Bible Discussion Thread

1)Calvinism Theory,it is Biblical?

2)Anti Calvinism what is their depends?

Hi Marion My parents when I was younger took me to a methodists church of course being young and really not caring I

didn't learn much, then when I became interested the first question I ask the pastor was where did methodism

come from he said John Wesley ha d a method of teaching the bible in England. My point being when it comes to Gods

Word my position got to the point of what is Christianity not all the man made theological pillars of thought. The reason I

say this is men of equal intelligence and beliefs will have entirely different ideas on scripture, I just wanted to know what

works or doesn't then Let Go and Ler God.

Hi Marlon. Your questions, though very short in length, would require a very lengthy response as it would require an examination of both John Calvin's beliefs & teachings and Jacobus Arminius' response to the other's beliefs. Is it biblical, you ask? Depends who you ask, as folk in both camps, will vehemently support one or the other's views. Anti-Calvinism? I think you're referring to Arminianism. VERY BRIEFLY, the oft-used acronym of T U L I P is called upon to highlight the major areas of concern between the two teachings.

1. T = Total Depravity. Calvin: man is totally depraved, dead in sin - He can't save himself or call upon God to save; God must initiate salvation. Arminius: man is totally depraved & in sin but the Holy Spirit helps the sinner to call upon God.

2. U = Unconditional Election. Calvin: God has chosen (elected) without any condition, certain people to be His - man has no choice in the matter. Arminius: Election based on God's Foreknowledge of those who would believe on Him through faith.

3. L = Limited Atonement. Calvin: Christ's Sacrifice only applied to those God has elected - that He did not die for everyone. Arminius: Christ's Death applied to all mankind & the atonement effective only to those who believe.

4. I = Irresistable Grace. Calvin: God's Grace cannot be resisted or obstructed. If His Grace goes out to man, man must respond. Arminius: Man's free Will is able to resist God's Grace or cooperate with the leading of God's Spirit.

5. P - Perseverance of the Saints. Calvin: Believers will persevere in their faith since God will not lose any who belong to Him & they will never deny Him. Arminius: By exercising free Will, man can choose to turn away & lose his salvation. However, some 'Arminians' do embrace "eternal security", where a believer, once secure, cannot lose that security in & through Christ.

Marlon, you may find that many Christians won't fit completely in one or any particular camp - depends on their Church teaching.

Hi, I'd like to recommend that you google information on Calvinism, Arminianism, and other similar Christian theories,. That way you will have a context in which to understand the main ideas and evaluate the variety of responses, some even conflicting, you will receive on tis site. Also, do you have a pastor that you could ask for help on this? I wish you the best on this quest. It has been debated for about 500 years.