Calvinism vs. Arminianism

I am involved with a small group Bible study that is part of Gloucester County Community Church's Circle of Friends ministry. We have a great group that recently has been discussing God's will, what love is and John 3:16. This post is from an email exchange we have been having as a group. This is my email giving my thought to John 3:16.



Greetings,



When discussing John 3:16 I believe our thoughts are falling into two categories. One is salvation and how it works and the other is the atonement(or redemption).



Now whether we know it or not, the discussion is basically Calvinism vs. Arminianism. What has been posted so far leans toward Arminianism, naturally, because we attend an Arminian church. A brief church history lesson tells us that Calvin was a reformer of the Roman Catholic church in the mid 1500's. He, along with Luther and others, gave birth to the Protestant church. What is not usually known is two things. One, Calvin was rediscovering and reteaching the theology of one of the great church fathers, Augustine of Hippo of the late 300's. In other words Calvinism is the modern nickname for what is truly Augustinism. Arminianism came last, as a response to Calvinism in the late 1500's. John Wesley (founder of the Methodist church) was an Arminianist. An interesting note at this time of year is that the Pilgrims and Puritans were Calvinists.



So enough about history, on to the debate at hand. I will try to focus on Christ's atonement and Christ's salvation. The two are obviously connected, so some ideas will overlap.



16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.



These verses(16-17) hinge on two key words. World and Save. The Calvinist struggles to explain World in this passage and all others that use World. World can mean a lot of things, but it never means a few or a remnant. They have a hard time explaining who the World is. The Arminian has a hard time with the word Save. It does not say that Jesus will try to save the world. It does not say maybe...it says He will save the world. But we know all are not saved, so they have to water-down the word Save.



My reaction is that I take the verses at face value. Jesus does not fail. Perfection does not lose. So if it says He will save the world, I believe He will do exactly that. I believe God chooses who He wants to save. I believe He calls his children home and sets us apart to do His will. I believe His will is perfect and just. He is a fair God and I do not question that. If He damns some, it by definition cannot be unfair. I have no problem with that.



God told Jeremiah..."Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." Does God only do that for some?



I do not think so because in Ephesians Paul says... "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." His will and plan are perfect. How can it be up to us? How can God depend on us to make the right choice? We are fallen...we are sinful...of the flesh. To say that God leaves it up to us is to argue in favor of Deism. That God created everything, put the plan in place and then sits backs and hope we choose wisely. How can the world be Saved if the Savior is not the one calling the shots? Now I know I am overstating somethings, but ponder the idea of how could God leave the decision up to us...the sinful lot? Do we, in the image of God, parent as such? Is this how we treat our children? I am reminded of Adam Sandler in Big Daddy...of course the kid will always choose junk food. Bethel Prep parents...do your kids get to choose where (and if) they want to go to school? =D But do not misread me.



I do believe in Free Will. And that is where my part comes in. Think about this. You profess to believe in Christ...you are saved...you are a Christian. Then someone pulls you to the side and says "psst...I got something to tell you...God chose you...God has a purpose for you...God set you apart to be part of His mighty salvation plan for the world." Wow...very powerful. For me, I now realize it is not up to me. I am total depravity(original sin). But I realize that in God's grace He has a purpose for me. He has, out of His Grace given me the Holy Spirit which will NOT fail. It will work in me to do His work. I am a Christian and I am marked by my baptism. I am reborn.



Another analogy came to my mind when I was chatting with Melissa. Does Addison have free will? Yes, she chooses what toys to play with and such...but does she get to choose her mother and father?


I will close with a Bible reference. John 10...the emphasis is obviously mine.



11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father." 24The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30I and the Father are one."



And remember, why did the Jews not believe Jesus was the Christ? Isaiah tells us in chapter 6 and John quotes him in chapter 12:9



He(the Lord) said, "Go and tell this people(the Jews):

" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding;

be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

10 Make the heart of this people calloused;

make their ears dull

and close their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts,

and turn and be healed."



So to summarize Jesus says there is one flock (Jew and Gentile) and He lays His life down for his sheep, but that those who do not believe are not His sheep. And they do not believe because He makes thier hearts calloused, ears dull and eyes closed.



Cheers,

Joe