An Explanation and Comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism
By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide
One of the most potentially divisive doctrinal debates in the history of the church centers around the opposing doctrines of salvation known as Calvinism and Arminianism.
Calvinism is based on the theological beliefs and teaching of John Calvin (1509-1564), a leader in the Reformation, and Arminianism is based on the views of Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609).
After studying under John Calvin's son-in-law in Geneva, Jacobus Arminius started out as a strict Calvinist. Later, as a pastor in Amsterdam and professor at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, Arminius' studies in the book of Romans led to doubts and rejection of many Calvinistic doctrines. In summary, Calvinism centers on the supreme sovereignty of God, predestination, the total depravity of man, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints.
Arminianism emphasizes conditional election based on God's foreknowledge, man's free will through prevenient grace to cooperate with God in salvation, Christ�s universal atonement, resistible grace, and salvation that can potentially be lost.
So what exactly does all this mean? The easiest way to understand the differing doctrinal views is to compare them side by side: Calvinism & Arminianism Compared
God's Sovereignty
Calvinism - God's sovereignty is unconditional, unlimited, and absolute. All things are predetermined by the good pleasure of God's will. God foreknew because of his own planning.
Arminianism - God has limited his control in correspondence with man's freedom and response. God's decrees are associated with his foreknowledge of man's response.
Man's Depravity
Calvinism - Because of the Fall, man is totally depraved and dead in his sin. Man is unable to save himself and, therefore, God must initiate salvation.
Arminianism - Because of the Fall, man has inherited a corrupted, depraved nature. Through "prevenient grace," God removed the guilt of Adam's sin. Prevenient grace is defined as the preparatory work of the Holy Spirit, given to all, enabling a person to respond to God's call of salvation.
Election
Calvinism - Before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally chose some to be saved. Election has nothing to do with man's future response.
Arminianism - Election is based on God's foreknowledge of those who would believe in him through faith. In other words, God elected those who would choose him of their own free will. Conditional election is based on man's response.
Christ's Atonement
Calvinism - Jesus Christ died to save only those who were given to him (elected) by the Father in eternity past. Since Christ did not die for everyone, but only for the elect, his atonement is wholly successful.
Arminianism - Christ died for everyone. The Savior's atoning death provided the means of salvation for the entire human race. Christ's atonement, however, is effective only for those who believe.
Grace
Calvinism - While God extends his common grace to all mankind, it is not sufficient to save anyone. Only God's irresistible grace can draw the elect to salvation and make a person willing to respond. This grace cannot be obstructed or resisted.
Arminianism - Through the preparatory (prevenient) grace given to all by the Holy Spirit, man is able to cooperate with God and respond in faith to salvation. Through prevenient grace, God removed the effects of Adam's sin. Because of "free will" men are also able to resist God's grace.
Man's Will
Calvinism - All men are totally depraved, and this depravity extends to the entire person, including the will. Except for God's irresistible grace, men are entirely incapable of responding to God on their own.
Arminianism - Because prevenient grace is given to all men by the Holy Spirit, and this grace extends to the entire person, all people have free will.
Perseverance
Calvinism - Believers will persevere in salvation because God will see to it that none will be lost. Believers are secure in the faith because God will finish the work he began.
Arminianism - By the exercise of free will, believers can turn away or fall away from grace and lose their salvation.
It's important to note that all of the doctrinal points in both theological positions have a biblical foundation, which is why the debate has been so divisive throughout church history.
Christian denominations disagree over which points are correct, rejecting all or some of either system of theology, leaving most believers with a mixed perspective. Because both Calvinism and Arminianism deal with concepts that go far beyond human comprehension, the debate is certain to continue as [ Finite beings try to explain an Infinitely mysterious God. ]
*** I just need to say one comment here�What ever Anyone tells You, What ever you Hear, What ever you Read, What ever you See,�Always Take it to the Written & Inspired WORD of GOD�[ Bible ]�May the Holy Spirit within YOU�Guide & Teach you in [ ALL ] GOD�s Ways�Keep the Faith in Christ Jesus rolling�& Yall hava a GOD�s Holy Spirit filled day�.xo
An Explanation and Comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism
By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide
One of the most potentially divisive doctrinal debates in the history of the church centers around the opposing doctrines of salvation known as Calvinism and Arminianism.
James replies:
I agree. It is the deepest divide in Christianity. It has been this way since the followers of James Arminius, presented their views to the church.
Calvinism is based on the theological beliefs and teaching of John Calvin (1509-1564), a leader in the Reformation, and Arminianism is based on the views of Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609).
James replies:
Calvinism is NOT based on the theology and beliefs of John Calvin. Calvin stated clearly that he was saying NOTHING new.
