I pretty much lump Christians into two primary categories. The Reformed/Calvinist go into the Enlightenment/Rationalism side. Then there are the Arminian/Wesleyan/Semi-Pelegians who fall into Romanticism/Emotional/Mysticism side. There tends to be a missing link between the two. They disconnect. One is nearly completely attempting to rationalize, while the other side has emotional attachment to the situation involved. To argue properly requires a accurate knowledge of the opponent. And neither side tends to be so gracious as to do such.
There is a focus in the Scriptures to each side.
Arminian: Abraham believed God.....freewill
Calvinist: God is giving a specified land to Abraham's offspring.
Arminian: Abraham freely went to Egypt and lied to the king there
Calvinist: God struck the king with plagues because of Sara, Abraham's wife.
Arminian: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Calvinist: No one comes to the Father, except Jesus draws them to him.
Arminian: preach topically and seeker sensitive
Calvinist: preach exegetically through a book of the Bible or a Bible topic.
Its a battle of worldviews.
I still have some calvinistic positions, but I'm not calvinsist anymore. I would be considered a blasphemer if i spoke my view which leans the Lutheran-esque direction, so i don't, since I am still a Baptist church attender.
I will be honest and say I still don't understand the Arminian-esque (or Anti-calvinist) stance. I try, but i fail. I can try to an extent, but then the faithful, "No, that is not what that verse says" arrives. It happens the other way too, so i don't want to make this sound accusatory. The reality is there is a divide and it is difficult to have respectful discussions.
just random philosophical thoughts on this.
There is a focus in the Scriptures to each side.
Arminian: Abraham believed God.....freewill
Calvinist: God is giving a specified land to Abraham's offspring.
Arminian: Abraham freely went to Egypt and lied to the king there
Calvinist: God struck the king with plagues because of Sara, Abraham's wife.
Arminian: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.
Calvinist: No one comes to the Father, except Jesus draws them to him.
Arminian: preach topically and seeker sensitive
Calvinist: preach exegetically through a book of the Bible or a Bible topic.
Its a battle of worldviews.
I still have some calvinistic positions, but I'm not calvinsist anymore. I would be considered a blasphemer if i spoke my view which leans the Lutheran-esque direction, so i don't, since I am still a Baptist church attender.
I will be honest and say I still don't understand the Arminian-esque (or Anti-calvinist) stance. I try, but i fail. I can try to an extent, but then the faithful, "No, that is not what that verse says" arrives. It happens the other way too, so i don't want to make this sound accusatory. The reality is there is a divide and it is difficult to have respectful discussions.
just random philosophical thoughts on this.