Introducing the Discussion

Oscar and I love theology.  We believe it makes a huge impact in how we live out our lives.  Some who read this may know little or nothing about the differences between two major schools of Protestant thought -- that of the Calvinist and the Wesleyan-Arminian.  And although the doctrinal differences can seem great at times, we both confess that earliest of Christians creeds:  "Jesus is Lord."  In a world of heated rhetoric, angry talk-shows, and bitter disputes, it is our conviction that as Christians we are called to model unity and respect even in the midst of disagreement.  Oscar and I may disagree, but when we do it is always with mutual respect, humility, and plenty of laughter.  He jokes with me that I just need to rest in the fact that God has chosen me.  And I think he's right.  I have much to learn from my friend Oscar.  And so we are embarking on this online journey not to prove each other wrong, but to hopefully sharpen our understanding of God and his marvelous grace.  I hope to set the record straight on many misperceptions that people have about the Wesleyan-Arminian perspective.  I'm sure Oscar is eager to do the same about the Reformed tradition.

For those unfamiliar with the debate, let me give a very short introduction.  Calvinists, also known as those from the Reformed tradition, follow the teachings of John Calvin and his followers.  They tend to emphasize the sovereignty of God first and foremost.  Those who are chosen (the elect) were ordained from the foundation of time to live in unity with God; that is, they were predestined for salvation before even being born.  Arminians (also known as Wesleyans or just Methodists who trace their heritage back to Jacob Arminius and John Wesley), on the other hand, emphasize human free will and believe that human beings have a choice in their own salvation to either accept or reject Christ.  Oscar may decide to revise this brief synopsis, but that is the best way I can describe the matter in a few sentences.  As important as these differences may seem, however, we agree on all matters that are central to the Christian faith -- that there is One God in Three Persons, that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate, that salvation comes by faith through grace alone, that Christ will return to establish his Kingdom forever, and that the Church is his Bride.  The central affirmations of the Apostles' Creed are the definition of orthodoxy and we are both certainly orthodox (or at least I hope so!).

I propose that for the first few posts, Oscar and I examine what some have called the five points of Calvinism which can be summarized using the acronym "TULIP."  This is what TULIP stands for:

T - total depravity
U - unconditional election
L - limited atonement
I - irresistable grace
P - perseverance of the saints

I'm suggesting that we take each point one at a time and talk about these doctrines in depth to see where we agree and disagree.  Wesleyans have the response to each of these in their doctrines of original sin (rightly defined), conditional election, unlimited atonement, human freedom in salvation, and the possibility of apostasy.

Oscar is free to post whenever he wants to and so am I.  So let the conversation begin!

(One final footnote:  neither of us are world-class experts on these matters.  We're just pastors who happen to be passionate about good theology.  If you want some more expertise scholarship on the matter, you can certainly find it.  But, at the very least, we will try to make what we write accessible to the common layman.)