The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What doctrine is most hated?

To be clear, understood in light of Pilgrim's purpose for the thread; the answer is definitely Total Depravity. Sorry again for my confusion.
Tom

Hi, I'm in Spain and after seeing so many self-called believers (from youngers to elders) in various evangelical churches for years, I'm persuaded that the question given to each of us (especially of nowadays!!) would be quite simple; Have you a honesty and sincerity in front of the words of our Master in John ch.17 vv.1-10 (especially v.6)? (if you say you have accepted the Scriptures as the Gog's) The word of the One who gave his Life for his Father and for you (1John:4:10)?
I think it's normal that we accept what explains J.Calvin to us, and there's no other choice if you really want to reconcile with our Creater who sent his beloved Son to this ugly world FOR ONES WHO COULD RECOGNISE HIS REALITY! And Paul has known it very well so he wrote Romans:11:11-24 (especially see the verse 22!), I suppose.
My conculsion is that; there is no salvation that is easy and human in the thoughts of our God otherwise never(!) he would sent his beloved Son to this world to leave him dead for us. Our God only wants our redeemed heart, repented and really renewed one (Ez:36:26), that is also baptized by his Son (Jn:1:33), because it's our God who had created us by his image... And there is so few people who could accept his such Exigency, and so others say "God is Love, God is Love...", and these are the ones who dislike the scriptural reality that Calvin have revealed.

Very sorry for my poor English, but I wish we could find the reality that our merciful God wants to let us know.

Would sya the 2 that have been most prominent would be thelimited atonement view, and also God election, as some misunderstand both to make God out to be into fatalism!

Although the initial objection made by most are those two, the underlying real objection is the doctrine of Total Depravity. If one truly understands how far gone man really is, then Unconditional Election and Definite Atonement necessarily follow for both totally eliminate anything in man or any ability in man to secure salvation. The Five Points are an integral whole. Remove one and the rest fall to the ground.

What is interesting in regards to that doctrine is that both calvinists and arminians would agree that man is incapable/unable to save themselves, apart from the saving grace of God provided for sinners in the Cross of Christ. We really depart quickly though from there, as they seek to bring into it human free will as co assistor to the grace of God.

FYI, historical Arminianism is rarely found in our day. That theological system was officially introduced back in the early 1600's by a group of followers of Jacabus Arminius. It was presented to the Synod of Dordtrech for consideration. The proponents disagreed with the Belgic Confession to which their denomination subscribed and they agreed to embrace and teach. Over a period of 18 months their view was debated and then unanimously rejected as damnable heresy. You can read the Synod's response here: The Canons of Dort.

Most all non-Reformed denominations/churches hold to "semi-Pelagianism" which is far worse than Arminianism. Semi-Pelagianism is what the Roman Catholic teaches as well. The difference between Arminianism, semi-Pelagianism, and historic Calvinism in regard to justification is as follows (briefly):

1. Arminianism: Man is totally incapable of repenting and believing the Gospel by nature. However, God has given to ALL men previent grace, which is said to overcome man's natural inability and thus enable ALL to comprehend and believe upon Christ if they will.

2. Semi-Pelagianism: Man is not totally incapable of repenting and believing in Christ because he is not spiritually dead, but contrariwise, man retains a natural ability to exercise his 'free-will' and repent and believe. Thus, as the Arminian system above, justification is grace+faith=justificaiton. Faith, therefore, becomes a work and nullifies justification by grace alone in Christ alone.

3. Calvinism: Man is born with a corrupt nature which is completely antagonistic toward God and all that is good. Man has neither the desire nor ability to repent and believe upon Christ. What is needed is a radical transformation of the soul; the nature itself, which is called regeneration (new birth), resulting in a spiritually alive nature which is predisposed to hate sin, love God and seeks forgiveness and reconciliation solely through the redemption which is in Christ. Only Calvinism holds firmly to salvation by grace alone through faith (God-given) in Christ. (see here: Do You Really Believe that Salvation is by Grace ALONE?).

Another excellent article that explains Arminianism and semi-Pelagianism can be found here: The Pelagian Captivity of the Church.

That semi pel viewpoint seems to be the prominent one currently in American church circles, as the classic arminian one is not held that often it seems!

Correct! The overwhelming number of evanjellical churches embrace semi-Pelagianism vs. Arminianism. And some even go farther than that and embrace a form of Pelagianism. There are so many apostate churches in our day it is enough to make your head spin. This should not be a big surprise since it has always been this way since the beginning and it will get increasingly worse, for God has made it clear that only a remnant should be saved (Rom 9:27; 11:5; 12:27; Matt 24:22-31; Mk 13:20-22; et al).

I am a memeber of a Baptist church, that has calvinists such as myself, and arminians, semi pel in it, but the senior pastor teaches strongly on doctrines of grace, and he has alter calls, but also teaches that one must make sure and have a lkife reflecting saved, not justtrusting on a one time event!

Could you clarify the above in regard to those various views held by people "in it"? Put another way, are those holding to Arminianism or semi-Pelagianism members in the church you attend?

Yes, as many would not even realise what those termsd mean, and that they atual believe and hold to those things!
The pastors and elders pretty much all agreed on doctrine/points on Grace....

So required to hold with to teach/lead, but not for laity!