Trigger Warning: Theology ahead.
Protestant Christianity is full of divisions. Actually, so it the Roman Catholic Church but we tend to ignore them. One of the big divisions in the Protestant world is between Calvinists and Arminians. Calvinism is focused on the sovereignty of God and looks at everything through that lense. In practical terms it rejects the idea of free will. Calvinists reject that simplification, but then they have to say that. Arminians accept God’s sovereignty but believe that He has given human beings free will as part of the package of being created in the image of God. Both of these are generalizations and have adherents in every nook and cranny of the theories.
Most of us are not formal theologians although even in denying it we are taking a theological stand. It is kind of like philosophy. Few claim to be philosophers but all have a philosophy. For the common thinkers of the world I offer a simple analogy. The Calvinist views life as a roller coaster. The Arminian thinks more in terms of bumper cars.
If you don’t get it or forgot about amusement parks then go take a look. The roller coaster only gives you a choice of front, middle or back. Once you get on you can’t get off until the end of the ride. The track is set and there will be no variation. There will be times when you think you are going to die but if the engineers have done their safety checks you are on for the duration. You will be delivered no matter what you do.
Bumper cars are an entirely different proposition. You get to pick your car. It sits there doing nothing because you really can’t supply it with power but when the power comes the hunk of metal is transformed into a wild ride. You can start and stop. You can go right or left. Most people feel they are on for the entire ride but you can stop, pull over to the side or even get out and try to make a run for it at any time. The power is there and the controls are in your hands. Most people who are willing to get on make it to the end.
If you don’t like that explanation then make up your own.
homo unius libri
What always amazed me are those folks that think you have absolutely no choice if you are chosen by God to be saved, but then believe that once you are saved, you can throw it away at any time. I don't know what category they would fall under, Calvinists, I think.
ReplyDeleteThe first part is Calvinism, the second Arminian. I expect to see both groups well represented in eternity. It probably won't come up there.
DeleteGrace and peace