Write a 5 pages paper on the extent of the atonement.
Write a 5 pages paper on the extent of the atonement.
Calvinism talks of God’s total depravity or total inability. He argues that man cannot believe in the gospel because of his fall relating to a sinner being dead, deaf and blind to hear God’s message. He describes man as not free from evil nature’s bondage and cannot choose good from evil. Thus, it requires spiritual assistance and faith to present a sinner before Christ but not man’s effort to contribute to salvation. Arminianism argues of free will that though man remained affected seriously by fall, God has not left him in a state of total spiritual helplessness. God enables sinners to repent and believe since He does not interfere with their freedom. Man can choose between good over evil, which will determine his eternal destiny[1] (Mihindukulasuriya, 2014, p. 197).
Calvinism talks of God’s unconditional Election over certain individuals chosen unto salvation a long time before world foundation. He says that God gives repentance and faith to His chosen and gives them the Spirit of Christ acceptance. On the contrary, Arminianism argues on God’s conditional Election that individuals remain chosen unto salvation based on His foreseeing that they would respond to the call. He chose only those who would freely believe in the gospel and that faith is not presentable to sinners but results from their will. God left the man of his free will to believe unto salvation. Thus, the sinner’s choice for Christ and not God’s for the sinner leads to salvation[2].
Particular redemption by Calvinism says that Christ redeems duty or work based on redemption of the elected and securing their salvation. He says that Christ’s death endured penalty to specific sinners and secured them salvation by their faith that establishes unity. Thus, the Spirit only applies to those who Christ died for, guaranteeing them salvation. Arminianism argues of universal redemption, where Christ redeeming duty or work is to save and secure salvation for everyone. He says that though Christ died for everyone, only those who believe in him shall secure salvation. .
