Worldview Quiz

[Bulldog]

Nah, you can be an Arminian Protestant. In fact, Arminianism in Protestantism makes more sense than in Catholicism. Think about it. Arminianism is founded on personal, independent freedom of the will. Arminians are a bunch of mavericks running around self-willing everything they do. They don't want to be submit to any authority at all! "God chose me!? I don't think so! I chose God and don't you forget it!" It amazes me that that kind of philosophy could exist within a strict authoritative ecclesiastical institution like Rome or Orthodoxy.

Both the Roman Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church are very synergistic in soteirology. Thomistic soteirology (smiliar to Calvinism) does exist in Roman Catholicism, but is the minortiy view, and most Roman Catholics believe something very close to the five points of Arminianism. I have been told that the Eastern Orthodox church follows the soteirological beliefs of John Cassian, who believed sort of a "middle view" between Pelagianusm and Augustinianism, what we might call today "Semi-Pelagianism."

 

[Jon_]

Both the Roman Catholic church and the Eastern Orthodox church are very synergistic in soteirology. Thomistic soteirology (smiliar to Calvinism) does exist in Roman Catholicism, but is the minortiy view, and most Roman Catholics believe something very close to the five points of Arminianism. I have been told that the Eastern Orthodox church follows the soteirological beliefs of John Cassian, who believed sort of a "middle view" between Pelagianusm and Augustinianism, what we might call today "Semi-Pelagianism."

Yes, that's very true. But that's what makes it kinda funny, don't you think? You have to wonder why such authoritative institutions would advocate the individual role of man. I mean, you can form a much better argument for Catholicism from Augustinian theological principles.

I don't know. Maybe I'm being much too cynical toward the church. Doubtless most Catholics are well-meaning Christians who simply have a difference in opinion on the role and authority of the church. But that still doesn't preclude the striking contradictions in sanctioned Catholic soteriology.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon