Theological Anxiety

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

LookingforLight

Junior Member
Dec 14, 2016
12
3
3
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?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 7seasrekeyed
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BillG and posthuman
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
 
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.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldethennew
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.
 
don't follow men, follow God. Men will lead you astray. and I would venture to say no man has 100% doctrinal truth..
 
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
 
  • Like
Reactions: eternally-gratefull