Arminianism/Calvinism and the Devil

[makesends]

Source for that pov?

Arminius believed the human will was enslaved by sin and was incapable of doing any good unless excited by grace (see article VII) for the purpose of salvation. Furthermore, although I am unaware of Arminius ever addressing this point, I am sure he would agree with the fact Satan too is enslaved to and completely dead in sin. Matters are even worse for him because he's been stripped of his glory and there is no prospect of salvation for him. He is a minion. Devlish/demonic influence boils down to one sinner infecting another

Reading this, I'm guessing @prism means as much Pelagian as Arminian. Hardly any believers anymore know the difference even if they have heard the terms. His request for comparison, (I think), had to do with the differences between Arminian and Calvinist than the narrow accuracy of the terms.

 

[Carbon]

Would you say the theology of Arminianism contains more of the devil and his workings than the theology of Calvinism?

Well, I am glad you asked about Arminian "theology" and not Arminians.
To be honest with you, I do believe it contains more of the devil's working, for sure. But I do not believe Arminians (well, at least most don't) see it.
For example, ask an Arminian Christian if he believes he had something to do with his own salvation. He will surely say no! But the theology teaches that man has the ability to choose Christ with some help. ie, persuasion, prevenient grace, God wooing him on until he finally makes a decision for Christ. But man has to do it with his flesh, under his own power. But scripture teaches just the opposite. Scripture teaches that man is dead and not able to help himself.

As I mentioned before in this thread, John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

If man were able, "had the ability to come to Christ, " the Father wouldn't have to draw him. He would just have to woo him, convince him in some way or another.

 

[Josheb]

Reading this, I'm guessing @prism means as much Pelagian as Arminian. Hardly any believers anymore know the difference even if they have heard the terms. His request for comparison, (I think), had to do with the differences between Arminian and Calvinist than the narrow accuracy of the terms.

I suspect you're right, but the fact is there are differences within synergism, and the differences prove important.

 

[Carbon]

I suspect you're right, but the fact is there are differences within synergism, and the differences prove important.

Agreed! Pelagianism is quite different than Arminianism.

 

[makesends]

Agreed! Pelagianism is quite different than Arminianism.

Yes, indeed. There aren't many Pelagians I hear pray as Calvinistically as Arminians do about God's work on the will of a loved one, or that God's name would be honored in someone's life.

 

[prism]

Which means, "no one can." They do not have the ability. Do you disagree?

I was thinking, it's impossible without the permission of the Father.

 

[prism]

Contains"? What do you mean by that— "Is guilty of" / "Is influenced by" / "is typical of"?

Contains, as in ingredients.

Also, how would you qualify/quantify that?

It was posed as a question.

Compare, for example, how the world's current mentality/precepts/self-esteem fits the self-deterministic mindset of the Arminian, vs the worldview of the Calvinist/Reformed

10-4 good buddy.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 KJV
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.