Humanism of arminianism

[Jarthur001]

I want feedback on a old classic work by OB Mink.

From the Humanism of Arminianism....

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor. 2:14)


I know that definition of terms are generally very boring, but for the sake of clarity and understanding, it is necessary that the terms Arminianism and Humanism be defined at the outset of this discourse. The distinction between the two terms is in the far greater part superficial, and even more so when considered in the light of true religion. The term Humanism defined by Webster: "A doctrine, attitude, or way of life centered on human interests or values; especially a philosophy that assures the dignity and worth of man and his capacity for self realization through reason and often that rejects supernaturalism." This definition, as will be shown in the following consideration of the term is diametric or the very opposite of biblical anthropology.


Arminianism defined: It is a religious system centered in man. According to Arminianism, it is man that makes the decrees of God effectual. It consists of five (5) articles, i.e., 1. Conditional election. 2. Universal atonement; (That is, Christ in His sacrificial death made atonement for all of mankind). 3. Regeneration brings good works. 4. Divine grace is resistible. 5. Believers may finally fall from grace and be eternally lost.


These definitions are concise, and do not penetrate very deeply into the intense darkness of these man exalting and God debasing "isms", but we will enlarge upon them as we progress in the message. The main or central feature of Arminianism and Humanism is the idea that man is superior to God, and that man can, in and of himself, solve all of his problems without any supernatural help. An early perpetrator of Arminianism and Humanism is third century Pelagianism, which exalted the human will above that of the God of the Bible.


Knowing the Holy Spirit inspired word of God (II Tim. 3:16) is sufficient for reproof and correction of every sophism of man, it will be the exclusive criteria I shall use in refuting the preposterous frauds referred to in the heading of this message.

More to come...

 

[Ruiz]

I am a Calvinist... for those who know me both on this board and off, they would agree.

However, I found this article fallacious.

First, you call Arminianism as humanistic and to prove your point you define Arminianism to be humanistic. This is circular reasoning and should be rejected even if you strongly disagree with Arminianism, as I do. Rather, while I do believe Arminianism could be dangerous and I would agree with Spurgeon on their problems (especially in the Downgrade articles), I think we have better evidence than engaging in circular reasoning. As well, I would encourage you to read the Remonstrance, as this article, written by Arminianists before Dordt, would help you to understand what they actually believe and other mischaracterizations would be dismissed.

I would rather argue on what they actually believe and say because I believe the Bible clearly teaches they are wrong. I reject trying to build up strawment and circular reasoning to defeat them because this does not help the debate.

 

[Jarthur001]

I am a Calvinist... for those who know me both on this board and off, they would agree.

However, I found this article fallacious.

First, you call Arminianism as humanistic and to prove your point you define Arminianism to be humanistic. This is circular reasoning and should be rejected even if you strongly disagree with Arminianism, as I do. Rather, while I do believe Arminianism could be dangerous and I would agree with Spurgeon on their problems (especially in the Downgrade articles), I think we have better evidence than engaging in circular reasoning. As well, I would encourage you to read the Remonstrance, as this article, written by Arminianists before Dordt, would help you to understand what they actually believe and other mischaracterizations would be dismissed.

I would rather argue on what they actually believe and say because I believe the Bible clearly teaches they are wrong. I reject trying to build up strawment and circular reasoning to defeat them because this does not help the debate.

Maybe you should wait and see if he can prove it.

BTW...again its not my words. Mink wrote this years ago.

also...I live about 30 miles from you.

Peace

 

[Jarthur001]

OB Mink goes on...

From the Humanism of Arminianism....

