From: inteligencialtda
Christian theology extensively discusses the nature of sin and the means of salvation. Major theological perspectives, notably Calvinism and Arminianism, offer distinct interpretations of these concepts, stemming from the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century [07:41:40].
Protestant Theological Foundations
The foundational debate between Calvinism and Arminianism was formalized at the Synod of Dort in 1618-1619 in the Netherlands [08:02:02].
Calvinist “Five Points”
The core tenets of Calvinism are summarized in five points [08:14:16]:
- Total Depravity: This doctrine asserts that humanity is entirely corrupted by sin, affecting reason, emotion, and volition [08:47:00]. Every human being is born a sinner due to original sin [09:05:06]. The problem of evil originates from within humanity, not from external influences [09:27:00]. For example, power does not corrupt; it reveals the corruption already present within a person [09:36:00]. Man is not inherently good; he is essentially evil unless transformed by God [10:04:00].
- Unconditional Election: God chooses humanity for salvation, not the other way around [10:37:00]. Humanity’s love for God is a response to God’s prior love [10:52:00].
- Limited Atonement: Christ’s atoning work on the cross was not merely to make salvation possible, but to effectively save His chosen church [11:00:02].
- Irresistible Grace: God’s call to salvation is effective and cannot be resisted [11:18:00]. Jesus stated that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, receiving eternal life that no one can snatch from His hands [11:23:00].
- Perseverance of the Saints: A person genuinely saved by God has their salvation guaranteed [11:33:00]. Once a child of God, always a child of God, even if they sin, akin to a child who makes mistakes but remains their parent’s child [12:05:00]. Sin incurs disciplinary treatment, but does not revoke sonship [12:44:00]. This means a saved person has eternal life in the present tense [13:13:00].
Arminianism
In contrast, Arminianism posits that humanity is not totally depraved and possesses the free will to choose or reject salvation [13:48:00]. This perspective holds that Christ’s death made salvation possible, but it is up to the individual to accept or reject it [17:11:00].
Free Will vs. Free Agency
In the context of Calvinism, a distinction is made between “free will” and “free agency” [14:11:00]:
- Free Will: Refers to the power to choose good and practice it in its fullness [15:08:00]. According to Calvinism, only Adam before the Fall possessed this [14:40:00]. Post-Fall, humanity’s inclination is towards error, making it impossible not to sin [14:38:00].
- Free Agency: Refers to the ability to choose one’s paths or make daily decisions (e.g., choosing what to wear or where to travel) [14:51:00]. Humanity retains free agency, but this does not imply the ability to choose not to sin [15:06:00].
The Bible describes humanity as spiritually “dead” in sins before conversion [15:30:00]. Therefore, salvation is entirely a work of God—planned, executed, and consummated by Him, ensuring all glory goes to God, not humanity [16:03:00]. It’s not about humanity finding Christ, but Christ finding humanity [16:19:00]. Even the decision to follow God is attributed to God working within the individual to create that desire [18:16:00].
Despite God’s sovereignty, humanity remains 100% responsible for their actions and choices [20:39:00]. No one can claim they wanted to be saved but were not chosen [19:43:00].
Justification by Faith
Justification by faith is a central doctrine of Christianity, providing assurance of salvation [24:24:26]. When one believes in Jesus, three transactions occur in their favor:
- Imputation of Sin to Christ: God does not charge a believer’s transgressions to their account; instead, all sin is placed on Christ’s account on the cross [24:58:00].
- Cancellation of Debt: Jesus “tore up” and “canceled” the debt of sin, nailing it to the cross, proclaiming “It is finished” (Tetelestai) [25:44:00].
- Imputation of Christ’s Righteousness: God credits the infinite righteousness of Christ to the believer’s account, meaning they are declared righteous in God’s sight [26:06:00].
This justification is “more than forgiveness” [26:47:00]. Forgiveness is a negative concept (debt canceled), while justification is a positive one (infinite credit of righteousness deposited) [26:52:00]. God is both faithful and just in forgiving sins because the sin has already been punished on the cross through Christ [28:04:00].
Understanding Death and Life After Death
The Bible defines death as “separation” and identifies three types of death [27:26:00]:
- Spiritual Death: Separation of humanity from God, which can be reversed through conversion [27:40:00].
- Physical Death: Separation of the soul from the body [27:45:00]. For a Christian, dying means leaving the body to dwell consciously with the Lord [28:07:00].
- Eternal Death (Second Death): The permanent banishment from God’s presence for those who lived without repentance and belief [28:36:00]. This state is irreversible after physical death; there is no salvation after death [28:58:00].
Salvation Before Christ and Without Direct Access
- Before Christ: People who lived before Jesus’s incarnation were saved by believing in the coming Messiah, the “Christ of the Promise,” through figures and prophecies in the Old Testament [29:50:00].
- Without Direct Knowledge of Christ:
- Natural Revelation: God reveals Himself through creation and the human conscience [33:38:00]. This general revelation is sufficient to render humanity “inexcusable” before God [36:31:00].
- Special Revelation: However, natural revelation alone is not sufficient for salvation; the special revelation of the Gospel, preached by the church, is necessary [34:46:00]. Ignorance is not a pathway to heaven [32:05:00]. The church bears the vital responsibility to engage in missions globally [32:51:00].
- Children and Those Without Consciousness: It is believed that children who die before reaching the age of reason, or individuals with special health problems affecting consciousness, are regenerated and saved by God’s sovereign work, as God is never caught by surprise [47:45:00]. They are born into sin but are considered innocent in the sense of not having malice, and are regenerated by a secret, inner work of the Holy Spirit [48:47:00].
Purpose of Life
From a Christian worldview, life has a divine purpose [51:02:00]. The primary purpose of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever [51:50:00]. Worldly achievements like money, fame, and success cannot fill the “eternity” God has placed in the human heart; only God can satisfy this void [53:58:00]. Evil in the world is a direct consequence of sin, which fractured humanity’s relationship with God, others, self, and nature [54:35:00].
Christian Living and Holiness
Genuine Christian spirituality involves being “in the world, not of the world” [58:01:00]. It rejects the medieval idea of isolation from society to achieve holiness, recognizing that evil originates within the human heart, not merely the environment [56:30:00]. The church is called to be salt and light, influencing society rather than withdrawing from it [58:13:00].
The church is open to all people, welcoming them, but it does not agree with or welcome sin [02:31:50]. Its stance is governed solely by the Bible, not societal decisions [02:32:01]. All individuals, regardless of their background or specific sins, are called to repentance [02:33:55]. The church loves unconditionally, even when disagreeing with choices, and aims to provide an open door for all to hear the Gospel [02:39:54]. The Bible, as the eternal and inerrant word of God, remains the ultimate authority for faith and practice [02:44:26].
Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit
The Bible speaks of a sin that has no forgiveness: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit [02:56:50]. This refers to consciously and deliberately attributing a work of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to Satan [02:57:03]. It signifies a hardened heart that has definitively rejected God’s grace, making repentance impossible [02:58:00].
Conclusion
The core message of Christianity emphasizes God’s sovereign love and humanity’s responsibility. Life finds its true meaning in glorifying God and accepting the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. It urges repentance and belief while the opportunity, “today,” remains available, as tomorrow is not guaranteed [03:00:09].