We have direct teaching from the Bible, direct quotes from the apostolic fathers, early church fathers, and Christians throughout church history!
Arminianism IS based upon the the five points that James Arminius taught, where he disagreed with the church.
After studying under John Calvin's son-in-law in Geneva, Jacobus Arminius started out as a strict Calvinist. Later, as a pastor in Amsterdam and professor at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, Arminius' studies in the book of Romans led to doubts and rejection of many Calvinistic doctrines. In summary, Calvinism centers on the supreme sovereignty of God, predestination, the total depravity of man, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints.
Arminianism emphasizes conditional election based on God's foreknowledge, man's free will through prevenient grace to cooperate with God in salvation, Christ�s universal atonement, resistible grace, and salvation that can potentially be lost.
James replies:
Prevenient grace is a fantasy that is found NOWHERE in the Bible, and there are plenty of verses that contradict the entire idea.
So what exactly does all this mean? The easiest way to understand the differing doctrinal views is to compare them side by side: Calvinism & Arminianism Compared
James replies:
I would like to say to Jude, that although the author is wrong about Calvinism being based on the teachings of John Calvin, the rest of the article is SPOT on!
The wording below of the differences between the two, and what each view teaches could not be worded any better.
God's Sovereignty
Calvinism - God's sovereignty is unconditional, unlimited, and absolute. All things are predetermined by the good pleasure of God's will. God foreknew because of his own planning.
Arminianism - God has limited his control in correspondence with man's freedom and response. God's decrees are associated with his foreknowledge of man's response.
Man's Depravity
Calvinism - Because of the Fall, man is totally depraved and dead in his sin. Man is unable to save himself and, therefore, God must initiate salvation.
Arminianism - Because of the Fall, man has inherited a corrupted, depraved nature. Through "prevenient grace," God removed the guilt of Adam's sin. Prevenient grace is defined as the preparatory work of the Holy Spirit, given to all, enabling a person to respond to God's call of salvation.
Election
Calvinism - Before the foundation of the world, God unconditionally chose some to be saved. Election has nothing to do with man's future response.
Arminianism - Election is based on God's foreknowledge of those who would believe in him through faith. In other words, God elected those who would choose him of their own free will. Conditional election is based on man's response.
Christ's Atonement
Calvinism - Jesus Christ died to save only those who were given to him (elected) by the Father in eternity past. Since Christ did not die for everyone, but only for the elect, his atonement is wholly successful.
Arminianism - Christ died for everyone. The Savior's atoning death provided the means of salvation for the entire human race. Christ's atonement, however, is effective only for those who believe.
Grace
Calvinism - While God extends his common grace to all mankind, it is not sufficient to save anyone. Only God's irresistible grace can draw the elect to salvation and make a person willing to respond. This grace cannot be obstructed or resisted.
Arminianism - Through the preparatory (prevenient) grace given to all by the Holy Spirit, man is able to cooperate with God and respond in faith to salvation. Through prevenient grace, God removed the effects of Adam's sin. Because of "free will" men are also able to resist God's grace.
Man's Will
Calvinism - All men are totally depraved, and this depravity extends to the entire person, including the will. Except for God's irresistible grace, men are entirely incapable of responding to God on their own.
Arminianism - Because prevenient grace is given to all men by the Holy Spirit, and this grace extends to the entire person, all people have free will.
Perseverance
Calvinism - Believers will persevere in salvation because God will see to it that none will be lost. Believers are secure in the faith because God will finish the work he began.
Arminianism - By the exercise of free will, believers can turn away or fall away from grace and lose their salvation.
It's important to note that all of the doctrinal points in both theological positions have a biblical foundation, which is why the debate has been so divisive throughout church history.
James replies:
Arminianism, has ZERO verses of Scripture that support it.
Arminianism, has TWO things going for it.
1. There are a handful of verses that Arminians use, and they misinterpret them and make the Bible contradict itself.
They have the "all" and "world" verses, and ignore the rest of Scripture.
2. Arminians are guided by their emotions, and that is a strong force that pushes them along, even when they are SHOWN verses that point blank teach the sovereignty of God in all things.
Christian denominations disagree over which points are correct, rejecting all or some of either system of theology, leaving most believers with a mixed perspective. Because both Calvinism and Arminianism deal with concepts that go far beyond human comprehension, the debate is certain to continue as [ Finite beings try to explain an Infinitely mysterious God. ]
James replies:
I disagree completely! Arminianism is about sinful human beings wanting a God they can put in their pocket. A God they can control with their will. NONE of it is too deep for the average Christian, the QUESTION is, will they accept it.
