I have to teach a unite on soteriology tomorrow evening (to non-Reformed folk), and part of it will include comparing/contrasting the 5 points of Calvinism with the 5 points of Arminianism. The textbook being used explains these, but doesn't do a particularly great job, especially since the author simply presents both views and then distances himself by declaring he is neither, all the while making classical Arminian arguments.

I thought it would be helpful if I presented a handout of a Calvinism/Arminian chart. There is one available online here, but I thought I might carefully revise part of the church, perhaps clarifying some of the language where there might be problems or misunderstandings. I would like the input of PBers here as well.

For example, the box on Unconditional Election reads:

For the last statement, I thought about revising it to say, "God passes over the rest, to be justly condemned for their sins."

The box on Conditional Election reads:

The last statement should probably read (the Missus suggested this), "God passes over no one ... "

Any thoughts?

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Tim Phillips
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"Wherever the gospel is preached, it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us." ~ John Calvin

Unconditional Election:

God chose the elect on the basis of His own will alone, not because of anything good foreseen in them, to be covered by the atonement of His Son who suffered His wrath on their behalf. He has deemed that those he has not elected to salvation will be punished justly; taking their own punishment on their own head for their rebellion against Him.

Conditional Election:

God foresaw that some would believe in Him and elected those whom He knew would have faith. Those who do not have faith are not elected but everyone has an equal "chance" to believe.

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Andrew DeShazo
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"From out of the depth of unbroken Infinfity arose the Question, "Who am I?" And to that Question there is the answer, "I am God!" -Meher Baba, died 1969.

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Christ, died 33 AD, ressurected three days later.

Tim,

Steele and Thomas does a nice job of setting side-by-side the five points of the Remonstrance and the five counter-points of the Synod of Dort.

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Bob, elder, RBC Louisville. 1689 LBCF

"... Of such also, or of those who make a credible profession of being such, all those particular churches consist, which constitute our Lord's visible kingdom. ... Consequently, all the subjects of His government must have spiritual dispositions, , and yield spiritual obedience- obedience proceeding from an enlightened understanding, an awakened conscience, and a renewed heart."- Abraham Booth 1788

I've got a very succinct one:

1. Calvinism - God is sovereign.
2. Arminianism - Man's choice is sovereign.

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Josh Hicks, Chloë's Dad
Christ Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, RPCGA
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It is God that multiplies our sorrows.... God, as a righteous Judge, does it, which ought to silence us under all our sorrows; as many as they are, we have deserved them all, and more: nay, God, as a tender Father, does it for our necessary correction, that we may be humbled for sin, and weaned from the world by all our sorrows; and the good we get by them, with the comfort we have under them, will abundantly balance our sorrows, how greatly soever they are multiplied. - Matthew Henry

Milk to babes sir.

How about this:

"God chose the elect solely on the basis of His free grace, not anything that He foresaw in them. God would only have foreseen rebellion apart from the special love for the elect. The rest were passed over to be justly condemned for Sin and for their hatred and rebellion of God."

"God chose the elect on the basis of their foreseen faith. God loves all men equally and wills to enable all equally, by His grace, to respond. Each man cooperates with grace offered. God foresaw each choice in eternity past, which decision is the basis for God's election."

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Rich
PCA, Northern VA
Student, New Geneva Theological Seminary

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Comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism

I've used this before.

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Rich Koster
1689'er
Browns Mills NJ USA
Often Goofy Reformed Eccentric
Romans 7:14-25

Thanks, everyone. Yes, I've read/have the Steele and Thomas book (in fact, that book helped make the Missus Reformed ten years or so ago!). The 10th Pres chart is a bit more succinct, but the S/T chart is more specific, and your suggestions are very helpful.

One thing I will definitely do in revising -- placing the columns of the chart in the same order as do S/T. Armianism comes first (historically), because those were voiced first, and the Calvinism column is second because is Dort's response to the Arminianism of the Remonstrants.

Based upon the original link, the link posted by Rich K., and the other comments posted here, I have constructed a chart and have a link posted here at my blog. I would appreciate any further critiques you may have.

Nice work Pastor Phillips! Wonder if I can borrow this as a reference for my sunday school class?

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Ewen
1689 LBCF
Assemblies of God Bible College
Singapore

Feel free to use as you like! All I did was synthesize and summarize what others before me have done.