Maksutov wrote:LittleNipper wrote:The Qur'an removes Salvation by God's grace and replaced it with WORKS.
Are you in the Calvinist tradition, Nipper?
Calvinism TULIP and Arminianism are 2 systems of theology that attempt to explain the relationship between God's sovereignty and man's responsibility regarding salvation. Calvinism is named for John Calvin, a French theologian who lived from 1509-1564. Arminianism is named for Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian who lived from 1560-1609.
Both systems have 5 points.
Calvinism -Total depravity of man Arminianism - partial depravity. Note: classical Arminianism rejects “partial depravity” and holds a view very close to Calvinistic “total depravity” (although the extent and meaning of that depravity are debated in Arminian circles).
Calvinism - Unconditional election of the saints. Arminianism - conditional election. Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ.
Calvinism - Limited atonement. Arminianism - Unlimited. This is the most controversial of the 5 points. Limited atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. Unlimited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.
Calvinism - Irresistible grace of God. Arminianism - individual can resist the grace of God. Resistible grace states that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.
Calvinism - Perseverance of the saints Arminianism holds to conditional salvation. Perseverance refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him. Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation. Note - many Arminians deny "conditional salvation" and instead hold to "eternal security."
Interestingly in the diversity of the body of Christ, there are all sorts of mixtures of Calvinism and Arminianism.
I hold to total depravity. Unlimited Atonement. Election based on God's foreknowledge (call that what you will). Resistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints (once save always saved).
In other words I believe without The Holy Spirit knocking at the door of one's heart a person will not seek GOD; God knew/knows exactly who will accept Christ's atonement --- this follows with what I feel the Bible means by PREDESTINED; God knocks at the door but doesn't beat it down (so one can certainly reject His pleading) ----- I believe Jonah represents the believer and the believer may most certainly be prodded to do GOD's will; and finally I believe in eternal security (once saved the individual is sealed). So I find that both views have some merit.
I hope this helps you. Don't believe what I say ---- read the Bible for yourself and ask for God's guidance.