The Salvation Debate- Calvinism and Arminianism Calvinism and Arminianism are two different systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will. What differentiates these views is the issue of free will and whether people have any as compared to God’s will. Some people claim that God’s will supersedes human will in all situations if God’s will is different. On the other hand, some people claim God created man with free will and He would not intervene.However, there are those who do not believe man was created with free will and the sovereignty of God causes everything to occur. The Scripture teaches both the sovereignty of God and the free will of man.
It appears unconditional in some places and conditional in other. Although, both systems are based on the Word of God, and both contain truth, neither system can be substituted for reading and believing the Word of God. The doctrine of Calvinism was started from the teachings of John Calvin, a French reformer (1509-1564).The doctrine of Arminianism was started from the teachings of Jacobus Hermann (1560-1609), known by the Latin form last name, Arminius. Trained in the reformed tradition; Arminius had doubt about the doctrine of “sovereign grace” as taught by the followers of John Calvin.
He was a Calvinist until the day he was forced to defend his beliefs and found that his opponent could competently defend his views against Calvinism. This encounter caused Arminius “to modify Calvinism so that ‘God might not be considered the author of sin, nor man an automation in the hands of God. ’”The Five Points of Calvinism, also known as “TULIP” will be compared and contrasted with the “Five Point of Arminianism. ” 1.
Calvinism- Total Depravity vs. Arminianism- Free Will “There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God” (Roman 3:11) would best explain the Calvinism view of total depravity. The inherent sinful nature of man hinders his desire to seek God. Calvinist believed that man is in bondage to sin and unable to exercise his own free will to trust in Jesus.
Free will does not refer to man saving himself but rather when prompt by the Holy Spirit, he may chose to seek God.Arminius believed that the fall of man was not total, maintaining that there was enough good left in man for him to freely and willfully accept Jesus unto salvation. 2. Calvinism- Unconditional Election vs.
Arminiumism- Conditional Election The Calvinist believed that foreknowledge is based upon the plan and the purpose of God, and that election is not based upon the decision of man but the “free will’ of the Creator alone. God selects who is going to be saved. Regardless of what the person may want, He will save them despite of themselves. Acts 9:8 recounts Paul’s experience.
