CALVINISM AND DETERMINISM OR FATALISM
It is at times alleged that Calvinism is synonymous with determinism or fatalism. Actually, these two perspectives are diametrically opposed. The former is nothing more or less than the biblical teaching expounded and systematized; the latter is pagan or secular and humanistic. Calvinism views all things as in the purpose and personal control of the sovereign, just, gracious and loving, triune God of Scripture;
determinism is the alleged working of an impersonal, amoral force without purpose or ultimate meaning. Only a gross biblical ignorance, an extreme religious prejudice, or a mental ineptness could confuse the two.
It is the Arminian or Pelagian—the one who believes in “free will”—who is the fatalist. If God only foresaw what would be and then laid his plans accordingly, then three things might logically follow: First, God himself is necessarily relative to [contained within] his own creation and is not the first or final cause and determiner. He is necessarily limited.
Second, the ultimate cause or determination must be chance, fate or luck—some impersonal, amoral force that ultimately determines the issues in the moral and spiritual spheres.
Third, there exists some mysterious dualism and so, an equal power opposed to God within the universe. Such dualism or fatalism—an idea of a limited “god” and ultimate chance—does not square with Scripture, which reveals and declares God to be God and not less than God in the physical, moral and spiritual spheres.