Honestly, I don’t fit neatly into Calvinist or Arminian boxes. Both capture parts of biblical truth—God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility—but both also go further than Scripture in places. My position is simple: neither, and in some ways, both. I’ll stand where the Bible stands, even if it means holding tension rather than forcing a system. God saves by grace, man must believe, and the mystery in between belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29).
Well, the hugounats were clearly 5 pt. Calvinists. Calvinism has gone to great pains to show how God's Sov and Man's responsibility go hand in hand. And if you accept the doctrine of total depravity, the conclusion is unavoidable
I am very proud of my Huguenot heritage, but I don’t accept the doctrine of total depravity as formulated in Augustinian and Calvinist systems. While Scripture teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that apart from Christ we cannot save ourselves (Ephesians 2:1), it also affirms that God’s Law is written on every human heart so that all are accountable before Him (Romans 2:14–15).
This means unbelievers are capable of acts of goodness—though not goodness that saves. A pagan may show kindness, while a Pharisee may be outwardly religious yet evil at the core. The problem is not that man is incapable of doing any relative good, but that no one can achieve the righteousness God requires apart from Christ (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10–12).
Humanity is fallen, but not incapable of all good. The real issue is that even our best efforts fall short of God’s perfect standard, driving us to the cross where grace alone saves.
I agree that is important to affirm they are real people. I have heard that some who try to claim that they represented a primordial group, but this unravels the unity of humanity, by unraveling the unity of our nature.
Just out of curiosity, would you consider yourself a calvinist or arminian?
Btw I noticed you are a fmr Marine. As am I. Semper Fi
Semper Fi Brother, and welcome!
Honestly, I don’t fit neatly into Calvinist or Arminian boxes. Both capture parts of biblical truth—God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility—but both also go further than Scripture in places. My position is simple: neither, and in some ways, both. I’ll stand where the Bible stands, even if it means holding tension rather than forcing a system. God saves by grace, man must believe, and the mystery in between belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29).
My rant is over
I’ll ask them when I see them.
Well, the hugounats were clearly 5 pt. Calvinists. Calvinism has gone to great pains to show how God's Sov and Man's responsibility go hand in hand. And if you accept the doctrine of total depravity, the conclusion is unavoidable
"Humanity is so fallen that no one can be saved without grace, yet so upheld by God that even pagans can write wisely and rule justly."
CS Lewis
I am very proud of my Huguenot heritage, but I don’t accept the doctrine of total depravity as formulated in Augustinian and Calvinist systems. While Scripture teaches that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that apart from Christ we cannot save ourselves (Ephesians 2:1), it also affirms that God’s Law is written on every human heart so that all are accountable before Him (Romans 2:14–15).
This means unbelievers are capable of acts of goodness—though not goodness that saves. A pagan may show kindness, while a Pharisee may be outwardly religious yet evil at the core. The problem is not that man is incapable of doing any relative good, but that no one can achieve the righteousness God requires apart from Christ (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10–12).
Humanity is fallen, but not incapable of all good. The real issue is that even our best efforts fall short of God’s perfect standard, driving us to the cross where grace alone saves.
I'm sorry to hear that. That puts you solidly in the arminian/plagian camp. I'm afraid your "heritage" would have rejected you.
Honestly, I doubt that very much. But I appreciate your input. God bless you Brother
I agree that is important to affirm they are real people. I have heard that some who try to claim that they represented a primordial group, but this unravels the unity of humanity, by unraveling the unity of our nature.
Yes, absolutely 💯