I am reading through a chapter on God's Providence in Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem. It has been a reminder to me that what we believe about the sovereignty (control) of God over all things is an important issue to how we view stewardship and life.
I did not come by Calvinism naturally. I was first introduced to the ideas by my father-in-law eight years ago. I became interested in learning about the differences in philosophies between Arminianism and Calvinism. Those who agree with John Calvin's (1509-1564) interpretation of Scripture on the issue of God's sovereignty and human free will are often referred to as Calvinists. Those who agree with Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) on these issues are called Arminians.
A quick summary of the beliefs of each of these camps:
Calvinism's main points can be remembered by the acronym: TULIP
1. Total depravity: Because of the fall of man, every person is born into the world enslaved by sin. Because we are by nature inclined to serve our own selfish interests, we will not choose God.
2. Unconditional election: God's choice from eternity of those He will bring to Himself is not based on merit or virtue. It is unconditionally centered on God's mercy.
3. Limited atonement: The death of Christ takes away the penalty of sins of those on whom God has chosen to have mercy.
4. Irresistible grace: The saving grace of God is effectually applied to those He has determined to save. His grace can overcome the most stubborn, callous heart.
5. Perseverance of the saints: Any person who has been truly converted to Christ will persevere in the faith. The word saint is used in the sense that people are set apart by God to pursue obedience to Him.
Arminianism's five beliefs are:
1. Free will: The fall of man was not total. Every person has enough good in them to accept Christ as Savior.
2. Conditional election: God's foreknowledge of who would believe and man's act of faith are the conditions that lead to salvation. God foreknew those who would freely choose Him.
3. Universal atonement: Christ died for everyone. God never wills that anyone should die apart from Christ, but each person must exercise their free will in trusting this atonement in order to be saved.
4. Obstructable grace: The Holy Spirit woos people to Christ. God's will to save all men can be frustrated by the will of man. Every person must exercise their own will first and then they can be born again.
5. Falling from grace: People can lose their salvation by choosing to fall away from Christ. Mankind must continually believe in order to be saved.
A few comments are in order. First, I consider this debate to be of secondary importance. There is great mystery in how the sovereignty of God and human free will co-exist. I affirm the idea that God is sovereign and humans are responsible. I believe that most people in both camps would agree with that statement.
I have close friendships with Christians who fall into the Arminian category and I have close friendships who are devout Calvinists. I would never hope to jeopardize those relationships over an issue that at the end of the day, we have to humbly admit that there is mystery and lack of clarity.
I came to the conclusion that Calvinism is the better understanding of God's sovereignty/human free will because of three major factors.
1. The weight of Scripture. Both sides of this debate can point to troubling verses for the other side to explain. But after studying the whole Bible on this issue, I conclude that Calvinism is the easier position to defend. There are too many verses that defend the total and complete sovereignty of God over everything in His creation- including human free will- for me to believe in Arminianism.
2. The weight of church history. The proponents of Calvinism have a larger list of theological heavyweights: Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Jonathan Edwards, JC Ryle, BB Warfield, Spurgeon, George Muller, John Owen to name a few. If you read about these men's lives, you can't help coming away with an awe of their study habits. The fact that they came to Calvinist conclusions was persuasive to me. We always stand on the shoulders of giants when we clarify these issues.
3. The belief that faith in a God who is completely in control over all things is much easier to live with than a God whose purposes can be thwarted by the free choices of humankind. There are some tough issues to work through around why evil exists in defending Calvinism. But I am comfortable with understanding that in the new heavens and earth. God has given us the answer to evil in Christ. But the issues surrounding Arminianism- like the potential for us to fall from grace in heaven; God's inability to control the future; etc... are way too hard for me to accept.
I believe that a complete trust in the sovereignty of God is the basis for stewardship. It is because I believe that God is methodically and wisely unfolding a plan for all of creation to be restored under the rule of Christ that I desire to be the best steward of this life.
For His Glory,
Ashley Hodge
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