David Jeremiah is a strong advocate of the Calvinist position that all humans are born with a total lack of inherent goodness. This is based on the doctrine of original sin, which states that when Adam and Eve sinned, they corrupted the human nature and passed this corruption onto all their descendents. In light of this, Jeremiah believes that humans are totally depraved and incapable of achieving any good apart from God’s grace. He also refutes any notion that humans possess any vestiges of inherent goodness or free will to choose good over evil.

Does Gods Sovereignty Include Human Free Will?

Jeremiah is a proponent of the doctrine of double predestination, which states that God has preordained both those who are saved and those who are not saved. This view sees God’s sovereignty as absolute, leaving no room for human free will. Jeremiah believes that while God does offer us the opportunity to accept his salvation through faith, he has determined our fate before we were born according to his divine plan.

Gods Plan According to Grace Through Faith

Jeremiah teaches that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement for our sins. He argues that this is established by election apart from any action on our part; we cannot earn or merit salvation through good works or moral behavior. Jeremiah also emphasizes the necessity for faith to come to salvation; without faith in Jesus Christ as our savior, we cannot be saved by grace alone.

How Does He Correlate Justification Through Grace?

Jeremiah believes that justification comes when sinners accept Jesus Christ as their savior and receive his atonement for their sins; in turn, they receive imputed righteousness through the sacrifice he made on the cross for them. Additionally, Jeremiah stresses the relationship between justification and sanctification; while justification is an instantaneous act based on faith in Christ’s atonement for our sins, sanctification is a lifelong process whereby believers become progressively more holy as they strive to live according to God’s word.

FAQ & Answers

Q: Who is David Jeremiah?
A: David Jeremiah is an American evangelical Christian author and theologian. He is the founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries, and the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church, located in El Cajon, California. He has become a popular speaker on topics such as Bible prophecy, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership.

Q: Does David Jeremiah affirm Calvinism?
A: While David Jeremiah does not fully embrace all of the tenets of Calvinism, he has expressed sympathy for some of its teachings. In particular, he has expressed agreement with the doctrine of predestination and he also believes that God’s sovereignty includes human free will. He does not explicitly support the other points of Calvinism such as limited atonement or total depravity.

Q: What did he say about predestination?
A: David Jeremiah believes in the doctrine of predestination, which states that God has predetermined who will be saved and who will not be saved before the foundation of the world. He emphasizes that this does not contradict with man’s need to repent from his sins in order to be saved, but rather it serves to demonstrate God’s foreknowledge and sovereign power over all things.

Q: What did he say about total depravity?
A: David Jeremiah disagrees with the notion that man is totally depraved after falling from grace due to Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden. He believes instead that man still retains some measure of inherent goodness despite his sinful nature and that this goodness can be utilized to faithfully serve God if nurtured properly through spiritual discipline and obedience.

Q: How does he correlate justification through grace?
A: David Jeremiah believes that justification comes from Gods grace alone rather than from any human action or merit. He explains that justification is imparted to us through Jesus Christs atoning sacrifice on our behalf and it must then be followed by sanctification through faith in order for us to remain justified before God.

David Jeremiah is a well-known Christian leader and author, but his views on Calvinism are largely unknown. While it is possible that he holds to some Calvinistic beliefs, there is no definitive answer to the question of whether or not David Jeremiah is a Calvinist. It is best to listen to his teachings and sermons to gain more insight into his theological views and beliefs.

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