An Introspective of an Arminian Christian

Monday, May 19, 2008

Are Calvinists Open Theists?

Richard Coords of Examining Calvinism raised a fascinating question for our Calvinist brethren over on the CARM discussion boards. He asks “Are Calvinists Open Theists who believe that God MUST decree everything in order to know anything?”. The question seeks to examine whether Calvinists constrict the LORD’s omniscience to a pattern of decrees and I for one look forward to the replies IF there is a sound Calvinist willing to step up to the task.

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Arminian and Baptist

In this new book J. Matthew Pinson presents a collection of historical-theological essays from the vantage point of a variety of Arminianism coming to be known as Reformed Arminianism. These essays describe the contours of the theology of the seventeenth-century English General Baptists Thomas Helwys and Thomas Grantham, showing their kinship with the thought of Jacobus Arminius, and the ways they diverged from thinkers such as John Smyth, John Goodwin, and John Wesley. Unlike these latter thinkers, Helwys and Grantham emphasized more-Reformed understandings of the meaning of sin and salvation. This is seen most clearly in their doctrines of total depravity, penal substitutionary atonement, the imputation of the active and passive obedience of Christ, and progressive sanctification. These doctrines produced a way of looking at perseverance and apostasy that emphasizes perseverance through faith alone rather than remaining in a state of grace through works and penitence.

SEA Statement of Faith

1. We believe the Scriptures as originally given by God, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, infallible, entirely trustworthy, and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

2. We believe in one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who possesses perfect and exhaustive knowledge of the past, present, and future, and who preserves, regulates, governs and directs all things so that nothing in the world happens without either his causation or permission. God is the author of good but not of evil. Yet even evil is governed by God in that God limits it and directs it to an end fitting with his overall plan and purpose.

3. We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, dying on the cross as a substitute and sacrifice for sinners. He arose bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father. He will return personally and visibly at the end of the age to fully establish God's Kingdom.

4. We believe that part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict sinners, enable them to believe, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.

5. We believe that humanity was created in the image of God but fell from its original sinless state through willful disobedience and Satan's deception, resulting in eternal condemnation and separation from God. In and of themselves and apart from the grace of God human beings can neither think, will, nor do anything good, including believe. But the prevenient grace of God prepares and enables sinners to receive the free gift of salvation offered in Christ and his gospel. Only through the grace of God can sinners believe and so be regenerated by the Holy Spirit unto salvation and spiritual life. It is also the grace of God that enables believers to continue in faith as well as good in thought, will, and deed, so that all good deeds or movements that can be conceived must be ascribed to the grace of God.

6. We believe that the shed blood of Jesus Christ and his resurrection were provided for the salvation of all people, but are effective only for those who believe. Christ's death and resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation, and only those who believe in Jesus Christ become born of the Holy Spirit and thus become children of God.

7. We believe that God’s saving grace is resistible, that election unto salvation is conditional on faith in Christ, and that persevering in faith is necessary for final salvation.

8. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the dead; of believers to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; and of unbelievers to judgment and eternal punishment.

An Introspective of an Arminian Christian

Monday, May 19, 2008

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Arminian and Baptist

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