Hyper-Arminianism?

[Cherub8]

The other day I recalled a conversation I once had with an Arminian friend of mine. He was commenting on how several people may go to hell because of his decision not to share the gospel with them. At the time of the conversation, I too believed that salvation came through "free will"; thus, I resonated with his words to a certain extent. Now, as I think back on it, the word that instantly comes to mind is blasphemy. To believe salvation hinges on man's efforts is to suggest God isn't powerful enough to save whom He desires to save -- that the All-Powerful Creator of the universe needs man's "help." :o

Anyway, my question: is that belief commonly held amongst Arminians? Or could we classify that as a particularly extreme viewpoint -- Hyper-Arminianism? Does such a term exist?

 

[tigersnare]

In my Arminian days not so long ago, many people around me spoke of "missed opportunities". To them, that may have been that person's only chance to hear the gospel, ever. And that was potentially a lost soul. Sounds so silly, but it's actually quite sad that Arminianism has rose to such a height in the modern Church.

 

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

Although I agree with what is being said here, I too feel the same way that the Arminianist feels, to an extent. Although yes, I firmly believe that salvation is the power of God, I know also that He has ordained means by which to bring His elect to the knowledge of salvation. Our witness is one of those means.

Actually, they way I look at it is this: When I do not share the Gospel with someone when I do have the opportunity, I feel that I am saying this. "I care more about what you think of me than I do your soul." Whether God converts a person through my testimony is another matter. The point is that I apparently don't care about that person. Yes, that person is deserving of eternal punishment, but so was and am I.

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

The trouble is convincing one that they are an extremest and not an orthodox follower. If some Arminian thinks that their message, and theirs alone, is the only chance for one who is unsaved I'd call them a hyper arminian. Arminianism is very me-based, so taken to this kind of extreme makes one out to be a psudo-god for another, with the power to save them.

In doing so, they would have to believe in sovereignty, bot not sovereignty in God. I imagine there must be some groups out there. Heck, there are denominations on the fringe that say you must be a member of their group to have your salvation. That puts the denomination over God.

And they like to call us zealots...

 

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

when I was a young child attending a baptist church in Oklahoma, the adults that sat with the young children would tell us that we had to remain quiet during church because it was possible that the child next to us was about to hear the one thing that would bring them to salvation and that we would not want to distract them at that moment and make them loose their one chance.... the things people will say to force good behavior.

 

[Ebb]

Billy Graham is quoted as saying:

"God has given you a free will to choose whatever you want to choose and He cannot do a thing about it."

-Joe Morecraft III, History of the Reformation #23 series:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currPage=2&keyword=History+of+the+Reformation&keywordDesc=History+of+the+Reformation&SeriesOnly=true&SourceID=chalcedonpresbyterian&AudioOnly=true

 

[Imblessed]

Billy Graham is quoted as saying:

"God has given you a free will to choose whatever you want to choose and He cannot do a thing about it."

-Joe Morecraft III, History of the Reformation #23 series:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currPage=2&keyword=History+of+the+Reformation&keywordDesc=History+of+the+Reformation&SeriesOnly=true&SourceID=chalcedonpresbyterian&AudioOnly=true

Yikes!!!

 

[Imblessed]

One thing I still believe, even after becoming a calvinist is that God does send certain people our way, and if we don't take the opportunity to share the Gospel, then I think it's something that's going to be brought up "later", if you know what I mean. I'm always reminded of the parable about the men with the "talents"--how some used the talents to multiply theirs, but the one was too afraid and hid his away.

I don't know. I'm sure of one thing, God's gonna save who He's gonna save, regardless of our cowardess in sharing the Gospel. But, I can't believe He doesn't give us "chances" that we pass up...part of the testing, I guess...

I think what it comes down to is understanding our 'will'. We still make mistakes, we still rebel against God, even after coming to saving grace, isn't that part of the growing pains? I still, unfortunately, choose my own pride over God's will for my life.
"but I dont' know what to say" or "but they will think I'm some 'freak' " Or they will think I'm too pushy, or weird, or whatever the excuse is at the time.
I struggle with this alot. I'm one of those people who don't like to rock the boat. I don't like confrontation, and I don't know how to deal well with people who hold a strong opinion opposite my own. I just want "everyone to be happy", even if it means not sharing my faith, if I'm afraid it will offend others. It's something I'm not proud of at all, and I struggle with this daily. This strong desire I've had recently to really learn the truth of God's word--I'm hoping it's God preparing me to be more open about my faith and willing to share--because if I understand my faith more, it won't be so hard to explain it, or share it. Lord knows I've begged forgiveness more than a few times for this weakness. I feel so for Peter--man can I relate!


well, now that I got that off my chest...LOL.....hope it was understandable!

 

[Ebb]

Billy Graham's wife Ruth was born and raised in a Presbyterian family, so perhaps (and hopefully) she straightened him out on some of these views.

I am sure all of us have said things that we would like to take back...

 

[5solas]

Everyone chosen by God will get saved - I am absolutely convinced!


But our job is to be obedient to God's command - that's the real problem and our responsibility:

Mt 28,19​

​

Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
​

Mt 28,20​

​

teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.​

 

[Cherub8]

I don't know. I'm sure of one thing, God's gonna save who He's gonna save, regardless of our cowardess in sharing the Gospel. But, I can't believe He doesn't give us "chances" that we pass up...part of the testing, I guess...

I agree with you

 

[Imblessed]

hey Cherub8, where'd you get your avatar? I like it!

p.s. thanks for agreeing! I'm glad someone made sense of my post

 

[Cherub8]

hey Cherub8, where'd you get your avatar? I like it!

Thanks. I can't remember where I got it....I think perhaps I downloaded it somewhere, and edited it.

 

[Jon_]

Billy Graham is quoted as saying:

"God has given you a free will to choose whatever you want to choose and He cannot do a thing about it."

-Joe Morecraft III, History of the Reformation #23 series:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?currPage=2&keyword=History+of+the+Reformation&keywordDesc=History+of+the+Reformation&SeriesOnly=true&SourceID=chalcedonpresbyterian&AudioOnly=true

Uh... what god is he talking about because he surely isn't talking about my God.

 

[Cherub8]

Uh... what god is he talking about because he surely isn't talking about my God.

Nor mine.

His god fits into the box he made for it.