i've been studying this material by a calvinist/reformed (not sure yet what the difference is between calvinist and reform)
it seems to me that calvin was an all-or-nothing kind of guy
he didn't see things in moderation - thus the titles of calvin's tulip vs arminian's titles
it also seems that this author doesn't properly understand arminian's points
here's my notes of a reformed calvinist explaining calvin's doctrines - my words in red - the rest are his words:
1.
An Introduction To Calvinism & Arminianism - Tim Challies
-Arminianism arose as a rejection of Calvinism and its doctrines of predestination and election.
THIS FOR SURE CAUSES NON-C'S TO REJECT CALVINISM
- Arminius taught that God has given humans free will, and humans are able to freely choose or reject salvation.
THIS MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE TO ME - I AGREE WITH THIS
-A Calvinist is someone who rejects the Arminian concept of free will, believing that the will of all humans is bound by their sinful nature and will remain bound until God performs His regenerative work.
FREE WILL IS BOUND - SO CALVINISTS CALL LIMITED/BOUND WILL FREE WILL - OUR DEFINITIONS OF FREE WILL DON'T MATCH
-Calvinism is founded on the belief that man is completely and utterly unable to make a choice to follow God because the will of the unsaved person is bound by his sinful nature.
CALVINISTS CALL LIMITED/BOUND WILL FREE WILL - THEY REALLY MEAN A WILL THAT IS LIMITED TO MAKING ONLY EVIL/BAD CHOICES - ESPECIALLY ABOUT WANTING/CHOOSING GOD
2.
An Introduction To Calvinism & Arminianism (Part 2) - Tim Challies
- A proper understanding of Calvinism is fully dependant on understanding Calvin’s view of man’s depravity.
I'D LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE SAYS THIS
- A fallen man is able to choose to do what he wants, but is unable to want God. There is a misconception that Calvinists do not believe in human free will, but this is not true. Calvinism teaches that free will exists, but is bound by a man’s nature. Man is a slave not to God, but to his own nature. Because man does not want God, he can never choose Him. Only God, in His Sovereign free will, can change man’s nature and make him capable of repentance.
SOUNDS LIKE CALVIN SAYS A PERSON HAS ONLY A LIMITED/BOUND WILL - A WILL TO CHOOSE ONLY EVIL/BAD - UNTIL GOD REGENERATES HIM AND GIVES HIM A FREE WILL TO CHOOSE GOOD OR BAD - WHICH INCLUDES WANTING/CHOOSING GOD
- Total Depravity - With a sinful nature it is impossible to take an action that would be anything other than sinful and rebellious.
FREE WILL NOT REALLY FREE - LIMITED TO ONLY SINFUL CHOICES
- Unconditional Election - God brings His chosen people, through the Spirit, to a willing acceptance of Christ. His choice has nothing to do with man’s free will.
GOD ALONE CHOOSES WHO HE WANTS BEFORE HE EVEN CREATES THEM - SO THAT MEANS GOD CREATES SOME PEOPLE SPECIFICALLY FOR HELL
- Limited Atonement - Christ took the sins of the elect upon Himself on the cross. He provided a full and effectual (fully adequate) atonement for their sins. Though Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for the entire human race, it is only imputed (given) to the elect. Were Christ to sacrifice and die for someone and then that person did not choose to be saved, it would make Christ’s work a failure.
IS THIS SAYING CHRIST DID NOT TAKE THE SINS OF EVERYONE ON HIMSELF? OR DOES IT SAY THAT HE TOOK EVERYONE'S SINS BUT ONLY IMPUTED ATONEMENT ON THE ELECT?
- Irresistible Grace - There are two ways God calls people to repentance. The first is the outer call which is extended to anyone who hears the gospel. This can be and often is rejected. The second is the internal call which is extended only to the elect and can never be rejected.
WHY WOULD GOD CALL EVERYONE OUTWARDLY EVEN THOUGH HE CREATED/PREDESTINED SOME FOR HELL? THE INWARD CALL ONLY GOES TO THOSE HE CHOSE
- Perseverance of the Saints - The elect, then, will persevere in righteousness and will never fall away from God.
I LIKE THIS PART - BUT THERE ARE SCRIPTURES FOR AND AGAINST - HOPING THEY ARE REALLY FOR THIS POINT
3.
An Introduction To Calvinism & Arminianism (Part 3) - Tim Challies - errors/unreliable source
- Free Will - Arminius taught that man’s fall into sin has not completely removed his ability to make a choice for or against God.
THIS MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE TO ME
- Holy Spirit does not draw or enlighten men enough to force them into a decision.
ERRONEOUS CLAIM - HOLY SPIRIT MAKES TRUTH FULLY KNOWN TO ALL - EACH CHOOSES TO ACCEPT OR REJECT BASED ON FULL DISCLOSURE
- Conditional Election - God’s election is based upon his foreknowledge that a person would choose to be saved. God in turn chose them and called them the elect.
THIS MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE TO ME
- Universal Atonement - When Christ died he took upon Himself every sin for every human being throughout time. Salvation can be received or rejected.
THIS MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE
- Obstructable Grace - Holy Spirit does not force anyone into repentance. Regeneration occurs when salvation is accepted.
THIS MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE
- Fall from Grace - Man can change his mind and reject God after accepting Him.
THERE SEEMS TO BE SCRIPTURES FOR AND AGAINST THIS
4.
An Introduction To Calvinism & Arminianism (Part 4) - Tim Challies - errors/unreliable
NOTES
so from studying this material it seems to me that free will vs limited will is one key issue
limited will comes from the total depravity ideology
calvinists and non-c's are so far apart i doctrine on the key issues that even if we properly understand what each other is saying we would never be able to agree on much of anything
we have totally God/bible paradigms
