CALVINISM and ARMINIANISM compared
1. The Core Issue: God’s Sovereignty vs. Man’s Free WillAt the heart of the debate is who ultimately determines salvation—God’s sovereign grace or man’s free will?
Arminianism teaches that God offers salvation to all, but it is ultimately up to each person to accept or reject Christ.
Calvinism teaches that man is spiritually dead in sin and completely unable to choose God, so God sovereignly elects certain individuals to be saved and ensures they come to faith.
This is not just a minor theological debate—it is a question of who gets the glory in salvation. Arminianism, in making man’s choice the final factor, subtly shifts some glory to man. Calvinism rightly teaches that salvation is entirely a work of God, for His glory alone (Ephesians 1:6). "And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
2. The Five Points of Arminianism vs. CalvinismArminianism and Calvinism are often compared using the five points of each system.
Arminianism is based on the Remonstrance of 1610.
Calvinism is summarized in TULIP from the Synod of Dort (1618-1619).
Arminianism’s Five Points (Man-Centered View)
Free Will (Human Ability) – Man, though affected by sin, still has the ability to cooperate with God’s grace and accept salvation.
Conditional Election – God chooses who will be saved based on foreseen faith, meaning He looks into the future and elects those He knows will choose Him.
Unlimited Atonement – Christ died for all people, making salvation possible for everyone, but securing it for no one in particular.
Resistible Grace – God gives grace to all, but man can resist and reject it.
Conditional Security – A believer can lose their salvation by falling away from faith.
Calvinism’s Five Points (God-Centered View)
Total Depravity – Man is totally corrupted by sin and cannot choose God apart from divine intervention (Romans 3:10-12, Ephesians 2:1-3).
Unconditional Election – God sovereignly chooses who will be saved, not based on anything in them, but solely by His mercy (Romans 9:11-16, Ephesians 1:4-5).
Limited Atonement (Particular Redemption) – Christ’s death actually secured salvation for His elect, rather than just making it possible (John 10:11, 15; Matthew 1:21).
Irresistible Grace – When God calls His elect, they will come to Him because He regenerates their hearts (John 6:37, Romans 8:30).
Perseverance of the Saints – Those who are truly saved cannot lose their salvation because God preserves them (John 10:28-29, Philippians 1:6).
3. Why Calvinism is More Faithful to Scripture
1. The Bible Teaches that Man is Spiritually Dead, Not Just Weak
Arminianism assumes that man still has some ability to choose God on his own.
Calvinism, however, teaches that man is spiritually dead in sin and completely unable to seek God apart from divine intervention.Biblical Support for Total Depravity:
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” – Romans 3:10-11
“You were dead in your transgressions and sins.” – Ephesians 2:1
“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” – Romans 8:7
If man cannot seek God or submit to Him, then salvation must be entirely a work of God.
2. The Bible Teaches that God’s Election is Based on His Will, Not Man’s ChoiceArminianism says God chooses people because He foresees they will choose Him.
Calvinism teaches that God elects people purely by His grace, not because of anything they do.Biblical Support for Unconditional Election:
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” – Romans 9:15
“It does not depend on human will or effort, but on God’s mercy.” – Romans 9:16
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.” – Ephesians 1:4
God does not choose us because of our faith—He gives us faith because He has chosen us!
3. The Bible Teaches that Christ’s Death Actually Saves, Not Just Makes Salvation PossibleArminianism teaches that Jesus died for everyone, but His death only makes salvation possible—it doesn’t secure it.
Calvinism teaches that Jesus’ death actually secured salvation for His elect.Biblical Support for Limited Atonement:
“I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:14-15
“He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
“By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” – Hebrews 10:14
If Jesus died for all people, but some still perish, then His death failed for those who reject Him. But Scripture teaches that His death actually accomplished salvation for His people!
4. The Bible Teaches that God’s Grace Cannot Be Resisted By His ElectArminianism teaches that God’s grace is offered to everyone, but people can reject it.
Calvinism teaches that God’s grace is irresistible—when God calls His elect, they will come to faith.Biblical Support for Irresistible Grace:
“All that the Father gives me will come to me.” – John 6:37
“No one can come to me unless the Father draws him.” – John 6:44
“Those whom He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified.” – Romans 8:30
God’s calling is not just an invitation—it is a supernatural work of God that ensures salvation.
5. The Bible Teaches that True Believers Will Never Lose Their Salvation
Arminianism teaches that a believer can lose salvation if they fall away.
Calvinism teaches that God preserves His people and they will never be lost.Biblical Support for Perseverance of the Saints:
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:28
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.” – Philippians 1:6
“Those whom He justified, He also glorified.” – Romans 8:30If salvation depends on God, then it cannot be lost!
Conclusion: Why Calvinism is the True Gospel
Arminianism makes man’s free will the deciding factor in salvation.
Calvinism makes God’s grace the deciding factor in salvation.
The Bible overwhelmingly teaches that salvation is God’s work from start to finish!
(The above comparison was AI generated.)