These are the lyrics to a wonderful chapel service I participated in this morning lead by John Bell of Iona Community.
Firstborn of Mary, provocative preacher,
itinerant teacher, outsider's choice;
Jesus inspires and disarms and confuses
whoever he choses to hear his voice.
Firstborn of Mary
1998, Iona Community
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Predestination Conversation (continued)
I haven't been as speedy on addressing these issues as I'd like, and to be honest I'd like to move on to other topics, so here's a "reader's digest" version of the differences between classical Arminians and Calvinists concerning predestination...
T - both theological camps agree that humanity is unable to save themselves.
U - Calvinists generally believe that God, by eternal decree, determined before the creation of the world those who would be saved unto eternal salvation and those who would be reprobate to eternal damnation. On the flip side of that coin, Arminians generally believe that decree of the good pleasure of God in Christ, by which he resolved within himself from all eternity, to justify, adopt and endow with everlasting life,….believers on whom he had decreed to bestow faith." This leads Arminians to believe that Jesus died for all humanity (in contrast to Calvinists) though not everyone will accept his gift of eternal salvation.
L - Arminians hold that the atonement of Christ's sacrifice on the cross is universal. The Calvinist view posits that Christ's atonement is limited to those predestined for eternal salvation. I may be oversimplifying a bit, but this is jist of this particular point. Arminians believe that the elect are those who God forsees will accept his offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I - Calvinists believe that God's grace is irresistible. Arminians on the other hand believe it is resistible, as Scripture warns.
Okay, it's getting late and I haven't even scratched the surface of this great theological debate. But I must return to my studies for a while. Until next time...peace.
T - both theological camps agree that humanity is unable to save themselves.
U - Calvinists generally believe that God, by eternal decree, determined before the creation of the world those who would be saved unto eternal salvation and those who would be reprobate to eternal damnation. On the flip side of that coin, Arminians generally believe that decree of the good pleasure of God in Christ, by which he resolved within himself from all eternity, to justify, adopt and endow with everlasting life,….believers on whom he had decreed to bestow faith." This leads Arminians to believe that Jesus died for all humanity (in contrast to Calvinists) though not everyone will accept his gift of eternal salvation.
L - Arminians hold that the atonement of Christ's sacrifice on the cross is universal. The Calvinist view posits that Christ's atonement is limited to those predestined for eternal salvation. I may be oversimplifying a bit, but this is jist of this particular point. Arminians believe that the elect are those who God forsees will accept his offer of salvation through Jesus Christ.
I - Calvinists believe that God's grace is irresistible. Arminians on the other hand believe it is resistible, as Scripture warns.
Okay, it's getting late and I haven't even scratched the surface of this great theological debate. But I must return to my studies for a while. Until next time...peace.
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