Predestination in the Extremes of Calvinism and Armianism

Calvinism 1: Predestination in the Extremes of Calvinism and Armianism

 A series of posts discussing topic of predestination from the perspectives of extreme Calvinism and Arminianism. It explores the dangers of taking either extreme too far and emphasizes the importance of understanding predestination in relation to sonship and inheritance. Examines the potential for false comfort in both Calvinism and Arminianism and concludes with the idea that predestination is ultimately about sonship and not just salvation.

Overview

• • Conclusion (John 6:44, Matthew 11:27)
    • • We were predestined for sonship, not just salvation
    • • If we have come to Him and are coming to Him, we won’t be rejected and haven’t been rejected
    • • Whoever comes to Him, He will in no wise cast out

• • Conclusion (John 6:44, Matthew 11:27)
    • • We were predestined for sonship, not just salvation
    • • If we have come to Him and are coming to Him, we won’t be rejected and haven’t been rejected
    • • Whoever comes to Him, He will in no wise cast out

• • Predestination in the Extremes of Calvinism and Arminianism
    • • Both extremes can lead to heresy if taken too far
    • • Predestination is not only about redemption but also about sonship
    • • God draws us to Him and the danger of false comfort in both Calvinism and Arminianism

• • Predestination Related to Sonship and Inheritance (Ephesians 1:5, 1:11, Romans 8:29-30, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7)
    • • Inheritance and sonship are the main focus of predestination
    • • Sonship is not just about being saved, but it begins with regeneration
    • • We will be brought into the presence of God as a co-heir with Christ to inherit the ages to come, on equal footing with Him to reign with Him as partakers of the divine life and nature
    • • Our humanity will be transfigured and uplifted to the same status that He enjoyed prior to His incarnation in His divinity

• • Predestination in Arminianism (Ephesians 1:5, 1:11, Romans 8:29-30, 1 Corinthians 2:6-7)
    • • The doctrine of Predestination is very attractive to those plagued by fears that one could lose their salvation
    • • The assurance offered by predestination is eventually undermined when taken to the extremes

• • Predestination in Calvinism (John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1, Romans 5:10, Romans 8:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Revelation 22:17)
    • • Calvinists believe that only the predestined will thirst and Jesus died only for the “elect”
    • • They fear that they might not have truly believed but have had “spurious faith” because they look to their works and think, “I don’t have enough fruit”
    • • They view the law as the rule of life; they see almost nothing about regeneration and our identification with Christ in His death and our death to sin and to the law

• • False Comfort and Discovering You Might Not Be Elect (Ephesians 1:13, John 6:39)
    • • Perseverance of the Saints can lead to false comfort and the fear that you might not be one of the “elect”
    • • In Calvinism, faith might not save you, because faith without works is dead

• • Conclusion (John 6:44, Matthew 11:27)
    • • We were predestined for sonship, not just salvation
    • • If we have come to Him and are coming to Him, we won’t be rejected and haven’t been rejected
    • • Whoever comes to Him, He will in no wise cast out