Jude says:
*** I just need to say one comment here�What ever Anyone tells You, What ever you Hear, What ever you Read, What ever you See,�Always Take it to the Written & Inspired WORD of GOD�[ Bible ]�May the Holy Spirit within YOU�Guide & Teach you in [ ALL ] GOD�s Ways�Keep the Faith in Christ Jesus rolling�& Yall hava a GOD�s Holy Spirit filled day�.xo
James replies:
I wish it were that simple! The plain fact is, we Christians are still fallen creatures that still sin. The Word of God is perfect, and it is not surprising if we are imperfect and God is perfect that at least SOME of the things we read in the Bible, rub us the wrong way.
There are Christians, who desperately want to not believe in HELL, so they ignore parts of the Bible, and misinterpret parts on purpose. Same thing with Christians who want God to save everyone, and the same thing applies to Arminians, who want a God that will be subject to their will.
You are quite funny, you really are! You really believe the Bible supports Calvinism...lol. And the arch nemesis is Arminianism. You live in a tiny little world don't you? To you a person is either a Calvinist or a Arminian, it amazes me you actually can see no other options.
You would have credibility if you admitted the problems Calvinism has agreeing with all of Scripture, you know the things you call "divine paradoxes"
Actually there is a view that agrees with all of Scripture and it is neither Calvinism nor Arminianism. I know this may difficult for you to accept or even get you hugh mind around the possibility that not everyone is a Calvinist or Arminian. And that there exists a much better doctrine that Calvinism or Arminianism when it comes to agreeing with all of Scripture.
@ 2Spar ~ :bouncy:...Ooo...:bouncy:...Ooo...:bouncy:...lemme quess...lemme quess...Its the BIBLE...the Inspired...[ Breathed ] WORD of GOD...Ima right ?...:bouncy:...Ima right ?...:bouncy:...I sure hope so...NO !!! I sure KNOW so...xo
You are quite funny, you really are! You really believe the Bible supports Calvinism...lol.
James replies:
YES! Of course, if I did not then I would abandon those five points of doctrine.
I think it is more than a bit arrogant for you to laugh at it though.
I realize you are ignorant of church history, so if I list all the Christian thinkers, theologian, preachers, etc for the last two thousand years that believe the same thing, then that would not matter to you.
You would not know the names, nor the exceptional Christian lives they lived, and therefore your opinion of yourself and your private interpretation is MUCH more important to you.
I am not that way. I don't think I am infallible, and I have great respect for the COLLECTIVE WISDOM of the church for the last two thousand years. You know, Twosparrows, in Proverbs it says THREE times, that "there is wisdom in many counselors."
I have always thought it strange that so many Christians use this principle of wisdom in their everyday life, and ignore it when the open the Bible.
Twosparrows continues:
And the arch nemesis is Arminianism.
James replies:
Hmmmm..... What idea or ideas inside of protestantism, are the biggest enemy to the Christian faith?
I would have to say that Arminianism is the deepest, so I may have to agree with you on that one.
It is a tough one to answer though, because we have the prosperity "gospel", junk like Joel Osteen going on.
We also have the hidden idolatry of Christians who drag the religion of liberalism into their Christian faith.
I Don't know Twosparrows, but lets just say I agree that Arminianism is the deepest divide among true Christians.
Sometimes I think the prosperity and Liberal Christians are not really Christians at all.
twosparrows continues:
You live in a tiny little world don't you? To you a person is either a Calvinist or a Arminian, it amazes me you actually can see no other options.
James replies:
Well, when I say this, remember I said it. I would like to discuss other issues, but that does not mean that, just like this thread started by Jude, that OTHERS will want to continue, even if I don't.
I have debated the five points for years, and it is not really what I discuss very much at all.
For instance, I have a discussion group called
Christian worldview.
We try to look at all of life through the lens of the Bible.
anyone reading this, as long as you are a Christian, you are invited to join and see for yourself:
You would have credibility if you admitted the problems Calvinism has agreeing with all of Scripture, you know the things you call "divine paradoxes"
James replies:
I don't believe in Paradoxes in the Bible, and my pastor wrote a paper against the very idea of paradoxes in Scripture.
Twosparrows continues:
Actually there is a view that agrees with all of Scripture and it is neither Calvinism nor Arminianism. I know this may difficult for you to accept or even get you hugh mind around the possibility that not everyone is a Calvinist or Arminian. And that there exists a much better doctrine that Calvinism or Arminianism when it comes to agreeing with all of Scripture.
James replies:
Calvary Chapel is a denomination that is considered a 4 point Calvinist church. There are people who are members of presbyterian churches who don't believe in one or more of those five points. Some Arminians believe you can lose your salvation, and some believe you can not. There are only two ways you can answer the five points. I am sorry if it irritates you, but historically, the best minds God has raised up, are almost always Calvinists. I think that when the majority of Christians believe something, we should have some respect for that, even if we disagree.
