Please apply the same rules here, starting now:
Soteriology- the doctrines of salvation
Many people are experts in other distinguished fields, such as theology proper, or eschatology, or perhaps even ecclesiology. Out of all the doctrines and studies, I find no preferment other than the many Biblical details and theological and philosophical logistics of our salvation. Soteriology is my personal major, and my personal favorite- this chapter, my magnum opus among the others here. Hamartiology and soteriology (the study of salvation) must be studied together. They are interdependent studies, for without one of them, the other would not exist in a complete sense. In order to completely understand what is being said about salvation, it must be studied in a context of what we are saved from, why we are saved, how we are saved, and who saves us. From what we saw in the previous chapter, man fell from a pure state into a totally depraved state of vile corruption. This is passed down from generation to generation to all that are born of parents who are sinners, as Jesus said, Flesh gives birth to flesh. (That is why He said you must be born again.). This sin completely dominates us in spiritual chains that we enjoy, to do evil and nothing that we do will ever please God. Since we do not wish to, and we do not possess the ability to embrace God without Him convicting us, we are totally depraved. And, due to the inherent evil and unavoidable corruption of man, all men deserve to be condemned just as equally as they ask for it. The mathematics of our sin and depravity point to one final result and end: we all, guilty of sin, deserve to burn in hell for eternity.
These doctrines well later discuss were developed at the Synod of Dort, in 1618. A man named James Hermann (better known as Jacob Arminius), had recently died, and his followers decided to boldly present their radical new theology. Their five points included the doctrines of free will, conditional election, universal redemption, obstructable grace, and falling from grace. A meeting was held, in which for 154 days a council met, studied the claims, and examined the Scriptures. Later, after literally months of collectively studying Gods Word, the five points of Arminianism were rejected as heretical. The Synod then proceeded to establish a list of doctrines in context, that would define our salvation in amazing, unprecedented detail. They were modeled in exact contrast after the five points that the Arminians presented. Thus, the five points of Calvinism were born. These points include Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (the word TULIP serves as a fine acronym). Were going to study the Reformed doctrines of salvation, and go through all the details of our salvation. Though a leading majority mainstream Christianity is now Arminian, that doesnt make it Biblical. Remember, that a majority of Christians that follow mainstream Christianity would also probably not even recognize the difference between orthodoxy and heresy if they took an elementary level test on doctrine. Not following the Scriptures on this issue either is not a result of intentional ignorance, but of never having been taught better. Generally, as with the case for me, and for everyone I have ever talked to on the matter, people dont convert as Calvinists. When we first become Christians, we merely observe our salvation, and from an uneducated perspective without Scriptural research, it seems that God works in an Arminian manner. We developed this new doctrinal understanding of Christs work in our lives and the Scriptures as a result of taking our Christian education to the next level, and progressing in our walk. When children, we are taught salvation from an Arminian perspective of salvation, not because its the Scriptural message, but because thats the only way we could have understood it and accepted Christ. Rather than preaching our salvation as a seven point process- ordination, atonement, orchestration/regeneration, imputation, justification, propitiation, and glorification- we are taught that Jesus loves us and by praying to accept Him were saved. As a result, the Christians who do not take time to study more are left with their junior high understanding of the majesty of God, and act as if that is the sovereign working of the infinite God. The people who never advance their understanding of salvation, are left to dwell on the best and only theological systemt that they understand. Please take no offense, but this is what has been observed since the very first days of this conflict- that while a majority of Christians are Arminian, it is those who study the Scriptures and doctrines of theology earnestly that are mainly Calvinist. Let there be no misunderstanding: there indeed is a correlation.
Being a Calvinist is nothing to be ashamed of. A great illustration was given by Warburton, in that Biblical soteriology can no more appropriately, and with just as equal reason, be called Calvinism than the law of gravity can be called Newtonism; because though these age old processes had been around since the beginning of time, they were first defined and taught explicitly and exhaustively by these scholars. John Calvin did not invent this system of theology, but rather God. It was merely Calvin that understood it to a great degree, and first explained the details of what everyone had observed since the first dispensations of Gods grace. It has however, over the years, become a word that may seem to have a derogatory meaning by its contenders. Usually, when an attack is made against Calvinism, it merely serves the purpose of causing division, by targeting a small doctrine and peeling its outer layers, exaggerating a minute detail, and then not explaining it correctly. I ask that in this chapter, you abandon all preconceived barriers, and listen to the Spirit of God work through His Word. The controversies that arise can be shown to be truth or heresy by one means of appeal only that we must mutually accept if we are to make any progress: the Holy Scriptures. Usually the problem with Arminians- not always, but usually- is that while the Scriptures make it so painfully obvious how we are saved and there is little question among scholars of what the Bible teaches, it will all boil down to whether or not the person accepts the Holy Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, and is willing to conform to His message. If then, a person feels confident enough to rise to this challenge, then please, without further adieu, hear what God Himself made manifest to us about this through His revelation to us.
