What is the Difference Between Calvinism and Arminianism?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CALVINISM AND ARMINIANISM? 

A Critical Reflection By Ezekiel Kimosop 

INTRODUCTION

Calvinism is a term used to describe doctrines held by the Reformed Calvinistic tradition that is associated with Protestant Reformation theologians Martin Luther [1483-1546] and John Calvin [1509-1564].

Both theologians were influenced by the philosophical writings of Augustine of Hippo, a Classical theologian and philosopher [354-430AD].

Arminianism describes the doctrines advanced by Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius [1560-1609] and his followers who questioned and rejected some of the doctrines advanced by Calvinism.

Arminians were part of the Calvinistic Reformed group but later split up following the Remonstration or protest in the Synod of Dort [1618-1619] against certain doctrines taught in the Reformed tradition that they considered inconsistent with the teaching of Scripture. 

For the purpose of this reflection, we shall highlight some areas of distinction or disagreement that Arminianism holds against Calvinism. This reflection is merely a general overview. It is not a scholarly treatment of the dichotomy of Calvinism versus Arminianism. We shall begin with a critical examination of Calvinism doctrines in the context of Arminianism theology and draw a closing conclusion.

ARMINIANISM DOCTRINE

The basis of the Remonstration is best exemplified by the summary proposed by Keith D Stanglin and Thomas H McCall as hereunder: 

1) Salvation (and condemnation on the day of judgment) was conditioned by the graciously enabled faith (or unbelief) of man;

2) The Atonement is qualitatively adequate for all men, "yet that no one actually enjoys [experiences] this forgiveness of sins, except the believer ..." and thus is limited to only those who trust in Christ;

3) "That man has not saving grace of himself, nor of the energy of his free will", and unaided by the Holy Spirit, no person is able to respond to God's will;

4) The (Christian) Grace "of God is the beginning, continuance, and accomplishment of any good", yet man may resist the Holy Spirit; and

5) Believers are able to resist sin through Grace, and Christ will keep them from falling; but whether they are beyond the possibility of ultimately forsaking God or "becoming devoid of grace ... must be more particularly determined from the Scriptures."

CALVINISM DOCTRINES

Among the controversial doctrines taught by Calvinism is the view that the sinner has no direct responsibility for choosing to accept Christ and that salvation is purely the work of God who had predestined a limited number of men to be saved. They claim that Christ's atonement was specifically limited to this group. This is known as the doctrine of Limited Atonement. 

This doctrine appears to be inconsistent with the teaching of some Scripture texts such as John 3:16-17 that makes no mention of any limitations on God's grace.

Calvinism also teaches that a true believer can never lose their salvation under any circumstances because God had elected them by His divine means from the foundation of the world (cf. John 10:3; Luke 15:1-8; Mark 3:13; 1 Timothy 5:24). 

They argue that those who fall or backslide from the faith and were true followers of Christ [the Elect] will never be lost to perdition but will ultimately return to the faith because God will restore them. 

This part of Calvinism theology appears to be consistent with Scripture. It is supported by a number of Scripture passages including the parable of the prodigal son [cf. John 1:12, 17:12; Ephesians 4:30].

Calvinism subscribes to the five principle doctrines known by the acronym TULIP. We shall briefly outline them below.

A) TOTAL DEPRAVITY 

This doctrine teaches that the sinner is completely lost in sin and is incapable of responding to the gospel without God's irresistible grace or effectual calling. Arminianism dispute this doctrine on the premise that it denies the moral responsibility and capacity of the sinner in conviction and repentance of sin. 

B) UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION 

The doctrine teaches that salvation is by grace alone and in Christ alone and no contribution is required from the sinner, not even his exercise of saving faith in response to the gospel. 

While Calvinism rightly recognizes God's grace in the gospel, it fails to acknowledge the sinner's responsibility in responding to the gospel. Arminianism believes that the sinner has a moral responsibility for accepting or rejecting Christ and that election was conditioned to faith. The Arminianism view appears to find support in Scripture.

C) LIMITED ATONEMENT

The Limited Atonement doctrine states that the atonement available in Christ is limited only to a group of sinners known as the Elect, the chosen few that, according to Calvinism, God had predestined to save from the foundation of the world. 

This doctrine implies that the rest of the sinners who are not part of the Elect will never come to faith. They will be destroyed in hell under God's wrath. This doctrine appears to violate John 3:16-17 and several other passages of Scripture that teach that the atonement is freely available to any sinner who believes in Jesus. Arminianism rejects the Limited Atonement doctrine on the basis that God's grace is potentially unlimited and can cover all sinners if they all believed. 

D) IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

This doctrine provides that those who had been predestined and marked out for salvation will receive God's irresistible grace or effectual calling that causes them to come to faith. 

The doctrine presupposes that the rest of the sinners [also known as reprobates] are denied this special grace and will never come to faith! Again this doctrine violates several passages of Scripture that demonstrate that God's grace is available to all sinners who hear the gospel proclaimed 

Romans 10:11-13 says "For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Arminianism equally rejects the Calvinistic position. They acknowledge that God's grace in the gospel is sufficient for drawing the sinner to conviction.

