The Providence Debate Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

The Providence Debate - Research Paper ExampleThe author considers that a balanced intermixture of these two linear perspectives offers a better perspective. The author proposes that theologys truth as revealed in the sanctified Scriptures is reflected in some parts by the Calvinists view and in some parts by the Armininans and idols truth regarding salvation is not monopolized wholly by just one of these two views. God Announced Salvation after the fall On the sixth day of creation, after wreaking everything which included the light, the firmament, the plants and the animals, God created musical composition in His own image and place him in the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it later hug drug was joined by his wife Eve, the woman whom God formed from one of Adams ribs.1 Adam and Eve had everything they needed and lived very close to God and just like in a fairy tale, they could have lived happily ever after. But they disobeyed Gods commandment But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt sure die.2 therefore the first man and woman fell to sin and the whole creation fell with them.3 The loving Almighty God, after the fall of man, in time in the dawn of human history, had already announced the forthcoming salvation, as He said to the serpent And I will put enmity mingled with thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy head and thou shalt bruise his heel.4 The Holy Bible abounds with several verses which teach the way to salvation. In fact the whole Bible, with its old and new testaments, shows Gods way of having people accrue to know Him and His plan for mankind, His chosen and special people...who by faith will form the true family of God throughout eternity.5 Gods Thoughts Are Higher Than Our Thoughts Despite the so many verses pertaining to salvation (or whitethornbe due to such great number), still the so-called faithfuls have found themselves in opposite camps. This providence debate has been going on for centuries and perhaps, Christians will finally get the correct answer when they come face to face with our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our God is a very great God. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. He is the first and the last. We may come to know Him, but not yet as fully as we would have wanted. As it is written, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ship canal My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.6 The Arminians and Calvinists Views A careful and prayerful study of the Holy Bible will reveal chapters and verses which support both the Arminian and Calvinist views. The Arminians View. The Arminians believe that salvation is brought about by the combined efforts of God who initiated the process and man who must respond to Gods call. God has provided salvat ion for everyone, but His provision becomes effective only for those who, of their own free will, choose to cooperate with Him and accept His gracious offer of salvation. Thus mans response becomes the determining factor for the attainment of salvation. At the crucial point, mans will plays a decisive role in this perspective, man, not God, determines who will be recipients of the apply of salvation.7,8 Arminianism emphasizes conditional election based on Gods foreknowledge, mans free will through prevenient grace to cooperate with God in salvation,