Calvinism or Arminianism?

Question

According to Calvinism:

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.

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.

Molinism is not a view that can be defended wholly on biblical grounds. The middle knowledge view is a philosophical theology that attempts to uphold both the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. This attempt is done by making subtle philosophical distinctions that make sovereignty and free will compatible. Therefore it should be evaluated on multiple levels. It should be evaluated Biblically and philosophically.

Answer 1

Arminianism is my belief.

Answer 2

I think your definition of Arminianism has more to do with Semi-Pelagianism. Arminianism looks at man as depraved, 99% "dead" in his sins as it were, but with a spark of ability to look to God for salvation -- as opposed to semi-Pelagianism's view of half-and-half and working in tandem for man's salvation.

Either way, Arminianism, with even a spark of ability, must elevate man to the level of God, or from my point of view, take away from God's sovereignty, in order to give free will to himself. This cuts sovereignty down to a mere "plan" with a foggy outcome that is now labeled as a "mystery" that no one can understand. And this opens the door to a plethora of logical errors that is resolved by reasoning that I don't feel matches with the tone of the Scriptures.

Answer 3

Whew!!!!!!!!!
Thats too tough -I struggled with that in college. I compromise on this.
Salvation is a gift for God to all who will accept the gift through faith in Him. I do not believe God forces us to accept him (irresistible grace). I do not believe that those who are not "elect" can not be saved if they accept the free gift of salvation . Hyper Calvinism is just too narrow for me to buy. I believe that somewhere they misunderstand the scripture. This is just too tough a subject to handle on YA.

Answer 4

I choose Arminianism in this case.

"The Devil’s favorite axiom is the deterministic excuse for evil." (Russell, Mephistophiles)

"…free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give [creatures] free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing
that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having." (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)

"We have to believe in free will. We have no choice." (Isaac Bashevis Singer)

Answer 5

How about not labeling it according to "man's" terminology", but let's go by the Bible....

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

2nd Peter 3:9 God is...
“longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

It's just plain BIBLE facts that God wants to save fallen men, women, boys and girls, but CLEARLY they must WANT Him as their Saviour! He will force NO ONE!!!

God Bless

Answer 6

Both are wrong. See Molinism for the truth.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Claudia,

Middle knowledge is based on an assumption that is taken from Scriptures that God exists outside of time, time being His creation and not the state of His existence. Middle knowledge has to do with this fact and that God dwellls in the eternal present which means that the past present and future occur at the same time. Most theologians will agree that the eternal present existence of God implies middle knowledge even if it is not explicit in Scriptures. All soteriological views are theological speculation but Molinism is the only one that considers God to be outside of created time and reasons that even though we have free will, God knows all at the same time as it occurs to Him in the present.

Answer 7

I'm sure you already have your belief on this. I don't think it is knowable for us. Maybe there both true, but beyond our understanding. I personally think it's error to take either side as an absolute. Also, this is Gods business as to who is saved, not ours. We don't need to know for sure. We just need to be sure we are saved. Do you know how you were saved, Gods choice or yours, or both?

Answer 8

I choose to follow Arminianism. Why? Calvinism says that this website chose me to come to it. Arminianism says that I chose to come to this website.

Answer 9

A plague on both their houses.

Answer 10

you know i asked my pastor about this...
i didnt really understand it myself but...
i would advise you talk to someone like
a pastor or your parents