John Calvin(Pro) vs. Jacob Arminius(Con)

Who is John Calvin? John Calvin was a French theologian who arose during the early reformation of the protestant church. John Calvin is a 2nd generation reformer, assuming prominence in his position after Martin Luther defied and challenged the authority of the Holy Catholic Church. Every protestant sect, whether Arminian, Calvinistic or otherwise, owe their religious freedom to the courage of the great reformers. What are the points of Calvinism? 1.> Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin) 2.> Unconditional Election 3.> Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement) 4.> Irresistible Grace 5.> Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved) Explaining the T.U.L.I.P. doctrine – 1.> Total Depravity: Romans 3:9-10 and 18 "I have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as itis written: None is righteous, no not one; no one seeks for God....There is no fear of God before their eyes." The scripture constantly outlines the nature of man. It describes us as fallen, broken, unrighteous, sinful, faithless, idolaters, haters of God, evildoers, slanderers, murderers, adulterers, thieves, worshipers of false idols, fools, wicked and dark hearted. The book of Romans states that none is righteous, which means that’ no one measures up toGod’s standard’. That is a total statement. It does not say ‘most are unrighteous’ or ‘ few arerighteous’. The word of quantity is “none”. There is a way that mankind can become righteous. Romans 14:23 Paul says, "Whatever is not from faith is sin." Hence, all things outside of faith are unrighteous. We can therefor understand that whatever is from faith is not sin. We might say:” Obviously some are righteous, if righteousness is attainable.” Faithis not something we can manifest of our own free will. Faith is a product ofgrace. Meaning, it is a gift. We are given faith. Ephesians 2:8 states ” For by grace you havebeen saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” So we know that we are all totally depraved, because no one is righteous. We alsoknow that righteousness is only acquired through faith. As a final point, weunderstand that faith in Christ is not something that a totally depraved heartcan create by any strength of its own. Christ gives us faith as a gift. Allrighteousness, let me emphasize this, all righteousness before God is from God.We have no ability to manifest any real righteousness. 2.> Unconditional Election: Romans 8:28 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to theimage of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreoverwhom He did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. The scripture clearly teaches that God is omniscient. He foreknew people, which mean he knew that they would be born. The reason he knew that they would be born, is because he predestinated them for life. So we understand that God knows about the future of mankind because he created the future of mankind. Therefore, God specifically knows whom he will save and whom he won’t. That may sound evil, but remember: You’re totally depraved. He does not owe you salvation. You deserve judgment by every measure of law. The fact that God is merciful to anyone is pure, free grace. If you say:” That’s unfair!” then heed these scriptures: But who are you, O man, toanswer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you mademe like this?”(Romans 9:20). 3.>Limited Atonement: Matthew 1:21 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. " It is tempting to say that Christ died for the whole world. This would imply that everyone is automatically covered by his sacrifice, even those who did not accept Christ as Lord. The scripture is very clear, that Christdied for his people. …make many (not all) to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.(Isaiah 53:8) ….I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:15) ….yet he bore the sin of many (not the whole world),and makes intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12) Other sources include: Exodus 4:21, 14:4, 8, 17; Deuteronomy 2:30, 9:4-7,29:4; Joshua 11:19; 1 Samuel 2:25, 3:14; 2 Samuel 17:14; Psalm 105:25; Proverbs15:8, 26, 28:9; Isaiah 53:11; Jeremiah 24:7; Matthew 1:21, 11:25-27, 13:10-15,44-46, 15:13, 20:28, 22:14, 24:22; (etc.) [1] 4.>Irresistible Grace: The Westmintser Confession of Faith "All those whom God has predestinated unto life, and those only, He is pleased, in His appointed and accepted time, effectively to call, by His word and Spirit, out of that state of death, in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly, to understand the things ofGod; taking away their heart of stone and giving them a heart of flesh; renewing their wills; and by Hisalmighty power determining them to that which is good; and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ, yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace." In this document, the author explains this point with accuracy. God calls his chosen with the Holy Spirit. He renews their mind to desire that which is good. Since they are now lovers of righteousness, theywill be drawn magnetically to Christ. Isaiah 55:11So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Ezekiel36:26-28 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in mystatutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 5.> Perseverance of the Saints : (Once saved, always saved) John 10:27-30 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundantmercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before thepresence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, beglory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Once God chooses you for salvation, he will finish his work in you."And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 http://www.gospeloutreach.net...; [1] Westminster Confession of Faith [2]