Micah Coate - A Cultish Side of Calvinism

A Cultish Side of Calvinism

by Micah Coate

Innovo Publishing, LLCs

Published by
Innovo Publishing, LLC.

http://www.innovopublishing.com

1-888-546-2111

Providing Full-Service Publishing Services for Christian Authors, Artists & Organizations: Hardbacks, Paperbacks, eBooks, Audiobooks, Music & Videos.

A Cultish Side of Calvinism
Copyright 2011 by Micah Coate
All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

All references to Scripture were taken from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011934221
ISBN 13: 978-1-936076-83-3
ISBN 10: 1-936076-83-7

Cover Design & Interior Layout: Innovo Publishing, LLC

Printed in the United States of America
U.S. Printing History
First Edition: July 2011

Dedication

For my friend and brother, Shane Quezada;
with much gratitude to Hilary Wilcox,
along with those elect few who supported me in this work.

Endorsements

At last, someone has the courage to tie Calvinism into the dark side where it originated. Great book, I enjoyed it!

Dr. Tim LaHaye

Author, Minister, Educator, and Founder of Tim LaHaye
Ministries in El Cajon, CA

Micah is a youth pastor who is young himself, but he understands the problems of Calvinism far beyond the great majority of people of his age. I wish I had read this many years ago.

Dr. Earl D. Radmacher

President Emeritus of Western Seminary and Chancellor of
Rocky Mountain Bible Seminary in Englewood, CO

Micah Coate, in his assessment of Calvinism, issues a warning about a dangerous side of this popular perspective increasingly faced by churches today. I, for one, am grateful for this warning.

Dr. Paige Patterson

President of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Fort Worth, TX

One does not have to agree with everything in Micah Coates fascinating book to profit from it. He sets before us a much-needed caution, lest we put any mans system of theology over biblical theology. You will find this book helpful to you, regardless of your theological persuasion.

Dr. Jerry Vines

Retired Pastor of First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, FL;
Founder of Jerry Vines Ministries in Woodstock, GA

I believe we will all be better served if we hear Micah out. If the size and nature of the challenge (or attack) should be factored into a reasonable response or defense, Micah may be onto something. That is why I am going to encourage young and old alike to hear what Micah has to say about the cultish side to Calvinism.

George Bryson

Author of The Dark Side of Calvinism , Director of Calvary Chapel
Church Planting Mission, Russia

Theological traditions are the tramway of intellectual transportation and result in spiritual transformation. Theological traditions are mediated through a theologians own theoretical and ideological assumptions. However, traditions and assumptions are not to be assimilated automatically nor accepted uncritically. This book does neither.

Dr. Fred Chay

Associate Professor of Theological and Biblical Studies Phoenix Seminary and President of Grace Line Ministries based in Scottsdale, AZ

Micah Coates great contribution is in alerting Christians of many ways in which Calvin and his followers resemble cultic corruptions of Biblical truth. Although he does not accuse Calvinism of actually being a cult, by using the word, cultish, he well documents the harmful impact of Calvinism in its resurgence today.

Dr. C. Gordon Olson

Author of Getting the Gospel Right and Professor at
Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

Pastor Micah Coate has accurately analyzed and described the astoundingly unscriptural doctrines of Calvinist soteriology. Few people understand how far astray Calvin and his followers have gone from the simple biblical truths of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, but this book should open the eyes of both laymen and theologically trained pastors to dangers inherent in allowing Calvinism the least foothold in a church. Coate has taken a different approach in describing the dark side of Calvinism, comparing its tenets to those found in recognized cults. This approach is interesting and makes it easier to see the faulty and unwelcome side of Calvinism.

Dr. Richard S. Beal

Retired Dean of the Graduate College and Professor Emeritus of Zoology at Northern Arizona University; as an ordained Baptist clergyman he teaches adult Bible classes in Prescott, AZ

Micah Coate has asked the hard questions. Let the Calvinists respond!

Dr. Alan Streett

Criswell Endowed Chair of Expository Preaching, Criswell College,
Dallas, TX

While some may take exception to the title of this book, its theological criticisms of extreme Calvinism are true and helpful. Micah Coate exposes theological, historical, and cultural facts about Calvinism that are often ignored or hidden. I hope this book is read widely and thoughtfully.

Dr. Charles C. Bing

President, GraceLife Ministries, Burleson, TX

Micah Coate has done a remarkable job of exposing the underbelly of Calvinism. Everyone who feels himself drawn into the web of logic served up by Five-Point Calvinism should read this book. Every parent who has a child come home from college espousing Reformed theology should give him this book for Christmas. Like so many cults, Calvinism attracts people with the sweet candy on the apple (the glory of God), usually without ever exposing them to the rottenness inside the apple itself (double predestination).

Dr. Dave Anderson

Professor of Theology and Biblical Languages and President of
Grace School of Theology in The Woodlands, TX

With great skill, submission and sincerity, Pastor Micah Coate has very faithfully brought to light a much-needed word regarding the pitfalls of a deficient and defiant craze with Calvinism. In this outstanding work, Pastor Coate weaves these victorious patterns through his discerning work to show real life in Christ alone, and through none other! When you read this captivating, clear work, it will bring certainty of conviction. This literary work will greatly mandate, motivate, and matriculate you in maturity serving the Master!!!

Pastor Eddie Atkinson

Calvary Baptist Church, Beverly Hills, FL

Clarity

• This book is not claiming that those who believe the theology of Calvinism are members of a cult, nor is it claiming that Calvinism in and of itself is a cult. The book should not be viewed as a personal impugning of Calvinists themselves but rather of their doctrine. Lastly, it is not claiming that Calvinists are outside the household of faith as is true with many Christian cult members.
• This book is not a thorough description of Calvinism or of its five main points. For that, read John Calvins Institutes of the Christian Religion , R.C. Sprouls What is Reformed Theology? and George L. Brysons The Five Points of Calvinism .
• This book is not a direct refutation of Calvinism. For that, read Jerry Walls and Joseph Dongells Why I Am Not a Calvinist , Laurence M. Vances The Other Side of Calvinism , and Dave Hunts What Love Is This?
• This book is not a comparison of Calvinism to its long-term rival, Arminianism, to which the author does not subscribe.