---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no such thing as preaching…"
description: "\"“There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg"
---

#  There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him…

![“There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the Gospel and nothing else. I do not believe that we preach the Gospel unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation…” quote by Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg)

> ““There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the Gospel and nothing else. I do not believe that we preach the Gospel unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah, nor do I think we can preach the Gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend the Gospel which allows saints to fall away after they are called.””

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker argues that true gospel preaching must include Calvinist doctrines of God's sovereignty and election, rejecting any view that allows believers to fall away.

**In simple terms:** Gospel preaching must emphasize God's unchangeable love and election.

Key Takeaway

Focus on God's sovereign grace.

Themes

theology predestination election grace

Mood

serious reflective

Type

theological doctrinal

When to use this quote

- church preaching
- Bible study
- doctrinal teaching
- mission work

Key Concepts

Calvinism soteriology biblical doctrine

Questions to Reflect On

- Is it necessary to tie gospel preaching to a specific doctrine?
- What are the implications for believers who doubt election?

A Different Perspective

Excluding other theological perspectives can alienate believers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Calvinism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/) [Sovereignty of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty-of-god/)

## Related quotes

> [I have my own opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what nowadays is called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-have-my-own-opinion-that-there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/calvinism-is-the-gospel-and-nothing-else/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are called by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/it-is-no-novelty-then-that-i-am-preaching-no-new-doctrine-i-love-to/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [“The doctrines of original sin, election, and effectual calling, final perseverance, and all those great truths which are called Calvinism – though Calvin was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/the-doctrines-of-original-sin-election-and-effectual-calling-final/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [“Due to their deep conviction of the sovereignty of God, the Word of God was taken very seriously by Calvinists. It became the unconditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-r-van-til/due-to-their-deep-conviction-of-the-sovereignty-of-god-the-word-of/)

[Henry R. Van Til](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-r-van-til/)

> [During my academical life, and from this time forward, I was indefatigable in my search after truth. I read all the authors of greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/during-my-academical-life-and-from-this-time-forward-i-was/)

[William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/)

> [I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-rather-believe-a-limited-atonement-that-is-efficacious-for/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [ What I am trying to argue here \[Save Calvinism\] and in other works before this one is that the Reformed tradition as I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/what-i-am-trying-to-argue-here-save-calvinism-and-in-other-works/)

[Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/)

> [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/)

[Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/)

> [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/)

[J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/)

> [“Ah! Gentle, gracious Dove, And art thou grieved in me, That sinners should restrain thy love, And say, “It is not free: It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/ah-gentle-gracious-dove-and-art-thou-grieved-in-me-that-sinners/)

[Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/)

> [My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-haddon/my-hope-arises-from-the-freeness-of-grace-and-not-from-the-freedom-of/)

[Charles Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-haddon/)

> [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/)

[Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/)

> [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/)

[Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/)

> [“Finally, the Reformers also agreed that worship should be in the vernacular and that the twofold structure of Word and sacrament be maintained. Zwingli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/finally-the-reformers-also-agreed-that-worship-should-be-in-the/)

[Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/)

## More by Steven J. Lawson

> [“We do not merely add Jesus Christ to our lives and continue in the same direction. Following Christ means we stop, turn around, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/we-do-not-merely-add-jesus-christ-to-our-lives-and-continue-in-the/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“the truths of sovereign grace emboldened these men to further the cause of Christ on the earth. This fact should not surprise us, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/the-truths-of-sovereign-grace-emboldened-these-men-to-further-the/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“The spiritual life of any congregation and its growth in grace will never exceed the high-water mark set by its pulpit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/the-spiritual-life-of-any-congregation-and-its-growth-in-grace-will/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“It matters to God what is preached. And it matters to Him how it is preached. No man is free to preach whatever and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/it-matters-to-god-what-is-preached-and-it-matters-to-him-how-it-is/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“As local priests came to dine at the Walsh manor, Tyndale witnessed firsthand the appalling biblical ignorance of the Roman church. During one meal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/as-local-priests-came-to-dine-at-the-walsh-manor-tyndale-witnessed/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“Miracles of grace must be the seals of our ministry; who can bestow them but the Spirit of God? Convert a soul without the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/miracles-of-grace-must-be-the-seals-of-our-ministry-who-can-bestow/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“All pulpits must passionately declare Christ to be the eternal Son of the living God, the only Savior of sinners. All preaching must boldly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/all-pulpits-must-passionately-declare-christ-to-be-the-eternal-son-of/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“To preach the gospel is to proclaim with trumpet tongue and flaming zeal the unsearchable riches of Christ Jesus, so that men may hear,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/to-preach-the-gospel-is-to-proclaim-with-trumpet-tongue-and-flaming/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“No preacher, regardless of where he serves, is free to reinvent preaching.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/no-preacher-regardless-of-where-he-serves-is-free-to-reinvent/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

