Calvinism vs. Arminianism

This is a response I wrote to a high school senior who asked my position on the subject of Predestination vs. Free will. I am not writing this as an authority on the subject, I am writing it solely as a product of my own personal study. Feel free to message me for clarification on any of this. 

Well, you have asked one of the hardest questions in Christendom. Predestination vs. Free will is an issue I have wrestled with over the years as well. I do not know where you stand on the issue so I will just present where God has lead me in my study of the two positions.

                I do not know that one could necessarily categorize my beliefs as aligning to either the Calvinist or Arminian belief system. I believe that God both elects every believer to salvation AND that each person has a completely free will to choose whether to place his or her faith in Christ alone. Sound logically incompatible? Yeah, I think so to, to an extent.

When talking about this issue I like to draw the parallel to the issue of Christ’s deity- the fact that Jesus was both 100% God and 100% man. No true believer can legitimately question this foundational truth of Christianity. It is impossible to be 100% of two opposite things, right? To our finite minds, it is, but in Gods sovereignty, it is somehow possible. This is an excellent example of Isaiah 55:8-9, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” This concept is also laid out in 1 Cor. 2:6-11. Note in particular verse seven and the “mystery” it mentions. Just to clarify I do not know that the “mystery” referenced is talking specifically about predestination/free-will, but it is an example that God has not revealed to us all knowledge. Also, look at verse eleven, which again points to the fact that there are some things which are not for us to understand, at least at this point in time.

So, getting back to the issue at hand. I do want to be clear that I hesitate to label myself as either Calvinist or Arminian. I think the labels stereotype and somewhat limit what the Bible says. I will, however address the Calvinist points that I agree with. When you refer to Calvinism, I am assuming you are referring in particular to the “Five Points of Calvinism” (TULIP) as they have come to be known:

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)  [1]

I will work my way through each point. As a side, I will let you know that I am working off the list of the Five Points of Calvinism that I found on http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip.

I agree with the point that we are completely and utterly sinful, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick” (Jer.17:9). The Bible is crystal clear that all humans are wicked. Really, the only issue on this point I could say I disagree with is the belief that because we are desperately wicked, we are incapable of choosing or desiring God.

As to the second point, Unconditional Election, I have no difference of belief. Romans 9:11 states plainly that we are elected, chosen, predestined, as does Eph. 1:4-8. And, if you do believe that some are elected to salvation, you must of necessity believe the logical opposite that others are elected to condemnation. As hard as it is to accept, I believe this as well. I would challenge you to think about the whole purpose of the existence of anything outside of the Trinity. Before you get overwhelmed with that, just realize that everything exists to bring glory to God. Everything He does is for the sole purpose of garnering glory for Himself, Deut. 4:24 “For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” In light of this, think about God’s character, His attributes. God’s salvation of us sinful humans is a demonstration of His grace, mercy, and forgiveness among many other attributes. However, if He elected everyone to salvation there would be no chance to Him to display His justice, wrath, or judgment.  This would limit the full amount of glory He could get. Therefore, I am forced to accept that some are elected to damnation, as much I as do not want to accept it.

I have to admit that the next point, Limited Atonement, is difficult for me to grasp on the conceptual basis. As a result, I cannot give you my position on this point at this time. Feel free to message me if you would like to talk about this point in particular.

As with the previous point, Irresistible Grace is difficult to understand. I am inclined to agree with this point with the disclaimer that I in no way think that we are “robots”. God created us IN HIS IMAGE (Gen. 1:26), and I believe that image includes a mind that is capable of rational, logical, and if you will, “independent” thought, and “choice making” clunky as both of the last two terms are. Now what I am not saying is that we have any ability to do ANYTHING outside of God’s sovereign will. I want to be clear on that. Nothing whatsoever occurs outside of God’s sovereignty. That also bears the clarification that God does not cause everything (sin) to happen, but He allows everything to happen, but that is another issue.

The fifth and last point, Perseverance of the Saints, I agree with without any reservations. A true follower of Christ can in no way lose his or her salvation.  John 10:27-28, 6:47; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:13; and Phil. 1:6 are all supporting verses to this. I will gladly elaborate on this if desired.

Arminianism I think limits God’s sovereignty, but I agree that we definitely do have the choice whether to accept Christ’s gift of salvation or not. My strongest disagreements with Aminianism is the belief that believers can lose their salvation, which is, by the way, a debated point even among themselves with some landing on both sides of the issue; and the belief that the Holy Spirit can be “resisted and thwarted by man. [2]

Do not ask me to explain exactly how it works, because I cannot, the same way I cannot explain the Virgin birth, Christ’s complete deity and complete humanity, or the Trinity. I am however, firmly convinced that in some incredible, perfect, and magnificent way, this is what the Bible clearly teaches.

Citations:

[1] http://calvinistcorner.com/tulip

[2] http://the-highway.com/compare.html

As an Introduction

    I could start with a trite line such as "I've now joined the ranks of the blogging world," or "So I decided to try blogging since I've never successfully kept a journal," but that doesn't capture my motive for writing. No, rather, I want to use this as an outlet for the many thoughts that reside in my mind. I hope that something I might have to say, now or in the future, may have an impact in someone's life for good. Through this, and other attempts to present my thoughts in a coherent collection of sentences, I pray that you will be encouraged and challenged to live for Christ.

    So go on, read, think about, disagree, laugh (at me if you want), and even possibly enjoy what is to follow....

    The quote that got me to even consider writing in such a public manner was first spoken by one of the most well-known of the Founding Fathers- Benjamin Franklin. He said this, “Give me twenty-six lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.” Now my ambitions are a little less lofty- I have no desire for the world and neither, I think, did he. His point was the obvious: words have the potential to effect massive change either for good or evil. They can comfort a crying sibling, stir a crowd to revolution or to tears, inflict the deepest hurt, and heal the same. They are used daily, most often without the slightest thought to how they are affecting those listening.

    So what does all that have to do with me deciding to begin writing a blog? Everything. I had to ask myself, "How am I using my words, both spoken and unspoken? Do I realize the responsibility I have to use them wisely?" As a Man and as a follower of Jesus Christ, I need, no, I must choose to use each word I have been given for His glory. Here is my choice. God help me.

    You may be curious why I chose to name this blog Removing the Mask. Its concept comes from a couple different places. The first is Casting Crowns' song Stained Glass Masquerade which talks about the reality that many (almost all?) people attend church like they would a masquerade ball- hiding behind the mask "holiness" or "piety" or even just "good Christian". People are not willing or comfortable being real and letting all the sin, hurt, and struggles be seen by others. It's a vulnerable place to be and we don't like being vulnerable. This is my attempt to remove my mask a little and let you see the real me- not just who I portray.

    The second is "rebellion" against hiding behind the mask of youth, immaturity, and inexperience that most my age wear.  I will not wear that mask any longer! Who says I have nothing or shouldn't have anything to say about how my culture is systematically tearing down everything that made it strong? On the contrary, I will speak about the things in my culture that I disagree with! The challenge to myself is to speak truth, but clothe that truth in gentleness, grace, and love.

There you have it, at little about why and what I will be sharing with you in the days ahead. A passion for truth, speaking the truth in love, and loving passionately. All these cloaked in gentleness and grace, nothing more I desire. God bless.

Job 23:10