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Calvinism vs Arminianism? Why either/or? Why not both?

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TCassidy

Late-Administator Emeritus
Administrator
The reason why they won't admit that it's a false dilemma is because they believe that their Theology of Salvation (Soteriology) is 100% correct. They believe everything else is wrong :)
What part of your Theology of Salvation do you believe is wrong? :D
 

delizzle

Active Member
You said:You clearly questioned obedience to the Great Commission. "What do I have to lose?" Obedience. As far as any person's salvation being at stake, I can't save anyone. But God uses means to reach the lost, and the primary means is the preaching of the Gospel. To not do so is open rebellion against God. So, I ask again, are you advocating disobedience to the Great Commission?
I am saying that the Great Commission is evidence for free will and that Calvinism is not entirely accurate. If we have no free will, the Great Commission is unnecessary. God can and will save His elect regardless of the Gospel being shared. People would hear the unavoidable call and flock by the thousands to church to hear the Gospel regardless of the Gospel being shared. Yet the Great Commission is there. Not because it is necessary, but because God honors us with privilege of sharing it.

So the question remains, if Calvinism is true, there is absolutely nothing that will prevent the predestined elect from hearing the Gospel and becoming saved. There is no need to worry about apostasy, because if they are truly elect, they would inevitably come crawling back.

So once again if Calvinism is true, what do we have to lose?
 

delizzle

Active Member
Calvinism vs Arminianism? Why either/or? Why not both?

They make mutually exclusive claims. That's why.
Not necessarily. Is it not possible for God to have His predestined elect and still allow everyone else free will to accept or reject. In other words, just because some have the golden ticket, is it possible for the opportunity to be available for everyone else?

There is more to Calvin than T.U.L.I.P.
 

TCassidy

Late-Administator Emeritus
Administrator
If we have no free will, the Great Commission is unnecessary.
The will of the lost man is not free. The bible makes that clear. The unsaved man is bound in the law of sin and death. Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Read Martin Luther's "Bondage of the Will." It may help clear up a lot of your confusion.

God can and will save His elect regardless of the Gospel being shared.
He uses the Gospel message to draw them unto Himself.

People would hear the unavoidable call and flock by the thousands to church to hear the Gospel regardless of the Gospel being shared.
How would they hear the Gospel call if you refuse to preach it?

if Calvinism is true, there is absolutely nothing that will prevent the predestined elect from hearing the Gospel and becoming saved.
God's will will always be done. If you refuse to preach the Gospel He will cast you aside and give that honor to another.

There is no need to worry about apostasy, because if they are truly elect, they would inevitably come crawling back.
Non-sequitur.

So once again if Calvinism is true, what do we have to lose?
The blessings of obedience.
 

TCassidy

Late-Administator Emeritus
Administrator
I probably wouldn't take it as far as he would inasmuch as I'd cease it's effects at regeneration, but, maybe you get my drift.
I believe that as long as the old nature is with us the mind can possibly be led astray by the flesh.

That is why we are told over and over again to "think on these things" and "study to show yourself approved unto God" etc.
 

HeirofSalvation

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I believe that as long as the old nature is with us the mind can possibly be led astray by the flesh.

That is why we are told over and over again to "think on these things" and "study to show yourself approved unto God" etc.
O.K...
I was just making a passing observation, but, if you think on it....that knife could cut both ways.
It's arguably as easy to think that whatever might drive a man naturally towards a non-Calvinist view, could drive one more towards a Calvinistic one...
There are, after all fatalistic world-views towards which a Calvinistic view would be more easily inclined such as Islam.

That's why I don't like to presume too much on what an erstwhile sinner might think or be drawn towards Soteriologically.
 

PrmtvBptst1832

Active Member
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I have noticed very quickly on this forum that people tend to wrongfully assume that there are only two options, Calvinism or Arminianism. People tend to assume that if someone is not a Calvinist, they must be Arminian and vice versa. Did theology not exist prior to Calvin?

Those are the only two options except for those Baptists who reject the first four points of Calvinism and preach "easy believism" and inconsistently hold to "eternal security" as opposed to the perseverance of the saints.

Otherwise, why did it take more that 1500 years for Calvin (or Arminius) to finally get things right?

Paul got it right two millennia ago. ;)

Third and most importantly, is this argument worth fighting over when we should be spending that vocal energy actually sharing the Gospel?

I think it is a very important issue because it affects the way in which one lives and how one evangelizes because it affects how one views God.
 

delizzle

Active Member
Just taking a timeout for a moment. I just wanted to make sure things don't get too heated and I apologize if I may have crossed the line in any way. I just wanted to make sure that the context of my discussions are clear. I don't mean to come across as hostile towards Calvinists. I like to imagine that we are all sitting on my back porch going theology over some beers and finally agreeing to disagree. For the record. John Calvin is by far the greatest theologian of the reformation and there is a lot that I agree with that my Arminian brothers would cringe at.

Ok...game back on...
 

HeirofSalvation

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
My comments had nothing to do with Particular or General Redemption.
Nor mine...
I was simply guessing that while we would both agree that there is such a thing as the noetic effects of sin.....
My guess was...you would tend towards extending its effects farther than I would.

I make no comment on who would be more correct.

It was merely a guess...and observation...
Either veridical or not, I do not know.
Just a guess....pasta thrown against a wall to see if it would stick :)
 

thatbrian

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Not necessarily. Is it not possible for God to have His predestined elect and still allow everyone else free will to accept or reject. In other words, just because some have the golden ticket, is it possible for the opportunity to be available for everyone else?

There is more to Calvin than T.U.L.I.P.

The gospel is proclaimed promiscuously. The "opportunity" is there. See John 3:16.
 

thatbrian

Well-Known Member
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I am saying that the Great Commission is evidence for free will and that Calvinism is not entirely accurate.

If we have no free will, the Great Commission is unnecessary.

Do you know the story of how God fed the Children of Israel in the desert? When He gave the manna from Heaven. . .

Did God gather the manna for them? Did they have to chew the manna? Why didn't God put it directly into their stomachs? I mean, while He was doing miracles anyway, why not?

God uses "means" to accomplish His will. He uses the "foolishness of preaching", for instance. . .
 

TCassidy

Late-Administator Emeritus
Administrator
Calvinists
Then you don't understand what a calvinist is.

Most Particular or Reformed Baptists call themselves calvinists but none of them accept Calvin's views on church polity or infant baptism.
 

SheepWhisperer

Active Member
"Calvinism" teaches that God chose to save certain individuals, before the foundation of the world, to the exclusion of all the rest. And the trouble with "Arminianism"(among other things I'm sure) is that a person can be saved, then later lost again. I reject them BOTH as false doctrines.
 
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