An Intro to Calvinism and Arminianism
Today we start a 6-week series on one of the most heated theological debates of the last 500 years: Calvinism vs. Arminianism. In this episode we’ll talk about the nature of salvation and the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human free will. We’ll give some background on the key players in the debate: John Calvin, Jacob Arminius, and even St. Augustine. And we’ll of course introduce TULIP - the acronym that will provide a framework for the rest of this series.
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TULIP
https://www.pursuegod.org/what-is-calvinism/
- Total Depravity. Humans without Christ are completely lost in their sins to the point that they can do no good. Sin affects every part of humanity: our will, emotions, actions, and attitudes. Romans 3:10-12 (NLT) As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
- Unconditional Election. God chose Christians based on nothing about them. Election is not based on any foreseen faith in humans and it certainly isn’t based on anything they do. It’s simply based on God’s will and choice. Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT) Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.
- Limited Atonement. Christ’s death only paid for the sins of the elect. In other words, the death of Christ paid for the sins of God’s true people who respond to Christ in faith and repentance, but not for the whole world. John 10:11 (NLT) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
- Irresistible Grace. God effectively calls you because his call cannot be resisted, nor would you want to resist it. In the moment when God calls you he also regenerates you. This is the work of the Holy Spirit coming into your life and giving you a new heart. John 6:37 (NLT) However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them.
- Perseverance of the Saints. If you are truly elected and regenerated by God then you will continue on in a life of faith until the end. You aren’t going to be perfect, but you will continue to pursue God until the end of your life. Ephesians 1:11-14 (NLT) Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own[d] by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
The following episodes in this series use the TULIP outline as a general framework for discussing the two perspectives.
Who was Calvin?
"Calvin" typically refers to John Calvin, a significant figure in the history of Protestant Christianity and the founder of Calvinism, one of the major branches of Protestant theology. John Calvin was a French theologian and reformer who lived in the 16th century. Here is an overview of his life and influence:
1. **Early Life**: John Calvin was born in Noyon, France, on July 10, 1509. He studied law and classics at the University of Paris but later had a religious conversion experience that led him to embrace Protestantism.
2. **Influence on the Reformation**: Calvin became one of the key figures of the Protestant Reformation, along with Martin Luther. His most significant work is "Institutes of the Christian Religion," which provided a systematic and influential exposition of Protestant theology.
3. **Establishment of Calvinism**: Calvin's teachings, often referred to as "Reformed" theology, had a profound impact on the development of Protestantism. He emphasized the sovereignty of God, predestination, and a strong belief in the authority of the Bible.
4. **Geneva**: Calvin settled in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1536, where he played a central role in establishing a theocratic government that was guided by his religious principles. Geneva became a major center for the spread of Reformed theology.
5. **Controversies and Opposition**: Calvin's ideas and actions also generated opposition and controversy. His strict approach to church discipline, involvement in the execution of heretics, and his influence on the theocratic government in Geneva have been sources of criticism and debate. John Calvin died in Geneva on May 27, 1564
Who was Arminius?
Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) was a Dutch theologian and minister who is known for his role in the development of Arminianism, a theological system that represents an alternative to the Calvinist doctrines of predestination and election within Reformed Christianity. Arminius' ideas led to the Remonstrant movement in the Dutch Reformed Church and the Synod of Dort, where his teachings were debated and ultimately rejected by the majority of the Reformed Church. Here are some key points about Arminius and his theological contributions:
1. **Early Life and Education**: Jacobus Arminius was born in Oudewater, a city in the Netherlands. He studied theology at the University of Leiden and was deeply influenced by Reformed theology. However, as he studied the Bible and theology further, he began to develop theological views that differed from strict Calvinism.
2. **Theological Development**: Arminius' most notable theological departure from Calvinism was his view on predestination. While he accepted the idea of predestination, he argued for a more moderate form of predestination that incorporated human free will. He believed that God's election was conditional upon foreseen faith and that individuals had the ability to resist God's grace.
3. **Controversy and the Remonstrants**: Arminius' teachings led to controversy within the Dutch Reformed Church. His followers, known as the Remonstrants, presented a document called the Remonstrance (1610) outlining their theological views, which included five key points: Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Total Depravity, Resistible Grace, and the Possibility of Apostasy. These points were a direct challenge to the dominant Calvinist views of predestination.
4. **Synod of Dort**: In response to the Remonstrants, the Synod of Dort (also known as the Dordrecht Synod) was convened in 1618-1619. This international assembly of Reformed theologians and leaders was held to address the Arminian controversy. The Synod resulted in the condemnation of the Remonstrants' views and the formulation of the Canons of Dort, which upheld strict Calvinist positions.