> [“Preaching with his whole heart, Whitefield was fully engaged in all that he said. That is why on one occasion he told his listeners,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/preaching-with-his-whole-heart-whitefield-was-fully-engaged-in-all/)

[Steven J. Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

[Explore all 11 Steven J. Lawson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/)

## More Calvinism quotes

> [“Finally, the Reformers also agreed that worship should be in the vernacular and that the twofold structure of Word and sacrament be maintained. Zwingli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-webber/finally-the-reformers-also-agreed-that-worship-should-be-in-the/)

[Robert E. Webber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-webber/)

> [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/)

[Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/)

> [Lutheranism restricted itself to an exclusively ecclesiastical and theological character, while Calvinism put its impress in and outside the church upon every aspect of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/lutheranism-restricted-itself-to-an-exclusively-ecclesiastical-and/)

[Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/)

> [My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-haddon/my-hope-arises-from-the-freeness-of-grace-and-not-from-the-freedom-of/)

[Charles Haddon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-haddon/)

> [“Ah! Gentle, gracious Dove, And art thou grieved in me, That sinners should restrain thy love, And say, “It is not free: It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wesley/ah-gentle-gracious-dove-and-art-thou-grieved-in-me-that-sinners/)

[Charles Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wesley/)

> [Calvinism is the consistent endeavor to acknowledge the Creator as the Lord, working all things after the counsel of His will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/calvinism-is-the-consistent-endeavor-to-acknowledge-the-creator-as/)

[J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/)

> [The alternative of hypothetical universalism, according to which Christ's work is sufficient for all but efficient only for the elect, was alive and well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/the-alternative-of-hypothetical-universalism-according-to-which/)

[Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/)

> [ What I am trying to argue here \[Save Calvinism\] and in other works before this one is that the Reformed tradition as I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-d-crisp/what-i-am-trying-to-argue-here-save-calvinism-and-in-other-works/)

[Oliver D. Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-d-crisp/)

> [I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-would-rather-believe-a-limited-atonement-that-is-efficacious-for/)

[Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/)

> [During my academical life, and from this time forward, I was indefatigable in my search after truth. I read all the authors of greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/during-my-academical-life-and-from-this-time-forward-i-was/)

[William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/)

> [“Jonathan Edwards, the dear old soul, who, if his doctrine is true, is now in heaven rubbing his holy hands with glee, as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-ingersoll/jonathan-edwards-the-dear-old-soul-who-if-his-doctrine-is-true-is-now/)

[Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-ingersoll/)

> [Calvinism that does not humble has missed its mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-j-chantry/calvinism-that-does-not-humble-has-missed-its-mark/)

[Walter J Chantry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-j-chantry/)

> [For the Arminian, salvation is possible for all but certain for none. In the Calvinist position, salvation is sure for God's elect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/for-the-arminian-salvation-is-possible-for-all-but-certain-for-none/)

[R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/)

> [“Calvinism emphasizes divine sovereignty and free grace; Arminianism emphasizes human responsibility. The one restricts the saving grace to the elect: the other extends it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-schaff/calvinism-emphasizes-divine-sovereignty-and-free-grace-arminianism/)

[Philip Schaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-schaff/)

> [“The Cross of Christ is the Aroma of Life for the elect and the Aroma of Death for the reprobate”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royal-raj-s/the-cross-of-christ-is-the-aroma-of-life-for-the-elect-and-the-aroma/)

[Royal Raj S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royal-raj-s/)

[Browse all 104 Calvinism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calvinism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the Gospel and nothing else. I do not believe that we preach the Gospel unless we preach the sovereignty of God in His dispensation of grace; nor unless we exalt the electing, unchangeable, eternal, immutable, conquering love of Jehovah, nor do I think we can preach the Gospel unless we base it upon the special and particular redemption of His elect and chosen people which Christ wrought out upon the cross; nor can I comprehend the Gospel which allows saints to fall away after they are called.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steven J. Lawson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ-and-him-crucified-unless/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Calvinism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ-and-him-crucified-unless/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/steven-j-lawson-2-39558_calvinism_there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-chri_2434960.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified unless we preach what is nowadays called…” — Steven J. Lawson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Steven J. Lawson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson-2/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“There is no such thing as...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ-and-him-crucified-unless/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson-2/there-is-no-such-thing-as-preaching-christ-and-him-crucified-unless/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
