The Christ of Arminianism

A Puritan's Mind ^ | unknown | Rev. Steven Houck

[nobdysfool]

The Christ of Arminianism

The Bible warns us that in the last days in which we live there will be many false Christs-those who claim to be Christ but who are imposters. Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt. 24:4-5). We who profess to be Christians must take heed. We must be very careful that we are not deceived. Our calling is to trust, love, and follow the true Christ and Him only. We may have nothing to do with the false Christs who are so numerous in our day.

We know about the Christ of the cults and other religions. He is a good man, a prophet, the first creation of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even a god himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his existence from another who is greater than he. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.

We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They profess that He is true God. He suffered and died for the forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without their own good works and the intercession of priests. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.

There is, however, another false Christ who is much more dangerous than the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people for many years and he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24). He is the Christ of Arminianism.

This false Christ is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the True Christ. They say that he is true God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even say that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man. This Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism.

But watch out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is not the Christ of the Bible. Do not be fooled!

1. The Christ of Arminianism - loves every individual person in the world and sincerely desires their salvation.

The Christ of the Bible - earnestly loves and desires the salvation of only those whom God has unconditionally chosen to salvation. (Ps. 5:5, Ps. 7:11, Ps. 11:5, Matt. 11:27, John 17:9-10, Acts 2:47, Acts 13:48, Rom. 9:10-13, Rom. 9:21-24, Eph. 1:3-4)

2. The Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to every sinner and does all in his power to bring them to salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated, for many refuse to come.

The Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to Himself only the elect and sovereignly brings them to salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa. 55:11, John 5:21, John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30, John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)

3. The Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate and save a sinner who does not first choose Christ with his own "free will." All men have a "free will" by which they can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will" may not be violated by Christ.

The Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates the elect sinner apart from his choice, for without regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can not choose Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration. (John 3:3, John 6:44 & 65, John 15:16, Acts 11:18, Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:1,Eph. 2:8-10, Phil. 1:29, Hebr. 12:2)

4. The Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross for every individual person and thereby made it possible for every person to be saved. His death, apart from the choice of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for whom he died are lost.

The Christ of the Bible - died for only God's elect people and thereby actually obtained salvation for all those for whom He died. His death was a substitutionary satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His chosen people. (Luke 19:10, John 10:14-15 & 26, Acts 20:28, Rom. 5:10, Eph. 5:25, Hebr. 9:12, I Peter 3:18)

5. The Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he has "saved" because they do not continue in faith. Even if he does give them "eternal security," as some say, that security is not based upon his will or work but the choice which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.

The Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen people so that they can not lose their salvation but persevere in the faith to the very end. He preserves them by the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His death, and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John 5:24, John 10:26-29, Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 8:35-39, I Peter 1:2-5, Jude 24-25)

As you can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and the Christ of the Bible may at first seem to be the same, they are very different. One is a false Christ. The other is the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows before the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning Lord Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes all that He wills.

If you believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you must recognize the fact that you do not serve the Christ of the Bible. You have been deceived! Study the Scriptures and learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent and trust Christ as your sovereign

[drstevej]

***so I must work out my own salvation in fear and trembling.***

Work out NOT work for.

The salvation referred to in this verse is not justification, but sanctification. It is deliverance from the power of sin not deliverence from the penalty of sin.

Ro. 8:1,32

[dangus]

>> Well, have you succeeded in being like Him yet?>>

Not yet. I'm still working our my salvation in fear and trembling. But its interesting to note that you don't even believe that we are called to be like Christ.

[ksen]

...then sent his only Son to them so that his Son would save ALL men.

Is Universalism the current teaching of the RCC?

[Gamecock]

***who would create people for the sole purpose of watching them suffer, forever tormenting them in Hell***

So what are you saying, that He created them knowing that they wouldn't accept the Gospel? And he created them anyway, just to burn in hell.

That sounds like a loving God,,,,,

My friend, Salvation is God's to give. Like I already told you, read Romans 8&9.

