Calvinism vs Arminianism

What are the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism? I condensed J.I. Packer's forward to the Bondage of the Will into a short PowerPoint.

[jimkraft]

Neither Calvinism or Arminanism is the gospel. First Corinthians 15:1-4. When we believe that gospel we are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14, and Ephesians 4:30 Our guarantee of eternal life by faith alone in Jesus finished work on the cross alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace ye are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. You can not boast in free. And Faith is not a work. It is faith apart from works. John 3:18. First John 5:13 John 5:24.

[pepsigns]

As one who believes and has a theological foundation which most closely aligns with Arminius, please allow me to say that this video, with regard to Arminius teachings is all lies. It may represent Calvinism accurately, as far as it goes, but it is grossly deceptive in what it has to say about what an Arminian believes.

[progodspeed]

As a biblical philosopher- in the area of metaethics (how one constitutes “right” and “wrong”)- I don’t understand how Total Depravity is still even taught. If man’s free will is corrupted, so as to WILL to only do the opposite of God’s perfect will for man (manifested in the Law)- then why does man have a fully functional “conscience” that Romans 2:16-18 talks about?

If you read these passages, it talks about how Gentiles, who never had a chance to have the Law preached to, will still not have excuse for their sinful lifestyle, for they have a “conscience that bears witness, with their thoughts accusing them or otherwise defending them” (v.15). In simpler terms, a murderer cannot tell God that he had an excuse to commit murder, since he didn’t know God existed or had heard about His Law; to which, God would reply “but you knew murder was wrong, therefore I can still hold you accountable to your actions.”

If you notice more closely, the passage also says that their conscience could also “defend them.” In simpler terms, they can do what their conscience dictates. THEY CAN INDIRECTLY SERVE GOD. If you read Acts 17:22-31, you will know what I mean- for it’s an actual case that proves my explanation of Romans 2:14-16

In Acts 17, Paul encountered a group of Athenian philosophers who had an alter that was dedicated to “the UNKNOWN GOD”, to which Paul affirms that it was our God who they were serving “in ignorance” (v.23). How were these people indirectly making prayers to God when they have never heard about Him before? That’s what Paul must’ve wondered and concluded when he said that God must’ve “... determined [all mankind’s] their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭17:26-27).

The fact that Paul used the words “that they may perhaps GROPE for Him” proves that sinners- through their conscience- can find and indirectly serve God. This was also shown with the case of Cornelius in Acts Ch 10, who had served God and had memorials dedicated to him in heaven EVEN BEFORE he heard the gospel from Peter and received the Holy Spirit through hearing the message of Christ for the first time.
I’ll
So... if man is totally depraved, then how did people indirectly served God before they had heard the gospel? Cornelius hadn’t even the received the Holy Spirit yet (which proves that he wasn’t even regenerated when he had pleased God and had memorials dedicated to him for fearing Him and giving many alms).

P.s. I do agree that man is depraved according to Romans 8:3-11, but Scriptural Context (one of the three basic principles of biblical hermeneutics) dictates that we cannot assume a “TOTAL” depravity. The fact that they have a conscience that can be acted on (proven by actual cases in Acts) shows their depravity is not a “total” one.

[evanu]

Faith precedes regeneration and therefore Calvinism doesn't make sense.

Rom 5:2 ..we have access by faith, into this grace, where in we stand

Acts 5;32 and we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Calvinists know they have to do some twisting of these scriptures to make their doctrine work.

Unconditional election is not to be found anywhere in the bible in regards to salvation. But there are dozens of references to conditional election.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.

Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent but hast revealed them unto babes.

The Redeemer shall come to Zion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob

This list as well goes on and on.

Grace

Stephen ye do always resist the Holy Ghost....

Lu 7:30 the Pharisees and lawyers rejected The counsel of God against themselves, not being baptized by John. ( repentance)

I don't understand how a Calvinist can believe what they do with all of the blatant contradictions.