In February 2016, I posted a blog titled "Calvinism, Arminianism, And Salvation" to my Friends Ministry eNewsletter and on my Bill & Dory Gray Christian Ministries Blog. Recently, in our Sunday School Class, the question of Predestination was raised, which obviously led to a discussion of Calvinism, Arminianism, and their opposing views of salvation.
After our class a Friend asked me to share my blogs on this subject with him. Going back and reviewing my earlier blog led to me updating it. And, that is what this current blog/eNewsletter is all about.
Subject: CALVINISM, ARMINIANISM, AND SALVATION!
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2016 From: Bill Gray
Long before you and I were alive, folks have been debating Calvinism vs Arminianism, most often in friendly debates; but, at times, in rather heated confrontations. Over the years that I have been writing, I have had many of the more pleasant discussions - but, I have had some of the less pleasant dialogues, and with folks who would otherwise call me brother.
Along the way I have had the terms "Calvinist" and "Fundamentalist" - and a few other names I will not mention in polite society, thrown at me from Liberal and Legalistic theology followers. I will accept the Fundamentalist label, although I prefer the more accurate label: Conservative Christian. That said, no one could ever honestly accuse me of being a Calvinist.
Also, I should not forget my non-believing Friends, those who often hold the belief that calling me a Fundamentalist is worse than calling me Satan. Although I have also been called Satan a few times by those same folks. We will discuss Fundamentalism in another writing; for now we will take a closer look at Calvinism vs Arminianism.
I have many Christian Friends who know nothing about either of these diametrically opposed theologies, preferring to just concentrate on loving and following Christ in their own fellowships and leaving all other discussions alone. That is not a bad thing. But, It is much like folks who grow up in a protected environment, not realizing or noticing many of the things happening around them in our secular society. Many of those folks will also accept the secular falsehood of "separation of church and state" - declaring, "Let the politicians do their thing and I will do my Christian thing." Oh, if it were only that simple.
"So, Bill, why is it so important to recognize and understand the difference between Calvinism, Arminianism, and those other theologies which teach neither?"
Good question. Let's see if we can answer it. A person would have to be blind to not recognize that we live in a fallen world, a world where evil abounds and where a person must be constantly aware, lest someone steal his property, defame him, cheat him, harm him and his family, even to the point of killing them, etc. Where does one find peace and security in such a world? Some find it to some degree in accumulating wealth, often paying armed guards to protect them and their families. Some find security in knowing that with their accumulated wealth, they can buy themselves out of problems and harm. But, is that really security?
Jesus Christ offers us "eternal security" - promising that once we have, by grace through faith, chosen to follow Him as Lord and Savior - NO ONE can snatch us out of His hands nor out of the Father's hands (John 10:28-29). In other words, once we have received His promised eternal life, i.e., salvation - we cannot lose it. He will not break His promise to us. And, keep in mind that "eternal" means "never ending." Our eternal security in Christ will never end! Period!
That is real security, eternal security, not just protection from tribulations of this world. We have His promise to keep us secure eternally, not just for the few years we have in this mortal body. That "eternal security" we claim the instant we believe and receive Him, for at that moment we are indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), never to have that seal broken nor to have the Holy Spirit evicted (Ephesians 4:30). That is real Eternal Security, which no amount of accumulated wealth can buy; but which God freely gives to us the very moment we are adopted into His family (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 4:5-6, Ephesians 1:5).
"But, Bill, doesn't Calvinism and Arminianism offer that same Eternal Security?"
Glad you asked. And, the only answer can be a resounding, "Yes and No!" Confused? No need to be, for ALL Christian believers have His "eternal security" even if the theology they follow teaches otherwise.
Calvinism tells us that before God created the heavens and the earth, before He created any living humans - but, knowing that He was going to create billions upon billions of humans, all created in His own image (Genesis 1:26) ~ God decided that He was only going to allow a small minority of those divinely created humans into His heaven (the Elect).
And, according to the Calvinist theology, He decided, before the Creation, that the vast majority of those divinely created human souls He would condemn to eternal hell, misery, and suffering (the Reprobate) - without them having any opportunity to choose to enter His heaven. Wow, what a God!
Now, ask yourself, "Why would God create billions of people - in His image - just for the purpose of condemning them to eternal suffering and sorrow in hell?"
