Subject: Is there middle ground? |
Bible Note: I don’t know if I want to pick up this gauntlet, but I know I do not want to argue! This leg of the tree is a little bit short, so maybe I can even things up a bit if nothing else! I claim neither Calvinism nor Arminianism. Maybe this is why. When I was growing up, we had a fired up little old lady in our church. Many times she would speak out against false doctrine being taught in the world. She always referred to them as the evil “is’ems” of the world. Maybe that is what keeps me from taking on the label of anything that has “ism” as the suffix! Anyway, I know I am probably more A than C. I agree with all the points of Arminianism except I am not sure of point five (falling from grace). I know people do indeed fall away, I’m just not sure if they were true believers or were just “so-called believers.” I know the Word gives us assurance that our salvation is secure and guaranteed (Eph 1:13-14). However, I cannot ignore scripture that warns those who would choose to turn their back on Jesus (2Pe 2:20-21). I am confident and secure of my salvation. But I’m not sure if the ones spoke of in 2Pe 2:20-21 and other places were not true believers. My teaching and upbringing have told me that these people could not have ever been believers, and I would not argue this point, but I am not sure that is what the Word declares. I know many who would claim to be A that would be confident that true believers can never choose to quit believing. I also know many who would claim to be C that would tell me that Jesus died for all. However, I think if a person has a modified belief of any of the five points of each doctrine, they can claim neither. There are five points of each doctrine that is spelled out plainly. The way I see it, the answer to the question of whether one is C and A must be “all of the above?”, not multiple choice, pick and choose, or change and modify. Chuck Smith has a booklet called Calvinism, Arminianism and the Word of God. Here is a quote from it that may be of interest. “It is not easy to maintain the unity of the Spirit among us on these matters. It seems that the sovereignty of God and human responsibility are like two parallel lines that do not seem to intersect within our finite minds. God's ways are "past finding out" (Romans 11:33), and the Bible warns us to "lean not unto thy own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). To say what God says in the Bible - no more and no less - is not always easy, comfortable, or completely understandable. But Scripture tells us that the wisdom from above will be loving and kind toward all, seeking the unity of the believers, not trying to find ways to divide and separate from one another. May God help us all to love each other, to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as Jesus Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32)! In difficult doctrinal matters, may we have gracious attitudes and humble hearts, desiring most of all to please Him who has called us to serve Him in the body of Christ. Discussion - YES! Disagreements - YES! Division - NO! Jesus said, "By their fruit ye shall know them." When a particular position on the Scriptures causes one to become argumentative, legalistic, and divisive, I question the validity of that position. I seek to embrace those things that tend to make me more loving and kind, more forgiving and merciful. I know then that I am becoming more like my Lord. If you have come to a strong personal conviction on one side of a doctrinal issue, please grant us the privilege of first seeing how it has helped you to become more Christ-like in your nature, and then we will judge whether we need to come to that same persuasion. Let us always be certain to look at the fruit of the teaching. Seek those things that produce the loving nature of Jesus in our lives. I would rather have the wrong facts and a right attitude, than right facts and a wrong attitude. God can change my understanding of the facts in a moment, but it often takes a lifetime to effect changes of attitude.” Chuck Smith (calvarychapel.com/library/smith-chuck/books/caatwog.htm) Jesus knows all!! retxar |