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Calvinism and Arminianism: Election versus choice

affirms that salvation is permanent and only a temporary falling away is possible. The verses that support the Calvinist view on permanent atonement are also related to the verses on election. These passages are the ones in the Bible that accredit the fact that God has picked those who are His before the beginning of the universe. The natural human thinking when considering the fact that God already knows the outcome of events is to conclude that the events are unconditionally, inalterable. This idea is true in the viewpoint of the omniscient (God), but it is not true for those human beings in which the means justifies the ends. This does not reject the Calvinism principle of limited atonement, but supports the fact that the human brain is askew when trying to relate to God. Relating to God within the compounds of human intellect will inevitably always lead to error, which is why the Bible seems to have grey areas. To summarize this, it can be concluded that "Only God Knows what God is" (Oliphint 156), and humans cannot relate in anyway, whatsoever.

The outcome that is derived from these arguments is not that of reconciliation to the Calvinism and Arminianism debate, but that of a resolution to account for the existence of the two arguments, and the apparent paradox etched within the Bible. The highly acclaimed author Edgar Allen Poe surmised: "There are few persons who have not, at some period of their lives, amused themselves in retracing the steps by which particular conclusions of their own minds have been attained. The occupation is often full of interest; and he who attempts it for the first time is astonished by the apparently illimitable distance and incoherence between the starting-point and the goal." Edgar Allen Poe was a man who most definitely realized the blur of human logic that was bestowed upon humanity since the fall of man.






Works Cited
Cindy, Crosby. "TULIP Today" Christianity Today 49.2 (2005): 88. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost Research Databases. Liberty University Lib. Lynchburg, VA. 25 Nov. 2007

Milder, Robert. "From Emerson to Edwards" New England Quarterly 80.1 (2007): 96-133. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost Research Databases. Liberty University Lib. Lynchburg, VA. 25 Nov. 2007



McKim, Donald K "Calvin's Christology" Theological Studies 68.1 (2007): 219-20 Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost Research Databases. Liberty University Lib. Lynchburg, VA. 25 Nov. 2007

Oliphint, K. Scott. "John Calvin's Ideas" Westminister Theological Journal 68.1 (2006): 155- 61. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost Research Databases. Liberty University Lib. Lynchburg, VA. 25 Nov. 2007

Poe, Edgar Allen. Selected Stories and Poems: The Murders in the Rue Morgue. New York: Airmont Books, 1962.

Reiland, Ralph R. "Fat Cats, Calvin, and the Poor" Humanist 66.6 (2006): 46-7. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost Research Databases. Liberty University Lib. Lynchburg, 25 Nov. 2007

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