Question
What are the main differences between ‘Calvinism’ and ‘Arminianism’? [Election]
Response
Evangelicals have always been divided over the question of election*. The Bible repeatedly states that God’s people are ‘chosen’ by him or ‘elect’. Yet it is equally clear that we need to choose him, to turn from sin and put our trust in him. So do we choose him because he has first chosen us? This is the view taken by ‘Calvinists’ — named after the Reformer John Calvin (1509-64). Or does he choose us because he knows we will choose him? This is the view taken by ‘Arminians’ — named after the Dutch theologian Jakob Arminius (before 1560-1609).
Calvin and Arminius agreed on many points. They agreed that none of us is capable of obeying God in our own strength. They agreed that we are unable to make the first move towards God. They agreed that it needs the Holy Spirit to work in us to enable us to turn to God. But they differed as to how this happened. Arminius believed that God’s grace*, the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit, makes it possible for us to turn to God — but not inevitable. God brings us to a position where we have the possibility of going either way. God’s grace is ‘sufficient’ to bring us to Christ, but we need not go along with it. Calvin, by contrast, believed that the Holy Spirit does not just make it possible for us to turn to God but actually turns us. God’s grace is not merely sufficient but ‘effective’. When God chooses us our conversion is inevitable. Of course, we need to choose God — but we do this because he has first chosen us and draws us to himself.
Calvinists often speak of God’s grace as ‘irresistible’. This is an unhelpfully ambiguous term, as can be seen from an example. ‘I couldn’t resist him’ can have two very different meanings. It could feature in an account of rape. It could equally feature in an account of falling head over heels in love. If God’s grace is irresistible it is only in the latter sense. God does not force us against our wills but wins our wills round to himself. Becoming a Christian is like falling in love, not like being the victim of a mugging.
Calvin and Arminius agreed that not all people will be saved. Why not? Calvin held that God infallibly saves those whom he has chosen so if some are not saved it is because God has not chosen them. It is God who decides who is and who is not saved. This is predestination*. Arminius held that it is we, not God, who decide. God works in people to draw them to himself and it is up to them whether or not they accept this. Many Arminians have held that God works in absolutely everyone and that anyone (whatever age they die, whether or not they ever hear the gospel) can be saved by responding to this.
The important question is what does Scripture teach? Calvinists and Arminians both appeal to the Bible — but to different passages. Calvinists appeal to those which speak of repentance and faith as gifts of God given to those whom he has chosen. Arminians appeal to those which speak of God’s desire for all to be saved and of people resisting God.
The weak point in the Calvinist position is that it seems to deny that God loves all people and seeks their salvation. On the other hand the Arminian position doesn’t appear to take seriously enough the extensive teaching in Scripture about God’s election.
Glossary
*Election: God's selection of some people. In the Old Testament God chooses the people of Israel out of the nations. In the New Testament there is no longer an elect nation but rather God's chosen people drawn from all nations.
*Grace: God's underved favour towards us. It is also used specifically to describe the inner work of the Holy Spirit in our lives drawing us to Christ and leading us on in his service.
*Predestination: The idea that God has decided in advance what will happen to us. i.e. Those whome God choose/elects are thereby predestined to be saved. While the Bible talks often about election, the language of predestination is rare (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:5,11).
Key Bible Passages
God choose who will be saved: Acts 13:48; Romans 9:6-18; Ephesians 1:4-5
God desires that all should be saved: Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 2 Peter 3:9
We can resist the work of the Holy Spirit: Acts 7:51; Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19
We cannot obey God's will in our own strength: John 15:1-5; Romans 8:1-8
God must make the first move: John 6:44, 45, 16:8-11; Acts 16:14
Faith and repentance are gifts from God: Acts 5:31, 18:27; Ephesians 2:8
They are given to those whom God has chosen: Matthew 11:25-27; John 10:26-29; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
This response was written by Tony Lane. Copyright © August 2006.
J.I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (IVP, 1961) [Calvinist]
C.H. Pinnock (ed.), The Grace of God, the Will of Man (Zondervan, 1989) [Arminian]
FAQ Disclaimer:
FAQ responses are designed to promote clear biblical thinking about subjects that are often difficult and confusing. The responses are all considered to be compatible with the Evangelical Alliance’s basis of faith but beyond that should not be assumed to represent the Evangelical Alliance’s ‘official standpoint’ on any particular doctrine or issue.
