What a way to begin, with a test! But this test is very important as it will help you understand where you are coming from as you read through this. You will discover that there are two sides to every issue and how you answer these questions will determine how you will understand God!!!!!
Yes, nothing like objectivity –
T or F 1. I am capable of doing good deeds apart from the Holy Spirit.
T or F 2. God knew I was His before I was ever born.
T or F 3. I was free to choose Christ’s atonement for me.
T or F 4. Jesus died as an atonement for the sin of everyone.
T or F 5. Once I accept Christ as my savior, I am His forever, no matter what I do.
Is There A Correct Answer?
Calvin or Arminius? Which is right, which is wrong? There has to be a simple answer, right? Well, Christianity is pretty much divided down the middle as to which side of the issue is the proper one to follow. So, there is no simple answer.
Personally, I believe that each of them had one or more points that I believe and one or more points that I completely reject. I do not think either of them had it 100% correct! And the only way I, you or anyone will ever know whom is correct is to crack open our Bibles!!!!
Total Depravity
Pro Romans 3:10-12,23
Con Romans 1:19-20,28,32
Election
Unconditional
Ephesians 1:4-6
Romans 8:29-30
1 Corinthians 1:9
Conditional
Romans 10:13
Revelation 22:17
Atonement
Limited
Acts 13:48
John 15:16
Universal
1 John 2:2
1 John 4:9-10
John 3:16-18
Grace
Resistible
Acts 7:51
Hebrews 10:26
Irresistible
Romans 3:24-28
John 6:37
Preservation
Pro
Romans 8:38-39
Romans 8:1
John 10:27-28
Con
Matthew 7:21-23
Luke 9:62
1 Corinthians 6:9-10+
Calvin Said-
1. Total Depravity
Man is a sinner without any hope of reaching out to God for salvation.
2. Unconditional Election
God elects saints to salvation when they have no merit at all. God does not look down and see sinners wishing to believe and therefore elect them to salvation but rather sees all men as sinners and elects some of them for salvation.
3. Limited Atonement
The atonement (Jesus’ payment for sin) is limited to only those whom are elect.
4. Irresistible Grace
It is impossible for a sinner to resist salvation once the Holy Spirit begins drawing him.
5. Preservation
A saved person will be saved forever and will live a holy and Godly life.
Arminius Said-
1. Conditional Election
Election is based on the faith or belief of men.
2. Universal Atonement
The atonement is for all, but only believers enjoy its benefits.
3. Saving Faith
Man, unaided by the Holy Spirit, is unable to come to God.
4. Resistable Grace
The drawing of the Holy Spirit can be resisted.
5. Uncertainty of Preservation
This doctrine was open to inquiry.
Depending upon your answers above, you will like one of these two songs better than another. One approaches God from man’s view and the other, man from God’s view!
| Calvinistic Statement For All You’ve Done by Reuben Morgan My Saviour, Redeemer. Lifted me from the miry clay. Almighty, forever, I will never be the same. ‘Cause you came near. From the everlasting to the world we live. The father’s only son. And you lived and you died. And you rose again on high. Any you opened the way for the world to live again. Hallelujah, for all you’ve done. ‘Cause you came near, from the everlasting to the world we live. The father’s only son. | Reworded as Arminian . |
| Arminian Statement I Give You My Heart by Reuben Morgan This is my desire, to honor you. Lord, with all my heart I worship you. All I have within me I give you praise. All that I adore is in you. Lord, I give you my heart, I give you my soul. I live for you alone. Every breath that I take, Every moment I’m awake, Lord have your way in me. Lord I give you my heart. | Reworded as Calvinistic . |
It is important to remember that both John Calvin and Jacob Herrmann (Arminius) were God fearing believers in Christ. I have no doubt both will be in Heaven with us. So to separate over man’s understanding of these doctrines seems a little on the odd side to me. But, man is famous for separating from each other on the finest of points of doctrine (for example, are there ‘magic’ words in a prayer that brings about salvation? Or, how about how baptism is done!).
It is a tragic statement when we as believers become so bogged down with being ‘right’ or ‘letter of the law’, we completely forget we are to love one another and lift up one another in prayer. Debates can rage over the concept of what is the Holy Spirit or its ‘in filling’, or if it is an ‘it’, a ‘he’ or a ‘she’! Even more divisive is the concept of what constitutes salvation and where Calvin and Arminius’ doctrines departed causing a host of denominations to spring into being.
Both men used Paul’s writings heavily and both men used the book of Romans, and yet, somehow both men missed the entire point of Romans – ‘Unity in the Faith’; Paul states we are not to separate – just a few times………
So, take a moment and decide now where you should stand in your faith on each of these points ~
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