The Five Points of ...

It seems as though Christians often have a difficult time balancing grace and truth.  We seem to either deliver the truth with no love at all or compromise on the truth in the name of love.  Lovingly delivering the truth can be difficult.  While this extends to battles that we have with those outside the church (e.g. homosexuality, abortion), I believe that it is also true of battles that we have inside the church (e.g. age of the universe, Calvinism versus Arminianism).  I for one love spirited debate.  While I can be passionate about the points in a discussion, I don’t tend to get upset or emotional.  I merely seek the truth of the matter—I have to strive to remember to love.

In thinking along these lines, I considered a prayer that I had offered for my children’s salvation. I had asked that God would move in their hearts to bring them to a saving faith in His Son.  This prayer was offered in the presence of those whom I knew to be more of an Arminian persuasion.  While the prayer was genuinely from my heart, afterwards I reflected on this and wondered if my Calvinist leaning prayer would have caused any offense.  Upon reflection, it occurred to me that even when Arminians pray, they ask God to change circumstance and people, and this was all that I was asking.  This caused me to wonder what other areas of agreement that Calvinists and Arminians share.  The results are these Five Points of Agreement.

1. Dependence and Prayer for God’s Activity

The first point of contention is known as “Human Ability” in Arminianism and “Total Inability” in Calvinism.  Arminianism posits the freewill of man and his choice in salvation while Calvinism posits man’s sin nature as a preventative to salvation and God’s choice in salvation.  While there is certainly disagreement, both views hold to man’s sinfulness and God’s ability to work in lives.  As such, both the Calvinist and the Arminian should regularly beseech God’s activity in the lives of the lost, asking for Him to change the person’s heart and circumstances in ways that cause the unbeliever to come to a saving faith in God’s Son.

2. Thankfulness and Humility for God’s Grace

The second point of contention is known as “Conditional Election” in Arminianism and “Unconditional Election” in Calvinism.  Arminianism posits that God elects “from before the foundation of the Earth” those who He knows will choose Him.  Calvinism posits that God elects “from before the foundation of the Earth” those whom He chooses according to His good pleasure. Regardless of how we are elected, the scriptures are clear that salvation is by grace and through faith and not of works.  Therefore, believers of all stripes should have an attitude of thankfulness and humility before God in light of His grace towards us who deserve Hell.

3. Reverence and Praise for God’s Justice

Arminians name the third point “General Atonement” while Calvinists name it “Limited Atonement”.  According to Arminian doctrine, Christ's death made salvation possible for everyone but effectual for no one; the effect is made once man chooses Christ for salvation. Alternatively, Calvinists posit that Christ’s death was sufficient for everyone but effectual only for the elect; the effect was from eternity past according to God’s election and omniscience.  Even on these differing views, God the Father takes sin seriously—so seriously that God the Son was sacrificed to pay for it.  Those who do not have the cover of the Son’s blood will serve an eternal sentence in Hell as punishment for their crimes.  This should cultivate an attitude of reverence and praise for God’s justice.  This may seem odd at first.  This is simply because we are the criminals who deserve the punishment.  Think, for example, of when a heinous murderer on earth receives life in prison or capital punishment and we “praise” the judge and jury for serving justice.  In the same way, it would be good for us to go to Hell.  I use “good” to mean “just”, “holy”, or “conforming to a proper standard”.  I do not mean “good” as enjoyable.  Nevertheless, the triumph over evil is to be revered and praised.  Christ death serves as part of that triumph.  We should, therefore, have reverence and praise for God’s justice and defeat of evil.

 4. Zeal for the Lost

The forth point of disagreement is called “Irresistible Grace” by the Calvinists and “Resistible Grace” by the Arminians.  The Calvinist point of view is that the Father’s election is effectual and irresistible while the Arminian view holds that one can resist God’s calling.  Romans 10 makes it clear that faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the Word of God:

¹⁴ How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

The pattern throughout the Bible (and explicitly stated for salvation) is that when God ordains an end He also ordains the means. For example, God ordained that Abraham would have an heir of his own flesh and blood.  God could have made a son just pop into existence, but instead, Abraham had his side of the equation to fulfill, namely lying with Sarah, in order for Isaac to be born.  So even if the Calvinist point of view is the correct one, we must all be about evangelism.  This is the method that God uses to bring the elect to Himself.  Therefore, for His glory, we must have a zeal for the lost.

5. Pursuit of Personal Holiness

The last and final point of distinction between Arminianism and Calvinism revolves around whether or not one can lose their salvation.  The Arminian point of view, known as “Fall from Grace”, declares that one may reject or lose their faith.  On the other hand, the Calvinist point of view, known as “Perseverance of the Saints”, states that once a person is regenerated and covered by Christ’s blood, then he is sealed by God eternally.  Pragmatically, however, both views will hold one position in common. Take for example the person who makes a profession of faith at an early age then lives a life completely contrary to the Word of God. Both the Arminian and the Calvinist would declare that this person is not regenerate.  The Arminian might state that he lost his salvation while the Calvinist would state that he never had salvation.  I tried to use a clear cut example.  In real life, of course, not everyone will fit into such a clear role.  And while the Bible commands us to discern and the judge a tree by its fruit, only God truly knows the salvation status of any individual.  All I mean to say is that both the Arminian and the Calvinist agree that the life of a believer should be marked by fruit that is the result of God’s sanctifying power in that believer’s life.  We should all be living sacrifices, daily carrying our cross (an instrument of execution) and putting to death the old sinful man.  This is our just service.  As such we should be vigilant about pursing our personal holiness.  Not as a means to salvation (both the Arminian and the Calvinist should agree that works do not save a person), but as a result of our salvation.

So here, at least from my perspective, are the Five Points of Agreement:

1. Dependence and Prayer for God’s Activity

2. Thankfulness and Humility for God’s Grace

3. Reverence and Praise for God’s Justice

4. Zeal for the Lost

5. Pursuit of Personal Holiness

Let me say in closing that I in no way wish to minimize the importance of the doctrinal issues about which Arminians and Calvinists disagree.  Nor do I think that the Word is silent about these issues.  I believe that the Word is clear and that a solid case can be made for each of the above issues.  Further, I believe that some damaging side effects can be brought about (especially in the area of security of the believer) if the correct doctrine is missed. But, I do want to find some common ground on which both sides can agree.

Throughout this blog I have used the terms “Arminianism” and “Calvinism” and their derivatives.  I use these terms simply because they are well known and widely used.  I actually prefer to say that I believe in Sovereign Grace rather than Calvinism as the latter can carry some baggage.  Nevertheless, I use these terms for the ease of my readers.

Finally, I have represented a very general take on both sides of the camp.  Doubtless, there are believers who would disagree with how I worded some points above or who fall on one side for one point and a differing side on others.  Overall, I believe that I have captured the general sense of both views.