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Calvinism or Arminianism

The main differences between Calvinism and Arminianism are: 1) Calvinism believes that the human will is totally depraved and cannot believe without divine regeneration, while Arminians believe that humans have free will. 2) Calvinists believe in unconditional election by God, while Arminians believe in a conditional election based on human decision. 3) Calvinists believe in particular atonement only for the elect.

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7 views3 pages

Calvinism or Arminianism

The main differences between Calvinism and Arminianism are: 1) Calvinism believes that the human will is totally depraved and cannot believe without divine regeneration, while Arminians believe that humans have free will. 2) Calvinists believe in unconditional election by God, while Arminians believe in a conditional election based on human decision. 3) Calvinists believe in particular atonement only for the elect.

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CALvinism OR Arminianism?

Let's look at five points in which these two great schools differ.
doctrinal interpretation.
One of the most exciting theological debates of the last 500 years has
what to see with the dispute between Calvinism and Arminianism. In short,
the controversy arose in 1610 when the followers of the Dutch theologian
Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) reacted against the theology of the giant.
reformed John Calvin (1509-64) for five doctrinal reasons.
We are going to divide our article into five questions in order to explain the
differences between these two schools of thought that are still alive in
the evangelical world of today.

1. FREE WILL OR TOTAL DEPRAVITY? The Arminians believe


that the Fall has negatively affected all the descendants
of Adam and Eve. However, human beings continue to have free
free will, which they can exercise to repent and believe in the Gospel.
The eternal destiny of the sinner depends on how he uses his will.
You can choose the good or the bad. Your will is not enslaved by
his sinful nature. If a man (or a woman) decides to put his faith
in God, will be regenerated by the Holy Spirit. First faith then
regeneration (that is, the new birth). Faith, therefore, is an act of
the will of man.

Calvinism, however, says that the Fall affected human beings.


in such a way that they cannot believe the Gospel. Their will
spiritual is deaf, blind, and dead. They have no free will because their
will is enslaved by the power of sin. Man is
only free to sin. Therefore, for this to be saved, the
The Spirit of God must miraculously regenerate you. If someone is
regenerated will then put his faith in the Gospel and will repent. First
regeneration then faith. Without regeneration, saving faith is not possible.
Faith is produced by the Spirit of God in man.

2. CONDITIONAL OR UNCONDITIONAL CHOICE? The choice


conditional (the Arminian position) teaches that God's election is
conditioned by man's decision. Given that God is omniscient,
He already knew before the foundation of man who was going to follow him.
and who was going to deny him. Consequently, God determined to save (or choose)
to all those who were going to obey him. In other words, God chose to
those who were going to choose Him. This means that the decision of
man is the determining factor in the choice of God. The
unconditional election (the Calvinist position) says that God's election
it is not conditioned by anything. It depends exclusively on its own
will. God chooses because He wants to choose. Period. God does not choose to
someone in advance because they know what this is going to do in the future, if not
that He chooses because it pleases Him to do so. The conversion of man,
then, it is not the cause of God's election but the consequence of it
the same. Sooner or later the son of God will accept Christ because God
he has chosen him. And why did he choose him? Out of pure grace. Not for any reason foreseen.
in the man.
3. UNIVERSAL OR PARTICULAR ATONEMENT? On one hand, the Arminians
They believe that Jesus died for everyone potentially. He did not effectuate salvation.
of no one but did make salvation possible for all those who believe
in Him. Thanks to His atoning death, God can now forgive the
fishermen. But this forgiveness depends on the will of man. The
man must believe in the value of Christ's sacrifice so that he
God's forgiveness may be activated. On the other hand, the Calvinists are
convinced that Jesus did not die for everyone. He gave his life only for
the chosen ones, the sheep, their people. Consequently, the death of
Christ does guarantee the salvation of his people. And the Spirit takes care of
apply the gift of faith to the hearts of all redeemed by the Son.
4. RESISTIBLE OR IRRESISTIBLE GRACE? Resisting grace or
irresistible refers to the work of the Spirit of God. Arminianism believes that
The Spirit does everything possible to lead sinners to salvation.
Calls many through the announcement of the Gospel. But the step
the definitive is in the will of the unbeliever. The Spirit will only save
to those who cooperate with Him. Until the sinner responds
positively to the call of God, the Spirit cannot give you life. From this
In a way, it is possible to resist the grace of God. Man has to exercise faith.
in the Gospel to be regenerated by the Spirit. However, the
Calvinism believes that the Spirit will save the chosen ones by the Father, no matter what.
In addition to calling the chosen through the Gospel, there is a
an internal calling that turns your heart to Christ. Such work is
irresistible. It always produces conversion. Always. The Spirit overcomes the
human enmity and conquers the will of the sinner. It places in its
heart the desire to believe and to repent. Thanks to this calling
internally, the unbeliever is born again.
5. CAN SALVATION BE LOST? As a general rule, the
Arminians believe that salvation can be lost. There are some in the
Arminian field that think not. However, the majority thinks that
salvation can be lost if the believer does not persevere in faith. From there
that the Christian can never have full assurance of their salvation
personal. On the contrary, the Calvinists agree that the chosen
For God will persevere until the end. It is impossible for a child of ...
God. God protects him with his power and therefore, the believer can
enjoy the security of your salvation. Once saved, always saved!

APPLICATION The most important thing in this debate is to recognize that there
great servants of God in both fields. On the Arminian side,
they find preachers such as John Wesley (1703-91), Charles
Finney (1792-1875), A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) and Leonard Ravenhill (1907-
94). On the Calvinist side are Jonathan Edwards (1703-58), George
Whitefield (1714-70), Charles Spurgeon (1834-92) and Martyn Lloyd Jones
(1899-1981).

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