The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum How should we respond tolerance of heresy ?

There are two extremes in the Calvinist camp, as best as I can tell from years of experience:

1. Those who see non-Calvinists, particularly "Arminians", which are few and far between in actuality, as "brothers & sisters" in Christ who simply have not had the advantage of proper training. The fact is that the overwhelming majority of non-Calvinist professing Christians are theologically semi-Pelagians, which is even more heretical. The "tolerant Calvinists" are by far over represented between the two groups and is becoming more and more popular and acceptable.

2. Calvinists who deem Arminians, semi-Pelagians and those Calvinists from group one as unregenerate.

I stand squarely in the middle of these two groups. Scripturally, and historically Arminianism and its more evil sister semi-Pelagianism is damnable heresy. Those who TRULY believe in either of these systems of theology, both intellectually and in their heart cannot be truly saved. I do believe there is a very small amount of people who profess to believe these systems of theology are biblical but when they are shown from Scripture and sound reasoning to be grossly in error, they reject them and embrace the doctrines of grace.

Those who profess to be Calvinists in the first group who accept Arminians and/or semi-Pelagians as "brothers & sisters" in Christ are unfortunately woefully inconsistent, for whatever reason, with what they profess. This is a sad inconsistency on their part. The consequences of their inconsistency is very serious for they give false assurance to those who are still dead in their sins and under the just condemnation of God unless they repent and believe upon Christ with a true saving faith wrought by the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit. Some have even adopted a false gospel and are leading many to perdition.

On the other hand, those who profess to be Calvinists in the second group leave no room for the possibility that one who professes Arminianism or semi-Pelagianism could be saved. But they go even further in their insistence that even those Calvinists in the first group are unregenerate. A few include a provision in that IF a Calvinist in the first group would repent of their belief that Arminians/semi-Pelagians are true Christians, they can be saved. Otherwise, they will be damned. The reality is, of course, that few if any are known to have repented of this inconsistent belief, meaning that they are all unregenerate and reprobates.

One thing is for sure is that just because someone professes to embrace the doctrines of grace is no guarantee that they are regenerate either. One is not saved because of belief in right doctrine, but rather in the person of the biblical Christ. And, at the same time, one isn't saved without believing in right doctrine either.

Lastly, in my experience in speaking with hundreds of people who are part of the "Evanjellycal" movement and too many who profess to be "Reformed", the sad truth is, the majority have no valid profession of faith. Thus, it is always my practice to speak the Gospel to them and encourage them to seek the one true living God through repentance and faith in the person of the Lord Christ. (1Cor 3:6-10)