#111 Calvinism vs Arminianism

Synopsis: Program #111 – 12/15/2013 “Calvinism vs. Arminianism”

Program #111 discusses the controversy in the Evangelical church between the Calvinist doctrine of election and the Arminian doctrine of free choice. Although this may not seem like a social/political topic for God and Country Radio, I sometimes like to wrestle with these esoteric issues; besides, doctrinal unity is crucial for the Evangelical community, especially as we enter into times of trouble and persecution.

At the conclusion of the program, I make some brief comments about the effect of Calvinism and Arminianism on one’s political outlook or involvement. It would take months to fully research this question, and time would be better spent in other projects; but my unscientific observation has been that hyper-Calvinism may lead to political inactivity, while hyper-Arminianism may lead to political frenzy. Since Arminianism tends to view conversion as a function of human choice and persuasion, the moral decline of the nation is often attributed to the church’s slackness in evangelism. Therefore, the coming apocalypse is viewed as the result of the church’s failure rather than the fixed plan of God for the church’s deliverance. This is a burden put upon the church that I do not read in the New Testament.

I explain the two positions and then offer a third, “The Mystery Position.” The controversy itself is rooted in rationalism over revelation. Being unwilling to accept the “mystery of The Faith” (1 Timothy 3:9), each side explains away the Biblical texts that do not support their theological system. The argument is settled when each side learns to appreciate the paradox implicit in all Biblical doctrines and man’s inability to comprehend heavenly things.

Scriptures Referenced: Ephesians 1:4-11; John 1:13; 2 Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8; Romans 8:29-33; Romans 3:10-11; John 3:16; 1 Peter 1; Romans 11:33-34; John 3:12; Deuteronomy 29:29; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:9; Ephesians 5:32; 1 Timothy 3:9, 16; Job 38:1-4, 42:1-3