Calvinism, Arminianism, what are your thoughts?

Question

Maybe it's strange that I have a real question posted...
What are your thoughts on Calvinism and Arminianism? Which do you believe and why?
The fact that you happen to know what those words mean is important and please, no one sentence answers. Just collecting perspectives...

Answer 1

Must I fall under either of these two fallen systems of Protestant soteriological thought?

Great and holy men of the Church taught about salvation for quite a few centuries (15, actually) without the aid of Arminus and Calvin.

I am not saying that they have nothing right but that when compared to the thought of the Church before them (and after them, to be honest) neither measures up. When looked at closely Calvinism and Arminianism are but two sides of a (counterfeit) coin. They have their disagreements to be sure, but they are more alike than not when compared to Orthodox teaching as found in the writings of numerous early Church Fathers.

Arminianism is merely a watered down Calvinism but is not a fundamentally different system, which is what is needed to remain true to the Tradition of the Church. In the end, I believe that neither view truly allows for the freedom of man's will in matters of salvation and so both fall short of the truth.

Answer 2

I am absolutely convinced that Calvinism is the better of the two belief systems. I have to give God the benefit of the doubt when it comes to who gets to choose, and therefore it needs to be interpreted from this angle and only this angle. To give choice to Man would rip this privilege away from God, and thus I believe that the Arminian viewpoint gives Man what belongs to God alone, and therefore is humanist, arrogant, and insults the capability and authority of our Creator. I can easily interpret Arminian proof texts in the light of Calvinism. I cannot do the same in the light of Arminian thought without making the Almighty a plaything that we can do what we wish with.

Answer 3

First of all, I think they are labels that are used to split the body of Christ, the Church. I think squabbles arise from these two views that are unnecessary and detrimental to all believers.

That being said, I am more Arminian than Calvinist. I believe in choice through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than pre-election or sovereign choice. I believe God calls out to all, not an elect few. I do believe in eternal security, or 'once saved always saved,' which does not follow Arminian doctrine.

I rather think a combination of the two is the best belief system, which is what I get from the Bible. I always encourage people to read the Bible and pray about it and decide for themselves what position to take on these matters. In reality, faith in Jesus Christ is most important.

Answer 4

Despite whatever sincerity John Calvin may have had as a man, I honestly think that his negative, horribly misguided teachings have probably led more Christians to fall away from God than any other doctrine. When you tell people that God predestined them (and most people) to Hell before they were even born, and that there's nothing they can do to change their fate, you're painting a picture of God as an evil being, one that believers will flee from in terror. Calvin forgot that God is love. Calvin's misguided teachings have led millions into fearing Someone who only wants to love them. I know an atheist who hopes there is no God because he was raised as a Calvinist and thinks he is doomed to Hell if God exists. That is very sad. Satan himself couldn't have come up with a better plan to create a schism between God and Man than the crazy teachings of Calvin.

Answer 5

Before I went to Bible College I felt more in touch with Arminianism. Now, I have become deeply Calvanistic. This is because I believe that He did ALL the work. That He called me, gave me the ability to seek Him and then He saved me. For me it is easy to be Arminian b/c I have a tough time receiving things for free. Realizing this made me rethink my outlook.

Answer 6

both part have their solid factors, and susceptible factors. in my view. Calvinism calls for that you clarify away or ignore about aspects of the bible that say that guy has a function in believing in Jesus' message and Christ died for all. Arminians could dismiss or clarify away aspects of the bible that asserts we are predestined to salvation or aspects that say you are able to't free salvation.

Answer 7

I knew the names, but it has been quite a while since I studied them. I did a quick refresher before answering your question.

Below are the 5 main points of each denomination.

I believe personally that the Armenian way is closer to the Bible than the Calvinist. I believe that Jesus died for all, not just for a predetermined few.

Calvin is to be applauded for his part in the Protestant movement(protesters against the Catholic church). He was very much in the forefront of the movement. Without his insights and willingness to stand up to Rome there is no telling where we would be today.

Armenians and Calvinists are very much alike in the doctrines with the exception of the five points listed below.

If the Calvinists are correct on their interpretations... then there is no concern about our future. They say there is nothing we can do that will make a difference in our eternal salvation. God has decided before we were born what our end would be.

