Jim,
When I think of Reformed or Calvinist Theology, I think of monergism as opposed to synergism, or predestination, or TULIP:
Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited atonement
Irresistible grace
Perserverance of the saints
Perhaps I can't speak for all Anabaptists, but I know I have some real problems with much of the above. God is sovereign, but it seems to me from Scripture that He generally gives mankind the free will to choose to follow Him or not. Faith is man's response to God's call, and our response is not dependent on God's prior choice of us as individuals which is unconditional and irresistible. Neither is the atonement limited only to those whom He has predestined (although it seems to me that the disagreement in this area is more semantic than substantive, because even if one argues that the atonement isn't limited per se, it is still efficacious only for those who repent and turn to God). And as far as the perserverance of the saints, I'm pretty sure most of the Anabaptists would have said that a believer could fall away from the faith.
There was considerable agreement with the Reformers, as the first Anabaptists arose from out of Zwinglis reform movement in Switzerland. The major difference in the beginning had to do with the relation of the Church with the State, and infant baptism. Was everyone baptized as an infant and a therefor a member of the church, even though as adults they were decidely unchristian in their behaviour; or, was the church to be made up of only those who were believers and practiced the new life found in and through Christ? Thus, they rebaptized each other and were given the slur 'Anabaptist', and were hunted down and martyred by Reformer and Catholic alike.
In Christ,
Russ
Hi Russ,
I have dealt with this issue for many years and one day, I took the time to study. To me, there are three (3) major doctrine of salvations beliefs, Lutherans, Arminianism and Calvinism.
T: "total depravity"
Calvinism: Man after the Fall has no ability to cooperate with God's grace in conversion
Lutheranism: Agrees with Calvinism on total depravity
Arminianism: Man after the Fall can cooperate with Gods grace in conversion
U: "unconditional election"
Calvinism: Before the world was created, God unconditionally elected some (the elect) for salvation and the others (reprobates) for damnation.
Lutheranism: Before the world was created, God unconditionally elected some (the elect) for salvation but did not reprobate (chose for damnation) any.
Arminianism: Before the world was created, God foresaw those who would choose Him of their own free will and elected them to salvation
L: "limited atonement"
Calvinism: Jesus only died for the elect, objectively atoning for their sin, but he did not die for the sins of the reprobates. 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"--those who have been predestined from eternity to believe in Christ and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Lutheranism: Christs death objectively atoned for all the sin of the world; by believing we receive this objective atonement and its benefits. Lutherans 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.
Arminianism: Christ died to give all the possibility to be saved.
I: "irresistable grace"
Calvinism: In all of God's outward actions (preaching, baptism, etc.) 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.
Lutheranism: The question is not answerable; for the elect grace will irresistably triumph, yet those who reject Christ have rejected that Grace; yet the grace is the same.
Arminianism: God gives in His outward actions the same grace to all; this grace can be resisted by all.
P: "perseverance of the saints" (sort of like "once saved, always saved.")
Calvinism: 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.
Lutheranism: Salvation can be lost through mortal sin and unbelief, but this legal warning does not cancel the Gospel promise of election
Arminianism: Salvation can be lost through unrepentant sin and unbelief.
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 Christs 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.
....can't...break...addiction...
