Calvinism VS Arminianism…Who’s Opinion is Right?

Opinions are a dime a dozen. Everyone has their own outlooks as to how the world operates. In sports, there are different techniques that are recommended to better your batting average, strength, speed, vertical jump, and overall ability to win depending on who you talk to on a given day. Businessmen will tell you their recipe for earning more money or growing your company in a timely manner. If you are dieting, you can get endless amounts of the best weight loss plans and everyone has a different opinion as to how to best shed those unwanted pounds. And some people believe so strongly in their own interpretations of how to get things done that they will literally argue with anyone who believes differently from them.

And following Jesus is no different. There are so many different interpretations of the gospel. Scripture at times is twisted by man so it will be an easier pill to swallow. No one wants to hear that Christ is to be first in our lives above our wants and selfish pursuits. Basic human nature is one that looks out for number one. That number one being ourselves. No one wants to hear that as followers of Christ, we will face rejection and persecution for being bold in our family. We’d much rather have an “easy believism faith.” One where we walk the aisle, pray  a prayer and ask Christ into our hearts, and continue the same way we always have with no Change.

And just a side note to that comment…when we really come to a real relationship with Jesus, our lives CHANGE! If you have had an instance in your life where you have walked the aisle and made a committment for Christ, and afterwards you can continue watching the same movies and tv shows, listening to the same worldly, sin glorifying music, not praying daily, not reading your Bible daily, and no hunger to know Jesus more, then odds are it wasnt salvation that filled you…..it was a moment of emotion.

Back to the topic at hand, opinions are everywhere, even in how the gospel is interpreted. In the past year I have just broken the surface of learning about two opposing theological beliefs. Those being Calvinism and Arminianism. And Ill preface this by saying I am no expert on either belief. I just know the basic fundamentals of both. Some of my favorite preachers who are Godly men consider themselves Calvinists. I have many close, Godly friends who have had discussions with me over both doctrines, and have been confused as to what they should believe. I also have many preachers I love to listen to who consider themselves Arminianist.  Let break down what both of these theologies proclaim….

Calvinism

Basically Calvinism is known by the acronym, T.U.L.I.P

The doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Man’s heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23) and sick Jer. 17:9). Man is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:20). He does not seek for God (Rom. 3:10-12). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). He is at enmity with God (Eph. 2:15). And, is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). The Calvinist asks the question, “In light of the scriptures that declare man’s true nature as being utterly lost and incapable, how is it possible for anyone to choose or desire God?” The answer is, “He cannot. Therefore God must predestined.”

Calvinism also maintains that because of our fallen nature we are born again not by our own will but God’s will (John 1:12-13); God grants that we believe (Phil. 1:29); faith is the work of God (John 6:28-29); God appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48); and God predestines (Eph. 1:1-11; Rom. 8:29; 9:9-23).

Unconditional Election:
God does not base His election on anything He sees in the individual. He chooses the elect according to the kind intention of His will (Eph. 1:4-8; Rom. 9:11) without any consideration of merit within the individual. Nor does God look into the future to see who would pick Him. Also, as some are elected into salvation, others are not (Rom. 9:15, 21).

Limited Atonement:
Jesus died only for the elect. Though Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient for all, it was not efficacious for all. Jesus only bore the sins of the elect. Support for this position is drawn from such scriptures as Matt. 26:28 where Jesus died for ‘many’; John 10:11, 15 which say that Jesus died for the sheep (not the goats, per Matt. 25:32-33); John 17:9 where Jesus in prayer interceded for the ones given Him, not those of the entire world; Acts 20:28 and Eph. 5:25-27 which state that the Church was purchased by Christ, not all people; and Isaiah 53:12 which is a prophecy of Jesus’ crucifixion where he would bore the sins of many (not all).

Irresistible Grace:
When God calls his elect into salvation, they cannot resist. God offers to all people the gospel message. This is called the external call. But to the elect, God extends an internal call and it cannot be resisted. This call is by the Holy Spirit who works in the hearts and minds of the elect to bring them to repentance and regeneration whereby they willingly and freely come to God. Some of the verses used in support of this teaching are Romans 9:16 where it says that “it is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy“; Philippians 2:12-13 where God is said to be the one working salvation in the individual; John 6:28-29 where faith is declared to be the work of God; Acts 13:48 where God appoints people to believe; and John 1:12-13 where being born again is not by man’s will, but by God’s.

