Last Wednesday, we started a series we are calling the Doctrines of Grace, looking at highly controversial subject matter like salvation, grace, God's sovereignty, election and predestination. Conventional biblical scholarship would have you believe that there is only Calvinism or Arminianism, and all Christians are either one or the other. But is this true?
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." Ephesians 1:10-12 (KJB)
On this episode of Rightly Dividing, we will show you the basic tenants of both Calvinism, a system of theological interpretation devised by John Calvin, and Arminianism, an opposing system credited to Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius, both men lived during the 16th century. We will compare each of these systems to Holy Scripture, and let the chips fall where they may. We will also look at the character and nature of each man, as understanding the heart condition of a preacher oftentimes will allow you to see how and why the arrived at the conclusions they did. Just remember this. Once you go past the end of the book of Revelation, you have left the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit and arrived in the opinions of mere men. Neither Calvin or Arminius wrote anything directly given them by the Holy Spirit, and as such, either man is capable of being right or wrong in any given instance. |
