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Clear Gospel Campaign
by Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D
 
Topics Touching the Message of Salvation
— Eternal Security —
Curriculum Outline and Study Guide | Resurrection | Assurance | Baptism | The Bema | Calvinism | The Gospel Message & Content of Saving Faith | The Creator | Dispensationalism | Eternal Security | Evangelism & Discipleship | Expiation, Propitiation and Redemption | Faith | Fruit . .. Don't you need it? | Grace | Hebrews 10 | Hebrews 6:1-15 | Heirship and Rewards | James 2:14-26 | Jesus is God | 1st John | John MacArthur | Justification | Bilateral Contract Salvation or "Lordship Salvation" | The Market Driven Church | Perseverance of the Saints | Predestination and Free Will | Public Confession of Christ | Regeneration | Repentance | Roman Catholicism | Salvation | Sanctification | The Sheep and Goats Judgment | Silly Gospel Substitutes | "Sovereign" (Irresistible) Grace | Stewardship of the Gospel Message | The Modern "Testimony" | The Ten Commandments: Their Relationship to the Believer | Theology and Doctrine | Total Depravity and `The Bondage of the Will` | Worship Music | Appendix I: Church History from a Free Grace perspective
Chapter 1: Introduction to Eternal Security
Arminianism and Calvinism
By Grace Through Faith Alone in Christ Alone
Christ's Atoning Death for Our Justification
Regeneration and Eternal Life
Indwelling and Sealing of the Spirit
Explicit Promises of Scripture
Theological Significance, Part I
Theological Significance, Part II
Denial of Eternal Security: It's Always About Sex
Tom's Page
The "Problem Verses"

 

 

Arminianism and Calvinism

 

(Hint:  They both teach salvation by human works.)

 

For further discussion on the relationship of Calvinism and salvation-by-human-works , please refer to the following sections:

 

 

 

Total Depravity and The Bondage of the Will

Bilateral Contract ("Lordship") Salvation

Sovereign (Irresistable) Grace

Perseverance of the Saints

John MacArthur

Repentance

Calvinism

 

Arminianism

(Assurance without Security)

 

"Arminianism" (so named for Jacob Arminius, a professor at the University of Leiden, Holland) is usually the term used in reference to the false doctrine that one can lose their salvation.  Although this is a gross oversimplification of the theology of Jacob Arminius, it is nevertheless the term that has come to be used to define the false doctrine that one can lose their salvation.  For verbal economy therefore, we will use the term "Arminianism" in its popular sense. 

An Arminian can have assurance of his salvation.  For example, an Arminian would think to himself, "if I were to die right now, I know I would go to heaven" (the doctrine of assurance).  "However, if I should fall into serious sin tomorrow or next week, I will lose my salvation, and place myself under the condemnation of God.  Were I to die in that state, I would go to hell.  Therefore, if I fall into serious sin, I must get saved all over again."

Even though the controversy over Arminianism arose in Protestant theology, the Arminian doctrine that one can "lose their salvation" is most clearly depicted within the Roman Catholic Church, which segregates sin into "mortal sins" and "venial sins."  One will lose their salvation if they commit a mortal sin, which would typically be sexual sins, sins of violence (such as murder), or serious criminal activity (such as armed robbery).  The Arminian denial of eternal security is typically found within Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox Churches, the Methodist church, and most Pentecostal churches, and most cults, such as Church of Christ and Jehovah's Witnesses.  However, there is no codification of mortal and venial sins within the Protestant traditions or cults.  Therefore, the individual congregant within the Methodist or Pentecostal church is usually left to speculate on whether he has lost his salvation through some particular sin.

 

Calvinism

(Security without Assurance)

 

In contrast to Arminianism is the "perseverance of the saints" is a false doctrine affirms the doctrine of eternal security, but denies the doctrine of assurance.  This doctrine reached its zenith in early American Puritanism, and is currently operative in 21st century Calvinism.  Contemporary Calvinism is normally represented by the acrostic "T-U-L-I-P" (tulip), wherein the "P" stands for "perseverance of the saints."

 

Unlike Arminianism, which in popular terminology has been reduced to a single doctrine (i.e. that one can lose their salvation), the common definition of contemporary Calvinism still represents a family of doctrines represented by tulip.  Accordingly, it is more accurate to refer to this false doctrine as "perseverance of the saints," "the perseverance doctrine," or "the Calvinist doctrine of perseverance."

 To compare and contrast this to the Arminian position, the Calvinist would reason "if I am elect, I cannot un-elect myself.  My election happened in eternity past.  Therefore, if I am elect, I'm eternally secure.  However, I do not know if I am elect.  If I fall away from the faith, or fall into serious sin, it will show that I was never one of the elect, and therefore, never really saved!"  To know if one is actually elect, one has to continue in faith and holiness unto the time of their death.  The modern day Calvinist therefore has security (they cannot lose their salvation) but he has no assurance (they are not sure if they actually have it.)

Those who are theologically ignorant will often refer to the doctrine of eternal security as "Calvinism."  However, the Bible teaches both assurance and security, whereas modern day Calvinism denies the doctrine of assurance. 

Moreover, the Bible bases the security of the believer on the perfect atonement of Christ, the offer of salvation by grace through faith, and the irreversable nature of the regeneration of the Holy Spirit.

 

  The Calvinist bases their "eternal security" on the hope that they are elect,  and the works of righteousness that they perform subsequent to their profession of faith. 

To refer to the doctrine of Eternal Security as "Calvinism" is therefore simply a declaration of one's theological ignorance.

 

The chapters witin this section are limited to a defense of the doctrine of eternal security.  Later sections will examine the question of assurance.  At first glance, the doctrine of assurance appears as simple and straight forward as the doctrine of eternal security.  We will learn, however, that the denial of assurance is much more subtle and sophisticated.  Topics relating to assurance include the sections on the "Perseverance of the Saints," and "Sovereign (Irresistible) Grace."

 


Arminianism and Calvinism

 

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