The word consistent in the title is very important.
Hermeneutics is a method or principle of interpretation. So it must have an axiom, a starting point that does not waver in all that follows but remains consistent throughout the entire Bible. What does that need to be? Who is God, and as Jesus is God, who is Jesus. We can only obtain this information from God Himself. So we must establish from His word who He Himself says He is, who the Son is both pre-incarnate and as incarnate. Then we must establish all other interpretation and doctrine in a way that is consistent with this.
Does Calvinism do this? Does Arminianism do this?
Which kind of lead to the question why any Christian forum has a Calvinism VS Arminianism sub forum? Pointless & vain debate that brings about strife.
2 Timothy 2:23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
No believer should be identified with either side of this issue in spite of the scripture plainly refuting Arminianism only because Calvinism has split from Tulip to 4 point Calvinism, if I recall correctly. So even the teachings of Calvinism needs correction at various points as it can be addressed by scripture and those stalwart " Calvinists" that are opposed will find themselves acting like Arminianism.
1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Rewriting this for today's application....
Who then is John Calvin, and who is Jacobus Arminius, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 John Calvin have planted, Jacobus Arminius watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now of course, one would claim that Jacobus Arminius was a heretic unlike apollo and I can agree BUT was John Calvin without error? If John teaches 9 truths but teaches one lie, what does that make him? A heretic also.
Did not John Calvin believed it was okay to execute a heretic? Yes, even though he warned the person not to come to that city to see him to talk with him, but yet John did have him arrested and did not stay his execution.
But what Jesus say about executing a heretic?
John 16:1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
What did Jesus say about those in error or even teaching error?
Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
When excommunicated from the assembly, and if that believer or even a former believer does not repent before his death or before the Bridegroom comes, he will not be part of the firstfruits of the resurrection at the pre great tribulation rapture event, but the Lord will finish His work in him to His glory as He shall lose none of all the Father has given Him.
John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest:
for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
A lot of believers behave like Arminianism by not reading past verse 15 as if verse 16-17 does not apply which testifies to the physical death in what that believer shall lose their physical life in that day of fire, and not just the loss of rewards of crowns.
By His grace & by His help, we are to be identified as disciples of Jesus Christ in testifying of Him in seeking His glory & not of another. By His grace & by His help, we are to seek the other's good in the Lord in helping them to also obtain that "eternal glory" that comes with our salvation in Christ Jesus in being that "vessel unto honor" in His House as received by Him when He comes as the Bridegroom rather than be left behind for some unrepentant iniquity for why and how they become vessels of dishonor in His House.
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also
obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus
with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only
vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and
some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
That is the call for every believer to look to Jesus Christ to help us lay aside every weight & sin
daily for the high prize of our calling. This race is never done until our confidence in Him has Him finish it to His glory by bringing us Home with His crowning achievements on us.
