Calvinism v Arminianism, Divine Election v Human Responsibility - GotQuestions.org Podcast Episode 6

Calvinism vs. Arminianism, God’s Sovereignty vs. Humanity’s Free Will, Divine Election vs. Human Responsibility - An Interview with Dr. Christopher Cone.

Is there a more biblical approach to God’s sovereignty vs. humanity’s free will than the formulaic approaches of Calvinism and Arminianism? Why is divine election vs. human responsibility such a divisive issue?

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[ajs]

I like the episode, but I feel like Dr Cone gives an incorrect view of Calvinism. He seemed to indicate that Calvinism denies human accountability, but I don't think I know a single Calvinist who denies that. Just look at what the Westminster or London Baptist Confession says. Also, Calvinists do say Christians should evangelize people because we don't know who the elect are. Many evangelists, like Spurgeon, have had Calvinistic theology. And lastly, Calvinism teaches that salvation can't be lost, but it only applies to true believers. The Bible advices us to test ourselves, to see if we are in the faith. Not to check if you've lost your salvation, but to check if you ever truly were born again.

[pierrelabounty]

That's why i read primary sources rather than simply interpreters .

[BelieveinChrist]

Embrace the mysteries of the Lord. We don’t know everything nor can we.

[Over-for-now]

It's amazing how we humans bring our thoughts and opinions in God's WAYS and HIS GLORY. HE will NOT share HIS GLORY with another

[arnold]

Got Question invited the wrong person

They should have invited Dr John MacArthur

[Mike-qtjp]

Here is absolute Biblical proof that God does NOT cause or determine everything; In Jeremiah 19:5 God says, “They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did NOT COMMAND or mention, nor did it enter my mind.” 2nd Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is…not willing that ANY should perish but that ALL should come to repentance.” and yet, it also has Jesus saying, "Broad is the road that leads to destruction (hell) and many are on it, but straight and narrow is the road that leads to life (Heaven) and few ever find it."

[TylerGG]

Dr. Cone is wrong about the 5 points of Calvinism going beyond what is written. Him saying that and then saying it’s humble to reject what scripture teaches is fake humility, it’s prideful. No one claims we understand fully how free agency and God’s sovereignty is compatible but scripture teaches it clearly and that’s what the 5 points of Calvinism explains.

[Over-for-now]

I don't fall on any side--- God's side says NONE seek after God. HE MUST choose because NONE seek after God

[GoodGospel_]

With all love and respect I feel you shouldn’t be writing books or even making videos on calvinism if you clearly misunderstand it.

[HJM]

There is not a Calvinism /!Arminianism spectrum as they are based in the exact same philosophy.
The truth requires abandoning that system.
The Biblical approach IS different than both!

[Mike-qtjp]

If everything happens according to God's will as per Calvinism, then a lot of really evil things happen, that God has called sin. This is ridiculous. God tells Adam and Eve, don't eat of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and yet He has ordained that they will. Calvinism seems to be making God a liar, because He is telling them to not do something that He knows full well (according to Calvinism) that they have no choice but to do. We can go on and on; if God causes everything that happens, He is causing murder, rape, incest, drug use, drunkenness, lying stealing, sexual immorality, false religions, Satan worship, pedophilia, etc. The God of the Bible is love and calls us NOT to do all these things. Why would He turn around and make us do the very same things He tells us not to do? The Calvinist seems to sink on their own idea of the sovereignty of God. They don't seem to be able to acknowledge that God IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY can choose to give us some degree of free will. That's why there are so many scriptures saying "Whosoever will, may..." Scripture clearly gives us a choice. Follow Christ or not. Repent or not. Obey scripture or not. I believe, based on scripture, that God has given us choices with eternal repercussions, Heaven or Hell. That's why Joshua said choose you this day whom you will serve. I can by God's grace and the help of the Holy Spirit say, "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." By the way, yes, it is true; we can't come to Christ unless the Father draws us, but that says "draws us" not makes us a believer. God opens us up to the Good news and then we either say yes or no.

[SSNBN]

The reason why Calvinists have no assurance of salvation, is because there is no salvation in another Gospel. If a person doesn't place their faith in the Son FIRST, that person will never be in the Father's presence.

*_SCRIPTURE:_* John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, … *_no man cometh unto the Father, but by me._*

*_CALVINISM:_* John 14:6 KJV
Jesus saith unto him: … no man cometh unto the -Father- Son, but by -me- the Father.