Firstly, let us consider the HUMANISM OF ARMINIANISM in the light of Scripture revelation concerning the absolute sovereignty of God. To say that God is sovereign is to own and proclaim that He is Almighty, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, and that "He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." (Ps. 115:3). It is the inescapable obligation of the Adamic family to recognize the sovereignty of God, and to ascribe perfect praise unto Him. (Ps. 46:10; I Pet. 2:9). The God of the Bible has emphatically declared: "I am the first and the last; and beside me there is no God" (Isa. 44:6). Every other god (?) is conjured up by vain imagination, the figment of which is the very ground of both Humanism and Arminianism. The fatal aspect of these two nefarious "isms" is not that they do not have a god, but that their god is such an one as their inventors. (Ps. 50:21).

Humanism and Arminianism have a singular goal, and that is to dethrone God, and enthrone man. In both systems the sovereignty and authority of God over man is abrogated; man becomes the sovereign and God the suppliant; and man is the exclusive determiner of his eternal destiny. The doctrine of the sovereignty of God is so hateful to Humanism and Arminianism, they have mustered all the resources of carnal sagacity in an effort to find deficiency in the God of the Bible. The Apostles of the Lord have warned His churches, saying: ". . . There should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lust . . . having not the Spirit" (Jude 18, 19). These vain mockers are shut up to degenerate wisdom, and being bound by their finite intellect, cannot conceive of God as being any more than themselves, and say in their hearts: "We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). The term, "this man," is a reference to Christ.


"Humanism holds that human beings shape their own destiny" (Secular Humanism, by Homer Duncan). The person who is able to decree his or her own destiny is, and must be a god. So it is, Humanism is not a religion without a god, but every person according to its premise is a god in and of themselves. The inevitable result of this satanic concept is self worship, and the worst form of idolatry, is autolatry, or full of devotion to self. It was this very ideology that tripped up Lucifer (Isa. 14:13).


Arminianism, like Humanism is a religion without the God of the Bible, but it is not god-less, for this creature exalting system contends that man is the exclusive determiner of his own destiny. Therefore, like Humanism, every man is in and of himself a god. Oliver B. Green, recently deceased, but while as yet living was one of the most fervent advocates of Arminianism. Speaking of the sovereignty of God, predestination, election, and irresistible grace, said: "They are some of the rankest and some of the vilest doctrines I have ever heard." (Predestination, Pg. 1). The doctrines referred to by Mr. Green in the immediate quote are obnoxious to the supremacist intellect of the natural man, for the carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom. 8:7). However, the substitutionary death of Christ has atoned for the hereditary hatred of His elect people (Eph. 2:16), and they will in due season cry out from their inmost and redeemed soul: "The Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6).


There is not merely a correlation between Arminianism and Humanism, but when both systems are carefully examined, it will be readily seen they have the same choreographer, and dance to the flesh pleasing music of creature invincibility, and that without missing a step. Arminianism and Humanism contend that man is an autonomous entity, and that God’s decrees may be negated by the vaunted will of man. They have a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof. (2 Tim. 3:5).

 

[Crabtownboy]

In the long quote given in the preceding post is the sentence:

Arminianism, like Humanism is a religion without the God of the Bible, but it is not god-less, for this creature exalting system contends that man is the exclusive determiner of his own destiny.

I feel this is quite in error. As far as determination is concerned Calvinism is at its extreme as I do not believe this is what arminianism says. I would like your take on the quote where Peter Drucker said in his book The End of Economic Man: A Study of the New Totalitarianism

What Marxism was to the society of Economic Man, Calvinism was to that of Intellectual Man: the final, messianic exaggeration of its creed. In both, the belief in the attainment of freedom and equality could only be maintained by sacrificing actual freedom. The doctrine of determination through predestination in Calvinism is parallel to that of determination through the class situation in Marxism. Both abolished actual freedom in existing society to maintain the belief in the reality and imminence of freedom in the coming society. And both collapsed as orders when it was proved that the only society which they could realize was an unfree society.

I am mulling over this quote/idea and do not have a strong opinion one way or the other. What is your take on this quote?

 

[preachinjesus]

I wonder at what point people on this board are going to begin realizing that:

a. There are more options than Calvinist/Reformed or Armininian

b. Our enemy is not those on the other (perceived) side...but is sin of pride and arrogance of conceit and unwillingness to feed the poor, clothe the nak3d, and shelter the homeless...

