The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Does God force men to sin?

First, welcome to the Discussion Board.

Just a reminder, this is a board that embraces and defends historic Christianity, aka: Calvinism which was rediscovered and came to life once again by God's mercy and providence through the Protestant Reformation. So, we can say accurately and historically, that true Christianity is that which is Protestant vs. all other religions. The doctrines of true Protestantism are antithetical to ALL other systems for no other reason than Protestantism holds to a monergistic salvation vs. a synergistic salvation.

Right off the starting block we are going to have to make a correction/clarification. The difference between Calvinism and Arminianism is decidedly NOT one of differing perspectives. Why?

1. By saying that the difference between the two systems is only one of perspective you have to deny absolute truth for something cannot be true and not true at the same time. One of the systems is assuredly in error for they are contradictory at their very foundation.
2. If one maintains that the difference is one of perspective then at best this means that both groups are grasped only part of the whole concerning the doctrines of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, faith, regeneration, the Fall, salvation, a world cosmology, etc., etc. But again this cannot be the case! (see #a)
3. To maintain that God's truth is simply one of perspective, that puts man as the arbitrator of all truth. Again, this cannot be true for truth is to be found external to man, i.e., it is revealed from God and God alone. (cf. Jh 14:6: 17:17 et al)

All you have done here is to affirm your thesis; both groups believe in the same God. You haven't offered any proof whatsoever to substantiate your proposition. What you have given are very general statements which even JW's and Mormons could affirm. If one reverts to reductionism as appears above, then there is little difference between many religions which we all know are antithetical to Christianity.

Again, you have succumbed to reductionism, aka: a "dumbed down gospel". There is an impassable chasm which separates the "gospel" of Arminianism and the Gospel of Calvinism. This antithesis was dealt with on a global scale in 1618-1619 at the great Synod of Dordt. The followers of Arminius submitted a remonstrance to the Church which consisted of five "grievances" concerning the doctrines held by all the churches of that day. The subjects of that remonstrance were the doctrine of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Fall, faith, regeneration, salvation, predestination/election, the atonement and perseverance. Much more was affected of course but these were the main areas of disagreement. The antagonists KNEW that the differences were not one of perspective but fundamental issues of biblical truth. The defenders of the Church concluded after many months of deliberation that Arminianism was not simply another perspective but gross error. In fact it was judged to be damnable heresy. Thus history stands against your current position.

Honestly, and I don't mean to be rude or insulting, but IF you seriously see the two systems as being very close to each other (like a small crack in the sidewalk), then you have failed to grasp what either system teaches.

Now, because of the nature of this topic to be able to do justice to it I suggest that it be broken down into small bits, as it were. I propose that I start a new thread for the discussion of 1) the doctrine of God; comparing what Arminianism (or current semi-Pelagianism) teaches vs. historic Protestantism (aka: Calvinism) teaches. I hope to see you participate in that first topic.

In His grace,