Soteriology- the doctrines of salvation
Many people are experts in other distinguished fields, such as theology proper, or eschatology, or perhaps even ecclesiology. Out of all the doctrines and studies, I find no preferment other than the many Biblical details and theological and philosophical logistics of our salvation. Soteriology is my personal major, and my personal favorite- this chapter, my magnum opus among the others here. Hamartiology and soteriology (the study of salvation) must be studied together. They are interdependent studies, for without one of them, the other would not exist in a complete sense. In order to completely understand what is being said about salvation, it must be studied in a context of what we are saved from, why we are saved, how we are saved, and who saves us. From what we saw in the previous chapter, man fell from a pure state into a totally depraved state of vile corruption. This is passed down from generation to generation to all that are born of parents who are sinners, as Jesus said, Flesh gives birth to flesh. (That is why He said you must be born again.). This sin completely dominates us in spiritual chains that we enjoy, to do evil and nothing that we do will ever please God. Since we do not wish to, and we do not possess the ability to embrace God without Him convicting us, we are totally depraved. And, due to the inherent evil and unavoidable corruption of man, all men deserve to be condemned just as equally as they ask for it. The mathematics of our sin and depravity point to one final result and end: we all, guilty of sin, deserve to burn in hell for eternity.
These doctrines well later discuss were developed at the Synod of Dort, in 1618. A man named James Hermann (better known as Jacob Arminius), had recently died, and his followers decided to boldly present their radical new theology. Their five points included the doctrines of free will, conditional election, universal redemption, obstructable grace, and falling from grace. A meeting was held, in which for 154 days a council met, studied the claims, and examined the Scriptures. Later, after literally months of collectively studying Gods Word, the five points of Arminianism were rejected as heretical. The Synod then proceeded to establish a list of doctrines in context, that would define our salvation in amazing, unprecedented detail. They were modeled in exact contrast after the five points that the Arminians presented. Thus, the five points of Calvinism were born. These points include Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints (the word TULIP serves as a fine acronym). Were going to study the Reformed doctrines of salvation, and go through all the details of our salvation. Though a leading majority mainstream Christianity is now Arminian, that doesnt make it Biblical. Remember, that a majority of Christians that follow mainstream Christianity would also probably not even recognize the difference between orthodoxy and heresy if they took an elementary level test on doctrine. Not following the Scriptures on this issue either is not a result of intentional ignorance, but of never having been taught better. Generally, as with the case for me, and for everyone I have ever talked to on the matter, people dont convert as Calvinists. When we first become Christians, we merely observe our salvation, and from an uneducated perspective without Scriptural research, it seems that God works in an Arminian manner. We developed this new doctrinal understanding of Christs work in our lives and the Scriptures as a result of taking our Christian education to the next level, and progressing in our walk. When children, we are taught salvation from an Arminian perspective of salvation, not because its the Scriptural message, but because thats the only way we could have understood it and accepted Christ. Rather than preaching our salvation as a seven point process- ordination, atonement, orchestration/regeneration, imputation, justification, propitiation, and glorification- we are taught that Jesus loves us and by praying to accept Him were saved. As a result, the Christians who do not take time to study more are left with their junior high understanding of the majesty of God, and act as if that is the sovereign working of the infinite God. The people who never advance their understanding of salvation, are left to dwell on the best and only theological systemt that they understand. Please take no offense, but this is what has been observed since the very first days of this conflict- that while a majority of Christians are Arminian, it is those who study the Scriptures and doctrines of theology earnestly that are mainly Calvinist. Let there be no misunderstanding: there indeed is a correlation.
Being a Calvinist is nothing to be ashamed of. A great illustration was given by Warburton, in that Biblical soteriology can no more appropriately, and with just as equal reason, be called Calvinism than the law of gravity can be called Newtonism; because though these age old processes had been around since the beginning of time, they were first defined and taught explicitly and exhaustively by these scholars. John Calvin did not invent this system of theology, but rather God. It was merely Calvin that understood it to a great degree, and first explained the details of what everyone had observed since the first dispensations of Gods grace. It has however, over the years, become a word that may seem to have a derogatory meaning by its contenders. Usually, when an attack is made against Calvinism, it merely serves the purpose of causing division, by targeting a small doctrine and peeling its outer layers, exaggerating a minute detail, and then not explaining it correctly. I ask that in this chapter, you abandon all preconceived barriers, and listen to the Spirit of God work through His Word. The controversies that arise can be shown to be truth or heresy by one means of appeal only that we must mutually accept if we are to make any progress: the Holy Scriptures. Usually the problem with Arminians- not always, but usually- is that while the Scriptures make it so painfully obvious how we are saved and there is little question among scholars of what the Bible teaches, it will all boil down to whether or not the person accepts the Holy Bible to be the inerrant Word of God, and is willing to conform to His message. If then, a person feels confident enough to rise to this challenge, then please, without further adieu, hear what God Himself made manifest to us about this through His revelation to us.