5. **Arminius' Death**: Arminius passed away in ?, before the Synod of Dort. He did not live to see the full extent of the controversy and the rejection of his theological ideas.
6. **Impact**: Despite the condemnation of Arminianism at the Synod of Dort, Arminius' theological views continued to be advocated by the Remonstrants, and they later influenced the development of Arminian denominations, such as the Remonstrant Brotherhood. Arminianism also had an impact on other branches of Protestantism, contributing to a diverse theological landscape.
Arminius' ideas, often referred to as Arminianism, continue to be a significant theological tradition within Christianity, particularly in various denominations that emphasize human free will, general atonement, and conditional election.
How does Augustine figure in?
Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), often referred to as Saint Augustine, is a significant figure in the debate between Calvinism and Arminianism, even though he lived many centuries before the emergence of these theological systems. Augustine's writings, particularly his views on predestination, original sin, and divine grace, have had a profound influence on both sides of the debate. Here's how Augustine figures into the discussion:
**Calvinism**:
1. **Doctrine of Predestination**: Augustine's teachings on predestination and election have been foundational for Calvinist theology. He emphasized the absolute sovereignty of God in the salvation of individuals, teaching that God unconditionally chooses those whom He will save, based solely on His divine will.
2. **Total Depravity**: Augustine's view of original sin, which he believed was inherited from Adam, contributed to the Calvinist concept of total depravity. Total depravity teaches that all humans are born in a state of sin and are incapable of choosing God or doing good on their own.
3. **Divine Grace**: Augustine emphasized the importance of divine grace in salvation. In Calvinism, this is manifested in the doctrine of irresistible grace, which asserts that God's grace is efficacious and cannot be resisted by the elect.
4. **Influence on John Calvin**: John Calvin, the founder of Calvinism, drew heavily from Augustine's writings. Calvin often referred to Augustine in his own theological works and saw him as a significant theological precursor.
**Arminianism**:
1. **Compatibility with Free Will**: While Augustine's views on predestination align more with Calvinism, some aspects of his writings also leave room for a more compatibilist view of free will, which is closer to Arminianism. For example, Augustine believed that God's grace was necessary for salvation but not necessarily irresistible.
2. **Human Responsibility**: Arminians draw from Augustine's more nuanced views on free will to argue that humans have a degree of moral responsibility and the ability to respond to God's offer of grace. Augustine's writings, particularly his debate with the Pelagians, highlighted the importance of grace in salvation but also acknowledged the human will's role in accepting or rejecting God.
In summary, Augustine's teachings have left a significant mark on both Calvinism and Arminianism. His views on predestination, original sin, and grace have provided theological foundations for the discussion of these doctrines, even though he lived in a different era and context. Both Calvinists and Arminians have drawn upon Augustine's works to support their respective theological positions and have interpreted his writings in ways that align with their own beliefs. Augustine's influence on the theological landscape remains a subject of ongoing debate and discussion.
Calvinists and Arminians Today
What denominations reflect these two theological approaches? Every church or denomination has a “family tree” of which it is a part, which explains their relationship to historical movements and to each other.
1. **Calvinist Churches**: These typically fall into three main groups. Reformed churches originated from Calvinistic groups in continental Europe, especially the Netherlands, such as the Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church. Presbyterian churches go back to John Knox, who studied under Calvin in the 1550s, then led the formation of the Protestant church in Scotland. Several Presbyterian denominations exist in the United States, including the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Congregational churches come from the Puritan movement originating in England in the 1600s. The Puritans were mainly Calvinistic in theology. Some Baptist groups are Calvinistic, which historically have been called “Particular Baptists.” Many non-denominational churches also embrace Calvinism.
1. **Arminian Churches**: Many of these churches are derived from the influence of John Wesley, who embraced most of Arminius’ teachings. This includes various Methodist churches and the Wesleyan Church. Out of Methodism grew what is known as the Holiness Movement, which includes denominations like Church of the Nazarene and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Pentecostalism is a descendant of the Holiness Movement. Includes many denominations (such as Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel) and many non-denominational churches. Some Baptist groups also tend to be Arminian in their views of salvation, historically known as “General Baptists.” Churches in the Restoration Movement (Churches of Christ and Christian Churches) tend to be Arminian.
1. **Mixed Churches**: Some denominations include Arminians and Calvinists, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the Evangelical Free Church of America. In many non-denominational churches, people are free to be Calvinist or Arminian and still be in good standing in the church.
