How Should Arminians and Calvinists Approach One Another?

[Steven Yeadon]

Are Calvinists and Arminians in the general belief that the other position is false teaching, maybe even a doctrine of demons? If we think each other are so dangerous to others, especially unbelievers, are we doing the right thing by having the goal of cordial and polite discussion where we agree to agree to disagree?

I noticed a lot of heat in discussions in this forum. At first I thought it wrong, but dwelling on scripture. It seems we have very differing views of God and His nature. What would Paul say if teachers showed up with a teaching that radically misunderstood God? I can't imagine anything good.

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

 

[Sai]

With malice and spite.


Joy unspeakable full of glory

 

[Barry Johnson]

Are Calvinists and Arminians in the general belief that the other position is false teaching, maybe even a doctrine of demons? If we think each other are so dangerous to others, especially unbelievers, are we doing the right thing by having the goal of cordial and polite discussion where we agree to agree to disagree?

I noticed a lot of heat in discussions in this forum. At first I thought it wrong, but dwelling on scripture. It seems we have very differing views of God and His nature. What would Paul say if teachers showed up with a teaching that radically misunderstood God? I can't imagine anything good.

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

Approach them suspicion and caution lol No I meant with the scriptures lol . Seriously though, some on here may think I hate Calvinists. I do not ,and I think that's the point . I think we need to be able to communicate in love because we're concerned over what harm comes from error . I do not do this well . I am hoping to do better in this area .

 

[Reynolds]

Are Calvinists and Arminians in the general belief that the other position is false teaching, maybe even a doctrine of demons? If we think each other are so dangerous to others, especially unbelievers, are we doing the right thing by having the goal of cordial and polite discussion where we agree to agree to disagree?

I noticed a lot of heat in discussions in this forum. At first I thought it wrong, but dwelling on scripture. It seems we have very differing views of God and His nature. What would Paul say if teachers showed up with a teaching that radically misunderstood God? I can't imagine anything good.

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

Their are nutt cases on both sides, but for the most part C and A get along just fine.

 

[Yeshua1]

Are Calvinists and Arminians in the general belief that the other position is false teaching, maybe even a doctrine of demons? If we think each other are so dangerous to others, especially unbelievers, are we doing the right thing by having the goal of cordial and polite discussion where we agree to agree to disagree?

I noticed a lot of heat in discussions in this forum. At first I thought it wrong, but dwelling on scripture. It seems we have very differing views of God and His nature. What would Paul say if teachers showed up with a teaching that radically misunderstood God? I can't imagine anything good.

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

would say from my point of view as a Calvinist, the Lord saved all lost sinners as we see salvation process, but do not say non cals are lost nor evil, just misunderstand!

 

[atpollard]

With malice and spite.


Joy unspeakable full of glory

But not closer than 6 feet ... this is the 2020 Pandemic after all.
I suggest long pointy sticks to safely POKE the heretics (without spreading germs).

We live in strange times.

 

[kyredneck]

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

I generally consider synergism to be 'entry level' for most Christians, for most of us begin as free willers. It's our 'default predisposition'. One does not have to 'advance' doctrinally to monergism in order to love the Lord and live to please Him. I've known many free willers that are perfectly happy where they're at and reaping the bennies of the kingdom.

 

[Sai]

But not closer than 6 feet ... this is the 2020 Pandemic after all.
I suggest long pointy sticks to safely POKE the heretics (without spreading germs).

We live in strange times.

More fuller of hatin the better


Joy unspeakable full of glory

 

[Dave G]

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

Steven,

I've struggled with this subject for many years...
and for many years now, my best and only solution to retain both my sanity and to be at peace with all men...
was and is to keep my distance;

As far away as possible.

Except for this forum, I don't interact very much at all with those who believe differently than I do.
In fact, I stopped "going to church" completely, and have pretty much remained isolated from most who profess Christ in my area.
I figure that if they view my God as a monster, then they are going to view me as one, too.

So, I solved the problem for them...
I left, quietly.

Guess what?

No one came looking for me, so my suspicions were confirmed and the experiment worked.
I found out what I needed to know, without ever having to stand up in a church and tell people what I believe about the Bible, or do anything to offend anyone around me.
In fact, I've recognized that I need look no further than this forum ( which is for Baptists amazingly enough ), to see what I'd experience out in the real world;

Without ever having to leave my seat and the comfort of my home I already know how I would be received in a local church...
Especially a Baptist one.
All I would have to do is to quote one verse, and I'd be ex-communicated.



May God bless you richly, Steven.
Remember His love for you, especially in your trials and tribulations in the coming days and years...
It's easy to forget when it seems like He doesn't, but His word says that He does.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Steven,

I've struggled with this subject for many years...
and for many years now, my best and only solution to retain both my sanity and to be at peace with all men...
was and is to keep my distance;

As far away as possible.

