Now for something entirely different

      A friend of mine told me about a couple of friends of his having a argument of the theological kind.  Now I don't get into theology much on this site but since eschatology decided not to cooperate at this time allow me to enter into the discussion of "holy things".  (UPDATE 10-6 Now I actually do get into theology on here)
      The debate was between a Calvinist and an Arminian.  Oh boy, it doesn't get much richer than that if you have ever experienced it.  Maybe it was you.
      Well allow me to express my opinion.  First of all Calvinism and Arminianism are guesses to how God's grace ultimately works.  They are high quality/heavily followed opinions.  Secondly, again in my opinion they are both right and they are both wrong.  There are logical flaws in both and there is greatness in both.
       Let's establish them first.  Calvinism is easily remembered as TULIP.
              T- Total Depravity of man
              U- Unconditional Election
              L- Limited Atonement
              I- Irresistible Grace
              P- Perseverance of the saints

       The total depravity of man explains that from birth we are total sinners, lost, trapped, damned.  There is nothing you can do about it you WILL sin.  And on this point I will completely agree.
       Unconditional election explains that in the realm of predestination God chose some of the depraved human beings a children, though they were lost in their sin.  It has nothing to do with conditions we can meet or achieve, God simply chooses out His kindness.  And on this point I agree.
       Limited atonement explains that Jesus blood was shed on the cross for the forgiveness of sins of the selected children, with none spilled as an offering for others.  Jesus resurrection from the dead seals the offer of redemption for those chosen children, but is meaningless to the un-chosen, whom from our human perspective are indistinguishable.  It is here that I cannot agree.  I'll explain my alternative later.
       Irresistible grace explains that God's chosen children for whom His blood was shed for , whom He offers resurrection cannot resist the offer.  They cannot say 'no thanks' to Jesus.  This is a fascinating argument because it assumes SO MUCH.  Irresistible grace assumes that the atonement is limited.  That is the only way it works.  If Jesus only died truly for 3 out of 10 people then those 3 certainly cannot resist Jesus.  But this argument unravels IF the atonement is not at all limited.
       Perseverance of the saints explains that the depraved humans that are chosen as children are truly made new by the Holy Spirit and no matter their experience on this earth or in this life they won't have their faith overcome.  I agree with this.  It is not at all what we are seeing with our eyes in Christianity today, but not everyone in Christianity is a new creation.
       Now Arminianism came on the heals of Calvinism, and I suspect was first formed as a responsive opinion.  But just like so many of us are pat to do instead of taking from Calvin what was good, they became polar opposites.  Like a democrat to a republican.  Like black paint to white. Like Red Sox to Yankees.  So here is the Arminian opinion.

            Weakness inherited from Adam
            Elected on God's foreknowledge
            Unlimited atonement
            Resistible grace
            Perseverance dependent on obedience

      Weakness inherited from Adam explains that we are born sinless but with an internal fault or bent towards evil.  I reject this concept openly.  Sin is passed down not weakness to sin.  It is not possible to be sinless as the son of your father, if you could then Jesus atonement would be plan B, instead of the WAY.  Jesus Himself alone is sinless because He was a son of His Father who was unseen (and not human).
      Elected on God's foreknowledge explains that God selects His children by looking into their futures and seeing who they are.  Does He pick the best?  Obviously not.  Does He pick the smartest?  Not always.  Does He pick those who will pick Him?  Like a mutual by in?  Look, God's foreknowledge is not a crystal ball application that He turns on and off to make informed decisions.  He is all informed all the time so His choice in all likelihood is as much unconditional as it is on His knowledge, if the second part at all.  Ephesians 1:5 leads me to believe that His kindness trumped His knowledge, or that in fact His kindness is His knowledge.
    Unlimited atonement explains as in 1 Timothy 4:10 that Jesus blood on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and His resurrection for new life was for EVERYBODY.  Not just for those that would believe.  A question must be asked even if you, like me, agree.  Why for all if it is not used by all?  Is not the resurrection the first fruits of the entire world being made new?  Even the planet itself will be born into new life.  Jesus blood was a complete offer for all time, one lamb for all mankind, sins forgiven for all, even those who don't believe.  Everyone's sin is forgiven.  But in some, the chosen children are drawn by the Spirit to Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive new life.  Those who miss out on the kingdom of Christ and the newness to come do so not because of un-forgiveness, but because they aren't His children.
     Resistible grace explains that people can hear the good news of Jesus work and saving power and decline it.  I agree.  Some of God's children decline the invitation many many times before the Spirit draws them.  To me that makes grace resistible, it become irresistible on the adoption day of the child.  Maybe for you that still sounds like irresistible grace, but to me that terms sounds like everyone who will ever believe will hear the good news today and accept.  That simply isn't true.
     Perseverance dependent on obedience explains that the faithful only overcome/reach heaven when obedient.  And while obedience is a major theme of the disciples writings it is not the key to maintaining salvation.  The disobedient believer doesn't lose His faith anymore than a disobedient child loses his parents.  Your obedience shows your Christ-likeness and Christian maturity, it is not your child status card.  God's children will never be abandoned.  No the true children will overcome to the end, even if they go off track sometimes.
     So for those keeping track my opinion is not Calvinistic or Arminian but 'Calminian'...

            Total Depravity
            Unconditional Election
            Unlimited Atonement
            Resistible Grace
            Perseverance of the saints

Looking for the groom...