[Texas_Dawg]

But its interesting to note that you don't even believe that we are called to be like Christ.

Did I say that? I just asked you if you had succeeded in that yet.

[dangus]

>> Well, have you succeeded in being like Him yet?>>

Not yet. I'm still working our my salvation in fear and trembling. But its interesting to note that you don't even believe that we are called to be like Christ. And No, I can't do it on my own.

>> I hope you have a better reason for His accepting you to live in eternity with him than that you at least partially deserve it.>>

Typical argument with a Calivisnist:
C:YOu're going to Hell because you believe "A".
M:I don't believe in "A"
C:Well, I hope you like Hell since you believe "B".
M:I don;t believe "B" either
C:Well, I hope you have a better explanation then for believing "A"
M:I don't believe "A" either.

I don't believe I deserve it. I actually ALSO believe that I am saved by the grace of God.

[Corin Stormhands]

I have never made, nor would I dare make such a proclamation.

Many (not all) of your brethren have. Not in those exact words, but the sentiment is the same.

I don't have time to do the search right now. I may later.

[dangus]

No, it's not like being partly dead. It's like being partly formed. You will either go to Heaven or Hell, but there is a consequence to your sins: suffering. When you let go of your sins, Christ's forgiveness is complete, and you go to Heaven.

[Gamecock]

Ahhh, the seagull method of attack: fly in, make a lot of noise, leave a mess and fly away.

[dangus]

Is Universalism the current teaching of the RCC?

No, because Universalism presumes apon the mercy of God. I must fear the loss of my own soul if I reject what is offered to me. It's just that I must recognize that some people who have appeared to rejected Christ have done so because they have not known him fully.

We can refuse God's mercy. That does not say that God is not all-powerful; it says that God chooses NOT to use all his power because if he did use all his power, we could not choose to love him (and then it would not be love.)

[nobdysfool]

In your passage from Romans, I see nothing saying, "I chose certain people to be evil."

He doesn't have to choose anyone to be "evil", they all naturally are! That's what Arminians choke on all the time. They say Calvinism paints God as a cruel and arbitrary despot, choosing some to save, and actively damning the rest. The fact of the matter is, If God didn't do a thing, didn't chose anyone for salvation, they would all be rightly on their way to Hell, BY THEIR OWN CHOICE! God doesn't have to decree anyone to Hell, they're already naturally on their way there. There is no neutral ground. Man is born a sinner, and sins at his earliest opportunity, and continually. Man's will is not able to choose against it's very nature. The natural man is at enmity with God.

There is none righteous, no not one.

[dangus]

>>My friend, Salvation is God's to give. Like I already told you, read Romans 8&9.>>

You know, it really irritates me the way that Calvinists always think that the reason you don't agree with them is that you choose to ignore them, or you haven't read something simple. Understand this: I READ ROMANS 8 & 9. I THINK WHAT YOU PREACH IS A PERVERSION OF ITS MEANING that comes from your own ignorance. There are people (not necessarily myself) who know 1,000 times more on the subject than you do, who disagree with you.

I don't see ANYTHING in Romans saying that God created people, knowing he would reject him, just so he could watch them suffer endlessly. It's simply NOT there. You're adding all sorts of interpretation to it so you think it says something it doesn't say. You're short-cutting loads of logic.

[ksen]

I don't believe I deserve it.

Let me ask you this so I don't misconstrue you....are you saying that you do not believe you deserve Hell?

[RnMomof7]

Well, see that's where the whole thing about not judging comes in. CALVINISTS believe they're simply created better than other people; they're good, everyone else is evil.

Awwwww we do not believe that . Calvinists like all other men are created in original sin. No one is "created Godly" . We can do nothing to earn our salvation , we are only worthy of it because God has declared up worthy .

Not becuase they were created Godly while others were created evil, but because others suffered for their salvation. And they offer prayers and sacrifices so that all may be saved:

Only One paid the price for your salvation. The man Christ Jesus God incarnate

" Pray that over and over again, and its difficult to subscribe to the heresy that your own good works were the CAUSE of your salvation.

