So many people misunderstand the terms; "Calvinism" and "Arminianism."
My question would be why are Christians assigning human names to any doctrine claiming to be from the Bible? Why are they following men instead of Christ?
No man is worthy of being assigned anything that is coming from God. We call ourselves Christian because we follow Christ.
Here's why!!!! People want a god they can see, one whom they expect to be smarter than themselves. A born-again believer ought never to place trust in any man, their calling is to trust in Christ Who lives in them. The moment they begin trusting in men, impressed by education and titles, they will wander from the truth. The very reason we have apostasy in the church today is because Christians have been elevating men instead of Christ.
Proverbs 29:25
"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Hebrews 13:6
"So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
If someone says they are Calvinists, they are saying they follow the man Calvin rather than Christ.
If someone says they are an Arminian, then they are saying they follow Arminius, the man, rather than Christ.
It is pride that causes Christians to follow a man that impresses others. They wish to be seen as special for following a special man, a sort of "special by proxy" in their own minds.
It is forbidden to have other gods or idols of any kind in our lives. When someone quotes the doctrines of men instead of Christ that is their idol.
Galatians 1:10
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
Every born-again believer must stop elevating men as special based on their education or the titles given to them by men.
Matthew 23:5-6 " 5 All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues,…"
This passage was written about religious leaders, the Pharisees. We have Pharisees in the pulpits today. They use manipulation, levity and foolishness to keep the people coming back. They have departed from the Word of God to please the pew people. The pew people place their trust in that man in the "pulpit" not in Christ.
If you doubt what I say about the pitfalls of following a man just challenge a man with a title who is the "pastor" of any church and watch what comes out of him. It has been my experience frequently that men with titles who have been educated by men, often act arrogant and dismissive of anyone who challenges their false statement. In other words, they have placed their trust in their education and the men who taught them more than they do in Christ if they trust Christ at all.
Let me ask an important question here; "Who has more wisdom and knowledge than Christ Who dwells in the born-again believer?"
The second question; "Why would a born-again believer indwelt by Christ Himself ever consult with a man before seeking Christ?"
Just asking!!!!
