Posted on 05/13/2002 10:08:33 PM PDT by drstevej
Summary Evaluation of Arminian Theology
Arminianism stresses a number of important features. The emphasis on man’s responsibility is surely a biblical factor: man must believe to be saved (John 3:16; Acts 16:31, etc.). If man refuses to believe, he is lost (John 5:40; 7:17). Arminianism’s emphasis on the universality of the atonement is also biblical (1 Tim. 4:10; 2 Pet. 2:1; 1 John 2:2).
Several features within Arminianism should be evaluated.
(1) Arminianism denies the imputation of sin; no one is condemned eternally because of original sin. Man is condemned because of his own sins. This appears at variance with Romans 5:12–21.
(2) Though variously interpreted, Arminians generally teach that the effects of the Fall were erased through prevenient grace bestowed on all men, enabling individuals to cooperate with God in salvation. There is, however, no clear indication of this kind of prevenient grace in Scripture.
(3) Arminians teach that the Fall did not destroy man’s free will; furthermore, they teach that prevenient grace moves upon the heart of the unbeliever, enabling him to cooperate with God in salvation by an act of the will. While it is true that man must bear responsibility in responding to the gospel (John 5:40), man’s will has been affected because of the Fall (Rom. 3:11–12; Eph. 2:1); man needs God’s grace in order to be saved (Eph. 2:8; Acts 13:48; 16:14).
(4) Arminians relate predestination to God’s foreknowledge of man’s actions. They stress that God knew beforehand who would believe, and He elected those. In Arminianism, election and predestination are conditioned by faith. The word foreknowledge (Gk. prognosis), however, is basically equivalent to election (cf. Rom. 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:20). The data of God’s foreknowledge originates in advanced planning, not in advanced information.
(5) Arminianism stresses human participation and responsibility in salvation: recognition of sin, turning from sin, repentance, confession, and faith. For Arminianism, repentance involves change of actions, forsaking sins, whereas the biblical word repentance (Gk. metanoia) means “change of mind.” Although the stress on human responsibilities is significant, if it involves multiple conditions for salvation, this stress becomes a serious matter because the purity of salvation-by-grace-alone is then at stake. The sole condition of salvation stressed in scores of Scriptures is faith in Christ (John 3:16, 36; Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9, etc.).
(6) Arminianism teaches that believers may lose their salvation because the human will remains free and so may rescind its earlier faith in Christ by choosing sin. Frequently this view is based on controversial passages like Hebrews 6:4–6 and 2 Peter 2:20–22. The clear emphasis of Scripture, however, is that the believer has eternal life as a present possession (John 3:16; 1 John 5:11–13) and is kept secure by Christ (John 10:28) because of what He has done (Rom. 5:1; 8:1).
Pretty much wholesale abandonment* of the reformed principles. (Becoming quite Romanist and Arminian)
*(in process)
(When one of the CRC pastors pastors over a funeral with an Universalist pastor without fear of discipline -would you call that orthodox?)
(When a retired CRC pastor writes publicly about his universalist tendancies without fear of discipline -would you call that orthodox?)
(When a Physics Professor at the denomination's own college teaches human evolution with official denominational support under the guise of academic freedom -would you call that orthodox?)
(When a retired CRC pastor (diff than the previous citation) writes an article in the denomination's periodical advocating abandoning TULIP with no mass outrage -would you call that orthodox?)
(When the denomination breaks its own rules while 'opening' up the offices to women -would you call that orthodox?)
(The women in office issue in and of itself is not a killer issue -the reasons it happened in the CRC are indicative of a far deeper problem.)
Jean
It is honorable to honor the oath..God uses marriage as a type of relationship with the church..that is how we know how important the keeeping of that vow is in His eyes. We are often cold and unloving to Him...refusing to "roll over" and share ourselves totally with Him......but He stays faithful:>)
When I was newly married my mother in law was a very old woman (literally ). Once I said something a bit sexual to her . She drew her shoulders back to full stature and said "Con and I have been married 55 years and we have NEVER discussed sex" ...as only a 20 something could say I looked at her and said..."you may not have talked about it, but you did it"...LOL....looking back on it now I was a bold kid:>)) But there is a value in openness in a marriage..both on sexual and non sexual matters!
