Calvinism vs Arminianism

1  T.U.L.I.P.

Five Points of Calvinism

  • T- Man is depraved as far as any ability to have part in his salvation, or to merit the merits of Christ. (Total Depravity)
  • U- Election is unconditional. (Unconditional election)
  • L- The atonement is limited to the elect. Definite redemption is made. (Limited Atonement)
  • I- Grace is irresistible. (Irresistible Grace)
  • P- The saints will persevere in the faith, being kept by the power of God. Their salvation is certain. Their salvation is certain. (Perseverance)

Arminius’ five questions to Calvinism

  • T- Man, unaided by the Holy Spirit, is unable to come to God. (Agreeable and solidifies the T). However, the will of mankind is involved in salvation.
  • U- Election and condemnation are conditioned upon the foreseen faith or belief of man, not upon the sovereign choice of Almighty God.

(I knew you before you were in the womb, Jacob I have loved and Esau have I hated Romans (9:17-22)

  • L- The atonement was made for all, but only believers enjoy its benefits. [Is this not the same thing just worded different?]
  • I- Grace can be resisted.
  • P- The doctrine of the final perseverance of all the converted is still open to discussion. At, least, Christians can “backslide” into not only occasional sin, but lifestyles of habitual sin- and still be saved on the basis of their decision to receive Christ’.

1.1    Commonalities

T– Man is unable to come to God. (John 14:6 says, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” And John 6:44 says “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”) We are then persuaded to accept Jesus Christ as Saviour in God’s timing.

U-Election, I will say God does know the beginning from the end and does foreknow each one of us. (For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 KJV)).

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: (Romans 9:17-22 KJV)

Ro 9:11 (For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Ro 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Ro 11:28 As concerning the gospel, [they are] enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, [they are] beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (also1Th 1:4,2Pe 1:10, Ro 11:5)

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4 KJV) 2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

L- Same difference either way you say it.

I- Did Abraham say I will not go did Isaiah say send me not. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). It is only by God we live and breath and have life God works in us to do His will.

P– Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5 KJV)

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Puritans had a balanced doctrine experience & practical application through unity & brotherhood. They would concentrate on the majors not the minors to keep unity for the purpose of transforming souls. Through God’s Holy Word they would pour into mankind to change the state of their souls. They said they had liberty yet responsibility in self-control and discipline. It was a well balance of God’s Sovereignty and their responsibility. Today we should believe as we cannot lose our salvation. Yet live as though we could. We need to live in reverence, humility and purity in the face of the majestic, Holy and Glorious God, in all integrity & honour serving Jesus as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.

In Christ,

Greg