Are Arminians saved?

Arminian theology has serious consequences on the life and thinking of a professing Christian. From one of our Ask R.C. events, R.C. Sproul explains why we should be glad that many Arminians are inconsistent in their doctrine.

[patrickc]

As a 1689 Baptist, I will say this: We are saved by grace and not by theology.

[AMessengerofTruth]

Predestination is simply too harsh of a truth to accept with the traditional view of hell, the idea that all humans already have eternal life simply by existing and they have to be tormented for eternity. So sad.

[danielpetersen]

Accepting a gift that we do not deserve is not a work. We are not righteous or better than anyone else for accepting the gift of salvation.

[timothy]

Sometimes all of the labeling into camps blurs the fact that Christians need to discuss doctrines from scripture first and foremost, not based on their labels. I'm sure the intent is to do so, but many times (on both sides), I hear assertions that may summarize their theological view without Bible verses so that the view itself is more ascribed to their title than to God-breathed, sufficient scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Even Whitefield and Wesley clashed on their views of salvation as it came to God's sovereignty, predestination, election, etc. and they ended up at odds with one another, but when a person came to Whitefield and asked if we would see Wesley in heaven, Whitefield humbly replied “Yes, you’re right, we won’t see him in heaven. He will be so close to the Throne of God and we will be so far away, that we won’t be able to see him!”  And Wesley actually preached at Whitefield's funeral.  

We need to be careful to proclaim someone saved or not saved because we have theological differences.  Don't misunderstand, we need to earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3), but we can't say someone is saved or unsaved because we disagree unless someone denies the essentials of the faith.

[geef]

Since when did accepting a free gift become work? I have no idea who’s right. I just believe in Jesus and strive to follow him.

[ChandraAnandInChrist]

for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
Ephesians:2:8

[link_music]

Any Calvinist believing that Arminians cannot be saved is actually an Arminian and is inconsistent with his theology.

[Texasguy]

A lot of people miss the point. Most reformed people are so deeply rooted in theology because of a love for God and understanding of His election of His people that we rarely sway from the truth. Most Arminians are not interested in theology and make up almost the entire liberal Protestant churches around the world and that’s dangerous to the true Christian’s within them and deadly to Gods Kingdom as the Church is struggling now and continues to due to weak understanding of scripture. So are arminians saved? Yes, but most aren’t because most are in liberal churches with no theology or understanding of God and sin. That’s the issue with Armenians. For the most part.

[amadovet]

Wonderful man of God. A most beloved pastor and my brother in Christ. However, for consistancy, I' d love to hear a Calvinist preach repentance without will, the limited love of God for us and the need to only pray for mercy. That's the only inconsistance that keeps me theologically Arminian. However, I am certain that God will not save Arminians nor Calvinists, but his sons (the ones that died to the world and live for Christ). And by the fruits that Dr Sproul have shown, I can certainly say... We are in Christ. Thank you for all your years of love to the Gospel. May God bless Ligonier even more.

[andrewadler]

A years back I was wrestling with this theology but as I looked my procedure of how I was saved I didn't see anything that I have done to be saved and the Bible is clear on that it is by grace and grace alone .

[AndrewDRoyappa]

I feel like much breath and angst is spent fruitlessly going round and round on this issue. Clearly, we are held accountable for our choices at the final judgment. And clearly we are saved solely by God's work and his gift to us. Both are in tension, and it is simply a mystery. Why can't we leave it at that? I'm suspicious of anyone who claims to have this question precisely worked out.

[maxamos]

Faith is not a work. There is no boasting in having faith. Paul makes this rather clear.

[newyorknight]

I was an Arminian for thirty years.
Now I am reformed in my belief.
Praise God for Dr Sproul's teaching.

[phlegmbuoyant]

I miss this man being alive. I look forward to meeting him in Heaven 🙂😜🙂 this is good
tongue in cheek theology talk

[kabous]

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs 1:8-9, ESV) not related to video but great answer from Dr Sproul.

[rauldelarosa]

Rc Sproul was guilty of misrepresenting Arminians when he was alive, and sadly many calvinist people just took what he said at his word without listening to what Arminians believe in from Arminians.
This is what's the issue.
When you go to Calvinists to find out what Arminians believe in, you're guaranteed to get fake news about what Arminians believe in..

[elizeusilva]

If Arminian and Calvin have had a chance to embrace themselves in heaven, I believe they might told each other of the great mess they have brought to the body of Christ. But, if it was not them both, it would be someone else. Thousands of people make commitments to follow Christ every day, and afterwards hear about two lines of thoughts that cause only division and strife in the body of Christ! Some become famous master defendants of either side, to the detriment of the rest. The jailer heard Paul saying "believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved", that is the core of salvation! I disagree with Sproul and think he made a great mistake by telling his followers that "Arminians are not saved or even Christians".

[bodenschatz]

Can someone please explain, from scripture, how "faith" is a "work"? Or am I completely off base and missing the point here? Because it seems like scripture presents faith as necessarily cooperative with work, but that the two are explicitly distinct. I guess I just don't understand how faith can be a work...

[Kitchenwills]

I wish Dr. Sproul could have debated Leighton Flowers before he passed. That would have been a great meeting.

[lorenzell]

I've made many Evangelism visits and used the Kennedy questions. Most of these were Lutherans. When I asked them why they would be saved, almost all cited their good works. Imho, this would be the standard answer for most Christians. When we reminded them that the Bible teaches that people are saved by grace through faith alone, they agreed. So what is in their heart? Only God knows.