２０２５年６月１日～約１年間かけ、キリスト教入門・神学コースで学んでいきたいと思います。只毎回集いたいのに集えない学びたいけど１年間を通すとなれば～？？？と思う方朗報です！この度HPから見る・学ぶことが可能になりました。数年後あ！こんな話してたよねって振り返えり誰かの力になることもあると思います。
第１4回 Free Will and a comparison of Calvinism and Arminianism
第１５．“Free will and Calvinism vs Arminianism” Discussion Questions
(Manual, Articles of Religion) We believe that man was created with ability to choose between right and wrong and thus was made morally responsible. The condition of man since the fall is such that he cannot prepare himself by his own natural strength and works to faith and calling upon God. But the grace of God through Jesus Christ is freely bestowed upon all men, enabling all who will to turn from sin to righteousness, believe on Jesus Christ for pardon and cleansing from sin and follow good works pleasing and acceptable in His sight.“. . . whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17; John 4:14). 8. We further believe that man, though in the possession of the experience of regeneration and entire sanctification, may fall from grace and apostatize and, unless he repents of his sin, be hopelessly and eternally lost (Ezekiel 18:20, 24; Acts 1:25; Luke 8:13; Hebrews 6:4-6)
• Key Question: What role does human free will play in God’s plan of salvation?
1. Defining “Free Will”
• Basic definition: The God-given ability of humans to make genuine choices, especially concerning their response to God’s grace. Unlike robots who are pre-programmed or animals who live solely by their instincts, humans have a conscience, a heart, and a will that can choose between good and evil.
• Wesleyan-Arminian view: Free will is enabled by God’s prevenient grace (Grace that “goes before” or grace that prepares the soul for salvation.)—without grace, humans are bound by sin, but grace restores the ability to respond to God.
2. Calvinism (Reformed Theology)
originated by Augustine (A.D. 354-430) and popularized by John Calvin (1509-1564)
Core Emphasis: God is sovereign and so man has little or nothing to do with his own salvation.
5 points of Calvinism - TULIP
• Total Depravity – Humans are completely unable to turn to God without divine intervention.
• Unconditional Election – God in His sovereignty chooses who will be saved. People have no choice in the matter. You are either part of the elect who will be saved or you are destined for Hell.
• Limited Atonement – Christ died only for the elect.
• Irresistible Grace – Since God is sovereign and humans are helpless morally, those chosen by God cannot resist His call. If you are meant to be saved, you will be saved no matter what.
• Perseverance of the Saints – The elect will remain faithful until the end. There is nothing you can do or not do that will cause you to lose your salvation. God's grace and sovereignty are so powerful that human actions do not matter. Calvinists teach that Christians are still sinners and sin daily in word, thought and deed. Though still sinful in every way, God only sees the righteous robes of Christ that are put on over our filthy rags of righteousness. Your STANDING in Christ is sure even if your STATE is sinful. It doesn't matter how we act or how we live, the only thing that matters is if you are a part of the elect and did you believe in Jesus at one point in your life? If so, you will never lose your salvation as long as you live. This doctrine leads to “sinning religion” or grace that is a “license to sin.” (This is the doctrine in varying degrees is held by most Baptists, Presbyterians and many other evangelical churches.)
3. Weslyan-Arminianism
popularized by Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) and John Wesley (1703-1791)
Core Emphasis: The justice and love of God, making salvation genuinely available to all.
• Prevenient Grace – Though man is morally weak and dead in tresspasses and sins, God's grace extends a helping hand to each individual to try to awaken them to their need for a Savior. God orders circumstances to draw fallen people to Himself. Man can do nothing spiritually on his own but God in His love and mercy will do all that He can to keep sinful man from dying in his sins and going to Hell. II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
• Conditional Election – God chooses those who freely respond in faith. John 3:16
• Unlimited Atonement – Christ died for all people. II Cor 5:15 And that he died for all...
• Free will – Humans may resist or accept God's grace and God’s call. God could have created everyone like machines...to only do what they were programmed to do, but God wants willing followers. He wants a friendship and relationship that is built on mutual love and respect. Jos 24:15 ...choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
• Possibility of Apostasy – A believer can fall away through willful rejection of God and His commandments. 2Pe 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
(Arminian theology is held by the Nazarenes, Salvation Army, Free Methodists, the Weslyan Church, Free will Baptists, holiness denominations, and by many Pentecostals such as the Assembly of God church.)
Some other comparisons
Calvinism emphasizes how God takes away the punishment for sin.
Weslyan-Ariminianism emphasizes how God forgives the acts of sin and purges even the nature of sin from the heart.
Calvinism stresses that the Christian is still a sinner in word, thought and deed and so must daily repent of his sin before God.
Wesleyan-Arminianism stresses that God can sanctify you wholly and take out every remaining root of sin. If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit we no longer have to walk in sin.
１５．“Free will and Calvinism vs Arminianism” Discussion Questions
1. Did anything stand out to you in John Wesley's conversion story?
2. Do we believe that man has a free will in spiritual matters?
3. Does man have to cooperate with God in order to be saved? Or is something that is accomplished solely by the sovereignty of God?
4. What are some things the Bible tells us we must do to be saved?
5. Do we believe that there must be cooperation between God and man for a person to stay saved?
6. Why didn't God just make everyone inherently good? Why did He give us a free will when He knew there was a big possibility that people would rebel against Him?
7. Which attribute of God is most emphasized in Calvinism?
8. Which attributes of God are most emphasized in Arminianism?
9. God died on the cross to save us from death in Hell but what else does He want to save us from?
１５．“Free will and Calvinism vs Arminianism” Discussion Questions
1. Did anything stand out to you in John Wesley's conversion story?
2. Do we believe that man has a free will in spiritual matters?
3. Does man have to cooperate with God in order to be saved? Or is something that is accomplished solely by the sovereignty of God?
4. What are some things the Bible tells us we must do to be saved?
5. Do we believe that there must be cooperation between God and man for a person to stay saved?
6. Why didn't God just make everyone inherently good? Why did He give us a free will when He knew there was a big possibility that people would rebel against Him?
7. Which attribute of God is most emphasized in Calvinism?
8. Which attributes of God are most emphasized in Arminianism?
9. God died on the cross to save us from death in Hell but what else does He want to save us from?