Interesting. What is difference between Lutheran theology and Reformed on the question of salvation? I ask b/c some Lutherans have said Calvinism is heresy but Luther was “reformed” as far as I can tell so go figure.
Salvation is 100 percent God’s gift from beginning to end (Ephesians 2:8-9); this gift includes the faith God provides me that takes hold of the redeeming work of Christ and makes it my own. On the other hand, human beings have the ability to resist the Holy Spirit’s work and reject God’s gift (John 1:11-12, Acts 7:51).
Human reason finds this contradictory, but the teaching of Scripture is that if someone is saved, this is entirely the work of God. If someone is lost, this is entirely the fault of the individual.
I’m not that familiar with Calvinism, but our differences in predestination are as follows:
We do not believe in double predestination. God is quite clear in scripture He wants “all to be saved”.
Calvinists believe in Limited Atonement, that Christ only died for some. We believe he died for all.
Calvin taught Irresistible Grace. The gospel invitation goes to all but God does not desire salvation for the un-elected. The elected on the other hand are unable to resist. Lutherans believe that the grace of God truly desires the salvation of all when he calls people through the means of grace. This call can be and is rejected by those who do not believe.
Lastly, Calvin taught the Perseverance of the saints, in which the elect who are called cannot fall from grace. We believe as stated in scripture that believers may fall from faith and perish