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发帖数: 8336 | 1 Question: "Calvinism vs. Arminianism - which view is correct?"
Answer: Calvinism and Arminianism are two systems of theology that attempt
to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's
responsibility in the matter of salvation. Calvinism is named for John
Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named
for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.
Both systems can be summarized with five points. Calvinism holds to the
total depravity of man while Arminianism holds to partial depravity. Total
depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore,
human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord. Partial
depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to
the extent that human beings are unable to place faith in God of their own
accord. Note - classical Arminianism rejects "partial depravity" and holds a
view very close to Calvinistic "total depravity."
Calvinism includes the belief that election is unconditional, while
Arminianism believes in conditional election. Unconditional election is the
view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will,
not on anything inherently worthy in the individual. Conditional election
states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge
of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that
the individual chooses God.
Calvinism sees the atonement as limited, while Arminianism sees it as
unlimited. This is the most controversial of the five points. Limited
atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. Unlimited
atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not
effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Calvinism includes the belief that God’s grace is irresistible, while
Arminianism says that an individual can resist the grace of God.
Irresistible grace argues that when God calls a person to salvation, that
person will inevitably come to salvation. Resistible grace states that God
calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Calvinism holds to perseverance of the saints while Arminianism holds to
conditional salvation. Perseverance of the saints refers to the concept that
a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not
permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him. Conditional salvation is the
view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from
Christ and thereby lose salvation. Note - many Arminians deny "conditional
salvation" and instead hold to "eternal security."
So, in the Calvinism vs. Arminianism debate, who is correct? It is
interesting to note that in the diversity of the body of Christ, there are
all sorts of mixtures of Calvinism and Arminianism. There are five-point
Calvinists and five-point Arminians, and at the same time three-point
Calvinists and two-point Arminians. Many believers arrive at some sort of
mixture of the two views. Ultimately, it is our view that both systems fail
in that they attempt to explain the unexplainable. Human beings are
incapable of fully grasping a concept such as this. Yes, God is absolutely
sovereign and knows all. Yes, human beings are called to make a genuine
decision to place faith in Christ unto salvation. These two facts seem
contradictory to us, but in the mind of God they make perfect sense.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Calvinism-vs-Arminianism.html#ixzz2sU9nBXKf |
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