Calvinism Arminianism Mediating Biblical

Brief summary of the Calvinism, Arminianism, and Mediating Biblical theology of salvation

Tod Kennedy, March 2012. Rev March 2024

These are generalizations to help one gain a broad perspective of the differences. Furthermore, people, especially Calvinists, want to make the argument an either or—Calvinism or Arminianism. By that they mean if you are not a Calvinist, then you are an Arminian. This is incorrect.

Extreme Calvinism

TULIP—Canons of Dort (1618-1619) affirmed these statements as a rebuttal of the Remonstrance (a rejection of harsh Calvinism by followers of Jacob Arminius).

  1. Sovereignty. God has determined everything to take place in the universe including saved and lost.
  2. Total depravity. Spiritual death is the total inability to please God and to believe in Christ.
  3. Unconditional election. God decreed who will be saved and who will be lost. The basis is unknown.
  4. Limited atonement. Christ died for only the sovereignly chosen elect. God does not love the non-elect.
  5. Irresistible grace. The elect are irresistibly regenerated before God gives them faith to believe.
  6. Perseverance of saints. The elect will persevere, but cannot be sure they are elect until the end.

Arminianism

The theology actually arose before Dort.

  1. Sovereignty. God is completely sovereign. He foreknows all events, actual and possible. He gave free will, delegated authority and responsibility.
  2. Total depravity. There are diverse views. God gives grace to enable people to believe the gospel and to do any good works necessary to keep salvation.
  3. Conditional election. God elects those whom he foreknows will believe and persevere in good works.
  4. Unlimited atonement. Christ died for all mankind.
  5. Resistible grace. People, by their own free will can resist God’s grace and reject forgiveness and life.
  6. Conditional security. Diverse views. Ultimate salvation depends on continued faith and good works.

Mediating Biblical

To clarify the position in contrast to Calvinism and Arminianism.

  1. Sovereignty. God is completely sovereign. He foreknows all events, actual and possible. He gave free will, delegated authority and responsibility.
  2. Total depravity. Extensive corruption, not inability. Still in the image of God and able to believe.
  3. Conditional election. God foreknows those who will believe and elects them in Christ.
  4. Unlimited atonement. Christ died as a substitute for the sins of everyone. Whoever wills may be saved.
  5. Resistible grace. People, by their own free will can resist God’s grace and reject forgiveness and life.
  6. Eternal security. Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ is elect and secure forever.