The seriousness and extent of Arminian thinking can be a point of contention at times. It is not unheard of that in Reformed circles critical comments about Arminianism are met with blank stares, a degree of indifference, or even a degree of hostility. The hostility may arise as it is felt that the criticism is unjust, extreme, inaccurate, or, even if it is correct, unnecessary as despite the differences those holding to Arminian theology are still Christians.
In recent reading I came across some remarks concerning Arminianism which showed both the seriousness and extent of Arminian thinking and how it is incompatible with the Reformed faith which, after all, is the Scriptural faith. In essence, in Arminianism we have a different gospel (see 2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6-8), a gospel which denies salvation is the complete gift of the sovereign God who graciously justifies sinners through faith alone.
Just to refresh your memory, Arminian thinking, so soundly renounced in the Canons of Dort, denies God's sovereign eternal election unto salvation. While affirming God's grace, Arminianism claims that God merely offers salvation and it is up to man who decides to accept or reject the gospel. One author summed up Arminian thinking as follows,"....God was made dependent on free-will-equipped-men for whom He politely had to wait, looking to see whether the man would be so kind as to believe"(1).
Though the Reformers of the early 16th Century did not have to contend with Arminianism as such, since Arminianism arose late in the 16th century and early in the 17th century, they did have to contend with its theological cousin, Semi-Pelagianism. Semi-Pelagianism teaches that man is spiritually sick. As such he does need the help of God's grace in order to get better. However, it is up to man to take the spiritual medicine which God offers. God must have man's co-operation. In theological terms this was called "synergism". You can see the similarity to the Arminian position. The Reformers responded to this by stressing the sovereign grace of God, as heard in the cry "Sola gratia". God calls those dead in sin to new life (see Eph. 2:1-10). The Reformers stressed the helplessness of man in sin and the sovereignty of God in grace. This was a point of unity between the Reformers despite differences about other issues. (2) In the Book "The Bondage of the Will" this was the point that Luther argued with Erasmus.
We should note then that Arminianism is a reincarnation of Semi-Pelagianism with its emphasis on man's freedom. This explains why the churches acted so resolutely with respect to Arminianism. They saw it as a serious threat to the gospel and condemned it "as being in principle a return to Rome (because in effect it turned faith into a meritorious work) and a betrayal of the Reformation (because it denied the sovereignty of God in saving sinners, which was the deepest religious and theological principle of the Reformer's thought). Arminianism was,indeed, in Reformed eyes a renunciation of New Testament Christianity in favor of New Testament Judaism; for to rely on oneself for faith is no different in principle from relying on oneself for works, and the one is as unchristian and anti-Christian as the other."(3)
The Reformed faith thus teaches the helplessness of man in salvation. Arminianism, in typical Semi-Pelagian style, teaches self-help religion. It is sovereign God versus sovereign man. It is indeed the different gospel which Paul warned about. It is appealing because it extols the dignity of man. It is a lie because man is dead in sin, totally helpless.
While the aforementioned points show the seriousness of the Arminian teaching and how it stands in contrast to true Reformation theology, to what extent is it found today? One author stated that"Arminianism ... has had American evangelicalism in a stranglehold since the days of Charles Finney."(4) Charles Finney (1792-1875) was a revivalist preacher who was very influential with his revival techniques. Another author states that 86 percent of American evangelicals hold to the Arminian position as comes out in their agreement with the phrase, "God helps those who help themselves." (5)This comes out very clearly in the writings of the well known Billy Graham who has even written a religious self-help manual titled "How To be Born Again" in which the various steps to salvation are clearly spelled out.(6)
The apostle Paul fought with great vigor against the"different gospel". In that gospel they will speak of Christ and use words like grace, election, faith, regeneration, etc. Yet, it is not the gospel of sovereign grace received through faith but of grace received on the ground of one's faith. The earlier mentioned reference linking Rome and Arminianism is worth drawing to your attention again.Actually,there is a common denominator in all false religion in that it ascribes ability and free will to man by which he can effect his own salvation if he so wishes. It displays the arrogance of sinful man,even more so when he dresses lies with words of the gospel. That makes the enemy all the more difficult to detect as he works in his subtle way. We can all the more understand Paul's warning about Satan disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).
Personally I don't enjoy having to harp on the point of the Arminian danger. I fear, however, that it is necessary because it is not realized how serious and extensive a threat it is. The true church glories in the gospel of sovereign grace where God rescues dead sinners and grants them the righteousness of Christ through faith. Let me conclude quoting in full Paul's words in Gal. 1:6-9,
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel --not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed.
