Apparently, and for the 2nd time, a comment I’ve made in response to a blog post hasn’t been accepted. Sorry, I don’t mean to offend. And, I guess I can take a hint. Again, given that my response wasn’t accepted, I thought it permissible to share my $0.02 and ask my questions here. It is, after all, my blog. ☺
Overall theme from what was initially blogged:
Arminianism allows that Christ died for all men. Given that some are in hell for whom Christ died, there must be a deficiency within Arminian doctrine as to the certainty and assurance of the Arminian’s salvation because of a mutable God being outwitted by Satan.
My response:
Wow! Could it be possible that there are honest Scriptural differences, interpretations or even misunderstandings that Arminians have related to the nature and character of God and the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election?
Simply put, whether Calvinist, Arminian, Open Theist, Catholic, a retired Presbyterian minister or whatever – if one by faith accepts Christ’s sacrifice for their sins and proclaims Him as Savior, is that person saved?
Bluntly put, can one reject the Reformed doctrine of unconditional election and still be saved?
I’ve got a good sense what this particular Calvinist would say. But I’m curious as to other Calvinist’s opinions: is my salvation predicated on an acceptance of the Reformed doctrine of unconditional election?
5 Responses
I address this in my FAQ (http://thelightheartedcalvinist.com/faq/). One is justified by faith alone (e.g., Rom. 5:1), not by the correct view on traducianism/creationism, the five points of the Remonstrants, etc. Jesus said, “Repent and believe the gospel.” Jesus in His work and His Person is the gospel.
Thanks, Jeff – elegantly stated, “Jesus in His work and His Person is the gospel” and not the “correct view”.
I would not say an Arminian is a heretic. I would say I diagsree with him and that he is not believing some very specific things clearly taught in scripture. But on the basics of the gospel we would be agreed. Tozer wrote some very good books, including the one from which I took the quote about the ocean liner.
Wow! Could it be possible that there are honest Scriptural differences, interpretations or even misunderstandings that Arminians have related to the nature and character of God and the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election?
I like your statement. It’s an honest question that I struggle with sometimes. Having come from an Arminian belief to more of a Calvinist position, I still struggle and like a God who is sovereign and all-knowing of past to future.
Thanks, Kevin. And to think that I thought I’d be able to come to some conclusions re the A’s and the C’s when I started this blog some time ago. I haven’t – and it’s somewhat frustrating. I’m clearly more comfortable on the Arminian side of the argument but the comments of Calvinists such as Jeff (above), Charles, Scott, Mike and others are often logical and persuasive. Nevertheless, I find the concept of unconditional election – that God would “choose” some and “not choose” others simply dumbfounding. I can’t imagine me choosing some of my own kids for blessings and intentionally not choosing the others for damnation. But that’s where I’m at.