Myths of Non-Cals
I decided to start this thread in response to the “Myths of Calvinists” thread. Firstly, as with every “camp” of beliefs, there will be variances from what I post here. But, there are some things that are thrown around that non-Cals supposedly believe, but is not necessarily true. So, here goes:
1 – Non-Cals believe you must work with God to be saved (synergism).
Non-Cals believe that God did all the work. The only requirement for us is to allow Him to do what He will. We do nothing. There is absolutely nothing we can do in and of ourselves to be saved. God has already completed the work, and is simply waiting on us to open the door. Which, brings up the next point:
2 – Non-Cals place God’s will subservient to man’s. -or- Non-Cals reject the sovereignty of God.
Neither one of these is true. God is sovereign. God is in complete control. If God wanted, He could take anyone and everyone to Heaven, crush Satan right now, and be done with it. But we believe that God has allowed man to decide his own eternal destination by giving man a free will, and not deciding for him. God’s sovereignty is in no way challenged by this belief. He is in complete control. He has just decided to give us the choice, rather than make it for us.
3 – Non-Cals believe man can just decide to get saved.
This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Man cannot decide to be saved on his own timetable. There must be the drawing of the Holy Spirit. When man feels that conviction, that drawing, it is then he must make his choice. If he waits, and rejects the drawing, then he might not have another chance. God may turn him over to a reprobate mind, which simply means that God will never draw that person to Himself again. This bears a striking resemblance to Total Inability, and is, in truth very similar. Man is totally unable to come to God unless drawn. The difference here is that we believe that the drawing is resistible, and that anyone can be drawn.
4 – Non-Cal beliefs damn some people to Hell.
It’s been said that under the non-Cal system, remote islanders and such are damned to Hell because they’ve never heard the Gospel. The prominent belief is that God knows who would reject Him and who would receive Him if given the chance, and He makes sure that those who would receive Him has a chance. If an islander would receive Him, someone will at some time show them the gospel. This is kind of like the point in the Calvinist thread, about God working with man’s will. God will make sure that there is someone who will go. If one is unwilling, that one will lose out on the blessings God had for him, and another will take his place.
5 – Non-Cals have no assurance of Salvation.
At the very lowest common denominator, we have the same assurance that Calvinists have. Whereas Calvinists believe they are saved because they are chosen, it still all boils down to an event in their life. Non-Cals have that same even to point to. The phrase “I put my trust in Jesus Christ…” is used commonly. But that sort of goes back to the first point. But there was one time where you know you were saved. We have that to look to for assurance.
6 – Non-Cals believe you can lose your salvation.
This is one of those divided issues. Every non-Cal that I know personally has been a “Once Saved Always Saved” person. I know of people who believe otherwise, but do not personally know anyone who believes you can lose your salvation. This is close to, but not identical to, “Perseverance of the Saints”. The difference being that we believe you can backslide into sin. However, if one is “backslidden” and is not enduring some form of chastening, then they might not have ever been saved to begin with.
Hopefully this list will illuminate the non-Cal position a little more. As I said in the other post, nothing gets accomplished in the Cal/Arm debate in part because people are arguing against an extreme, not the position actually held by the person that they are debating. It’s a form of strawman born of ignorance, either truly or willfully.
6 Myths of the Non-Cal Position
Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by Sapper Woody, Feb 6, 2015.
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Brother, although I disagree with your beliefs in regards to soteriology, I do truly appreciate the manner in which you graciously conduct yourself on here. You, as well as Brothers Tony and Quant, wear the grace of God very well, it appears. Thank you Brother Sapper Woody for serving our great country :thumbsup: I will be as gracious towards you as you have me....
If we have to 'allow' Him to do what He wills, and it is up to us to open the door, then how is it 'all of God'? God doesn't set back and wait for us to come to Him, but nay, He seeks us out one at a time. He is the Hunter. The problem stems from people having a faulty view of regeneration. Regeneration ain't conversion, or vice versa. I've heard it pretty much all my life..."you need to repent and be born again", but that's backwards. You need to be born again so that you can repent. Faith, repentance, regeneration, conversion, sanctification(the initial act of sanctification), and glorification are all solely the works, the gifts of God. Not all w/o exception will be given these gifts, either.
Men make choices all the time, yet, their choices are in accord with their nature. A cow can not choose to eat meat, because it's not in their nature to do so. A lion will never eat hay or grass, because it's not in their nature to do so. A peach tree can never grow apples, because it's not in it's nature to do so. The unregenerate will never move favourably towards God, because it's not in their fallen nature to do so. This is why it is of the upmost importance to understand how, where, and why regeneration takes place in the conversion of the lost.
Salvation is not by chance, but rather by, divine decree. If one goes all the way from birth to the grave and was never saved, they were not one of His chosen. It was by chance that they died lost. It was the fact that God's word had no place in them, they were not the ones who Christ prayed for in John 17, nor the ones Jesus died for in John 10, Romans 5:8, Ephesians 5:25, &c. I agree that no one can come to Him unless drawn, but once He sets His sights upon you, then He will effectually draw you to Himself.
There had been many who died and never knew about Jesus, neither heard of His glorious name. Yet, they will stand before Him condemned. Jesus said that 'all the Father gave Him, He lost none save one, the son of perdition, so that the scriptures might be fulfilled'. If someone died lost, if all w/o exception were given to Him, then that saying is not true. Christ died for His sheep, and not one of His sheep will die outside of the sheepfold.
I, too, believe in eternal security. Not one of His will taste eternal death.
I pray that you take no offense to my response. I hope it doesn't come off as 'snarky'. -
That's nothing more than pure gnosticsm. -
You have just spit in the face of every missionary that ever hazzarded their life to further the gospel of Jesus Christ and some even died doing so. This gnosticism you've promoted here needs to go. God saves by the gospel, and no, not Calvinism/TULIP, so don't even go there.
You can not find one verse to support this, and since the canon of scriptures is closed now, God works via the gospel of Jesus Christ. God speaks to us now via His written word.
Mormons state the same thing when Joseph Smith was visited by the 'angel' Moroni. I guess if you believe that which you've posted then you're a Mormon...
--for I am not ashamed of the good news of the Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one who is believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.(Rom. 1:16 YLT)
--for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.(1 Cor. 1:21 YLT)
--in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth -- the good news of your salvation -- in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise,(Eph. 1:13)
--and by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace that [is] towards me came not in vain, but more abundantly than they all did I labour, yet not I, but the grace of God that [is] with me; whether, then, I or they, so we preach, and so ye did believe.(1 Cor. 15:10,11 YLT)
No preaching of the gospel means no saving of the soul. -
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
You really need to kep up with Christian world news. Do some research. Do not blasphemy the works of the Holy Spirit around the world. God is Sovereign, He does not need to work within the confines of man's theology. -
God saves via means and the means is the gospel. You'll go to any length to support yourself, even beyond the bounds of God's word.... -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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The Mormon prophet was given the book of Mormon which was conviently written in the stlye of the KJV..... -
What he is purporting is not in line with the bible.... -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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That is not within the confines of orthodoxy.... -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Since what he said contradicts that you felt it was necessary to attack him. -
God can save all, some, or none. There's not one person He can't save, but there's many, that in reality, He won't save. If He sent an angel or Himself, then why send preachers and/or missionaries? God works through means, and those means are met via the preaching of the gospel.
Joseph Smith has fooled millions by an 'angel' of the Lord.... -
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Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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You're the most disagreeable person on here, so don't go pointing that crooked index finger at me.... -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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