Theological Anxiety

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Dec 14, 2016
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#1
I believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. However I really struggle with theological differences, particularly Arminianism and Calvinism. Especially when they are pitted against each other as saved vs unsaved. It can lead me to such anxiety given how important our relationship with God is it fogs everything else out. I'm concerned about being right in my own belief but of course I'm concerned about others salvation. I do go trough bouts of struggling with this kind of thing and anxiety periodically. I find it so upsetting sometimes I find it hard to even find joy or peace, does anyone experience this? Any advice?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,595
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#2
Advice? Stay out of the Bible Discussion Forum.

Focus on honouring God in your life. Don't focus on debatable issues.
 
Sep 4, 2012
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#3
Why not get a comparative list of the 5 points of Calvinism vs the 5 points of Arminianism, and point by point determine what you believe? Your beliefs might not align with either. We could help you here if you like.
 

Enoch987

Senior Member
Jul 13, 2017
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#4
Paul talked about predestination in Romans 9-11. then he told us not to worry about it because we can't understand it.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
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#5
I believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. However I really struggle with theological differences, particularly Arminianism and Calvinism. Especially when they are pitted against each other as saved vs unsaved. It can lead me to such anxiety given how important our relationship with God is it fogs everything else out. I'm concerned about being right in my own belief but of course I'm concerned about others salvation. I do go trough bouts of struggling with this kind of thing and anxiety periodically. I find it so upsetting sometimes I find it hard to even find joy or peace, does anyone experience this? Any advice?
We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, not by faith in calvinism, arminianism, molinism or best world hypothesis.
 
Dec 14, 2016
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#6
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement. It just grieves me that some believers feel they can pronounce judgement on others, from both camps. I want to enjoy God, not fear that my theology is somehow screwed up.
 
7

7seasrekeyed

Guest
#8
I believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. However I really struggle with theological differences, particularly Arminianism and Calvinism. Especially when they are pitted against each other as saved vs unsaved. It can lead me to such anxiety given how important our relationship with God is it fogs everything else out. I'm concerned about being right in my own belief but of course I'm concerned about others salvation. I do go trough bouts of struggling with this kind of thing and anxiety periodically. I find it so upsetting sometimes I find it hard to even find joy or peace, does anyone experience this? Any advice?

neither Arminianism nor Calvinism save

only Jesus saves

I share your struggle with all the 'differences' and you are right. it is absolutely upsetting

when what a person believes gets in the way of the simplicity of the gospel, we will always end up with something that does not give peace as God assures we can have in His Son

some of the arguments between the A's and the C's have become really nasty and do not represent the gosepl at all by the time they are done with the name calling and some telling others they are not saved

Jesus said that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one goes to God without believing that

that, is something to believe in and has peace and assurance as the side effects
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#9
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement. It just grieves me that some believers feel they can pronounce judgement on others, from both camps. I want to enjoy God, not fear that my theology is somehow screwed up.
If you accept apostolic creed, nicene creed and salvation by faith in Christ and try to avoid sins, you should be OK, no matter what is your view about the age of the Earth, eschatology, predestination etc.

Which does not mean you should not study those areas, of course. Just do it without fear.
 

JesusLives

Senior Member
Oct 11, 2013
14,554
2,176
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#10
I believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. However I really struggle with theological differences, particularly Arminianism and Calvinism. Especially when they are pitted against each other as saved vs unsaved. It can lead me to such anxiety given how important our relationship with God is it fogs everything else out. I'm concerned about being right in my own belief but of course I'm concerned about others salvation. I do go trough bouts of struggling with this kind of thing and anxiety periodically. I find it so upsetting sometimes I find it hard to even find joy or peace, does anyone experience this? Any advice?
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#11
don't follow men, follow God. Men will lead you astray. and I would venture to say no man has 100% doctrinal truth..
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,033
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#12
I believe that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ. However I really struggle with theological differences, particularly Arminianism and Calvinism. Especially when they are pitted against each other as saved vs unsaved. It can lead me to such anxiety given how important our relationship with God is it fogs everything else out. I'm concerned about being right in my own belief but of course I'm concerned about others salvation. I do go trough bouts of struggling with this kind of thing and anxiety periodically. I find it so upsetting sometimes I find it hard to even find joy or peace, does anyone experience this? Any advice?
I do as well