One of the things that makes this debate so contentious at times is that both sides can quote Scripture to support their arguments. Both sides have "problem" verses which don't fit well into their system of theology.
A gracious friend of mine who pastors in a strict Presbyterian denomination gave me an insight to this dilemma. I've always found it helpful. Scripture speaks to the conversion process from two different perspectives: God's and man's. As he told me (without any sense of moral superiority BTW), the Calvinist tends to focus on those verses which take God's perspective on the issue while the Arminian tends to focus on those verses which take man's perspective. From man's perspective, it looks like a free will choice is being made but alot is occurring behind the scenes which God controls.
Yup. And some people won't acknowledge that.
A gracious friend of mine who pastors in a strict Presbyterian denomination gave me an insight to this dilemma. I've always found it helpful. Scripture speaks to the conversion process from two different perspectives: God's and man's. As he told me (without any sense of moral superiority BTW), the Calvinist tends to focus on those verses which take God's perspective on the issue while the Arminian tends to focus on those verses which take man's perspective. From man's perspective, it looks like a free will choice is being made but alot is occurring behind the scenes which God controls.
I agree. Man's natural inclination is to reject God. God needs to bring a lot of pressure to bear on some to bring them to a point of salvation.
What I mainly take exception with is the theology which states that God chooses to save only some and after dying for the sins of the whole world and commanding all men everywhere to repent, that He doesn't give everyone the opportunity.
It's the only way I can see to reconcile those verses.
However, it does NOT mean that I think man has absolute free will to choose or not, and that is what I inevitably get accused of if I don't agree lockstep with certain strains of Calvinism.
Some try to make it black and white and almost nothing in this life is.
FWIW, I agree more with Calvinist position than not, however, I refuse to identify as Calvinist. I am a Christian, a follower of Christ and my obligation is not to agree lockstep with Calvinist doctrine and convince people of that but to live a life reflecting Christ to a lost and dying world and sharing the good news of salvation through faith in Him.
It seems that too many self-identified Calvinists have lost sight of the great commission and are more intent on making more Calvinists than leading people to Christ.