When it comes to the issues of Arminianism and Calvinism we come to a system of beliefs that have divided Christians for centuries. Although we have not had to deal with this in the past, recently it has reared it’s ugly head and we as a family have sensed the Lord’s prompting to search the scriptures for an answer.
Unfortunately, we have seen people we love and respect become divided over this issue. Ministries have even refused to give an answer to a belief in whether they fully support it or not.
Like in the days of the apostles when Jesus walked the earth, they asked him concerning a blind man whether he or his parents sinned that made him blind and the Lord answered, “neither …”.
In Jesus’ day, religious men had taken scripture and boxed it into doctrines that either you were this or this. When it comes to Calvinism or Arminianism, it seems we have the same problem. (Calvinism is named after John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named after Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.)
These two are systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation.
Both systems can be summarized with five points.
Calvinism’s five points are associated with the word TULIP.
Total Depravity - Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord.
Unconditional Election - The view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will alone, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual.
Limited Atonement - The belief that Jesus only died for the elect.
Irresistible Grace - When God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation.
Perseverance of the saints – The concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him.
Arminianism’s five points are:
Partial depravity – That every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that they are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
Conditional election - Believeth that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
Unlimited atonement - The belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Resistible grace - States that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can of his/her own free will turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
Both of these beliefs have elements of truth, but they also have human reasoning in them as well. We also need to look at the men behind these teachings as well. John Calvin came out of the Roman Catholic Church and brought some baggage that influenced him in some of his doctrines. Jacobus Arminius believed that Calvin’s teachings were out of balance and therefore brought forth his points as well.
Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time… it’s either Calvinism or Arminianism ... But I say unto you ….
When you look to these doctrines both have problems or inconsistencies that don’t pan out totally in scripture.
So, is there a biblical set of doctrines we should strongly consider? May God allow the following beliefs to be consistent with His word. As with the acronym of TULIP, let’s consider the following as good Bereans.
Total dependence on God –
God’s word says that man is a sinner. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God”, Romans 3:10 & 11. Romans 3:23 further states: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 3:23
In Romans 1:20, God’s word says that the world will be without excuse. If we are going to be held accountable, and if the only way to consider God’s way is to be prompted by the Holy Spirit, then grace would have to appear to all men as the scripture teaches (Titus 2:11). God’s word also teaches that, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” This verse teaches that God gives every man an opportunity to know him. When He is rejected in the area of salvation, He gives them over to a reprobate mind (Romans 1).
Unlimited atonement –
The blood that was shed on Calvary paid for the sins of the world, just as the brazen serpent that God told Moses to make was able to save all those who looked upon it. The ones that died choose to rebel by not looking. The brazen serpent was something God used for the people to look upon. It wasn’t the serpent that saved them, it was God. (Numbers 21:7-9, John 3:14 & 15, Col. 1:14)
Limitless Grace –
God’s word tells us that God is not willing that any should perish … but all come to repentance. If that is true, then all mankind will be given grace in which they will decide, as it is written “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,” Titus 2:11, And he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. I John 2:2
Independence from the World –
This means that Christians have the power to over come the world, because as it is written, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4
Preservation of the saints –
God’s word teaches that not only does He preserve His word, but He preserves us as well (Psalms 12:6 & 7). God’s word teaches that he is able to keep us once we enter the kingdom of God through salvation (John 10). Those that he rebukes and commands to depart Him, are those whom He says, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21-23). They were religious but lost.
Conclusion
I am fearful that most of the churches in America are lost and are listening to a watered down gospel. To those whom I know that are “Calvinists”, I believe them to be people who are tired of the compromises that effect churches nation wide and for some reason or another are getting caught up in this issue. May God bless those who seek his face and are committed to His word and His will.
In His service,
Steve Graves
www.timetracts.com
