Arminianism vs. Calvinism: The debate part three

Imagine that every soul in the history of the world is a silver coin.  In the beginning, God made silver coins and placed them all on his table on heads.  Adam really messed it up for us.  First, because of his introduction of sin, all the coins are now copper; second, they are now all on tails.  So, humanity has gone from a sea of silver coins on heads, to a sea of copper coins on tails.  The copper represents the condition of sin.  Heads stands for righteousness before God, and Tails stands for eternal damnation.  Man is able to polish his coin, but he cannot flip the coin and he cannot change the coin from copper to silver.  What is required for Salvation is a silver coin on heads.

This is the point of departure between Arminianism and Calvinism.  When we introduce Jesus into the model, the action of Jesus is different.  Jesus comes into the world.  He dies, He is buried, He arises.  What did this do for the coins?  Let's go through the situation from the Arminian perspective first.

From the Arminian perspective, Jesus does two things.  First, His resurrection, by prevenient grace, cleanses sin from all of mankind.  Essentially, he turns all of the copper coins back into silver coins.  Next, He sets all the coins on their edge.  They are a blank slate.  It is up to the individual to push his coins over in one direction or the other based upon that person's works during their life.  If they commit a mortal sin, they can convert their coin back into copper.  Then, by some additional penance, they might be able to reconvert their coin from copper back into silver again.  On the last Day, whether the coin is silver or copper and whether it is on heads or tails, is all up to that person.

From the Calvinist perspective, Jesus also does two things.  First, His resurrection, by a gift of Grace through the action of the Holy Spirit on His elect, an action that is irresistible and irreversible, turns some of the coins over to heads and leaves the rest.  We go through life member of two kingdoms.  We remain citizens of this world, still under the curse of Adam, still capable of sin, until we die or the Second Coming, whichever comes first.  We remain copper coins, but we are on heads.  Then, upon our deaths, all of the copper coins that are on heads are converted into silver coins on heads.  This is the promise in which the Christian believes and is certain he will receive based upon his knowledge and faith in the truth of the Gospel, a knowledge and faith that was given to him by God acting through the Holy Spirit.

Which of these models represents a more powerful or omnipotent God?  The Arminian elevates the ability of man to undo the deeds of God.  The Calvinist believes that no action of God can be resisted, prevented or undone. 

Which of these models represents a more Gracious God?  The Arminian believes that man has to work to turn his coin to the side of righteousness.  The Calvinist believes that he receives righteousness as a gift.

Which of these models represents a more hopeful condition of man?  Tough question.  An Arminian has great hope in his works.  A Calvinist has certainty in His gift.

Which of these models looks outward to God and which looks inward to self?  The Arminian has rested his salvation on his works, on his own inward look at himself.  The Calvinist looks to everything from God.  It is truly all about Him.

What is the role of works in each case?  The role of works for the Arminian is to push the coin over.  The role of works for the Calvinist is to polish the coin.  The Calvinist knows that he cannot turn the coin silver, but he is grateful for being turned to heads; and he is certain that the coin will be turned silver.  Therefore, the Calvinist spends his life polishing his copper coin to make it as shiny as possible.  This is what the Calvinist refers to as bearing good fruit.  The Calvinist is free to polish without concern for the position or the composition of his coin.  This is Christian liberty.  While the Arminian is busy trying to make sure that his coin lands on heads when he dies, the Calvinist is free to polish his coin, i.e., do good works without concerning himself over motives.

Which of these models represents a more Merciful God?  The Arminian believes that God saves everyone, but that man can mess it up.  How much mercy is there if you give salvation and then allow it to be taken away again?  The Calvinist believes that there is an elect, a remnant, that God will save, more numerous than anyone can count.  God is 100% successful in saving those people.  He does all of the work.  And remember, we deserve to remain on tails forever in the mind of a Calvinist.  Therefore, it is ONLY by the Mercy and Grace of God that we are first turned over, and later transformed.

Which is a system that presents a God that you would worship, really worship?

--Troll--