I want to know Is Calvinism true? Thanks.
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.
Calvinism’s doctrine of total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is corrupted 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” (although the extent and meaning of that depravity are debated in Arminian circles).
In general, Arminians believe there is an “intermediate” state between total depravity and salvation. In this state, made possible by prevenient grace, the sinner is being drawn to Christ and has the God-given ability to choose salvation.
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 or on any act performed by 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 likely 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 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 three-point Calvinists and two-point Arminians. Many believers arrive at some sort of mixture of the two views.
Ultimately, it is our opinion 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.
Excellent question @riverbank.
What is Calvinism and is it biblical? What are the five points of Calvinism?
What is Arminianism and is it biblical?
What is Amyraldism?
What is Provisionism? What is a provisionist?
Monergism vs. synergism – which view is correct?
The question I’m asking is whether the Bible is true.
J.
Please let me know if you’re able to read the posts, as some of my privileges have been revoked and I’ve been demoted, so I’m unsure whether my posts are visible.
Thanks.
J.
Your posts are visible.
Thanks, now I know what is really transpiring.
J.
Thanks, now I understand it well. Your Posts are visible. @Johann
So what do you think @riverbank, is Calvinism true?
J.
Exactly I agree with you. @Johann
1 Like
God bless brother, stay strong in Messiah.
J.
1 Like
Many theologians attempt to repackage the bible in terms they prefer. Calvinism is one among many that are poor approximations.
1 Like
@Johann, I’m puzzled. Your summary statement beginning with “ultimately” is exactly what I understand that Calvinism believes, that is, that ultimately it is a mystery how God’s sovereign plans and human responsibility work together. The Bible teaches both; therefore, as an 83-year-old Calvinist who has been one since I was 20 and a Calvinist pastor for 27 of those years, believe in and accept that mystery.
There are all sorts of Calvinists brother @Bruce_Leiter.
J.
A simple way to explain why the difference between these two emphases is significant:
- the “Arminian” focuses on the internal dynamics of the conversion experience – the “what” of the Gospel. The navel view.
- The “Calvinist” focuses on the external application of the Gospel – the “so what.” The worldview.
- The “ArmEnian Calvinist” and his tribe, prolific writers all, have pretty well cornered the Protestant worldview market within the last few decades. You can call their energetic, lively, and optimistic brand “Calvinism on steroids.” (1)
SO – if you want to run in circles, chase your own tail, and spend your life’s time, focus, and energies on goosing your own gnosis, by all means embrace Arminianism.
Besides, a “spiritual kingdom” small enough to find into your navel is SO much more convenient.
If you want to change the world for the glory of God – LET HIM HAVE YOUR BOOTSTRAPS.
.
.
.
(1) Or Christian Reconstruction
Rom_11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
Eph_1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Col_1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Col_2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Jas_3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
J.
What should we believe to be true? Not a system, not a label, not a man’s framework. We believe what God has actually said.
The standard is simple. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” ~2 Timothy 3:16-17. If Scripture is sufficient, then no system like Calvinism or anything else is our authority. The Word is.
Start where the Bible starts. Man is not basically good. He is lost. “There is none righteous, no, not one… there is none that seeketh after God” ~Romans 3:10-11. Salvation is not something we produce. It must come from God. Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” ~John 6:44. That is clear. Left to ourselves, we would never come.
At the same time, the call goes out to all. Not a select few invited while the rest are excluded from the offer. “God… now commandeth all men every where to repent” ~Acts 17:30. And the promise is just as clear: “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” ~Romans 10:13. Scripture does not limit that word “whosoever.” It does not redefine it. It leaves it exactly as it is.
Christ’s work is not presented as narrow in its offer. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish” ~John 3:16. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” ~1 John 2:2. The provision is declared broadly, even though not all will believe.
Those who truly come to Christ are kept by Him. That part is not uncertain. Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” ~John 10:28. Salvation is God’s work from beginning to end, and those who are His are secure because He keeps them.
So are we following Calvinism? No. We are not called to follow Calvinism, Arminianism, or any other system. We are called to believe what is written. And when you stay with the text, you see both truths standing side by side without forcing them into a man-made grid. God draws. Man is responsible. The offer is real. The call is universal. The saving is God’s.
Scripture never tells you to reconcile everything into a neat system. It tells you to repent and believe the gospel. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” ~Mark 1:15.
That is what we should believe to be true.
1 Like
You do have a good point, but the conservative Calvinists that I know believe in that mystery, @Johann.
1 Like
The term Calvinism is a false label. It is actually the the Theology behind the Protestant Reformation. Calvin was not alone in reaching his conclusions on Bible teaching. Other early Protestant reformers who reached similar conclusions as John Calvin include Huldrych Zwingli, Heinrich Bullinger, and Martin Bucer. These figures contributed significantly to the Reformed tradition alongside Calvin. This is the clearest Biblical statement on Justification, the process of God in Salvation. Please note God acts upon man and man does nothing in Justification which is the technical process know as Salvation. This is clear in the following passages. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Rom 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
Rom 8:30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Eph 2:9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. NASB95 These passages are Calvinism at work. God elects and processes man according to His Divine Will.
1 Like