We know that God created man for His pleasure and to glorify Him. Does anyone really believe that the eternal, almighty, perfect God - would create billions of humans "in His image" - just for the purpose of condemning them to suffer eternally in hell? Can that really give pleasure to God; can that really glorify God? No.
Leading Reformed Calvinist theologian, John Piper, tells us on his "DesiringGod" web site:
So, based upon Piper's logic that God created man to be a reflection of Himself - why would He choose to condemn billions of those self-images to eternal hell with no chance of redemption? Does that really sound like the God you worship, the God of the Bible?
And, there are Calvinist writings which tell us that God also applies that Elect or Reprobate classification to all babies - aborted babies, pre-born babies who die, infants who die after birth, young children who die before reaching the age of understanding, i.e., all young children. According to those writings, if that child: aborted, pre-born, infant, or young child - is conceived by an Elect couple - that child automatically has Eternal Security assured, that child will be in heaven.
On the other hand, if that child: aborted, pre-born, infant, or young child - is conceived by a Reprobate couple - that child automatically is condemned to eternal hell, misery, and suffering. Is that the God you worship and serve?
Most of us know that Calvinism and TULIP go hand in hand. But, many churches and pastors have realized that a large number of folks view their TULIP doctrines as being very harsh. Maybe it was okay in John Calvin's day. But, not so much today. So, how do they get around this stumbling block? Simple, they just create a euphemism to replace TULIP which is more acceptable sounding to the masses. They came up with "Doctrines of Grace." Now, that sounds like a phrase which all Christian believers will embrace - for after all, we are all saved "by grace through faith."
So today, a church or a pastor may tell you, "No, we do not teach TULIP, we teach Doctrines of Grace." In my own personal experience, I have met pastors who will just avoid answering the question, "Are you Calvinist?" - and I have had pastors who have deferred to "Doctrines of Grace" when I asked if they were Calvinist. Regardless of which they use: TULIP or Doctrines of Grace - they are the same, no difference.
Even though I believe that the web site GotQuestions leans toward Calvinism, I often visit that site for I think they offer good Biblical answers in most cases. I view such web sites as a resource, much like I do hard copy commentaries - as a means to start my thinking process when studying or writing about a particular Scripture passage. The only real authority on any Scripture verse or passage - is the Bible.
But, often when I want to jump start my thoughts, I will look at several commentaries or web sites, such as GotQuestions and CARM (both Calvinist), just to see what they have to say. Then I will take those thoughts and go back and take another look at the Scripture passage to see if any of those thought fit with what the Bible tells me. In the end, I always look to Scripture, with prayer, to understand that Scripture passage. But, why should we ignore the years of learning and scholarly theological studies of those who have gone before us? Use their knowledge - on such web sites and in commentaries with discretion and with prayer - to springboard or jump start your understanding of a portion of God's Written Word.
To conclude this portion on Calvinism, there is one question which no Calvinist, lay person or pastor, has ever been able to answer for me: "If, before the Creation, God truly did select only certain people, the Elect, to be saved - how can YOU be certain that you were chosen among the Elect?" I have never had anyone give me an answer.
Arminians believe that God offers salvation and eternal life to all who will believe and receive His Son as Lord and Savior. That is good. However, the Arminians then tell us that, even though we have believed and received Christ - we can still lose that salvation. They obviously ignore what Jesus teaches in John 10:28-29, that no one (and that "no one" includes the believer) can snatch the believer out of His hands nor out of the Father's hands.
Yes, according to the Arminians, all Christian believers must go through life looking over their shoulders - lest they commit that one small sin, often a sin unknown to them, which will rob them of their salvation, rob them of the Eternal Security which Christ has promised to all believers. Where is Eternal Security to be found in life if we must constantly be looking over our shoulders lest we be robbed of our salvation? And, why do Arminians change "eternal" to no longer mean "never ending"?
In a sense, I can relate to Dr. Norman Geisler's position of being a "moderate Calvinist" as he wrote in his book "Chosen But Free" (1999) - meaning that he walks in the middle of the road between those two diverse theologies. But, in reality, I have a problem with any theology that is based upon the teachings of any man and given the name of that man, i.e., Calvinism, Arminianism, etc. I prefer to follow a Christian Theology, based upon His name only, i.e., CHRISTian.