BTW, I was talking to my sister in law yesterday and she made this comment about her, and now my brother's, church, "The service last night was great. No sermon at all. We did some praise songs and a little meditation of the gift of a mother." She also says she hopes the church gets a pastor that doesn't like to preach too much. A short 5 minute sermon or a homily would be great.
If you think I am concerned for my brother, you're right.
When you have the time [and inclination], will you to share with me your thoughts on predestination? Does it mirror Calvin's exactly, or do you like to cite other philosophers as well. What is the crux of your argument?
Regards. =)
The question is HOW that sovereignity of God is expressed.
I accept that God knew me before I was born (actually before the foundation of the earth. ) He knew evey soul that would be made.He planned each of us..being our maker He know the choices we will make based on the way we are made...
So our "free will "choices are always in accord with His will, as he made us in such a way that those would be our choices...there are no surprises to God. (As I noted to someone yesterday that God knew we were not having green beans for dinner..now I have the free will to select the dinner menu..but God made me in a way to hate green beans....so it was predestined we would not have green beans:>))
Eithor God is sovereign and fully in charge of the affairs of man or he is not God..
I have read some Calvinist teachings ..but mostly my theology *grin* is eclectic.
I have flagged dr steve ..he is a theologian type that could tell you (and me) how close I line up to Calvin..
I reject this because Jesus is a loving savior. If we accept the premise that he creates people only to be damned, then we have to ask ourselves what kind of behavior the "elect" will have toward ones they believe are "damned." Usually, it leads toward the elect screaming condemnation or insults at a reprobate without guilt because, after all, the person was predestined for hell, therefore all actions and words [whether Christian in nature or not] are justified in the eyes of the elect.
That isn't virtuous. And if something isn't virtuous, then it isn't "of God."
I also think that one can come to this truth by praying for knowledge of God's nature. Through grace one comes to know God intimately, and a personal relationship with Christ is indeed possible. Once one has established this personal bond, you come to realize that His nature is one of infinite and unfathomable mercy and love.
God is definitely omniscient and knows what you chose to have for dinner tonight before your conception--on this point I have no argument. You still have the will to choose what you want to eat. So it is with life decisions, and sin in particular. One can decide whether or not one wants to participate in practices they know or wrong, and can change, by grace, to become a better person. God wants everyone to go to heaven, which is why he expended himself on the cross. Not just for the elect...but ALL mankind.
You assume we know who the elect are and who the elect are not. I don't have that knowledge, do you? Do some act like they are superior to those they feel are reprobate? Yes. Are they correct in that attitude? NO.
Who establishes that personal bond?
That particular philosophy is outlined in "The Institutes of the Christian Religion," by John Calvin. He taught that "The elect" are those who accepted his religious doctrine, and is why I used his teachings an example in my post.
JM How do you think we believe that God is the author of sin? Man sins because he chooses to sin.Not one person will be in hell that did not choose it..
And my friend our eternities were decided LONG before our conception..the bible tells us before the foundations of the world were laid He knew each of us
That should not be a reason for fear or anger but for reassurence. Not a bird falls from the sky without His permission...
The Holy Spirit. After conversion we are sustained by grace, but it is not an bond to maintain. It is sustained by prayer and asking for knowledge, graces, and intimacy.
Jesus is a loving savior. He died for everyone, not just some. He did not create, only to condemn because He is all good.
This should say: not an easy bond to maintain.
Omniscience being that God has infinite awareness, understanding, insight and possesses universal and complete knowledge. Which is quite different from predestination which is the doctrine that God in consequence of his foreknowledge of all events infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation.
One implies that "some" are destined for salvation while others aren't. I don't accept that because God is pure love.
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