Quote

"Thirdly, the animosity is to be expected. We believe in a different God, a different Jesus, a different Holy Spirit, and a different Gospel than what Arminianism teaches. The chasm is wide and the history that divides stretches back since man was created. It is something you are going to have to accept but you will eventually come to understand."

I am new to this discussion board, and am not trying to rude or confrontational. However, this comment couldn't be anything further from the truth.

First, animosity is to be expected between Calvinists and Arminians for the same reason that animosity is to be expected for any two groups that have differing perspectives.

Second, it is absolutely incorrect that Armininians and Calvinists "believe in a different God, a different Jesus, a different Holy Spirit . . ." Both Arminians and Calvinists believe in the same God, the same Jesus, the same Holy Spirit, and the same Gospel. What differs, however, between these two groups is their perspectives on certain doctrines e.g. election, predestination, etc. BUT <--- just because one's perspective is different does not mean that they are not worshipping the same God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc. And, I say this only because what you said makes it sound like Calvinist are worshipping the one true God, and Arminians are worshipping some god (emphasis on the lowercase "g"). This is not the case. Both groups believe in the God of Abraham and Isaac, the God who delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, and the God who sent His only Son down from Heaven to forgive us of our sins.

Thirdly, how could you say that the Arminians are preaching/teaching a different Gospel. The Gospel is the same on both fronts: God sent His Son to Earth to save mankind. Believe, and repent.

Fourthly, in all seriousness the chasm is not that wide between the Arminians and Calvinists; the more I study both positions the more I realize that the "chasm" is more like a small crack in the sidewalk. Both groups still believe the same Bible--it's not like one is reading/studying/believing the Bible, and the other the Koran. Nor has the debate between Armininians and Calvinists has not streatched back to before Man was created.

In conclusion, I appear to be defending the Arminian position, which is not what I am here to do, nor am I hear to defend the Calvinist position (I lean towards Calvinisim, but see the Arminian postion as well, and was such have been/am studying both positions). Lastly, I have said all this because some of the things that you have said makes it sound like you must be Calvinist if you are a true Christian because as you said they are "worshipping a differnt God, a different Jesus . . ." and that is not the case at all!