Peter's Argument Against Calvinism

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Alongside John 3:16, this is probably the most common proof text I am presented with when someone wants to refute the doctrines of Calvinism. The argument is straightforward, and might be compelling, if the verse is not understood with its context. The approach is usually stated something like this: “How can God only choose some when 2 Peter 3:9 points out that he wants all to reach repentance? Calvinism ideals contradict each other and give God two competing wills. He cannot choose to save some while He desires them all to be saved.”
At a glance, this is an excellent text to refute Calvinism. It’s forthright, concise, and appears to be very clear on the issue of God’s desires towards salvation – he desires all to be saved. However, with a …show more content…
Peter writes, “This is the now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved”. Such phrases are reserved for the church, those in covenant relationship with the Lord. Peter then addresses some concern among the believers that The Lord was not returning. We then find the paragraph that contains our text:

“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed” (2 Peter 3:8-10).
Considering the audience of this letter, the antecedent of “you” in verse 9 is incredibly telling. Peter is saying that Lord is patient towards believers so that all that Lord has called will reach repentance. Jesus not just taking His time, He is waiting for all those that will believe upon Him to come to faith that they may be saved. The “all” in 2 Peter 3:9 is all future Christians. This verse has nothing to do with God’s sentiment towards all mankind everywhere and of all
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