Christian Universalism, Calvinism, and Arminianism: Where Do You Fit In?

All of the various denominations of professing Christians may be classified as either Calvinists, Arminianists, or Universalists. While fancy titles are very impressive, the bottom-line behind these titles is unveiling the details of what these groups actually believe about the gospel of Jesus Christ. The following will give you those answers and also provide you with the insights you need to determine which camp you fall into as well.

Here are the agreements and the differences between these three perspectives as it relates to the plans and purposes of God through the cross of Jesus Christ:

CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM

- There is one God.

- There is one Mediator between God and men, and that Mediator is "the Man Christ Jesus."

- The one Mediator gave himself a ransom for all.

- All those for whom the Mediator died will be saved.

- God's purposes in the creation of the human race embraced the final holiness and happiness of all mankind.

- God's purpose in reference to the final destiny of his creatures cannot be defeated.

- God has the power to make all his creatures holy and happy.

- God wills the salvation of all his creatures.

- God's will in reference to the ultimate destiny of his creatures will be done.

- God can save all mankind, and will.

- The object of Christ's mission to our world was to save all mankind from their sins.

- Christ will succeed in accomplishing the object of his mission.

- All for whom Christ died will be saved.

- A glorious and happy destiny awaits every individual of the entire human race.

CALVINISM

- There is one God.

- There is one Mediator between God and men, and that Mediator is the very and eternal God himself.

- The one Mediator gave himself a ransom for a part only of mankind.

- All those for whom the Mediator died will be saved.

- God's purposes in the creation of the human race embraced the final holiness and happiness of a part, and the endless misery of the rest.

- God's purpose in reference to the final destiny of his creatures cannot be defeated.

- God has the power to make all his creatures holy and happy.

- God wills the salvation of a part of his creatures, and the damnation of the rest.

- God's will in reference to the ultimate destiny of his creatures will be done.

- God can save all mankind, but will not.

- The object of Christ's mission to our world was to save a part only of mankind from endless misery.

- Christ will succeed in accomplishing the object of his mission.

- All for whom Christ died will be saved.

- A glorious and happy destiny awaits a portion of the human race, and a most inglorious, unhappy and miserable destiny awaits the rest.

ARMINIANISM

- There is one God.

- There is one Mediator between God and men, and that Mediator is the very and eternal God himself.

- The one Mediator gave himself a ransom for all.

- A part only of those for whom the Mediator died will be saved.

- God's purposes in the creation of the human race embraced the final holiness and happiness of all mankind.

- God's purpose in reference to the final destiny of a part of his creatures will be defeated.

- God has not the power to make all his creatures holy and happy.

- God wills the salvation of all his creatures.

- God's will in reference to the ultimate destiny of a part of his creatures will not be done.

- God would save all mankind, but cannot.

- The object of Christ's mission to our world was to save all mankind from endless misery.

- Christ will succeed in accomplishing a part only of the object of his mission.

- Some for whom Christ died will not be saved.

- A glorious and happy destiny awaits a portion of the human race, and a most inglorious, unhappy and miserable destiny awaits the rest.

The Bottom Line

The Calvinist God has the ability and power to save all mankind but refuses to do so.

The Christian Universalist God has the power, the ability, and the desire to save all mankind and will do so.

The Arminian God would like to save all mankind but does not have the power and ability to do so.

Which God is the God of the scriptures and where do you fit in in what you believe about the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Grace and peace to you always!

John Moneypenny

Gospel For Today Ministries' president, John Moneypenny, is an ordained minister with a Master of Divinity degree who has traveled across the country teaching and preaching the liberating message of God's redemption of all mankind through the cross of Jesus Christ. John is the author of numerous teaching articles and the moderator of one of the most popular Christian Discussion Forums (Alexa Ranking: 52,000) on the internet.

Visit Gospel For Today's main website at http://www.gospelfortoday.org/ and the Christian Discussion forum at http://www.gospelfortoday.org/gftforum/

---

The Power of Thankfulness and Vice Versa

We are soon to celebrate once again the National Holiday... Read More

The Oldest Concept in History

I find it funny that one of the oldest concepts... Read More

The Apocalypse

Revelation 6:2-6:8.I will bring thee down, saith the LORD. ... Read More

Getting Your Money Out of Israel: The Presbyterian Church (USA) Recipe

Recently, the Presbyterian Church (USA) beat a drum for justice.... Read More

Mirrors of Reality

Have you ever looked into a mirror and wondered what... Read More

Tongue of the Power

The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but... Read More

L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. Blows the Whistle

L. Ron Hubbard, Jr. Blows the WhistleWhen L. Ron Hubbard... Read More

Christian Books and Supplies

Christian books and supplies can be found at places that... Read More

Following Instructions To The Letter

The dictionary explains wisdom as having good judgement, understanding, comprehension... Read More

Abraham and the Leather Scroll

The Dead Sea Scrolls continue to be found and there... Read More

How Should We Pray?

Many Christians often wonder, "How should we pray?"I'm going to... Read More

7 Year Tribulation

As you will see in the Scripture verses listed below,... Read More

Religion and Social Engineering - Part of an Introduction

Thomas Carlyle is just one of the interesting characters who... Read More

Lutheran or Catholic Church; Choosing the Religion that is Best for You?

Many cities have large Catholic Church presence and well-established Lutheran... Read More

Amos And Social Justice Part 2

Amos was summoned by God to warn the Northern Kingdom... Read More

Gods 4 Avenues to Reach the Lost During the Tribulation

If the Church is raptured off the face of the... Read More

The Kabbalah of Love: Part One

(This is the first article in a new series on... Read More

The Bible ? Are Some of Its Words More Important Than Others?

Is the Old Testament equal in every way to the... Read More

Moslem America Conclusion

Isaiah 55:7-55:9Moslem America conclusion Let the wicked forsake his way,... Read More

Mahavira | 24th Tirthankara of Jainism His Teachings and Essence

Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism was the last... Read More

What about the 4400?

Murders are so frequent in our country that a single... Read More

Your Focus Determines Your Reality

"Your focus determines your reality", this famous line was spoken... Read More

Do Not Believe All You Read In The Holy Books

Observation shows that human creative activity has a physical, a... Read More

Is it God Descending from Heaven or Another UFO?

The world that we live in today is in imminent... Read More

Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement: Part Three

Part Three continuedIt is important to recover and relearn the... Read More

Where is God?

Where is God? This is the question most often heard... Read More

Christian Book Stores are a Great Indicator of the Popularity of the Religion in Demography

Have you ever wondered how exactly would someone find out... Read More

Resurrection Faith (Part 2)

Christ died. This is a historical fact not to be... Read More

Christian Leaders: Nazi or Mass Murderer? A Fun Who?s Who Quiz

Figure out which Christian Leader goes with which description ?A.... Read More

Sex, Lies, & Videotape; Part 2

Acts 5:1-5:10 Sex, Lies and Videotape Part 2. Lies. What... Read More

Moslem America ,Part 1

Daniel 12:7-12:12Moslem America ,Part 1. Aljazira, is the propaganda machine... Read More

Better Worship - 12 Marks of an Effective Music Ministry

Small BeginningsMy first experience in music ministry happened fairly soon... Read More

A Gentle God

I was in my late teens when I first read... Read More