One of the most difficult problems for a teacher
of God's Word is to explain the relationship between the doctrine of election
and the doctrine of grace by salvation. These two doctrines are very much in
conflict with the Christians who cling to the divisions of the two opposing
camps, the "Calvinists" and the "Arminians." To understand
the problem let's look at the various positions available, the terms used, the
brief history of the issue, and then present a biblical solution that deals
directly with the issue and avoid the unscriptural extremism of both Calvinists
and Arminians. Introduction to Calvinism John Calvin, Swiss Reformer
(1509-1564) Theologian, wrote the Soteriology (the study of salvation) named
after him. The term "Calvinism" refers to the teachings and practices
of John Calvin. The employers of modern Calvinism are based on the works of
Calvinism that have been enriched by his followers. These beliefs became a
distinguishing feature of the Reformation and other Baptist churches. Put
simply, the idea is that God foreordained or predestined some individuals to be
saved and others to be condemned. Those who are chosen for salvation are
ordained of God to receive salvation and cannot "resist the grace of
God." However, those whom God has chosen to be rejected are born forever
in the Fie Lake and will not be saved. Calvinists are divided into several
groups, the extremist so-called "Hyper," the "Five Point"
of the Calvinists and the "Central Calvinists." Hyper and Five Point
Calvinists adhere to the five points of Calvinism, mentioned in the acrostic
below. A moderate Calvinist may accept one or more of these five points, but
not all. The Hyper or Five Point Calvinistic doctrine of "Limited
Atonement" is generally rejected by moderates.
Calvinist
This
controversy arose during the Reformation, in the 16th century, and grew into
the teachings of John Calvin, who taught that some people were predestined by
God to salvation and that others were predestined to a fiery hell. Those whom
God, in His sovereignty, who have chosen to be saved, will be saved by God's
"undeserved kindness." A person "chosen" by God to be saved
cannot deny salvation. All other people, who were not chosen by God to have
eternal life, do not have the opportunity to be saved. According to
Hyper-Calvinist, God has in the past decided to condemn them. Today the
doctrine is based on the so-called "Covenant" or "converted
theology". It is taught by Presbyterians, Reformed, and many Baptist
churches.
TULIP
This
doctrine is called "Five-Point Calvinism." 5 points represented by
using the acrostic "TULIP."
T - Total
human corruption.
U -
Unconditional election.
L -
Limited reconciliation.
Me -
unrestricted kindness.
P - The
patience of the saints.
Basically,
Calvinism teaches that man is incorruptible, incompetent, or incompetent. A
Calvinist philosopher asserts that man's free will has no bearing on his coming
to Christ and gaining salvation. He teaches that God, by exercising His
sovereignty, first chose and then commanded certain people to be saved in the
past. Christ's death was not for all people, but for the elect who would be
saved. God then transferred the “unsearchable” grace to His Chosen Ones, which
means that those whom God foreordained or predestined to be saved. Therefore,
man had nothing to do with his acceptance of salvation because God chose to
save him and made him believe.
There is a
lot of strong opposition to Calvinism. Significantly, it teaches that God chose
to save some and chose not to save others. Those who reject Calvinism argue
that this is contrary to the Bible's teaching that Jesus Christ died and paid
the penalty for sin for all mankind (1 John 2: 2); and that God
“. . .
will save all men ”(1 Tim. 2: 4); and that the nature of God is love, which
means the best interests of all men (1 John 4: 7-8, 16). Calvinism clearly
teaches that once a person is saved he cannot be lost
their
salvation.
It uses
the word "patience of the saints" instead of the better word
"protection of the believer." The word “patience” means “to persevere
in action” or to “concentrate.” This is a small point, but it must be said that
the believer can and will do and sin until God takes human life. The believer
is assured that he is “safe” in Christ and will go to heaven. More will be said
about this later. Once saved, a person cannot lose because he did nothing to
gain his salvation and there is nothing he can do to keep it or lose it.
Salvation according to the Bible is fully God's work and when a person is saved
he is kept safe by God's power until salvation. The Lord said: "Blessed be
God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who through his great mercy,
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, became our father
again, you gave me hope of life, to an incorruptible and undefiled and unfading
inheritance, reserved for you in heaven; ”(1 Peter 1: 3-5). " And do not grieve the Holy
Spirit of God, with which you are sealed until the day of salvation."
(Ephesians 4:30).
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