Calvinism vs. Arminianism

  1. Goes back to Augustine
    1. Augustine vs. Pelagius
      1. Pelagius
        1. Man did not inherit sin nature: Morally neutral
        2. Adam’s sin was a bad example
        3. No internal work of soul needed by God. Just need "grace" on the external
        4. You could grow until sinless
      2. Augustine
        1. Need divine grace on soul to avoid sin
        2. Man has options, but they are all sinful
    2. Calvinism Today vs. Historical Calvinism
      1. Today it is possible to be called a "Calvinist" and yet reject all 5 tenets.
        1. ex. Curtis Hutson; Jan. 8, 1999 issue of Sword of the Lord
        2. Some have equated eternal security with Calvinism
          1. This is an improper analogy
          2. Those who reject both Calvinism and Arminianism prefer to be called biblicists (Calvinists and Arminians would also consider themselves biblicists)
      2. Calvinism and its various offshoots
        1. Total Depravity
        2. Unconditional Election/ Predestination
        3. Limited Atonement
        4. Irresistible Grace
        5. Perseverance
      3. Three Calvinistic Views
        1. Supralapsarianism
          1. The decree to save (elect) some and reprobate others
          2. The decree to create both the elect and the reprobate
          3. The decree to permit the fall of both the elect and the reprobate
          4. The decree to provide salvation only for the elect
        2. Infralapsarianism
          1. The decree to create human beings
          2. The decree to permit the fall
          3. The decree to elect some and reprobate others
          4. The decree to provide salvation only for the elect
        3. Sublapsarianism
          1. The decree to create human beings
          2. The decree to permit the fall
          3. The decree to provide salvation sufficient for all
          4. The decree to save some and reprobate others
        4. Arminianism
          1. The decree to appoint Jesus as Savior
          2. All who repent and believe shall be saved
          3. God has granted sufficient grace to enable all to believe
          4. God "predestines" those who He foreknows will be saved
        5. Big Difference between Calvinism and Arminianism
          1. Is the decree to elect based on God’s sovereignty or on His foreknowledge of events?
            1. Strong Arminianism Verses
              1. Romans 8:28-29
              2. 1 Peter 1:2
            2. Strong Calvinism Verses
              1. Ephesians 1:5-11
              2. Romans 9:15-16
          2. The difference is not eternal security, but the definition of election
        6. Terms Used
          1. Chose, Chosen
            1. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me …
              1. Question: Salvation or Service
            2. Ephesians 1:4
          2. Elect
            1. Various passages speaking of the elect
              1. 1 Peter 2:4 Jesus is chosen (elected), not for salvation, but for a work
            2. Three Types of Election
              1. Personal
              2. National
              3. Vocational
          3. Foreknow - Refers primarily to persons
            1. Romans 8:29
            2. Romans 11:2
            3. 1 Peter 1:20
          4. Foreknowledge
            1. Acts 2:23
            2. 1 Peter 1:2
          5. Predestinate - Determine beforehand, not necessarily to cause to happen. Refers primarily to acts or events
            1. Romans 8:29-30
            2. Ephesians 1:5-11
          6. Foreordain: Broad term
          7. Predestine: Salvation Reprobation
          8. Election: Salvation
          9. Note: With God, no time, before, first, etc.
      4. Things we Know
        1. Sovereignty of God
        2. Responsibility (not free will) of Man
        3. Unlimited Atonement
          1. Verses
            1. John 1: 29; 3:16-17
            2. 2 Cor. 5:14-15
            3. *I Timothy 4:10
            4. 2 Peter 3:9
            5. Heb. 2:9
            6. * I John 2:1-2
            7. Isa. 53:6
            8. 1 Tim. 2:6
          2. Possibility that some Jesus died for are not saved
            1. Rom. 14:15
            2. 2 Pet.2:1
          3. Offer is to All
            1. Matt 11:28
            2. Great Commission
        4. Initiative is God’s
          1. "No one comes except the Father draw him"
          2. John 16:8 "Spirit reproveth…"
        5. In one sense all have been "drawn"
          1. "If I be lifted up I will draw all men to myself"
          2. "Grace of God that bringeth salvation has appeared to all men"
        6. His will
          1. God is working everything according to His will (Eph. 1:11)
          2. What is His will?
            1. John 6:40 "…everyone will believe…"
            2. Lu. 13:3, 5 "repent…"
        7. Repentance before Regeneration, not vice versa
      5. What of the 5 Points of Calvinism?
        1. T: Depends on your definition of total depravity
          1. If you mean total inability without regeneration, then no
          2. If you mean totally sinful in every part of your being, then yes
        2. U: Depends on your understanding of election
          1. If you mean that God chose who would be saved without any consideration of foreknowledge and the condition of belief, then no.
          2. If you mean my election something other, then the point is moot, or not applicable.
          3. Election is conditioned on belief!
        3. L: Definitely not true
          1. There are many who still want to hold to Calvinism but who reject this tenet (sublapsarianists)
          2. Too many verses that give the universal nature of the atonement
          3. It does not necessarily lead to a universalistic view of salvation
        4. I: Not true
          1. Many Scriptures where people resisted God
            1. While Calvinists make a distinction between resisting God and resisting His saving grace, I think the distinction is artificial
            2. God’s grace (saving grace) has appeared to all men. Therefore, it has either been accepted or rejected.
            3. Verses:
              1. Acts 7:51, 2 Ti. 3:8
              2. "hardened their hearts…"
        5. P: Depends on your view of perseverance
          1. Some make a distinction between perseverance and preserverance
          2. Some define perseverance as the only possibility for the saved
          3. We do not keep ourselves saved, God preserves us.
          4. If you define perseverance as eternal security, then yes, we believe in perseverance

Conclusion: