Why Do Arminians Pray for the Salvation of the Lost?

[thatbrian]

The Arminian position is that God looked down the corridors of time to see who would believe in Him, and then He elected those who would. In their view, God presents an "offer" to all men and some choose to believe. He then, through "prevenient grace" temporarily suspends the damage done by the Fall so that a man is free to "respond".

So, my question is, why do Arminians pray for the salvation of uncle Billy or cousin Daisy? What exactly are they asking God to do?

 

[Reformed]

Because of a happy inconsistency. I believe there are less studied Arminians than default Arminians. In other words, they really do not know anything else. It is either what they were taught or how they were raised. But when they pray they encounter a theological cognitive dissonance.

 

[Revmitchell]

JonC again my point is proven in this thread.

 

[thatbrian]

Because of a happy inconsistency. I believe there are less studied Arminians than default Arminians. In other words, they really do not know anything else. It is either what they were taught or how they were raised. But when they pray they encounter a theological cognitive dissonance.

I agree. It would appear that Arminians are praying for God to do what we already know He does: turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

 

[HankD]

I agree. It would appear that Arminians are praying for God to do what we already know He does: turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

Same as Calvinists!

HankD

 

[thatbrian]

Same as Calvinists!

HankD

Yes, but it's a question of who is acting consistently with his theology.

 

[InTheLight]

The Arminian position is that God looked down the corridors of time to see who would believe in Him, and then He elected those who would. In their view, God presents an "offer" to all men and some choose to believe. He then, through "prevenient grace" temporarily suspends the damage done by the Fall so that a man is free to "respond".

 

[Don]

Yes, but it's a question of who is acting consistently with his theology.

Since true arminians say that salvation is all of God - both?

 

[thatbrian]

Since true arminians say that salvation is all of God - both?

They do say that, but it is a synergism.

Also, they believe that God has done everything He can to save everyone already, so there is no room to do anything more; therefore, the question posed in the OP remains.

 

[Don]

They do say that, but it is a synergism.

Also, they believe that God has done everything He can to save everyone already, so there is no room to do anything more; therefore, the question posed in the OP remains.

So calvinists wouldn't pray for the salvation of uncle Billy or cousin Daisy?

 

[HankD]

So calvinists wouldn't pray for the salvation of uncle Billy or cousin Daisy?

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

HankD

 

[InTheLight]

Also, they believe that God has done everything He can to save everyone already, so there is no room to do anything more; therefore, the question posed in the OP remains.

 

[HankD]

I am glad that I was never led of the Spirit to NOT pray for the lost.


HankD

 

[Scarlett O.]

Being neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian, I can't explain why either do what they do.

 

[Yeshua1]

I agree. It would appear that Arminians are praying for God to do what we already know He does: turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

I would think that the difference is that calvinists know that whenever the Gospel is preached to a crowd, some will indeed get saved, while non cals have just "hope" that any will choose Christ!

 

[Yeshua1]

JonC again my point is proven in this thread.

Well, since the free will of the sinner saves them in arminian viewpoint, what would one ask God to do then?

 

[Reformed]

I am glad that I was never led of the Spirit to NOT pray for the lost.


HankD

Friend, as one of those evil, misled Calvinists, I am glad that I was not led of the Spirit to not pray for the lost. Praise God for the means of the Gospel!


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[thatbrian]

Well, since the free will of the sinner saves them in arminian viewpoint, what would one ask God to do then?

Yes. That is the point.

If He has already called them and given them "prevenient grace" (whatever that is) what else can he do? What are they asking God to do?

 

[Yeshua1]

Yes. That is the point.

If He has already called them and given them "prevenient grace" (whatever that is) what else can he do? What are they asking God to do?

ALL persons per them are given same exact means of Grace, so the Lord would be content to let them freely decide one way or another.

We have a picture of God not really sure who or how many will accept what he has done for them, so could really have Jesus death being in some ways in vain!

 

[Don]

Well, since the free will of the sinner saves them in arminian viewpoint, what would one ask God to do then?

That's not the arminian viewpoint. Maybe pelagian, or semi-pelagian.