It is illogical for people to be active atheists, but rather they are anti-theist. It's not that they don't believe but they don't want anyone to believe. To set up a hotline for something you don't believe in is like setting up a hotline for people struggling with their belief in Santa and the tooth fairy. Romans says they do not like to retain God in their knowledge...they are anti-theists the belief that belief in God is to be persecuted, ridiculed and erased from society at all cost.
If one carefully reads the scriptures there are very good arguments to be made for each point on both sides. Which is why this debate has raged for a thousand plus years and should The Lord tarry will likely continue when we are gone. We can pick a side or even agree with points on either side more strongly then the other. The bottom line the Bible is our authority and not a systematic theology that demands rigid adherence or utter rejection. Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God not Tulip and not Remonstrance.
Calvinism vs Arminianism a balanced explanation of TULIP and Arminian positions C- Total Depravity ( man unable to choose, repent or believe as an act of his will) A - total depravity with prevenient grace ( through the gospel God gives grace: the ability for man to repent and believe and the choice to do so)
C- Unconditional Election (God sovereignly chooses as man cannot; God is sovereign period) A- Conditional Election ( God chooses based on His foreknowledge of mans choice; Gods seveignty and mans free will )
C-Limited Atonement ( since only the elect are saved Christ atoned only for the sins of those whom He has chosen) A- Unlimited Atonement ( Jesus died for the sins of the whole world that whosoever believeth on Him may have everlasting life)
C-Irresistible Grace ( the elect are incapable of resisting grace since it is Gods choice not theirs) A- grace can be resisted (based on scriptures like today if you hear harden not your heart, and ye do always resist the Holy Spirit...)
C- Perserverance of the saints ( because it is God who chooses, justifies, sanctifies the elect it is impossible for them to fall away and be lost) A - Conditional Security ( because it is mans choice he can turn away from The Lord and become apostate, this is an act of the will and
The post below compares the five points of the Arminian Remonstrants with Biblical Calvinism.
Those are not the points of remonstrance as they were listed but a commentary type view on them from someone who does not want to consider them but diminish them before the discussion begins. Inflammatory language and false descriptions, just weights and measures please, if you are right no need to color outside the lines...
Presbyterians points of Armenianism would never be accepted by anyone, they are argumentative and just plain false distortions of biblical positions that can be defended. If you want a great presentation of both sides to truly understand them without the bias of either side. Listen to Keith Daniel Clavinism vs Armenianism, on this sermon audio site.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Matthew 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. Just do a search on whosoever...whosoever believes, whosoever will...I think Jesus knew what He was talking about.
I didn't realize I was posting in the Jesuit apologetics section. Gentlemen if you would study the history of the RCC and not just look at the revised softened image over the last 50 years. I don't have time or space to educate on this nor do I think you would listen. But the truth is historical fact and Protestant amnesia is dangerous. Peter organized the RCC? Wow the ignorance in that statement alone is astounding.
Keep your eye on the ball gentlemen. Just like a magician gets you looking over here while using slight of hand over there...the spirit of anti-Christ has us focused on Islam while old mother harlot works her magic. She looks so gentle now compared to this wild beast religion don't be fooled, can leopard change her spots.
Ever notice how conservatives are called "hard-right" or "right-wing" but do not call pro gay marriage groups hard-left...some bodies coloring outside the lines...
6/10/13 9:54 AM
