To me, there are four (4) major doctrine of salvations beliefs, Lutherans, Arminianism, Catholicism and Calvinism that Christians often debate. God sovereignly decreed that man should be free to exercise choice that man's will is free because God is sovereign. I don't know from flesh point of view whether the doctrines I follow are 100% true unless I allow the Holy Spirit to convict my heart to follow certain doctrines. We have to remember, in this world, denominational doctrines make denominational members. The New Testament makes just Christians. The biggest thing that denominations do is to give you an idea of where the church that you are looking at stands doctrinally.
People can choose to believe what they want to believe. That's between that person and the Creator when the time comes. I have to remember that God is in control in these matters regarding the "election". God constantly intervenes in our lives through His Providence. This also include the election of salvation. In my position, God will not hold me responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these is to look to God in deepest respect say, "0 Lord, You know all."
From my own perspectives and beliefs, this is how I believe:
1. I agree with Calvinism and Lutheranism: Man after the Fall has no ability to cooperate with God's grace in conversion
2. I agree with Lutheranism that before the world was created, God unconditionally elected some (the elect) for salvation but did not reprobate (chose for damnation) any.
3. I agree with Calvinism and Lutheranism (mixed) that Christ’s death objectively atoned for all the sin of the world; by believing we receive this objective atonement and its benefits. I disagree with Lutheranism's believe that when Jesus died on the cross He atoned for the sins of all people of all time, even those who have not or will not come to faith in Christ. However, Reformed churches have historically taught a "limited atonement" of Christ, i.e., that Christ's death on the cross atoned only for the sins of "the elect".
4. I agree with Calvinism that in all of God's outward actions, there is an outward call which all receive, yet there is also a secret effectual calling which God gives to the elect alone. This effectual calling alone saves and is irresistable.
5. I agree with Calvinism that salvation cannot be lost. Those who have truly put their faith in Christ may temporarily lose the evidence of their faith and even live for a time in grave and unrepentant sin, without losing their salvation.
People can choose to believe what they want to believe. That's between that person and the Creator when the time comes. I have to remember that God is in control in these matters regarding the "election". God constantly intervenes in our lives through His Providence. This also include the election of salvation. In my position, God will not hold me responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these is to look to God in deepest respect say, "0 Lord, You know all."
From my own perspectives and beliefs, this is how I believe:
1. I agree with Calvinism and Lutheranism: Man after the Fall has no ability to cooperate with God's grace in conversion
2. I agree with Lutheranism that before the world was created, God unconditionally elected some (the elect) for salvation but did not reprobate (chose for damnation) any.
3. I agree with Calvinism and Lutheranism (mixed) that Christ’s death objectively atoned for all the sin of the world; by believing we receive this objective atonement and its benefits. I disagree with Lutheranism's believe that when Jesus died on the cross He atoned for the sins of all people of all time, even those who have not or will not come to faith in Christ. However, Reformed churches have historically taught a "limited atonement" of Christ, i.e., that Christ's death on the cross atoned only for the sins of "the elect".
4. I agree with Calvinism that in all of God's outward actions, there is an outward call which all receive, yet there is also a secret effectual calling which God gives to the elect alone. This effectual calling alone saves and is irresistable.
5. I agree with Calvinism that salvation cannot be lost. Those who have truly put their faith in Christ may temporarily lose the evidence of their faith and even live for a time in grave and unrepentant sin, without losing their salvation.
