Miracle Max explains Arminianism v. Calvinism



"With all dead, there's only one thing you can do. Go through his pockets and look for loose change."

LOL. For those who might not know, Miracle Max is a fictional character in the movie The Princess Bride. Of course, the movie was an entertainment fairy tale move, not a theological treatise. But Max's words summed up a critical difference in the two actual approaches to salvation.

The Arminian believes we are slightly alive, and that in some corner of the heart, we can at some point in life choose salvation.

The person who understands the Doctrines of Grace knows that divine grace is the only catalyst for salvation, and that we have nothing to do with it. God saves us. As a matter of fact, He chose every person He decided He was going to save before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 2:1-6).

There's a big difference between Mostly Dead (Arminianism) and All Dead (Calvinism). Miracle Max, you are very wise!


Comments

  1. So a fragmented and contradictory Christianity is alright then? If God Himself will not uproot "the dead" for fear of damaging His flock, how exactly do we justify throwing up our hands in their (ever-emboldened) presence?

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  2. Hi Anonymous,

    I don't quite understand what you mean by a fragmented & contradictory Christianity, or uprooting the dead? Can you elaborate? Thanks.

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  3. Until you come to the knowledge that man is incapable and God chooses those to whom He will give the gift of salvation, you cannot begin to understand the glorious scope of the sovereignty of God and the security of eternal life. The doctrine magnifies God and minimizes self. It brings a peace that God is indeed in control of His universe, working all things after the pleasure of His own will, and lifts the agonizing burden of performance and failure. When God reveals Himself as He truly is and not how man perceives Him, it makes perfect sense and is accompanied with relief and peace. The doctrine of election begins to unlock the deeper truths of scripture and it is a treasure that is worth any rejection or experience you must encounter to grasp.

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