Does John 3:16 Disprove Calvinism?

(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)


This verse if often cited by opponents of Calvinism as if it somehow disproves Calvinism.  I am astonished that so many Arminians think this. 

The word world does not refer to every single person in the world, but even if it did it would not disprove Calvinism.  To hear that God so loved the world would have been somewhat of a shocking statement for 1st century Jews.  The term world includes Gentiles as well as Jews. 

Arminians also seem to think that the phrase "whoever believes" somehow disproves the Reformed view.  But this could not be further from the truth.  No Reformed evangelical disagrees with the statement that whoever believes will be saved.  Calvinists agree whole heartily with what John 3:16 says. 

John 3:16 is basically just a summary of the gospel.  It does not say who will believe or why people will come to Christ.  John 3:3 tells us that one must be born again to see the kingdom of God.  John 6:37,6:44,6:65 all tell us who and why people will come to Jesus. 

Using this verse to try to disprove Calvinism is definitely an overreach by Arminians.  They try to make it say things it does not say.  Also they often distort the actual teachings of Reformed theology.  All true Christians agree that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life.  Those who reject Jesus will perish at the judgment and spend eternity in hell.