So, I will often just define myself as standing somewhere in the middle between the theology created by John Calvin (1509-1564) at one end of the salvation spectrum - and the theology of Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) at the opposite end of the salvation spectrum. To be true to Scripture, I have to deny some doctrines in both of those camps.
A view of this Calvinism vs Arminianism debate is found in the Calvinist leaning web site GotQuestions: http://www.gotquestions.org/Calvinism-vs-Arminianism.html
Keep in mind that if you accept the Calvinist doctrine of Predestination, you are also accepting that God has chosen before the Creation - to condemn billions of people, including babies, to eternal hell, misery, and suffering with no possibility of salvation.
And, if you chose to follow the teaching of Arminianism, that believers can lose their salvation - then you are refusing to accept the promise of Jesus Christ in John 10:28-29, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."
So, where do you stand: in the "Calvinist Predestination For All" corner - or - in the "Arminian Lose Your Salvation" corner. OR, do you stand in the Biblical Christian center which tells us, in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world (you, me, all people) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (you, me, all people who) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
If you choose the Calvinist corner, you also must ask yourself, "Am I really sure that God chose ME before the Creation to be among the Elect? How can I to know, for sure?" If you say, "Because I want to follow Christ - and I could not want that unless the Holy Spirit put that faith in me" - how do you know that this is not just a reaction to someone sharing the Gospel with you - and you believed what that person told you? Or maybe someone shared a Scripture verse with you and it resonated with your desire for peace and happiness? Is it really the Holy Spirit - or was it something you heard and feel that you need? How can you be sure?
And, if you choose to stand in the Arminian corner, you must ask yourself, "Why does Jesus, over and over in the Bible, promise the believer eternal life - if He is not going to keep the believer secure in that promise?" Would Jesus Christ mislead you? Would He promise you eternal, never ending life - and then take it away?
Our Calvinist brethren tell us that the doctrines of Elect (selected for eternal life in Christ) and Reprobate (selected for eternal hell) in their teaching of Predestination are true because God is a sovereign God. Yes, God is a sovereign God - but in His sovereignty God cannot go against His own nature. In other words, God is perfect and His attributes of love and justice are perfect. Therefore, that is His nature and He cannot go against His own nature.
To create billions of people, including small children, and declare them to be Reprobate, i.e., automatically condemned to eternal hell before the creation - would not be pure justice, nor would it be pure love. Therefore, God cannot do it. His sovereign nature demands pure love and pure justice - and that is why He has provided only feasible escape clause - the perfect Lamb to make atonement for the sins of all people. His perfect love and perfect justice provides a way for all people to come to eternal salvation. But, each person must make a personal decision to receive or reject His sin pardon.
Praise God, I KNOW, with no doubt, that I have eternal life in Christ, i.e., eternal security. And, I KNOW, with no doubt, that all believers, regardless of the fact that some follow an erroneous theology - are saved and will have eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ and all other believers. This I know: ALL my brothers and sisters in Christ, even those I do not know in this life, regardless of the Christian theology they follow in this life - I will see in heaven!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
After our class a Friend asked me to share my blogs on this subject with him. Going back and reviewing my earlier blog led to me updating it. And, that is what this current blog/eNewsletter is all about.
Subject: CALVINISM, ARMINIANISM, AND SALVATION!
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2016 From: Bill Gray
Long before you and I were alive, folks have been debating Calvinism vs Arminianism, most often in friendly debates; but, at times, in rather heated confrontations. Over the years that I have been writing, I have had many of the more pleasant discussions - but, I have had some of the less pleasant dialogues, and with folks who would otherwise call me brother.
Along the way I have had the terms "Calvinist" and "Fundamentalist" - and a few other names I will not mention in polite society, thrown at me from Liberal and Legalistic theology followers. I will accept the Fundamentalist label, although I prefer the more accurate label: Conservative Christian. That said, no one could ever honestly accuse me of being a Calvinist.
Also, I should not forget my non-believing Friends, those who often hold the belief that calling me a Fundamentalist is worse than calling me Satan. Although I have also been called Satan a few times by those same folks. We will discuss Fundamentalism in another writing; for now we will take a closer look at Calvinism vs Arminianism.
I have many Christian Friends who know nothing about either of these diametrically opposed theologies, preferring to just concentrate on loving and following Christ in their own fellowships and leaving all other discussions alone. That is not a bad thing. But, It is much like folks who grow up in a protected environment, not realizing or noticing many of the things happening around them in our secular society. Many of those folks will also accept the secular falsehood of "separation of church and state" - declaring, "Let the politicians do their thing and I will do my Christian thing." Oh, if it were only that simple.
