The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Calminian Theology ?

This is a very common statement held by many today. But it is woefully illogical since the two systems are antithetical to each other. The law of non-contradiction sums it up well, "Two things cannot be and not be at the same time."

(1) Though born a sinner, mankind is given a spark of divine grace that enables him to respond positively to God.

They define sinner as one that is contrary to the biblical record which clearly teaches that all men are born spiritually "dead". Dead people don't respond to any type of calling. Unless one is made alive by the sovereign working of the Holy Spirit (aka: regeneration, born anew, born again, born from above, resurrected, et al) the only response a sinner is capable of is hatred toward God and all that is good. A man will always choose that which is most important to him in any given circumstance. Since all men are born dead (cf. Gen 2:16, 17; Rom 5:12; 1Cor 15:21; Eph 2:1-3; Col 2:13) they are incapable of even desiring God. (cf. Gen 6:5; 8:21; Eccl 9:3; Jer 17:9; Mk 7:21-23; Jh 3:19; 8:44; Rom 3:10-18; 8:7, 8; 1Cor 2:14; Eph 4:17-19; Titus 1:15) Man's corrupt/depraved nature controls the will and thus they are incapable of seeing, hearing or moving upon the things of God, particularly the necessity to repent and believe upon Christ. (cf. Job 14:4; Matt 7:16-18; Jh 6:44; 6:65; Rom 11:35, 36; 1Cor 4:7; IICor 3:5. This helpless condition does not relieve any man from responsibility. Just because one cannot does not mean that they must not. The condition which all men are conceived in; sin is of their own doing since they share in the guilt and depravity of Adam, aka: Original Sin.

(2) God does not arbitrarily consign some people to eternal damnation; their willful rejection of God’s salvation makes them responsible.

God's decree (decision) to save some and condemn the rest of mankind is done in eternity. One may choose to call God's decision(s) "arbitrary", but all that God has foreordained was based upon reasons within Himself and without any consideration of the objects themselves. And how else could this be since all things come to pass according to His eternal and sovereign will. (cf. Is 43:7, 12, 13; 46:9, 10; 55:11; Psa 33:11; 135:6; Prov 19:21; Dan 4:35; Rom 11:33-36; 9:11-29; ; Eph 1:9-11)

(4) No person is forced against his or her will to become a Christian.

Agreed. Almighty God does not force anyone to come to Christ. All who do come do so most willingly BECAUSE God first recreates the will, thus setting them free from the bondage of sin to which they were slaves. A new disposition (nature) is created in the soul in regeneration thus making a sinner capable of coming to Christ. And this new disposition is predisposed toward God and holiness and thus the will naturally chooses the things of God just as naturally as the unregenerate soul chooses only evil. (cf. Psa 51:5; 110:3; Jer 7:19; 17:9; Ezek 37:1-14; Jh 1:12, 13; 5:40; Acts 11:18; 16:14; 13:48; Eph 2:1-10; 2Tim 2:25)

(5) One’s salvation can be lost through willful disobedience.

If salvation is of the Lord; a salvation of sovereign grace and not of works, then it is impossible for one whom God has predestined to salvation in Christ to be lost. For the Lord not only provides the salvation in Christ but the means to that end which is eternal life. (cf. Rom 9:29, 30) The redemption merited by Christ was a full satisfaction and thus all who are united to Him are eternally secure. (cf. Jer 32:40; Matt 18:12-14; Jh 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:37-40; 17:1, 2, 11-13, 20-23; Rom 5:1, 8-10, 16-21; 8:1, 35-39; 1Cor 1:7-9; IICor 4:14, 17; Gal 3:13; Eph 1:5, 13, 14; 4:30; Col 3:3, 4; 1Thess 5:23, 24; Heb 8:12, 15; 10:14; 1Pet 1:3-5; 1Jh 2:19, 25; 5:4, 11-13, 20; Jude 1, 24, 25.)

In His grace,