Arminianism vs Calvinism revisited

Ecclesiastes 10:20 (King James Version)

20) Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.


Not even 24 hours since we posted this article, we have been
hearing responses, mostly unfavorably. I feel at this point I
need to explain why we have posted this article. First, let
me say that this is not to pick on any one person. This
is primarily to help people who are "caught up" in these two
systems of beliefs that are not biblical. In the Arminian
arena, we have known many people who are of the belief that
they can lose their salvation. They are constantly being hit
by the enemy, the devil, into doubting their salvation. On
the other hand, in Calvinism, we have met people who struggle
wondering deep down if they are of the "elect" or not. Then
there are those who do not even witness because God has already
"elected" certain people, so why witness? Finally, the worst
case, is where we have known families that by the time their
children become pre-teens, it is determined by the father
whether they are of the "elect" or not. Even one prominent
Calvisist does not even share with his own children, when they
ask, how to become saved. If only they would have looked to
scripture for the answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and
thou shalt be saved and thy house", Acts 16:31.

Another point I would like to make clear is, I believe John
Calvin was a great man that was used of God. I also believe
that Martin Luther, Jon Hus and others like them were also
great men who were used of God, but each one of these men held
to influences of the Catholic church that were unbiblical.

My other concern is while Calvin's writings were good, scripture
should have more eminence. Reading books about great men is fine,
but when they receive more time than scripture it gives the
adversary an opportunity to attack. Years ago our family was
involved with Bill Gothard's Institue in Basic Life Principles,
as well as, the Advanced Training Institute. This ministry will
always be remembered in encouraging our family in studying,
meditating and memorizing God's word. During those years, there
were multitudes of families who got caught up in reading seminar
materials more than their Bibles. They were known as Gothardites.
As a result of this, these families became divided. Children
rebelled, spiritual lives were shattered and divorce took the
toll on many families. This was a ministry devoted to challenging
Godly families to take a "higher stand", but if not properly
balanced with the reading and studying of God's word, it will fall.
In no way are we blaming the ministry, but those families who
failed to place scripture above all.

In conclusion, there are many great men and women who hold to one
or the other of these beliefs. We firmly believe it has limited
their abilities to be used of God. It is our hope that those caught
up in the extremes of these beliefs will find freedom as they search
the scriptures. (Proverbs 21:30)

In Christ,
Steve Graves