K
Yes, this divide has been around a long time. I don't think it comes out of man made traditions. I know I was in Arminian churches the first 15 years of my walk. (Although I did not know that is what they were called!) I was taught that if I don't produce fruit, or if I sinned, I could lose my salvation. Or that not producing fruit was a sign I was not saved, if you want to put it that way. I felt so pressured, so far from God, because I knew my works were not enough.
In my Bible reading and study, I began to find things that disagreed with that position. I began to pray, and God showed me the truths he had given me right when I was saved - that I was his, and he would not let me go. It was man's traditions that made me stop believing the Holy Spirit.
I began to realize, to my joy, that God was never going to leave of forsake me. I didn't know about anyone else, but I knew my relationship with God was secure, and that gave me great joy and peace. It inspired me to do more for Christ, for other people. It allowed the Holy Spirit to change me, in ways I had failed to do on my own. I had been working on the fruits of the Holy Spirit since I was saved in 1980. Some were beyond my ability to achieve.
But God changed that, when I realized I didn't have to perform to maintain my salvation, but rather that the Holy Spirit is the one who does the transforming. Just like Romans 12:2 and 2 Cor. 3:18 say - transform - in the Greek - passive imperative tense. We are commanded to let God change us. God does the changing, in his time, and for his glory.
Later, in theology in Seminary, I was introduced to the different soteriological positions. At that point, I didn't even realize there were different sides to this debate. We read about Arminianism from Arminian theologians, who tried to convince us that we would lose our salvation if we were not showing fruits/works. I read from Calvinist theologians the other extreme, which I rejected too. Then I found some theologians, with the encouraging Biblical word that we cannot lose our salvation. It is God who justifies, sanctifies and glorifies.
So, Kenneth, you are wrong in your opinion that man made traditions are the problem and you alone have a pipe line to the Holy Spirit, who has correctly instructed only you, as to the perfect soteriology. In fact, Arminianism is just as much a man made tradition as Calvinism or any other ism.
It is only in trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross that we are saved. And God saves us through the faith he gives us. It is a gift, lest anyone should boast!
In my Bible reading and study, I began to find things that disagreed with that position. I began to pray, and God showed me the truths he had given me right when I was saved - that I was his, and he would not let me go. It was man's traditions that made me stop believing the Holy Spirit.
I began to realize, to my joy, that God was never going to leave of forsake me. I didn't know about anyone else, but I knew my relationship with God was secure, and that gave me great joy and peace. It inspired me to do more for Christ, for other people. It allowed the Holy Spirit to change me, in ways I had failed to do on my own. I had been working on the fruits of the Holy Spirit since I was saved in 1980. Some were beyond my ability to achieve.
But God changed that, when I realized I didn't have to perform to maintain my salvation, but rather that the Holy Spirit is the one who does the transforming. Just like Romans 12:2 and 2 Cor. 3:18 say - transform - in the Greek - passive imperative tense. We are commanded to let God change us. God does the changing, in his time, and for his glory.
Later, in theology in Seminary, I was introduced to the different soteriological positions. At that point, I didn't even realize there were different sides to this debate. We read about Arminianism from Arminian theologians, who tried to convince us that we would lose our salvation if we were not showing fruits/works. I read from Calvinist theologians the other extreme, which I rejected too. Then I found some theologians, with the encouraging Biblical word that we cannot lose our salvation. It is God who justifies, sanctifies and glorifies.
So, Kenneth, you are wrong in your opinion that man made traditions are the problem and you alone have a pipe line to the Holy Spirit, who has correctly instructed only you, as to the perfect soteriology. In fact, Arminianism is just as much a man made tradition as Calvinism or any other ism.
It is only in trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross that we are saved. And God saves us through the faith he gives us. It is a gift, lest anyone should boast!
I highlighted and underlined 2 parts of what you said because it seems like you were lead away from the truth.
Because the first one Jesus Himself said the one's who do not produce fruit will be cut off and burned, and this has nothing to do with what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3 on works being tested by fire.
Those are two separate situations as one is showing the difference between believers and unbelievers, and the other is speaking on faithfulness in believers.
The other one I underlined because I never said I alone have a pipe line to the Holy Spirit, as in He only speaks to me.
There are a number of believers in the faith who agree in the same way I do, as well as many biblical scholars from past and present. As well have I found in studies a few quotes from 2nd and 3rd century Apostles, scholars, and others that show the same thing I have taught by the Holy Spirit who has guided me to them.
Works of the law and works in the faith are two separate things, as works of the law are our own doing but works of the faith are His works of righteousness imputed in and through us to do.
Broaden your horizon instead of just listening to who they brought in front of you to listen to in that Seminary school, because it does not matter if they bring 5, 10, or even 20 people claiming to be biblical scholars to teach. If they all have been brought up in the same bad ways in teaching then they will continue to keep teaching those bad teachings to others.
Making the simplicity that's in Christ into a difficult understanding that only college level educated people can understand should send red flags up for any believer. Because there are places to where people don't have access to such things for learning, yet they still receive understanding of the truth by the Holy Spirit !!!