"So, Bill, why is it so important to recognize and understand the difference between Calvinism, Arminianism, and those other theologies which teach neither?"
Good question. Let's see if we can answer it. A person would have to be blind to not recognize that we live in a fallen world, a world where evil abounds and where a person must be constantly aware, lest someone steal his property, defame him, cheat him, harm him and his family, even to the point of killing them, etc. Where does one find peace and security in such a world? Some find it to some degree in accumulating wealth, often paying armed guards to protect them and their families. Some find security in knowing that with their accumulated wealth, they can buy themselves out of problems and harm. But, is that really security?
Jesus Christ offers us "eternal security" - promising that once we have, by grace through faith, chosen to follow Him as Lord and Savior - NO ONE can snatch us out of His hands nor out of the Father's hands (John 10:28-29). In other words, once we have received His promised eternal life, i.e., salvation - we cannot lose it. He will not break His promise to us. And, keep in mind that "eternal" means "never ending." Our eternal security in Christ will never end! Period!
That is real security, eternal security, not just protection from tribulations of this world. We have His promise to keep us secure eternally, not just for the few years we have in this mortal body. That "eternal security" we claim the instant we believe and receive Him, for at that moment we are indwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), never to have that seal broken nor to have the Holy Spirit evicted (Ephesians 4:30). That is real Eternal Security, which no amount of accumulated wealth can buy; but which God freely gives to us the very moment we are adopted into His family (Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 4:5-6, Ephesians 1:5).
"But, Bill, doesn't Calvinism and Arminianism offer that same Eternal Security?"
Glad you asked. And, the only answer can be a resounding, "Yes and No!" Confused? No need to be, for ALL Christian believers have His "eternal security" even if the theology they follow teaches otherwise.
Calvinism tells us that before God created the heavens and the earth, before He created any living humans - but, knowing that He was going to create billions upon billions of humans, all created in His own image (Genesis 1:26) ~ God decided that He was only going to allow a small minority of those divinely created humans into His heaven (the Elect).
And, according to the Calvinist theology, He decided, before the Creation, that the vast majority of those divinely created human souls He would condemn to eternal hell, misery, and suffering (the Reprobate) - without them having any opportunity to choose to enter His heaven. Wow, what a God!
Now, ask yourself, "Why would God create billions of people - in His image - just for the purpose of condemning them to eternal suffering and sorrow in hell?"
We know that God created man for His pleasure and to glorify Him. Does anyone really believe that the eternal, almighty, perfect God - would create billions of humans "in His image" - just for the purpose of condemning them to suffer eternally in hell? Can that really give pleasure to God; can that really glorify God? No.
Leading Reformed Calvinist theologian, John Piper, tells us on his "DesiringGod" web site:
The Bible Is Clear: When the first chapter of the Bible says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27), what is the point? The point of an image is to image. Images are erected to display (or reflect) the original. Point to the original. Glorify the original.
God made humans in his image so that the world would be filled with reflectors of God. Images of God. Seven billion statues of God. So that nobody would miss the point of creation. Nobody, unless they were stone blind, could miss the point of humanity, namely, God. Knowing, loving, showing God.
("Why Did God Create the World?" by John Piper - http://www.desiringgod.org/messages/why-did-god-create-the-world)
Bill Gray note: All italics, underline, and parenthetical comments in the quote above are mine.
So, based upon Piper's logic that God created man to be a reflection of Himself - why would He choose to condemn billions of those self-images to eternal hell with no chance of redemption? Does that really sound like the God you worship, the God of the Bible?
And, there are Calvinist writings which tell us that God also applies that Elect or Reprobate classification to all babies - aborted babies, pre-born babies who die, infants who die after birth, young children who die before reaching the age of understanding, i.e., all young children. According to those writings, if that child: aborted, pre-born, infant, or young child - is conceived by an Elect couple - that child automatically has Eternal Security assured, that child will be in heaven.
On the other hand, if that child: aborted, pre-born, infant, or young child - is conceived by a Reprobate couple - that child automatically is condemned to eternal hell, misery, and suffering. Is that the God you worship and serve?
