Arminianism vs. Calvinism...

MaKayla is working through an amazing yet intense American Lit study this year and in turn is reading some great pieces of literature. The book she is preparing to start is 'Sinners In the Hands of an Angry God' by Jonathan Edwards and before embarking on it, she has several prereading activities to complete. As she finished her study work the other day she said, "Mom, I would like you to read over this, think about it and see what you think." That evening I overheard her mention to Kyle, "Dad, I learned about Calvinism vs. Arminianism today and I would like you to read over what I read and see how you feel." Tuesday, as we were preparing to leave my parent's house she hugged my dad (her grandpa whom she dearly loves) and said, "Grandpa, I read something in American Lit today and I would like you to look at it as well and share with me your thoughts about it." I love when our kids are stretched...especially when what they are learning scholastically encompasses spiritual knowledge as well. This is what was contained in her reading:

Calvinism vs. Arminianism: At this time in history within the Protestant churches, two basic systems of belief were in conflict with each other--Calvinism and Arminianism. Calvinism is named after the Swiss reformer, John Calvin, who revived the teachings of St. Augustine, writer of Confessions and the City of God. Calvin's work, The Institutes of the Christian Religion is still studied today in many seminaries. Arminianism is named after the Dutch theologian, Jacobus Arminius who opposed the teachings of Calvin regarding salvation. The differences between the two systems are summarized as following:

Regarding Free Will

Arminianism: God graciously enables every sinner to repent and believe, but He does not interfere with man's freedom. Every sinner possesses a free will, and his eternal destiny depends on how he uses it.

Calvinism: The sinner is dead in sin and is unable to respond to the gospel by himself. Man does not have a free will, but his will is under bondage to sin. The sinner must be regenerated before he can act on God's promises.

Regarding Election

Arminianism: Election of the sinner is conditional upon God's foreknowledge, knowing that certain individuals would choose to accept Christ as their savior. Therefore, the sinner's choosing God is the basis for salvation.

Calvinism: Election of the sinner is unconditional. God chooses certain individuals for salvation based solely on His sovereign will. Therefore, God's choosing the sinner is basis for salvation.

Regarding Redemption

Arminianism: Christ's redeeming work makes it possible for everyone to be saved. However, the atonement did not guarantee the salvation of anyone, since salvation depends upon the sinner's choosing Christ. The Lord's atoning blood only becomes effective if a sinner chooses to accept it.

Calvinism: Christ died for the elect only and His blood secures their salvation. The elect of God is given the gift of faith, which is applied by the Spirit.

Regarding Resisting the Holy Spirit

Arminianism: Since the sinner has a free will, he can resist the wooing of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does His best to have the sinner choose salvation in Christ; but, ultimately, the sinner must be willing to submit to the grace that is offered by God.

Calvinism: The elect receives a special inward calling that cannot be resisted. The sinner will cooperate and repent and freely come to Christ. God's will cannot be frustrated.

Regarding Eternal Security

Arminianism (or more precisely, a tenet of Wesleyanism): Generally, those who believe are in danger of losing their salvation should they fail to keep the faith.

Calvinism: The believer is secure in his salvation because God's power preserves him.

I would be the first to admit that neither Kyle nor myself have ever really done any research on things such as these however what we read was enlightening. We have always, totally based our faith in Jesus Christ on our interpretation of the Bible through the leading of the Holy Spirit as well as what we have learned and been taught. It especially interested MaKayla because one of her closest quiz friends considers herself a Calvinist however she never really knew what all that encompassed.

It was enlightening yet it doesn't change the basis of my faith... I still see Jesus as the Saviour of the world. I still see Him as the One who chose me. I still see Him as the Way, the Truth and the Life. I still see Him as the One who redeemed my soul and calls me by name. I still see Him as my closest Friend.

I still see Him as Jesus!

I call myself a Christ-follower!

Just When You Think You've Heard It All...

There are times that I am simply amazed by the things that I hear... I am simply amazed by the things that Christians do... I am simply amazed by the things that Christians say... I am simply amazed by the things Christians believe... I am simply amazed by the things Christians allow... I am simply amazed by the things that Christians deem as "okay"... I strive to not be judgmental knowing that although God and His Word are unchanging, He calls us all in different ways, however, just when I thought I had heard it all... As Kyle, the girls and I were leaving my parent's house last night, we were talking about the state of the church and how far we have wandered from the TRUTH of who God is, WHAT His Word says and HOW He commands us to live, Mom shared a situation with me that has absolutely left me dumbfounded. Just when I thought I had heard it all, Mom told us about a church in our close proximity that actually encouraged its parishioners/congregation to dress up for Halloween. Of course Halloween fell on a Sunday this year and the pastor asked the people that would be attending to dress up, (and they did)...even he, himself dressed up. I was amazed... I truly wonder what God thinks... What are we trading our faith for??? I am still in shock... I am grieved... I am deeply saddened...

Just when you think you have heard it all...

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have NOTHING to do with them. They are the kind that worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. 2 Timothy 3:1~9

Homeschooling Survey... English Assignment...

This week my English assignment was to do a survey on homeschooling. I had to come up with three questions that asked for a "yes" or "no" answer, but that did not manipulate or persuade an opinion either way. I know that not many people leave comments on the blog, however there are several that follow, so if you would like or feel led to answer any or all of the three questions, I would love to know what you think!

1.) Do you feel that homeschooling is more structured
when there is a room in your household specifically set aside for school only?

2.) Do you feel like there are too many
requirements that children have to meet in order to receive a diploma?

3.) Do you feel that homeschooled children should
be made to have an eight to three school day, as public children do?


~MaKayla

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! :o)

Journal Entry - November 3, 2010

Thank you Lord for the wonder and anticipation of this new day! For the opposite start to this day rather than yesterday. For the miracle of Your presence and the treasure of Your love. For special moments with Kyle in Your Word and the sharing of what You are doing in our lives as individuals, as a marital team, as a family. Thank you for life, health and provision. Thank you for wisdom, direction and grace. Thank You for You!

Little Piece...

Another puzzle completed...our "fall" puzzle.

This puzzle comes with an interesting story and if you look closely you will notice that a nice neat little piece is missing near the bottom right corner. MaKayla and I carefully chose this Hometown Collection puzzle from no place other than Wal-Mart and have been patiently waiting to put it together. A week ago Sunday our pastor called asking Kyle if we could bring one of our puzzles to church with us as he wanted to use it for an object lesson/illustration during his sermon. He took one look at the box, asked her if she really thought that Amish people would ride a carousel and then promised MaKayla that no pieces would get misplaced. The two of them tend to "razz" each other so when we brought the puzzle home, finished placing all the pieces together within a few days and realized that one little teeny tiny flower piece was missing...she could do nothing else than to call him and "pick a bone"!?! We still aren't sure where the little missing piece is (no doubt somewhere around here unless Hometown forgot to stick it in) but needless to say, it's one of our fav's!