On one hand you say it is the work of others and then you say it is not by works..which is it??

[CCWoody]

Is there disunity among the Godhead? Are the First and Second Persons of the Trinity in disagreement over desire, intent and purpose? How do you explain such contradictions, webber? ~ Frumanchu

Yes, that is exactly what the thoughtless Arminian is doing. He is actually setting the Persons of the Godhead to war with each other. Otherwise, how can you explain the Arminian's contention that God the Father has purposed the salvation of all men everywhere without any exception and the Holy Spirit is out there working His tail off to reconcile the whole world to God while the Son was intentionally speaking in parables to prevent people from repenting of their sins.


"And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them." -Mark 4:11-12

The thoughless Arminian is actually denying the ontological NAME of God. Whereas God has declared to us "I am that I am," meaning that "I am what I have been" and "I will be what I am," the Arminian is declaring that God is not even faithful to Himself. This is a fundamental denial of the Most High Himself. It's like saying, "Well, the Father is faithful and true to the Godhead and the Holy Spirit is faithful and true to the Godhead, but that bratty Son is just out there thwarting the will of God."

It is, in effect to count Him neither faithful nor true. One wonders, then, where the Arminian find the assurance that He is faithful to His own delcared nature "I am that I am." Obviously, he can't find it in the promises of the Son.

Woody.

[CCWoody]

You might be an Arminian if...

You think CALVINISTS believe they're simply created better than other people; they're good, everyone else is evil.

Woody.

[Texas_Dawg]

And No, I can't do it on my own.

Obviously you believe you are able to do some parts on your own (otherwise you aren't doing those parts on your own).

I don't know about that typical argument. None of the things you have the Calvinist saying are anything I say. I don't believe someone has to have a Calvinist interpretation of the Bible to be saved.

[Frumanchu]

You know, it really irritates me the way that Calvinists always think that the reason you don't agree with them is that you choose to ignore them, or you haven't read something simple. Understand this: I READ ROMANS 8 & 9. I THINK WHAT YOU PREACH IS A PERVERSION OF ITS MEANING that comes from your own ignorance. There are people (not necessarily myself) who know 1,000 times more on the subject than you do, who disagree with you.

There are people who know 1,000 times more on the subject than either of us, who agree with me. Is truth defined by majority opinion?

Please provide us with your understanding of those passages.

I don't see ANYTHING in Romans saying that God created people, knowing he would reject him, just so he could watch them suffer endlessly. It's simply NOT there. You're adding all sorts of interpretation to it so you think it says something it doesn't say. You're short-cutting loads of logic.

Neither do we, and neither have we ever said that God's purpose in creating people he knew would reject Him was to watch them suffer endlessly. You're putting words in our mouth, and barely knocking down the strawman at that.

[ksen]

No, because Universalism presumes apon the mercy of God. I must fear the loss of my own soul if I reject what is offered to me. It's just that I must recognize that some people who have appeared to rejected Christ have done so because they have not known him fully.

Ok, I was wondering because your option 3 had Jesus saving everybody. Did you misspeak or did I misunderstand?

We can refuse God's mercy. That does not say that God is not all-powerful; it says that God chooses NOT to use all his power because if he did use all his power, we could not choose to love him (and then it would not be love.)

What makes love possible?

[RnMomof7]

See, I am forbidden by God to presume apon his mercy, so I must work out my own salvation in fear and trembling. At the same time, I am commanded to forgive EVERYONE and judge no-one, in the confidence that Jesus calls ANYONE to him.

This is the most common misuse of scripture

    Phl 2:12   Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

So how does a man do that ? The next verse tells us

     Phl 2:13   For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure

So it is God that does the work that are necessary for your salvation and the works that flow from it

Paul also addressed this in Hebrews

Hbr 13:21   Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.

And Ephesians

Eph 2:10   For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.