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#30 – How is One Saved? Calvinist and Arminian Answers

In a gracious spirit J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss the points of agreement and disagreement between the Calvinist and Arminian views of salvation (summarized in Calvinist theology by the acronym TULIP). This good-faith conversation will help listeners consider the implications of these beliefs, especially as they relate to our understanding of God’s nature, our nature, and the gospel message.* 

In this podcast, we discuss:

  • The TULIP acronym: where did it come from and what it does it mean?
  • Total Depravity: what is the difference between the extensive and intensive effects of depravity?
  • Unconditional Election: what does it mean to say God loves us?
  • Limited Atonement: what is the difference between a four or five-point Calvinist? Is the doctrine of Limited Atonement logically consistent with the whole of Calvinism?
  • Irresistible Grace: Is there evidence to support this position in Scripture?
  • Perseverance of the Saints: What is the difference between this and eternal security?

Resources and references:

*As always, the views expressed are those of the participants, and not necessarily those of the podcast’s sponsor Global Scholars. However, Global Scholars does encourage the study and discussion of important issues from the vantage points of theology, philosophy, and other related disciplines, as occurs in this podcast.

3 Comments

  1. Thank You from Latin America! - Global Scholars
    Thank You from Latin America! - Global Scholars March 1, 2024

    […] episode of the Thinking Christianly podcast is the second in a series about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism. JP Moreland and I […]

  2. J.R.
    J.R. March 14, 2024

    When reading the description of the different views of salvation as according to the Calvinist and the Arminian positions for this episode, I could not help but wonder why the Free Grace Theological position of salvation (Everlasting Life as defined in John 3:16) was not included in the discussion. In future episodes it would be helpful to invite a guest that holds to the Free Grace position of salvation (Bob Wilkin from Grace Evangelical Society-GES or Shawn Lazar or Lucas Kitchen from Free Grace International). In this “debate” there are not only two positions to choose from (Calvinism & Arminianism), but a third position to consider (Free Grace Theology). I enjoyed listening! J.R.

  3. Stan_Wallace
    Stan_Wallace March 14, 2024

    Thanks, JR. To clarify, the position JP and I advanced is that faith, and faith alone, saves a person. Works and perseverance are in no way requirements for salvation. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) Furthermore, once saving faith is placed in Christ, one’s eternal destiny with Him is secure and cannot be lost (cf. my analogy in the podcast about jumping off a building: even though the choice is one of libertarian freedom, the results of the choice are not reversible).

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