Except for this forum, I don't interact very much at all with those who believe differently than I do.
In fact, I stopped "going to church" completely, and have pretty much remained isolated from most who profess Christ in my area.
I figure that if they view my God as a monster, then they are going to view me as one, too.

So, I solved the problem for them...
I left, quietly.

Guess what?

No one came looking for me, so my suspicions were confirmed and the experiment worked.
I found out what I needed to know, without ever having to stand up in a church and tell people what I believe about the Bible, or do anything to offend anyone around me.
In fact, I've recognized that I need look no further than this forum, which is for Baptists amazingly enough, to see what I'd experience out in the real world;

Without ever having to leave my seat and the comfort of my home I already know how I would be received in a local church...
Especially a Baptist one.
All I would have to do is quote one verse, and I'd be ex-communicated.



May God bless you richly, Steven.
Remember His love for you, especially in your trials and tribulations in the coming days and years...
It's easy to forget when it seems like He doesn't, but His word says that He does.

Sir,

Thank you for such a thoughtful and kind reply. I am left speechless at your situation. Thank you for your encouragement.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Dave, please forgive me for saying this but I don’t believe you have found the right church to worship in because if you had then you would be happy and joyful in your communion with them. I have also stopped going for a long time but have since found one that has a very similar belief system. See Dave, I will be having a grand baby soon and I’m delirious of having him accompany me to worship …. My wife also.

 

[Humble Disciple]

Reformed Baptists have existed for hundreds of years, and there have been Reformed Baptists in the SBC from the very beginning. There wouldn't be the BFM without the New Hampshire Confession, and there wouldn't be the New Hampshire Confession without the 1689 London Baptist Confession.

Nowhere does the Bible say that the universe is less than 10,000 years old. Christian geologists discovered the earth's antiquity before Charles Darwin was even born, and one need not accept evolution to see the clear evidence in nature of an old universe.

But I am not going to reject you from a church because of your belief in young earth creationism, just as you shouldn't reject me or Albert Mohler, John Piper, Mark Dever, etc. just because of Calvinism.

I think we need to go back to the Reformation understanding of the church, "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity." As R. C. Sproul said, the problem with Arminians is not that they are unsaved, but only that they are inconsistent:

I think that Arminianism is an extremely defective and weak theology. It has serious consequences and ramifications for the church in general and for the Christian individual in particular. Are they saved? I always like to say yes, but by a happy inconsistency.
Are Arminians saved?

Having a weak theology isn't reason enough to forbid fellowship with Arminians. Arminians are not heretics for being Arminian. If anything, there might be more intolerance toward Calvinists today than the other way around.

 

[Reynolds]

Are Calvinists and Arminians in the general belief that the other position is false teaching, maybe even a doctrine of demons? If we think each other are so dangerous to others, especially unbelievers, are we doing the right thing by having the goal of cordial and polite discussion where we agree to agree to disagree?

I noticed a lot of heat in discussions in this forum. At first I thought it wrong, but dwelling on scripture. It seems we have very differing views of God and His nature. What would Paul say if teachers showed up with a teaching that radically misunderstood God? I can't imagine anything good.

So, my question is how do we approach one another in your view, while being true to our convictions?

You also have to keep in mind that this is a forum and the C and A subforum is for the most part purely a debate forum. People go to it to debate and very few take it personally. The ones that do take it personal don't hang around long, with an exception or two.

 

[Humble Disciple]

It seems that the SBC is evenly split between Calvinists and Arminians:
Poll: SBC pastors have 'mix of beliefs' about Calvinism - Baptist Courier

It would be really silly, in my opinion, if there were a split in the SBC over Calvinism and Arminianism, especially since Baptist churches are congregational in polity, and therefore each invidiual SBC church should decide the matter for themselves, while maintaining unity with the denomination.

 

[Humble Disciple]

Some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Arminians, and some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Calvinists. Why can't we all just get along?

 

[JonC]

Some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Arminians, and some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Calvinists. Why can't we all just get along?

Most can (and do).

 

[Reynolds]

Some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Arminians, and some of the greatest missionaries, evangelists, and humanitarians in history have been Calvinists. Why can't we all just get along?

Most do. There are cage state Calvinists that love to stir the pot, and equally immature non-Calvinists who like to fight with them, but that's the exception and not the norm.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

So in the end, this is again about disunity in the SBC. Some things never ever change.

 

[Humble Disciple]

This is a message that both Calvinists and Arminians should remember:

1 Corinthians 8:2-3
Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

 

[Reynolds]

So in the end, this is again about disunity in the SBC. Some things never ever change.

The SBC is too big to have unity.