Is there room for both the Arminian view and Calvinistic view in the Southern Baptist denomination?

Question

If you think the denomination can house both beliefs, what about andindividual congragation?

Can one congregation hold to both views and still be united?

The Arminian view of salvation is that all men have the ability to turn to Christ. This turning to Christ is not considered a work of the flesh. All men have this opportunity.

The Calvinistic view of salvation is that no man can turn to Christ unless God reveals Himself. No man can come to Christ unless God does a work. God doesn't do this with everyone and all men do not have equal opportunity.

http://www.biblefacts.org/history/cachart.html

Answer 1

if you look at both viewpoints you find that in the Armenian view they hold to whosoever will, and in the Calvinistic they hold to only those that are called by God. That is rather simplistic but gets the basics.

Now when you read your bible you will find that Jesus said no cometh to the Father but by me. and that no man cometh except the Father draw him.

As I understand scripture there is an opportunity for all men to be saved. that there will come a time when the spirit will touch your heart, convicting and drawing you to God.

This becomes you own personal invitation , whosoever means you, that you must respond to.

you can come to God or reject him. It is still your choice. You still have freewill to come or not. God will not force you!

This, as I understand, is a blend of both and makes the most of agreeing with scriptures.

Can your congregation believe in a loving God that will call all at least once in their life? Maybe more if the church is a praying church?

Let's stand in the ways and seek after the old paths!

Answer 2

Most people according to Barna research are not 100% either way.
Of the 5 main differences of the two, most people are 3 out of 5 on either side of the coin.

The thing to remember is with salvation, there is no other way. We can debate on "jot and tittles", but salvation according to Gods plan is simply put.

As Christians we are brothers and sisters, and the bible should be used to teach and rebuke!
DO IT!

Answer 3

1st Corinthians 1:12-13, "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am OF Paul; and I OF Apollos; and I OF Cephas; and I OF Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized in the name OF Paul?"

1st Corinthians 2:16, "For who hath known the mind OF the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind OF Christ".

"Is Christ divided?" The word denomination means division, and Jesus told us that a house divided won't stand. You had better be OF Christ, and all else is OF division. Jesus said, "I am the way, the TRUTH, and the life". If you say you are OF any man, you are in error.

Romans 3:3-4, "For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith OF God without effect? GOD FORBID: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;".

Now, must we "let" God be true? If what you have been taught conflicts with God's word, then you had better "let God be true, and every man a liar". That letting doesn't make God true, but it makes you among those who worship him in Spirit and in truth.

Answer 4

Sure, there's always room for conflicting views - as long as truth doesn't matter. Truth cannot conflict with truth. And that is the folly of denominational religion.

Answer 5

I am confused with your interpretation. When we believe in Christ we are accepted.,Even when we wait till we are old ,because we doubt all the time, and nit pick and can't make up our mind when we are young.