Calvinism vs Free Will/Arminism, should they be in different denominations?

I don't think a division would be all that bad. Soteriology (how one is saved) is an important issue. After all... it comes down to this question: Who is it that is ultimately sovereign in the salvation of man? God or man?

 

Jesus loves me yes I know for the Bible tells me so. Amen

BBob

 

That is why I've gone from Church of Christ...until I was 18...to Evangelical...until I was 35...and now Baptist for the past 5 years. I consider myself "baptist".

 

Rhetorician

Is absolutely and 10000000% right.

Every good thing including the reasons behind our acceptance of Christ is for selfish reasons. Meaning its not all out of love but more outta I get to go to Heaven.

Romans 3:9-11 (KJV)

9What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

 

I agree with all of the above. I took off the last statement since I feel that is opinion and I want to go on what is God's word as I've learned it. I'm not sure what that makes ...other than a Christian.
Lisa

[ May 03, 2006, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: lgpruitt ]

 

I think this is a big problem, but it is secondary to the real problem.

I think this is a great description of the consequences of total depravity. It not only ruins us spiritually, it warps our brains and reason.

Again, 100% true. Excellent post, overall.

 

Rhetorician.... AMEN! And what ends up happening is man creats a God out of his own image! The way he thinks God should be.

 

I know this isn't a problem specific to the USA, but I can't help but think that one of the problems is that people adopt the notion that it is self-evident that God created all men equal, and extend that to mean that God must treat all men equally or else He is not a just God.

I believe that we, as men, must approach situations under the assumption that all are favored by God, but that's because we're not God. We didn't create people for our own purpose, pleasure and glory. We don't know what God has in mind for one person or another.

But God DOES know, He did create us, and He has the right to treat one differently than another.

 

I attend a Free Will Baptist Church. However I am still a Baptist. Not all Free Will believers are Methodist or Church of Christ or some other denomination. Other than the eternal security issue, Free Will Baptist and Baptist are pretty much the same.

 

Rhetorician said "Sin is not something we do, it is SOMETHING WE ARE IN OUR VERY NATURES."

This truth identifies what is missing in arminian theology - the extent of depravity.

An arminian would say that while man can not attain unto righteousness because he commits sin, he nevertheless can BELIEVE unto righteousness. If he understood that man's NATURE is bound by sin, he would realize that sinful man can neither work nor believe unto righteousness.

It's only throught a CHANGE of nature, the new birth, which is wrought by God, that man is inabled to believe.

 

BTW IMO there should be separate denominations. The SBC has been mixed A/C for so long I don't think the Founders organization will ever get it back to its roots.

I'm independent so I don't have a lot invested either way. Now what to do about the IFBs, well that's a head-scratcher.

 

On one hand those churches that are part of the Founders Movement should pull up stakes and form a new Baptist association. On the other hand they are making progress in the SBC, albeit slowly. If I was forced to pick I would be in favor of pulling out.

 

Rhetorician: I hate to post on this topic because most peoples replys always get misunderstood by someone and it starts a war on here. But since you asked me a question I will reply. No I don't believe that one can get saved whenever they want to. As you know the Bible says in Matthew that the Spirit has to draw us. I do believe that the Lord can bring conviction upon people and they don't respond to it, they fight it off if you will. I belive this is scary because God will not alway convict. I do belive God's grace and mercy go along, long way, but I do belive one can return to the state they were in before coming to Christ. Please don't bash me in the ground for my answer. I feel as Christians we can agree to disagree on a lot of things. I have many Christian friends who belive OSAS and I love and respect them. I love all Christians and don't get caught up in the denomination thing as much as some do. I hope this answers your question but if you don't understand my stance or need more info, simply ask and I will give it. Thanks.

Nicholas
25 years old

 

Isn't it amazing that only Christians know this for sure!

 

Yea, but what makes a Christian is the question of the day, and yesterday and day before etc.