 

[Crabtownboy]

I wonder at what point people on this board are going to begin realizing that:

a. There are more options than Calvinist/Reformed or Armininian

b. Our enemy is not those on the other (perceived) side...but is sin of pride and arrogance of conceit and unwillingness to feed the poor, clothe the nak3d, and shelter the homeless...

Amen and Amen.

 

[webdog]

My opinion on the article? Opinions are like nostrils.

I would challenge the administrators and moderators on this board to chime in on whether such a view is questioning the salvation of others and will be tolerated.

James, do you think he proved it? Do you agree with him?

 

[sag38]

Sometimes I get the idea that this becoming "CalvinistrUS.com." I for one find the premise of this thread to be highly insulting and inflammatory.

Arminianism, like Humanism is a religion without the God of the Bible,.... If that isn't denying the salvation of those who don't fully buy into author's point of view then I don't know what is.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I wonder at what point people on this board are going to begin realizing that:

a. There are more options than Calvinist/Reformed or Armininian

b. Our enemy is not those on the other (perceived) side...but is sin of pride and arrogance of conceit and unwillingness to feed the poor, clothe the nak3d, and shelter the homeless...

Interesting.....do you do all that in your church...if so I applaud you. I see Catholics doing that all the time.

 

[Jarthur001]

I would challenge the administrators and moderators on this board to chime in on whether such a view is questioning the salvation of others and will be tolerated.

I'm not sure why you would call for this being that you say you are not Arminian nor a Calvinist, yet you allow and even partake in attacking Calvinist, but seem upset over this.

I didn't see you make a stand when other bad over stepped their words about what Calvinist believe, even when you were asked flat out, if you agreed.

Do you show your true colors? Is your hate only toward Calvinist?

 

[Jarthur001]

More from Mink...

"This know also. that in the last days perilous times shall come" (2 Tim. 3:1). The climax of this present evil age is imminent, perilous times have come, the foundation of the ecumenical church is laid, and the superstructure is going up at an accelerated pace. The false prophet and the Anti-Christ are waiting in the wings, and will in the near future step onto the world stage. The so-called Christian Church is utterly permeated with Arminianism, and the political and educational world is overrun with secular Humanism. Pseudo Christianity and Humanism will soon merge, for it is not difficult for two systems to merge when they are so much alike and their goals and ends are the same—and that is the glorification of man.


But the struggling saint should not despair for no man, be he the personal anti-Christ is able to pluck God’s elect from His all sovereign hand (John 10:27-29). The rantings and ravings of Arminianism and Humanism is nothing more that the rattling of their chains of degradation and death with which they are sovereignly bound. Arminianism says: "Sinners go to hell because God Almighty Himself could not save them! He did all He could. He failed" (Noel Smith, Defender Magazine). But the Bible doesn’t agree with Noel Smith, for that infallible Book says, speaking of God: "What His soul desireth, even that He doeth" (Job. 23:13). Humanism says: "No Deity shall save us, we must save ourselves" (The Humanist Manifesto). The Scripture says that Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh (I Tim. 3:16), and that "He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Paul says, speaking of Christ: "According to His mercy He saved us" (Titus 3:5). If man’s destiny is left to Arminianism or Humanism, God will be defeated and heaven deserted. But perish the thought, for the Sovereign and infallible Architect of the universe says: "He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will . . . And as I have purposed, so shall it stand" (Eph. 1:11; Isa. 14:24).


Humanism does not recognize the God of the Bible as an authority in any matter, and Arminianism disavows the authority of God in all things. If God is not sovereign in all things, then He is not sovereign in any thing, for that which He is not sovereign over, is the sovereign of all things, including God. However, God denounces His would-be detractors, asking: "Nay but, 0 man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say unto Him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?" (Rom. 9:20). The creature has NO right to question his Creator, for God’s supreme and all pervading providence redounds to His own glory, and the eternal good of His people (Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 1:31).


