Why Arminians are so upset with Calvinists.

Some observations:
A lot of Calvinists think that Arminians think God is not sovereign.  That isn't true.
A lot of Calvinists think that Arminianism is the "theology of free will". This is also untrue.
A lot of Calvinists think that Arminianism makes God weak and not in control. This is untrue.
A lot of Calvinists think that Arminianism is Pelegianism. This is wildly untrue.
A lot of Calvinists think that Arminianism is a Philosophy with no scriptural backing. Also untrue.
A lot of Calvinists really don't take the time to understand.

(I could probably support the above with links and references, but these are just my observations having interacted on a number of forums)
 

Calvinists went to people like Finney and Spurgeon to understand Arminianism, and what they found horrified them. There are forms of so called Arminianism that embrace the above. Sadly missing from the list are people like Wesley, Arminias, Whedon, Wattson, Pope, Witherington to reference just a few in passing(Find some more here). They could also read Roger Olson's excellent book here. He has done such a great job that I don't really need to say much more here, except to link to it.

Faced with the attacks from the likes of James White and company, Arminians tend to rightly get upset. We are misrepresented, and the offense is grave.

This leads to a problem. Not all Calvinists are bad guys. In fact, in my experience, most are Christians, and more often than not the theological commitment is more of a social than deeply examined view. They simply wish to belong to the group. There is some pride, history and identity in calling themselves "reformed". (Technically Arminianism is reformed too, but I tend to reject the label, due to the unpleasant association with fatalism.) Many Calvinists would not for example agree that God is the author of evil, or that double predestination is true. Many appeal to mystery. I might see that as inconsistent, but I certainly see that as far preferable to embracing that God ordains some to evil which was rightly declared heresy in 529AD. Coherence is not a test of orthodoxy.

The issue is that in identifying with the group "Calvinists", they often unwittingly identify in the mind of the Arminian with the loud group. This is a hindrance to fellowship.


The struggle for the Arminian in a loudly Calvinistic world is to stop prejudging every Calvinist by the standard of the loud, obnoxious or misinformed ones. The struggle is to continue to see them as brothers and sisters.



What is the solution? I am not sure, but this wave of so called 'new Calvinism' appears to be wildly unChrist-like. As for me, I shall continue to try by all means to see my Calvinist brothers and sisters as brothers and sisters in Christ. Will you try and do the same for your Calvinist/Arminian brothers and sisters?



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