A Calvin-Arminius Peace Accord

 

I would not presume in a mere 715 words to usher in an era of peace and transquility where a centuries old controversy has raged. But I recently piped up in a theology discussion and some folks around me found these thoughts helpful. Maybe you will, too.

First a little background: Reformed Theology (often associated with John Calvin) proposes that salvation ultimately begins with God and His choice of those whom He will save. Non-reformed views (some of which are associated with Jacobus Arminius) maintain that salvation begins with the free choice of men. Staunch advocates of either view will protest my absence of nuance in these summaries. Let me press pass their protests and dare to simplify things even more: As it pertains to who can be saved, a Calvin cheerleader says, “only those whom God has chosen.” An Arminius advocate says, “Whosoever will may come.” These views can be further distilled to simply “sovereign election” and “free will.” There are passages in the Bible which support both ideas.

“Whosoever will” verses:

• “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved'” (Romans 10:12–13).
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).

“Only those whom I have chosen” verses:

• “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
• “[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Timothy 1:9).

The Bible affirms that “whosoever will may come” AND that God grants salvation to “only those whom I have chosen.” So here’s my proposed bit of theological detente. Since the Bible affirms both, we should too. I cannot resolve the tension in my mind between these two phrases. But this is my problem, NOT the Bible’s.

Affirming both truths protects us from blame-casting and pride. If salvation is wholly and only a matter of God’s choice, then the man condemned to hell has reason to blame God: He is in hell because God didn’t choose him. Conversely, if salvation is wholly and only a matter of man’s choice, then the man in heaven has a basis for arrogance: He is in heaven because he made a smart choice and those doomed to hell didn’t. When we affirm both statements as the truth, then the man in heaven has only God to thank for choosing him and the man in hell has only himself to blame for rejecting salvation.

One more thing: I do not find it helpful to dilute the sense of these two phrases in the interest of easing the tension between them. To say God only chooses those whom He knows will choose Him is to dilute election in favor of freewill. To say that God’s choice compels a sinner to accept salvation is to dilute freewill in favor of election. The Bible teaches both concepts straight up and undiluted. That’s what I believe.

So, what’s the practical implication? First, if you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, thank God daily. You would never belong to Jesus if God had not shown you grace in calling you to Himself. Praise God for saving those around you, too. Paul gets it: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Second, as you go about your day, make known the amazing truth that whosoever will may come. Salvation is freely and genuinely offered to every man, woman, and child with whom you have contact. Make sure you tell them that Jesus’ gracious offer is real: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

Comments

[Doug Tiffany]

Very well written, Jim. My wife and I have frequent (peaceful) discussions on this topic, as I am on one side of the fence, and she on another. As always, thank you so much for your insight.

Doug

[Jim]

Hopefully you can now meet in the middle by standing on BOTH sides of the fence. Who knew!