[AlguyA]

Following the conversation on OSAS, I must say I'm somewhat confused as to how one can believe in OSAS and NOT be a Calvinist. Yet, it seems many who believe OSAS find themselves poles apart from the Calvinists. Could someone please explain the difference to me?

An honest question.

[SoothingDave]

Following the conversation on OSAS, I must say I'm somewhat confused as to how one can believe in OSAS and NOT be a Calvinist. Yet, it seems many who believe OSAS find themselves poles apart from the Calvinists. Could someone please explain the difference to me?

Best I can understand, from what Becky and Mack have told me is that they believe that they exercise their free will in order to choose to accept the gift of God.

From there on, it is all God's doing that provides our salvation.

So there is one thing, the decision, that is done that results in salvation.

In contrast a full-on Calvinist will argue that you do not have the capacity to choose for or against God. Unless God decides to save you, you will be incapable of choosing anything other than bad.

So there is literally nothing that a person does that results in his getting saved.

SD

[JHavard]

Following the conversation on OSAS, I must say I'm somewhat confused as to how one can believe in OSAS and NOT be a Calvinist. Yet, it seems many who believe OSAS find themselves poles apart from the Calvinists. Could someone please explain the difference to me?...An honest question.

An honest answer, I have no idea what a Calvinist believes, and I don't understand why RC's love to wrap everyone up in a neat little package, put a name on him, and say, Oh, so your a so and so.

All though Catholics make the more interesting study, I look at all Christians as members of the church of Christ.

JH :-)

[drstevej]

***Following the conversation on OSAS, I must say I'm somewhat confused as to how one can believe in OSAS and NOT be a Calvinist. ***

You are right, there is a consistency between Calvinism and OSAS. Likewise I believe there is an inconsistency between Arminianism and OSAS.

Arminians argue that man is free to choose or reject the gospel. Some Arminians see this free choice as inherent in man other Arminians see this choice as the product of pre-venient [enabling] grace. The emphasis is that man is free to chose or reject the gospel.

OSAS Arminians then say that God keeps those He has saved and that the eternal life they have is eternal and not forfeitable. At this point they become "functional Calvinists." There is an inconsistency, IMO.

Here is a further one. From the Arminian perspective, how could we know that no one in heaven will exercise free will (and free will is a part of being truly human and the only position consistent with a God of love, they say) and decide to leave heaven or choose to disobey. Would not the absence of free will in heaven be a tryannical action on the part of God?

I'll ping a few others as well.