The above Calvinistic doctrine is premised on the deterministic Augustinian theology that influenced the writings of John Calvin in the compilation of the Calvinistic Reformed doctrines in his voluminous works titled "The Institutes of Religion." 

E) PERSEVERENCE OF SAINTS

This doctrine teaches that those who have been called to faith in Christ will never abandon the faith. Instead, they will be preserved by God's prevenient grace and will perservere in the faith and ultimately complete their spiritual pilgrimage on earth. Some designate this doctrine as OSAS [Once Saved Always Saved]. 

While this doctrine finds the support of some passages of Scripture, Arminianism argues that the a believer can willfully choose to walk out of the faith on his own volition with the attendant consequences. 

ARMINIANISM

Arminianism on the other hand holds that salvation is the result of God's grace on the one hand and man's exercise of free will, on the other. It teaches that God has simply placed at the sinner's disposal clear choices and their consequences. 

Arminianism theology holds that one can lose their salvation if they willingly chose to walk away from the Christian faith and renounced Christ. 

They further hold that eternal life is limited to those who truly believe in Christ and persevere in the faith to the end. They quote the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:13 that says "he who endures to the end shall be saved [cf. Mark 13:13]. 

They say that eternal life is subject to faith and belief and that God's grace is resistable due to the common grace of free will. 

Arminianism theology further provides that a believer can willfully turn apostate and hence divine preservation is conditional to faith. 

Both Calvinism and Arminianism agree on the depravity of the sinner arising from the imputed sin in Adam. They however disagree on the moral impact of the depravity. 

Calvinism insists that the depravity is total in degree and that the sinner is so corrupted by his sin that he cannot hear or make any sense of the gospel unless God's effectual calling is extended to him. They say that regeneration must precede faith. 

Arminianism rejects this doctrine on two grounds. First, they say that no evidence in Scripture supports the above conclusion drawn by Calvinism.

Secondly, they argue that the gospel message is powerful enough to draw the sinner to their conviction of sin. 

One of the Scriptures that appear to support the Arminianism view is Hebrews 4:12 that says "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." 

CONCLUSION

I agree with Arminianism theology on their articulation of the sinner's free will doctrine. I however disagree with their view that a sinner who truly comes to Christ can willfully renounce their faith. There's evidence in Scripture that while God permits the sinner to make a choice for obedience to the gospel, the decision to follow Christ is accompanied by God's preserving grace.

I similarly disagree with the radical attempt by Calvinism at redefining the efficacy of God's saving grace outside the authority of Scripture. 

Calvinism denies that the sinner can exercise his free will choice in responding to God's grace on the basis that the creature's exercise of free will limit or interferes with God's sovereignty and violates Ephesians 2:8-9.

My view is that there is no conclusive evidence in Scripture that God causatively manipulates the sinner's decisions to agree with His! If anything, man's exercise of free will is, in my view, evidence that God's sovereignty stands out unscathed. God divinely permits the sinner to exercise free will. He granted Adam this liberty and there's no evidence in Scripture that this liberty was curtailed [cf. Genesis 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 30:19].

How else is God justified in punishing the sinner if the sinner was not responsible for his decisions in the first place? 

Both doctrines however have some elements of merit in the Scripture within given contexts. They nonetheless require to be delicately examined in the light of Scripture in order to present the full counsel of God on the redemption of man. 

It is important to appreciate that church doctrines and creeds were developed by men as part of their responses to the teaching of Scripture. They do have their residual limitations when weighed on the scale of the revelation of God in Scripture. No church doctrine is perfect. Each has its strengths and flaws. The Bible must always remain the ultimate reference and final arbiter and authority for the believer or Christian community. 

No matter how skilfully these doctrines are articulated, debated, defended or attacked, one truth stands out: the  sovereignty of God through the grace in gospel of Jesus Christ and the free will choice on the part of sinner in responding to God's grace in Christ are inextricably intertwined. Neither can be discounted.

Nothing in Scripture teaches or affirms that God forcibly saves or chooses sinners for salvation against their knowledge or will. Similarly, no sinner is excluded from God's grace by an arbitrary decree. 

Finally, no sinner can come to Christ without the operation of God's grace in the gospel of Jesus Christ that draws him into conviction of sin.

The Bible teaches in 2 Timothy 2:19 that the Lord knows those who are His. Whether one is a Calvinist or Arminian is ultimately irrelevant on God's saving grace. 

God judges people based on the integrity of their hearts and their obedience to Christ and His word [cf. Jeremiah 17:9-10].

Yes, the sinner does have a choice in responding to God's grace (John 3:16-17). It is equally true that God in His divine and infinite wisdom has foreordained that those He has called in Christ through the gospel [and who freely and willingly respond to His saving grace in Christ] shall be conformed to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:28-30). He calls men to Himself through the gospel of Jesus Christ and through no other means.

Salvation is therefore incomplete without the operation of God's grace and the free will choice and decision of the sinner. It is 100% God's grace and 100% sinner's responsibility.

God never controls sinners like robots and neither has He determined that some sinners are excluded from His saving grace. He gives us each sinner an open opportunity for making choices and this is why the punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire will be divinely consistent with God's nature as a just God who punishes the disobedient and rebellious [cf. Genesis 7, 19:1-29; Revelation 20:11-15]. 

Choices have consequences.

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2021