1. K. Schilder, Extra-Scriptural Binding - A New Danger (In AmericanSecession Theologians on Covenant and Baptism & Extra-ScripturalBinding). (Neerlandia: Inheritance Publications, 1996. p. 131.)
2. J.I. Packer and O.R. Johnston, "Historical and Theological Introduction," in Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will, trans. J.I. Packer and O.R. Johnston (Cambridge: James Clarke/Westwood, N.J.:Revell,1957, pp. 57-58)
5. M. Horton, In the Face of God. (Word Publishing, 1996) Appendix CURE (Christians United for Reformation).
6. To give just two examples, Graham writes "The context of John 3 teaches that the new birth is something that God does for man when man is willing to yield to God", and "He gives the Holy Spirit to draw you to the cross, but even after all this, it is your decision whether to accept God's free pardon or to continue in your lost condition." (B. Graham, How To Be Born Again. Originally published 1977. Quoted from the 1989 edition by Word Publishers, pages 150, 162)
Here are a few select quotes that expose this heresy and the danger of it:
It teaches that -
"God was made dependent on free-will-equipped-men for whom He politely had to wait, looking to see whether the man would be so kind as to believe"
It is a false gospel and a false religion-
"Actually,there is a common denominator in all false religion in that it ascribes ability and free will to man by which he can effect his own salvation if he so wishes. It displays the arrogance of sinful man,even more so when he dresses lies with words of the gospel."
"It is sovereign God versus sovereign man. It is indeed the different gospel which Paul warned about. It is appealing because it extols the dignity of man. It is a lie because man is dead in sin, totally helpless."
They may be Arminians while here on earth but they will not be Arminians in heaven!
Here they may say, "It is of the will of the flesh, but in heaven they shall not think so.
Here they may ascribe some little to the creature; but there they shall cast their crowns at the Redeemer's feet,
Here they may sometimes look a little at themselves, and boast somewhat of their own strength. But there, "Not unto us, not unto us," shall be sung with deeper sincerity and with more profound emphasis than they have even sung it here below.
In heaven, when grace shall have completed its work, this truth shall stand out in blazing letters of gold- "Salvation is of the Lord."
"Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law"
Do you know what it means to "set a man at variance" with another?
It means to divide them. That is what the truth does.....it divides one from another.
I suppose we'll have to let God judge, but I can definitely see the wave building for religious persecution once again. Rest assured, there are thousands of "different gospels" out there, all claiming they have the right one and condemning everyone else of preaching a different one. We have to be sure we've got the right one, and that we're not just another mob yelling "crucify him" because we think he's a leader of a sect.
"For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes"
The Dark Ages, Part 2 :prayingm:
I have to add though, the "gospel of Christ" is defined as spreading the good news about Jesus and his sacrifice. In that regard, we have the same "gospel". Predestination, etc, does not qualify as "gospel", it's probably listed under "vain disputation".
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised"
Arminianism sounds like just another man-made religion, and not of God.
The devil has a hand in the creation of religions, because religions deny the Truth of the Bible, and do not lead followers to initiating a relationship with God through Christ.
Instead, they tell followers they must DO things (works) to get to Heaven, instead of believing in and having a relationship with Christ.
In reality, according to the Bible, Jesus already DID everything necessary to save us all. He paid for all our sins by his suffering and death on the cross. All we have to do is believe this, and be appreciative.
So, forget all satan's attempts to confuse you with 'alternative gospels' and man-made religions that only lead you astray. Just read God's Written Word and pray/communicate with God's Living Word (Jesus).
Gain understanding and wisdom by reading the Written Word and pour out your heart to the Living Word!
"Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law"
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A DIFFERENT GOSPEL?
Posted : Posted : 7 Aug, 2013 09:42 AM
"Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law"
Do you know what it means to "set a man at variance" with another?
A DIFFERENT GOSPEL?
Posted : Posted : 7 Aug, 2013 09:42 AM
It means to divide them. That is what the truth does.....it divides one from another.
Their is a night and day difference between believers and non believers being divided, of course there is one is under the law of life and the other is under the law of death, but those under the law of death have the ability to choose life or death.
The simplicity is in rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Lk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Lk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Lk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Lk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed
Gal 313 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 314 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
What does the bible tell us the gospel is and who is it for.
Well, it's kind of a straw-man/ad hominem tactic to use the label "arminian" on all who believe that men have free will and are called by God to believe. Faith and works are directly used as opposites at every juncture in the bible, having faith cannot be biblically defined as a "work". So perhaps "arminianism" is an unbiblical doctrine based on works, but believing in free will is not necessarily related to "works", at least if the relation between faith and works is correctly defined by biblical truth.
"And he said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole."
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