Arminianism is nothing more than Humanism with a religious veneer, the combination of which is the ultimate subterfuge of the devil. Both systems are an eternal offense unto God, and it would be far better to have never been born, than to live and die trusting these God scandalizing errors for salvation from sin. So, let us not limit the Holy One of Israel. (Ps. 78:41), for His omnipotence is absolute, and no satanic ruse can in any wise hinder or disturb Him.

 

[Jarthur001]

Here is someone that agrees with Mink..

Dr. Robert A. Morey...found at this LINK

He states...

Serious Christians can no longer abide the downgrading of God and the exalting of man. God is sovereign and His salvation is all of grace from beginning to end. We are helpless sinners who are in need of God to intervene in our lives to bring us to Himself. This is the only answer to the teachings of secular and religious humanism. The reason that the Fundamentalists cannot answer humanism is that their Arminianism is itself a form of humanism. This is why they must depend on Calvinists such as Francis Schaeffer.

Do you feel this is a over stated view? If so, how would you change the wording, without changing the Arminian view of free will?

 

[Jarthur001]

I just found a quote by an Arminian...

We Arminians tend to put too much emphasis on man and his decisions, and not enough on God and the gospel. Sometimes we are tempted to act as if God is helpless without us and our work. We lean toward pragmatism and are constantly looking for “what works best” as if methodology were more important than the message. Since we believe that all men can be saved, we tend to assume that if they aren’t saved, we have not packaged the invitation (or the message) right. We especially love management, leadership, programs, marketing, and research data. We tend to focus more on the “potential convert” than on the eternal gospel. Arminianism easily leans toward a NIKE mentality—”Just do it.”[…]Humanists have a sovereign man and an inactive God. Arminians lean toward the humanist end of this continuum and thus are always in danger of becoming humanists

NOTICE: the ARMINIAN says that MANY do have this mindset...."Humanists have a sovereign man and an inactive God"

 

[pinoybaptist]

Certain personalities at one time or another have written materials about others that have been taken to be inflammatory and that is because of the passion with which such materials are written, and while I, for one, am a staunch believer that the Bible is all about the Doctrine of Grace, and that God in His Sovereignty chose a definite number of persons from the fallen posterity of Adam I believe that such choosing was based entirely on His mercy and prompted by grace.

It is good to discuss but only so far as iron sharpeneth iron.

Suffice to say that Arminianism, Pelagianism, semi-Pelagianism, Calvinism, Doctrine of Grace, all these are bodies ofdoctrines NONE OF WHICH eventually is the cause and reason for why Christ redeemed whom He redeemed. And such can also be said about other creeds, or lack of it.

I will not pretend to have read Mr. Mink, but what my brother has quoted from his writings is just too strong an attack on a system of doctrine where true brethren may belong.

 

[Cypress]

Pinoy,
Thanks for your wisdom here.......Shows much about your walk with God.:love2:

 

[sag38]

NOTICE: the ARMINIAN says that MANY do have this mindset...."Humanists have a sovereign man and an inactive God"

And, I guess this person speaks for all? Your attack on Christians who do not believe as you do is nothing short of shameless.

 

[Jarthur001]

NOTICE: the ARMINIAN says that MANY do have this mindset...."Humanists have a sovereign man and an inactive God"

And, I guess this person speaks for all? Your attack on Christians who do not believe as you do is nothing short of shameless.

Brother sag.

These were not my words. This is from an Arminain, stating what he sees can happen.

I guess you disagree with him. I have yet to state my views. I will hold it just a while longer.

 

[sag38]

Then why would you even want to bring up such inflammatory rhetoric?

 

[Jerome]

"There are some people who fetch out the Doctrines of Grace just in that way! I can see them trotting along with the Doctrine of Election just in order that some Arminian may dispute with them about it and that they may then bark at him! Do not act so, Beloved!" —Charles Spurgeon, Autobiography