It is
a school of thought based on the teachings taught by a man named Jacobus
Arminius (1560-1609) It is one of two theologies that run behind many Protestant Churches. (The other
being Calvinism)
It is important for a Christian to understand that these two different views exist because these basic concepts will influence how a teacher stands on different positions. Without this basic understanding of these two perspectives this can seem confusing given that they contradict each other. Both agree that a person is saved by grace. They simply disagree on WHY a person becomes a Christian.
It is important for a Christian to understand that these two different views exist because these basic concepts will influence how a teacher stands on different positions. Without this basic understanding of these two perspectives this can seem confusing given that they contradict each other. Both agree that a person is saved by grace. They simply disagree on WHY a person becomes a Christian.
Here is an overview: CHOICE
1.
Free will is a
natural state giving people the ability to choose or refuse salvation. God
pursues us for good but he does not interfere with our right to make a choice. Our
destiny is ultimately up to our own decisions. Every day we have the right to
cooperate with the Holy Spirit or defy him and go our own way. Faith is man’s gift to God. We have faith in what Jesus did on the cross for us. (redemption)
2.
Election: It is
God’s choice that EVERYONE becomes a Christian. God can see into the future and
knows what we will ultimately choose but he chooses everyone and we have the
right to refusal. He made his choice and then we make our choice.
3.
Redemption: Christ’s
death on the cross was so that everyone CAN BE saved if they so choose. God now
has the ability to pardon our sins if we make the request, and then choose to accept his forgiveness. Man must accept the gift of
salvation. It is not forced upon him.
4.
Holy Spirit: Man can resist
the Holy Spirit. God woos us but we can push away that conviction if we are
determined to do so. Salvation does not happen until we respond to that wooing
and choose to follow Christ. Therefore what God can or cannot do is limited to
the choices that man makes here on earth. It isn't that God is not capable of running over our will. He is all powerful. It is that God is a Gentleman and respects our choices even if he disagrees with them. As Christians we can invite people to
follow Christ but it is the invitation of the Holy Spirit that will in the end “melt
their hearts”. However if a person wants to thwart the plan of God they are given
the freedom to do that.
5.
Conditional security (Can you lose your salvation?) Salvation is not a set of keys that can be misplaced,
thus lost. So, NO a person cannot “lose” their salvation. However Salvation is
not a prison either, therefore a person has the right to change their mind and
stop following God if they want to. John 15:4. The relationship between God and
man is based on love. Love is about WANTING to be with someone versus being
trapped into a relationship with them. Therefore choice is necessary for love
to truely exist. This teaching does not say that a person needs to live in fear of going to Hell every time they commit a sin. The blood of Jesus covers all of our sins. A Christian's
salvation is secure so long as they want it, and desire to follow God. No one can take them away but they can choose to walk away.
Teachers: John Wesley, Billy Graham, AW Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill, David Wilkerson, Charles Finney, Chuck Smith, Rick Warren, Walter Martin, Jack Hayford, Tim LaHaye