Armenians , on the other hand, hold that we make the choices. God would not have anyone to perish, but He will not force us to follow Him.

Arminian Articles of Remonstrance
After Arminius' death, his views were championed and further developed and systematized by two men, Simon Episcopius, and Jan Uytenbogaert. Under their leadership the followers of Arminius in 1610 set forth their views in five articles called Arminian Articles of Remonstrance, (a remonstrance is a reproof, to remonstrate is to reprove or correct) which gave them the name 'Remonstrants'. In substance the articles teach as follows:

God has decreed to save through Jesus Christ those of the fallen and sinful race who through the grace of the Holy Spirit believe in him, but leaves in sin the incorrigible and unbelieving. (In other words predestination is said to be conditioned by God's foreknowledge of who would respond to the gospel)
Christ died for all men (not just for the elect), but no one except the believer has remission of sin.
Man can neither of himself nor of his free will do anything truly good until he is born again of God, in Christ, through the Holy Spirit. (Though accused of such, Arminius and his followers were not Pelagians.)
All good deeds or movements in the regenerate must be ascribed to the grace of God but his grace is not irresistible.
Those who are incorporated into Christ by a true faith have power given them through the assisting grace of the Holy Spirit to persevere in the faith. But it is possible for a believer to fall from grace.

"The Five Points of Calvinism"
Five theological points were formulated to answer the Remonstrants (Armenians) in a document known as the Canon of Dort, which declared:

that fallen man was totally unable to save himself (Total Depravity)
that God's electing purpose was not conditioned by anything in man (Unconditional Election)
that Christ's atoning death was sufficient to save all men, but efficient only for the elect (Limited Atonement)
that the gift of faith, sovereignly given by God's Holy Spirit, cannot be resisted by the elect (Irresistible Grace)
that those who are regenerated and justified will persevere in the faith (Perseverance of the saints)


Thank you for your question. It has prompted me to revisit some of my old studies on church history.

I believe everyone should get a grasp of all of this history. Unless you are a Catholic these people and theologies are part of YOUR history.

SORRY, I DID NOT MEAN TO WRITE A BOOK.

Answer 8

They just believe we are saved by God's grace as the only way to salvation. I don't agree with that, though Grace is certainly a component of being saved

Answer 9

Calvinism:
salvation through the trinity, regardless sin, and of works acceptance forgivenss,accepting the gift of grace with the presumed faith .Jesus died for this .,,Arminianism salvation,with mutal will of god, will of man to do as instructed by God for salvation like..Jewish rituals and holydays ect..Muslims maryterdom. something like that?.

Answer 10

I am a believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the fact that He died for my sins. He offers it as a free gift to all that would believe. John Calvin and Jacob Armenia started two different doctrine and most churches today fall in either one of the doctrines. However there is one other doctrine that a few believe in and it not by a man. By inspiration of God, the apostle Paul tells us that he was given a dispensation of grace and that is where we are living today. It is called dispensatism and that what I believe. I can give you the basic doctrine of the TULIP of Calvinism and Arminianism is the direct opposite .
1.Total Depravity: This doctrine is based on the idea that since the unsaved man is dead in trespasses and sins, he can do nothing to believe the gospel. Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; The term “sovereignty of God” and “irresistible grace” in not found in the Word of God. The term free will is found in the following verses: Exodus 35:5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
2.Unconditional Election: The body of Christ (the church) was chosen before the foundation of the world not the ones that were placed into it. Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: It was in Christ, you are not in Christ until you believed.
3.Limited Atonement is based on the following verses: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 1 Timothy 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Are all saved? The answer of course is no. This is the reason Calvinist believe atonement is only offer to a few.
4.Irresistible Grace: This is supposedly taught by the following verse: Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. We know that the Holy Spirit is the instrument that convicts a man. These are the same people that Paul tells us about in Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Romans 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; So, the one that God has ordained to eternal life according their works believe on Christ and are saved through faith. Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Not one of the unsaved gentiles was one of the elect. Acts 7: 51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. James 5:20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Predestination or perseverance of the saints. Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Nobody in the OT was regenerated. Nobody in the OT was granted repentance. Nobody in the OT was chosen in Christ. Nobody in the OT believed that Christ died for his sins. We are not predestinated until we are in Christ and we are not place in Christ until we believed and the Spirit baptizes you into the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.,