DOES
NOT
CARE
Although I doubt that a truly critically thinking theologian OR Calvinist for that matter is going to be reading this blog, let me assure the reader that there is no really good way to explain Arminianism vs. Calvinism.....but let me try..... :-)
Essentially, Calvinism asserts that God is so very sovereign over all the world that he directs EVERY action of humanity including sin. Salvation, then becomes INCREDIBLY good news because the poor lost person is not able to look up and be saved.
Arminianism, retaining the biblical mystery of the Gospel, IMHO, asserts that man can decide whether or not to be a Christian (the grace of God influences, rather than being irresistible, the decision of the believer)
The logical inference is that only those chosen for grace will get it. This is what drives Arminians like me crazy.
Because we try to be so biblical, we know what Jesus said: "whoever believes in Him has eternal life" John 3:16
So why do I mention this? Because its what I'm thinking about, but also because the Scripture addresses what I consider one of the crucial questions of faith development in the Scripture:
ASSURANCE
How can you KNOW that your sins are forgiven?
This is an issue for both CALVINISTS and ARMINIANS
For the Calvinist, its the assurance of salvation. Getting the peace of God, and the Romans 8:16 sense of assurance is sufficient to confirm you are chosen (admittedly oversimplification)
For the Arminian, things are less secure, at least on the surface. Unfortunately the Arminian insistence that one can rebel, fall away, or be come unregenerate (once regenerate) can lead to feelings of spritual insecurity.
As a child growing up in an Assemblies of God church, I regularly wondered if I were saved or not, and repented frequently. See: The Truth in Two Verses for more on the grace of God
Romans 8:16-17 is a powerful set of verses about this.
Another one, we encountered @ Bethel this past Wednesday night (October 3, 2012) as we concluded our study of Colossians.
Paul finishes his book much in the same way that he does in Romans 16:1-27 when he makes a greeting to fellow workers and laborers in the early church. These passages are goldmines of truth about life and ministry in the first century church. One in particular addresses the issue of
ASSURANCE.
It's in Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always wstruggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand xmature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Epaphras, one of the leaders is identified by Paul as not a Calvinist or Arminian, but as a servant of Christ Jesus....who always struggles on your behalf in his prayers
He was an intercessor. This in itself is a powerful Christian activity.
Notice the content of his prayers:
that you may stand xmature and fully assured in all the will of God.
Thank God! In our efforts at discipleship (Matthew 28:19-20, Titus 3:5-7, Ephesians 4:11-16) let's remember that we can PRAY FOR GOD'S ASSURANCE to rest on our disciples. Those we minister to can have the confidence and full assurance (Romans 8:16) of faith (Hebrews 11:1)
