The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Reformed Theology: important?

I am having a lot of discussion with my Christian friends on reformed theology. This is a huge subject!

How important is an adamant view on say predestination? The article of the month by A A Hodge http://www.the-highway.com/articleAug02.html, in section VI suggests, according to my reading, that it is useful to have tension between two opposing views (Calvinism and Arminianism):



Note the quote itself should be read as I have cut out important parts where Hodge says that abstract historical arminianism is heresy.

What views do others have on this?

Reformed theology <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/Ponder.gif" alt="" />
Me personally I would just hammer on the five points of the doctrines of grace <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bash.gif" alt="" /> if all they want to do is debate. Yes I know you said discussion and not debate.

Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited atonement
Irresistible grace
Perseverance of the saints

While Calvinism is more than “the Five Points" they are great truths of the Word of God and it takes the grace of God to confess and to submit to the sovereignty of God. = PREDESTINATION

Williams <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/my2cents.gif" alt="" />

It's essential because God is not dependent on his creatures in any sense. The Apostle Paul writes, 'So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy' (Romans 9:16). If salvation was dependent on man's decision making or good deeds he would be lost in his sin.

Salvation in general and election in particular are due to something in God, not in us. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ died for us because 'God so loved...' (Jn.3:16). In other words, there was something in God--an inherent compassion, mercy, and love, which moved him to save us while there was absolutely nothing in us that attracted him.



Isn't Hodge referring to the need for both the emphasis on human responsibility and the essential principal that God is sovereign? How could he be referring to the need for a blended strain of Arminianism and Calvinism when he's already stated that one is truth and the other is heresy?


Wes

Thanks for that Wes. Regarding Hodge, I think what you have said makes sense. I guess its a bit like faith and works. Faith should lead to works, but works without faith are dead. The fact that God has planned every detail from start to finish doesn't diminish our responsibilities to play our part in that plan. But even that of course needs to be part of Gods grace working in us.

Seeking the truth and opposing error are always important. God seeks worshippers who worship Him in spirit and truth.