Most of us know that Calvinism and TULIP go hand in hand. But, many churches and pastors have realized that a large number of folks view their TULIP doctrines as being very harsh. Maybe it was okay in John Calvin's day. But, not so much today. So, how do they get around this stumbling block? Simple, they just create a euphemism to replace TULIP which is more acceptable sounding to the masses. They came up with "Doctrines of Grace." Now, that sounds like a phrase which all Christian believers will embrace - for after all, we are all saved "by grace through faith."
So today, a church or a pastor may tell you, "No, we do not teach TULIP, we teach Doctrines of Grace." In my own personal experience, I have met pastors who will just avoid answering the question, "Are you Calvinist?" - and I have had pastors who have deferred to "Doctrines of Grace" when I asked if they were Calvinist. Regardless of which they use: TULIP or Doctrines of Grace - they are the same, no difference.
The phrase “doctrines of grace” is used as a replacement for the term “Calvinism,” in order to remove the attention from John Calvin and instead focus on how the specific points are biblically and theologically sound. The phrase “doctrines of grace” describes the soteriological doctrines that are unique to Reformed theology, which is Calvinistic. These doctrines are summarized with the acronym TULIP. ("What are the doctrines of grace?" - https://gotquestions.org/doctrines-of-grace.html)
Even though I believe that the web site GotQuestions leans toward Calvinism, I often visit that site for I think they offer good Biblical answers in most cases. I view such web sites as a resource, much like I do hard copy commentaries - as a means to start my thinking process when studying or writing about a particular Scripture passage. The only real authority on any Scripture verse or passage - is the Bible.
But, often when I want to jump start my thoughts, I will look at several commentaries or web sites, such as GotQuestions and CARM (both Calvinist), just to see what they have to say. Then I will take those thoughts and go back and take another look at the Scripture passage to see if any of those thought fit with what the Bible tells me. In the end, I always look to Scripture, with prayer, to understand that Scripture passage. But, why should we ignore the years of learning and scholarly theological studies of those who have gone before us? Use their knowledge - on such web sites and in commentaries with discretion and with prayer - to springboard or jump start your understanding of a portion of God's Written Word.
To conclude this portion on Calvinism, there is one question which no Calvinist, lay person or pastor, has ever been able to answer for me: "If, before the Creation, God truly did select only certain people, the Elect, to be saved - how can YOU be certain that you were chosen among the Elect?" I have never had anyone give me an answer.
Arminians believe that God offers salvation and eternal life to all who will believe and receive His Son as Lord and Savior. That is good. However, the Arminians then tell us that, even though we have believed and received Christ - we can still lose that salvation. They obviously ignore what Jesus teaches in John 10:28-29, that no one (and that "no one" includes the believer) can snatch the believer out of His hands nor out of the Father's hands.
Yes, according to the Arminians, all Christian believers must go through life looking over their shoulders - lest they commit that one small sin, often a sin unknown to them, which will rob them of their salvation, rob them of the Eternal Security which Christ has promised to all believers. Where is Eternal Security to be found in life if we must constantly be looking over our shoulders lest we be robbed of our salvation? And, why do Arminians change "eternal" to no longer mean "never ending"?
In a sense, I can relate to Dr. Norman Geisler's position of being a "moderate Calvinist" as he wrote in his book "Chosen But Free" (1999) - meaning that he walks in the middle of the road between those two diverse theologies. But, in reality, I have a problem with any theology that is based upon the teachings of any man and given the name of that man, i.e., Calvinism, Arminianism, etc. I prefer to follow a Christian Theology, based upon His name only, i.e., CHRISTian.
So, I will often just define myself as standing somewhere in the middle between the theology created by John Calvin (1509-1564) at one end of the salvation spectrum - and the theology of Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) at the opposite end of the salvation spectrum. To be true to Scripture, I have to deny some doctrines in both of those camps.
A view of this Calvinism vs Arminianism debate is found in the Calvinist leaning web site GotQuestions: http://www.gotquestions.org/Calvinism-vs-Arminianism.html
Question: "Calvinism vs. Arminianism - which view is correct?"
Answer: Calvinism and Arminianism are two systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility in the matter of salvation. Calvinism is named for John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.
Both systems can be summarized with five points.
T - Calvinism holds to the total depravity of man - while Arminianism holds to partial depravity. (see Isaiah 64:6, John 1:12, John 16:8, Romans 5:21, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Calvinism’s doctrine of Total Depravity states that every aspect of humanity is corrupted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord.
