What do you think about Calvinism vs. Arminianism?

Answer 1

I going to try to make this as short as I can.

Election/Predestination and Freewill are both taught in the Bible.

It is only a contradiction to folks that try to apply the wrong one to the wrong group.

For example:
Predestination/Election applies ONLY to Believers. It is NEVER applied to unbelievers. The reason the doctrine is stated in Scripture, (I believe) is to give assurance to the believer. If a person was "chosen" and "elected", then one never has to worry about losing ones salvation. It is a very, very comforting doctrine. NOBODY is ever described as "pre-destined" for hell.

But on the other hand, NO believer is said to have chosen the Lord (In the sense of freewill. "You have not chosen me, I have chosen you".) If it were up to us, the Scriptures indicate that none would choose God.

Freewill is only for the unbeliever. The unbeliever is to repent and receive the good news of the Gospel. I believe that it is stated in the Scriptures so as to show that there is responsibility for ones sin.

If you try to apply either doctrine to the wrong group you end up with contradiction and confusion.

Remember. God is ALWAYS fair and just and full of Grace. As sinful people we do NOT want Justice. Justice means hell for all. God has the right to give Grace to whom He chooses. Though none deserve it. Read the parable of the "Laborers for Hire". That is the WHOLE point of the parable.

Hope this helps.



....theBerean

Answer 2

I'll side with Hope, Notfooled, and Steve on this one. I see Calvinism as a far better view and much more in alignment with Scripture then Arminianism could ever be. And Calvinism answers logical questions that Arminians can only tap-dance around and call a mystery.

Answer 3

this beautiful plenty boils right down to the means to benefit Heaven via a sufficiently holy life, and Calvinism stands by myself in denying it. think of approximately it, if we've loose will, then one ought to have self belief first, and in basic terms then are you saved. truthful adequate for people who do not desire to think of previous this factor. What on the subject of the toddlers nonetheless? nicely, in accordance to the Arminian, toddlers do not sin, hence they get a loose bypass in the event that they die in the previous a made-up "age of accountability" which lies undefined and has 0 scriptural help. Catholics are worse, with indulgences and baptism that definitively saves. Lutherans are actually not far in the back of with saving grace utilized to the toddlers like a life coverage coverage. Calvinism rocks as a theology. It rips the rug out from under Arminian hubris and throws the believer in his knees in the previous The Lord. God by myself saves, with the help of grace by myself via Christ by myself!

Answer 4

Honestly I believe they're both wrong. A lot of times people say things have to be black or white, but sometimes the truth lies in between the two extremes. I believe it takes both the believer and God to make salvation happen.

As far as predestination is concerned, I believe God knows the future but he does not controll individual lives.

If you believe in Calvinism then God did not die for the sins of the world, and Jesus could not say that he wishes all people would come to repentance.

If you believe in Arminiasim then salvation relies totally on man, which is completely wrong.

Salvation comes only by God, and can only be received through God. But in order to receive this truth, mankind has to receive the truth in his free will. He is not forced to be condemmed or to believe the truth as Calvinism would teach.

Answer 5

We share the sentiments of Jonathan Edwards who said in the Preface to his great book on THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL,

"I should not take it at all amiss, to be called a Calvinist, for distinction's sake: though I utterly disclaim a dependence on Calvin, or believing the doctrines which I hold, because he believed and taught them; and cannot justly be charged with believing in every thing just as he taught."

Answer 6

Calvinism teaches predestination: God decided before the universe was even made whether you would go to heaven or hell, and nothing you could do could ever changed it.

Arminianism says if this is true, then God must have foreordained evil, making Him the author of evil. An idea that Calvinism teaches as blasphemous.

I tend to agree with the latter, though for various reasons, I suspect that free will is merely an illusion.

Answer 7

It's too big an issue to deal with here but it's very important as corruption of the biblical gospel is involved. However, the aspect of predestination is not one that can be ascertained before the fact. It is only AFTER the realisation that one has been chosen by God and saved that the immensity of God's election prior to the creation of the universe begins to dawn. Obviously, if one is not yet saved by God, there's no chance of them understanding predestination. Not even the saved understand it thoroughly! It's so lofty an aspect of God's grace that it won't be till we're in the glory that we begin to grasp it properly.

Answer 8

Arminianism any day!

Calvinism is circular reasoning in its purest form:

-Jesus only died for the elected.
-How do I know I am elected?
-Well, if you are calvinist, you probably are elected.
-What if I stop being a calvinist?
-Then you were not elected in the first place. Saints do not fall.

Answer 9

The Holy Bible teaches the total depravity and inability of man, the unconditional election of God to save a remnant of people, limited atonment (Christ died specifically for the elect), irresistable grace (those chosen and effectually called will ,without exception come to Christ), and the preservation of the saints unto salvation.
Call it "Calvinism" if you'd like, I call it truth.

Answer 10

I'd pick Arminianism. That way, I can still be an atheist, be kind to people and collect big bucks on Pascal's Wager.