Oftentimes, we, who would describe our theological understanding of salvation in Calvinistic terms, feel duty bound to correct and even attack our more Arminian siblings at every turn. Of course, the same can be said for some on the Arminian side of the family as well. And far too often, our “in house” debate has failed to glorify God, promote understanding, manifest the fruit of the Spirit, let alone honor one another as fellow members of the body of Christ. Besides all this, fighting over how God saves people has not really been a good use of time when it comes to sharing the gospel with unbelievers.
And just to clarify, both Calvinist and Arminian Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh to save sinners and that the saving work of Christ comes to the sinner by grace through faith. I think we’d all agree then that this makes Calvinists and Arminians brothers in Christ who belong to God’s family. This is not to say that there are not profound differences between the two camps when it comes to how and even why God saves sinners because there are. Yet, this is still a family disagreement between family members who should argue the merits of their respective theological positions lovingly, respectfully, humbly, and thoughtfully, all-the-while affirming one another as fellow believers.
Robust discussions on theological points to which we disagree are not bad. In fact, they have the ability to deepen our understanding, sharpen our thinking, and hopefully de-weaponize our arguments. We shouldn’t have to hide our positions under the banner of “let’s not be divisive” but neither should we throw them to the wind regardless of whom we hurt.
One great example of how to find common ground with family members with whom we disagree on the Calvinist/Arminian debate or really any other family theological issue can be found in the English pastor, Charles Simeon (1758-1836) who while holding to a Calvinistic understanding of how God saves sinners did not wear it as a badge. Simeon was a Christian, first and foremost, before he was ever a Calvinist. His theological system did not define him—Christ did.
In a sermon he preached on Romans 9:16, he made this point.
“Many there are who cannot see these truths [the doctrines of God’s sovereignty], who yet are in a state of truly pleasing to God, yea many, at whose feet the best of us may be glad to be found in heaven. It is a great evil, when these doctrines are made a ground of separation one from another, and when the advocates of different systems anathematize each other. . . . Mutual kindness and concession are far better than vehement argumentation and uncharitable discussion.” (John Piper, Roots of Endurance. p. 306)
These were no mere words for Charles Simeon. He practiced what he preached as can be seen in a conversation he had with John Wesley, an ardent Arminian and the founder of the Methodist Church. Check it out and see if this is not a great way to engage a theological argument with a brother or sister in Christ.
[Simeon] Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?
[Wesley] Yes, I do indeed.
[Simeon] And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?
[Wesley] Yes, solely through Christ.
[Simeon] But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?
[Wesley] No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.
[Simeon] Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?
[Wesley] No.
[Simeon] What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother’s arms?
[Wesley] Yes, altogether.
[Simeon] And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?
[Wesley] Yes, I have no hope but in Him.
[Simeon] Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree. (John Piper, Roots of Endurance. p. 306)
Of course, the Wesley and Simeon story doesn’t mean Calvinism and Arminianism are the same. They aren’t. Not all Arminians would answer as Wesley did. Not all Calvinists would ask the questions that Simeon asked. But, can we not admire and follow the example of these two men, who rather than trying to argue each other into the ground--looked for common ground upon which both could stand together?
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