Calvinism and Arminianism represent two great camps of “Christendom” that
we are outside of in our desire to stick to scripture alone.
Historically and doctrinally, we are outside that great religious movement known as the Protestant Reformation, for it is still Roman.
Currently, we are outside the great body of
modern “Christianity,” for it is fulfilling the prophecy of Christ, Paul and the apostles. (Matthew 24; 2nd Thess 2; and 2nd Timothy 3:1-4:5, just to name a few. ).
Calvinism
broadly used is a comprehensive theological system, given its name by its enemies mainly through the invention of the printing press.
So, sir where do you fall? and how quickly are folks like you likely to change their views on............
Arminianism...what is Arminianism?
Arminianism essentially is a complete system of "
conditional salvation" based upon man using inherent ability to perform conditions for it. Paul in Galatians one curses this system, in no uncertain words.
It is
not improperly called theistic humanism – it glorifies man as the determiner of his destiny and yet tries to glorify God as well~which God will reject and curse per Galatians one.
God is limited
by man’s concept of fairness: man is a very capable creature still, and he must be in total control of his destiny.
It begins with human rationalization about God that i
s comforting to the flesh rather than with God’s own revelation of Himself.
In general, this is a very palatable theology, in that it makes man precious, God uncontrollably in love, and salvation for the taking.
Arminianism will, and has proven to degenerate to modernism or other heresies, for God is lenient, and the need
to save the lost justifies any means.
Arminianism began with Satan’s lie in the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, which contradicted God’s revelation and damned the race.
In defiance and denial of God’s revelation, Satan convinced Eve that she would not surely die if she ate of the fruit (
Genesis 3:1-4).
Satan convinced her that she could sacramentally become just like God by her own personal act in taking the fruit (
Genesis 3:5-6).
Consider that Armininians today
still try to peddle the lie that man is not dead by his sin in Eden, just like their father the devil.
Adam and Eve,
just like Arminians today, sewed fig leaves together in their own vain attempt to cover their terrible sin (
Gen 3:7).
It showed itself in the New Testament with proud Jews and skeptical Greeks (
Luk 4:25-29;
John 6:64-66;
8:33-34;
Rom 3:5,
8;
9:14,
19).
Pelagius, a Welsh monk, began the systematic spread of Pelagianism, an early version of Arminianism, around the early 400’s.
He denied original sin, a depraved nature, representation by either Adam or Christ, and the need for special grace to be saved.
He held the innocence of human children, man’s freedom of will, and the possibility of achieving perfection in this life. Augustine stood up against him. google to read.....
The Roman Catholics declared very Arminian principles at the Council of Trent in 1546 i.e. maintaining freewill and sacramentalism.
Read the anathemas pronounced in the Sixth Session of Trent against God’s grace in salvation and the freewill of man. Click here.
James Arminius (1560-1609) began the systematic spread of Arminianism in the early 1600s, as he rebelled against state Calvinism.
As a university professor in Leiden, Arminius questioned Calvin’s theology in several points, publishing and preaching against it.
In 1610, his followers issued a remonstrance to the government of Holland against the Calvinistic doctrine of the state church.
Man is not so corrupted by sin that he is unable to cooperate with God in performing conditions for his salvation to eternal life.
Man’s election to salvation is conditional upon God forseeing his faith and perseverance and confirming him thereby to eternal life.
Jesus Christ’s death
potentially provided for the salvation of all men upon conditions, but it
did not surely secure salvation for any.
Man is able to resist the work of the Holy Spirit in applying the effects of Christ’s death to men, as salvation
is only an offer.
The conditions for final salvation include continuing in faith and good works
until death, for sin will cause you to lose salvation.
Since Arminius, John Wesley, Charles Finney, D.L. Moody, Billy Graham, Jack Hyles, Jimmy Swaggart, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, and
many more past and present like them have taught
decisional regeneration as the deciding issue that renders the love of God and death of Christ effective.
Conclusion:
you can have your work gospel that does not exalt Jesus Christ, but puts man in control and the crown of glory on his head, not Christ's, where it
only belongs.