Arminianism's doctrine of Partial depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that human beings are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.
U - Calvinism includes the belief that election is unconditional - while Arminianism believes in conditional election. (see 1 Peter 1:1-2, Romans 8:28-30)
Unconditional election is the view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual.
Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.
L - Calvinism sees the atonement as limited - while Arminianism sees it as unlimited. This is the most controversial of the five points. (see John 3:16)
Limited atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect.
Unlimited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
I - Calvinism includes the belief that God’s grace is irresistible - while Arminianism says that an individual can resist the grace of God. (Free Will, 2 Peter 3:9)
Irresistible grace argues that when God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation.
Resistible grace states that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
P - Calvinism holds to perseverance of the saints - while Arminianism holds to conditional salvation. (see John 10:28-29)
Perseverance of the saints refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him.
Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation.
So, in the Calvinism vs Arminianism debate, who is correct? It is interesting to note that in the diversity of the body of Christ, there are all sorts of mixtures of Calvinism and Arminianism. There are five-point Calvinists and five-point Arminians, and at the same time three-point Calvinists and two-point Arminians. Many believers arrive at some sort of mixture of the two views. Ultimately, it is our view that both systems fail in that they attempt to explain the unexplainable.
Human beings are incapable of fully grasping a concept such as this. Yes, God is absolutely sovereign and knows all. Yes, human beings are called to make a genuine decision to place faith in Christ unto salvation. These two facts seem contradictory to us, but in the mind of God they make perfect sense.
Bill Gray Note: The underline, bold, and cap TULIP letters were added by me.
Keep in mind that if you accept the Calvinist doctrine of Predestination, you are also accepting that God has chosen before the Creation - to condemn billions of people, including babies, to eternal hell, misery, and suffering with no possibility of salvation.
And, if you chose to follow the teaching of Arminianism, that believers can lose their salvation - then you are refusing to accept the promise of Jesus Christ in John 10:28-29, "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand."
So, where do you stand: in the "Calvinist Predestination For All" corner - or - in the "Arminian Lose Your Salvation" corner. OR, do you stand in the Biblical Christian center which tells us, in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world (you, me, all people) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever (you, me, all people who) believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
If you choose the Calvinist corner, you also must ask yourself, "Am I really sure that God chose ME before the Creation to be among the Elect? How can I to know, for sure?" If you say, "Because I want to follow Christ - and I could not want that unless the Holy Spirit put that faith in me" - how do you know that this is not just a reaction to someone sharing the Gospel with you - and you believed what that person told you? Or maybe someone shared a Scripture verse with you and it resonated with your desire for peace and happiness? Is it really the Holy Spirit - or was it something you heard and feel that you need? How can you be sure?
And, if you choose to stand in the Arminian corner, you must ask yourself, "Why does Jesus, over and over in the Bible, promise the believer eternal life - if He is not going to keep the believer secure in that promise?" Would Jesus Christ mislead you? Would He promise you eternal, never ending life - and then take it away?
Our Calvinist brethren tell us that the doctrines of Elect (selected for eternal life in Christ) and Reprobate (selected for eternal hell) in their teaching of Predestination are true because God is a sovereign God. Yes, God is a sovereign God - but in His sovereignty God cannot go against His own nature. In other words, God is perfect and His attributes of love and justice are perfect. Therefore, that is His nature and He cannot go against His own nature.
To create billions of people, including small children, and declare them to be Reprobate, i.e., automatically condemned to eternal hell before the creation - would not be pure justice, nor would it be pure love. Therefore, God cannot do it. His sovereign nature demands pure love and pure justice - and that is why He has provided only feasible escape clause - the perfect Lamb to make atonement for the sins of all people. His perfect love and perfect justice provides a way for all people to come to eternal salvation. But, each person must make a personal decision to receive or reject His sin pardon.
2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
Praise God, I KNOW, with no doubt, that I have eternal life in Christ, i.e., eternal security. And, I KNOW, with no doubt, that all believers, regardless of the fact that some follow an erroneous theology - are saved and will have eternal fellowship with Jesus Christ and all other believers. This I know: ALL my brothers and sisters in Christ, even those I do not know in this life, regardless of the Christian theology they follow in this life - I will see in heaven!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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