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Reaching forth...

By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

The question was asked: “I'm not sure I even understand the difference between High and Low Calvinism.  Is the one something about supralapsarianism, and doesn't believe in evangelism?”

Those terms, low-Calvinism and high-Calvinism aren’t used often. With what I have found, the old writings mention them more than the new. A few use the terms now, but like any terms, the meaning ascribed by the one using the term must be ascertained.

Myself, I don’t fix a definition of the terms with the inclusion of supralapsarianism or infralapsarianism, for, as I understand, a person might be supralapsarian or infralapsarian and be Arminian or Calvinist. Some do include those factors in their definitions but in my mind that limits the sense of what it is to be a shade of low-Calvinist or high-Calvinists or Arminian.

These definitions are subjective:

Low-Arminian: Also sometimes called rank-Arminian, or hyper-Arminian. More Arminian than was James Arminius,  A rank or low Arminian is a near-Pelagian who clearly promotes cheap grace, easy-believism, decisional regeneration, and the invitation system.

Arminian: One who subscribes to the basic beliefs of James Arminius himself, who rejected the doctrines of unconditional election to salvation, limited atonement, and irresistible grace, but who believed in total inability, eternal conditional election of particular individuals to salvation, the priority of regeneration before conversion, and was non-committal about the preservation/perseverance of God's saints. The term is also used in a general sense to identify those that reject Calvinism. Using this term does not mean endorsement or agreement of each and every thing James Arminius advanced.

Low-Calvinist: Believes in a general atonement with a general application of its benefits to all human beings while also embracing a particular application of its benefits to God's elect children. Claiming sufficiency of the work of Christ for all men, and not just the elect, as if others could be saved by the blood. Claims to be Calvinist in doctrine but in practice acts as an Arminian. Modern day evangelism is largely influenced by this and Fuller is regarded as having advanced the methods. The gospel is presented as an offer, and pressure for decisions is advanced. Sometimes the notion that the only reason a person will end up in hell is because they rejected Jesus Christ, but the same people advancing that sometimes nevertheless admit that sin damns a person. Sloppy theology is advanced. 

Calvinist: One who subscribes to the five points of Calvinism. Using this term does not mean endorsement or agreement of each and every thing John Calvin advanced.

High Calvinist: One who subscribes to and openly preaches and teaches the five points of Calvinism while viewing the gospel as a proclamation or declaration rather than a conditional offer or invitation.  One who believes the tenets of unconditional election and particular redemption. The Father gave particular ones to the Son, the Son died only for those and His death is sufficient only for their salvation and no others, the Holy Spirit quickens those the Son died for and no others. One who believes in both election and reprobation.

Hyper-Calvinist: Also sometimes referred to as Hardshell. One who denies or downplays human responsibility and accountability.  One who denies that God uses human means or instrumentality in initial conversion to Christ; i.e., see no need to preach the gospel to the lost. One who teaches salvation against a man’s will, i.e., that God the Father forcibly drags them to Christ without making them willing.

Different people understand the Bible different ways, and all are not right in the way they understand it. Ask about any, and they will say they believe the Bible, but ask what the Bible means and you find all sorts of conflicting answers. Myself, I am interested in learning more about the sacred book. The better I understand the Book, the more about Jesus would I know. Soteriology deals with the doctrines of salvation, and with that shades or degrees of what is termed Arminianism and Calvinism is part of the equation. By God’s grace, I desire a better understanding (2 Pet 3:18; 2 Thess 1:3). Being fueled by emotion and lack of understanding, a superficial knowledge, isn’t a sound practice. Indeed, the flesh wars against the Spirit in regard to this (Gal 5:17).

KJB 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

KJB 2 Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

KJB Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

The above certainly has subjective comments and there may be some editing needed. I hope what I have said will help the elect in better knowing and understanding the Bible and our great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

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A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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