Arminian Theology

[Edward]

I agree with you that lost sinners cannot do good works in the biblical sense of that term, but still go good as in helping others out in need.

I prefer the terminology that they can do beneficial works, but they are incapable of doing good works.

 

[JM]

Old clip but still true.

 

[Steve Curtis]

Hypothetical:
Situation 1: A person is in a burning down building, unable to get out. He must be saved. This person falls unconscious and stops breathing because of the smoke. The rescuer saves him, does cpr, and he lives. The rescuer is hailed as a hero by all.
Situation 2. A person is in a burning building, unable to get out. He must be saved. When the rescuer comes he says "reach out and take my hand and I will get you out alive." He lives and all hail him as a hero.

To me they both sound like the rescuer is going to receive His due recognition, not the one rescued. Though one view seems more biblical than the other. Is this not an accurate thought? Thanks!

Sure, the rescuer is hailed in both situations; however, can you not imagine someone saying to the "saved" person in scenario #2, "Boy, it was a good thing you heard that guy and stretched out your hand!" Or, "The poor person next to you heard the rescuer but failed to reach out for him - aren't you glad that you didn't make that mistake?"

If you can imagine someone saying something similar, then you can imagine a "saved" person feeling (quite justly) proud of his response - particularly when measured against the response of someone else who was not saved...

 

[Cymro]

Guerstner wrote that “Edwards believed that Arminianism was founded on the covenant of works mentality, and was therefore essentially a denial of the gospel, and purely gracious salvation.” Perhaps this is what makes it heretical, though not all its disciples are heretics.
He further wrote that the bodies of natural men are sepulchres of dead minds!

 

[Dachaser]

I prefer the terminology that they can do beneficial works, but they are incapable of doing good works.

I never have heard of that term used for works before, but seems to be a better fit for what lost persons are still able to be doing.

 

[Theogenes]

Ryan,
Read the Canons of Dort and maybe a good commentary on it and you'll see why...

 

[Ask Mr. Religion]

I never have heard of that term used for works before, but seems to be a better fit for what lost persons are still able to be doing.

Beneficial works like helping the old lady across the road, giving to charity, feeding the poor, etc. All beneficial to civil society, yet all are done without the motivation of bringing all glory to God, for the non-believer remains at enmity with God in all that they think, do, or say.

 

[Dachaser]

Beneficial works like helping the old lady across the road, giving to charity, feeding the poor, etc. All beneficial to civil society, yet all are done without the motivation of bringing all glory to God, for the non-believer remains at enmity with God in all that they think, do, or say.

That would be due to sinners not being able to ever do anything from a pure and selfless intent, as alwayslooking to get something back for doing the deed, correct?

 

[Edward]

That would be due to sinners not being able to ever do anything from a pure and selfless intent, as alwayslooking to get something back for doing the deed, correct?

Only if you include them acting so that they will feel better about themselves or look good to others, but we can see that amongst Christians, as well.

 

[Dachaser]

Only if you include them acting so that they will feel better about themselves or look good to others, but we can see that amongst Christians, as well.

True, but the Lord does see us and our works in a different light than those works done by the lost.