Perseverance of the Saints:
You cannot lose your salvation. Because the Father has elected, the Son has redeemed, and the Holy Spirit has applied salvation, those thus saved are eternally secure. They are eternally secure in Christ. Some of the verses for this position are John 10:27-28 where Jesus said His sheep will never perish; John 6:47 where salvation is described as everlasting life; Romans 8:1 where it is said we have passed out of judgment; 1 Corinthians 10:13 where God promises to never let us be tempted beyond what we can handle; and Phil. 1:6 where God is the one being faithful to perfect us until the day of Jesus’ return.

In a nutshell, Calvinist believe that God has predetermined just who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell. Those who are chosen to go to Heaven are called the Elect. If you are elect according to Calvinist, you have a point in your life where God becomes real to you in a sense. You see that your are in need of a relationship with Christ, and you turn to him giving your life completely over to Christ.

Those who are not the elect will never have that awakening. Its the unelect are basically someone who never really comes to a relationship with Christ. The unelect can be witnessed to, preached to, and reached out to and never feel an urgency or need to follow Jesus.

According to the Calvinist, salvation is accomplished by the almighty power of the Triune God. The Father chose a people, the Son died for them, the Holy Spirit makes Christ’s death effective by bringing the elect to faith and repentance, thereby causing them to willingly obey the gospel. The entire process (election, redemption, regeneration) is the work of God and is by grace alone. Thus God, not man, determines who will be the recipients of the gift of salvation.

Arminianism

Here are the basic five points of Arminianism…..

1. election (and condemnation on the day of judgment) was conditioned by the rational faith or non faith of man;
2. the Atonement, while qualitatively adequate for all men, was efficacious only for the man of faith;
3. unaided by the Holy Spirit, no person is able to respond to God’s will;
4. grace is not irresistible; and
5. believers are able to resist sin but are not beyond the possibility of falling from grace.

According to Arminianism, salvation is accomplished through the combined efforts of God (who takes the initiative) and man (who must respond) – man’s response being the determining factor. God has provided salvation for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, “choose” to cooperate with Him and accept His offer of grace. At the crucial point, man’s will plays a decisive role; thus man, not God, determines who will be recipients of the gift of salvation.  Basically there is no “election” by God. Every man has free will to chose.

Both theologies have their merits. Both have valid points. And both can be interpreted to have scriptural back up. I have been asked a few times which side of the line I fall on. And again, I have studied both doctrines. Calvinism makes some very strong points that are hard to deny. So does Arminianism. Many preachers will take their place in the pulpit and use their time in front of their congregations arguing why their theological belief is right.

And at the end of it all…..I dont know which one I believe. Frankly, I dont think anyone can be 100% sure that their doctrine is the right one. The doctrines of Calvinism and Arminianism have to do with how a persons heart is changed….by free will or election. And honestly, I think that these people who will take their time to persuade an audience to a certain theological side are missing the point.

Arminianism has its points. Calvinism has its points. And in the end, only God knows truly how a persons heart is changed. How a person comes to faith is not our concern as believers in Christ. Our mission is not to preach to the world how God works, but who God is.  Many preachers waste so much time on issues that are mysteries God never intended for us to concern ourselves with. Just my opinion…..and opinions are again, a dime a dozen….our job is not to persuade others into a certain theological belief system. Our job is to present the gospel of Jesus and plant the seeds of salvation in Christ.

I believe Satan has a way of stealing the focus of the solders of God. Is it ok to discuss Calvinism and Arminianism….yes! Debating and discussing these doctrines over a cup of coffee or reading about them will bring us to a deeper understanding of the things of God. But should it be the focus of our ministry…..NO.  The Bible tells us that there are some things hidden from us that will be revealed on the other side of this life.

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29.

The revealed things this verse speaks of are the things we know of God. The gospel of Jesus. We are to focus not on things that are speculative at best, for they may be the very secret things God speaks of in scripture. We are to focus on Gods law and preaching the gospel to the nations so that all might be saved. That is the mission at hand. And that is the marching order which should define our lives.

Advertisement