If you had to pick a Calvinistic or Arminian train of thought...?

Question

what would it be and support your answer well please

Answer 1

Definitely Calvinism. Freewill has been getting a whopping lately.

Answer 2

I lean toward Calvinism, I think it is the truth, and like all truth it's hard to deal with. We try to put God into our understanding instead of allowing the bible to speak for itself.

Support:

Romans 8:29-30
29For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

There is little argument around what the bible is saying here. If you believe in the God of the bible then you believe He has the ability to bring to pass anything which he desires. If He is predestining some as it uses "those whom", meaning not everyone, then He intends for some to become followers of Jesus from the very beginning. To believe the contrary means you believe in a God who does not have the ability to bring about everything He desires, which someone can believe, but that is not the God of the bible.

Ephesians 1:11
11also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.

In this verse in Ephesians it tells us why He predestines, its for his purpose. God has a purpose in all that He does, and the bible would not use this kind of language if everyone is predestined. Other verses in Romans 9 could be used, or some verses out of Peter's epistles as well and other parts of the bible have this idea of God choosing those who would come to Him, "no one comes to the Son unless the Father draws him".

To those who think God wouldn't do that please go back and read about the flood and who hardened Pharaoh's heart and sent the plague to kill the first born of Egypt. And God even tells us why, it was to show forth his power (Exodus 9:16).

I don't agree with everything that Calvin taught, but I do believe the bible teaches predestination. This is not an easy side to take, but to the Christian who desires to submit to the word of God, this is what it says. It's tough to think of God possibly choosing to elect my children to Hell, but He is sovereign and we submit all things to him knowing that in everything He does He is righteous, I hope this helped.

God bless

Answer 3

I would not, could not. Neither one. Both are simply too foreign to the Orthodox or Catholic mindset. The basic premise of both (sola gratia, sola fide) is just too far from what the Church has believed from the beginning. Neither position was ever even heard of before the 1500's.

Answer 4

I could not justify either one. You have chosen two extremes to compare and there are scriptures pro & con for both views.

Someplace in the middle of the two is a compromise where the grace of God is applied richly, and needfully for mankind.

Answer 5

The five points of Calvinism can be summarized with the letters TULIP. T stands for total depravity, U for unconditional election, L for limited atonement, I for irresistible grace, P for perseverance of the saints. Here are the definitions and Scripture references Calvinists use to defend their beliefs. Total Depravity = as a result of Adam’s fall the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18). Unconditional Election = Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12).

Limited Atonement = Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and Christ died for will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25). Irresistible Grace = Those whom God elected and Christ died for, God draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:16). Perseverance of the Saints = The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).

I believe that Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints are Biblical doctrines. Man is definitely sinful and incapable of believing in God on his own. God elects people based on His will alone – it is not based on any merit in the person chosen. All those whom God has chosen will come to faith. All those who are truly born-again will persevere in their faith. However, I do not believe that Limited Atonement is correct. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just for the sins of the elect. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). Other verses in opposition to limited atonement are John 1:29; 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:6; 2 Peter 2:1.