3.Arminianism. This is a Christian perspective that understands that God knows the future and is in control, yet for God to have an authentic relationship with us He cannot impinge upon our choices-our "free-will" must be preserved. So, God desires all people to be saved, yet not everyone is saved because not all choose to be saved. (The name "Arminianism" comes from Jacob Arminius, a Dutch theologian who rebelled against the standard teaching of the church back in the late 16th century.)
4.Augustinian/Reformed. This is a Christian perspective that would understand that an individual's salvation is entirely dependent on the Lord. Our decisions and choices are real and we are held accountable for them, yet apart from the Lord's intervening work, none of us would choose God, thus it is God's prior choice of us that determines our response.
The reason that "all" are not saved is because God has not determined that "all" will be saved. (The name "Reformed" comes from the Protestant Reformation which occurred in the early 16th century, especially the tradition that followed John Calvin's teaching. "Augustinian" comes from the 5th century church father, Augustine of Hippo, who expounded this classic position clearly in his writings.)
A Reformed Understanding of 1 Timothy 2:4
Between the two Christian options given to us, it would seem like the Reformed tradition has the biggest problem with making sense of this verse. In fact, 1 Timothy 2:4 is a traditional proof-text that Arminians will typically run to when trying to discredit Reformed theology. So, how can those of the Reformed tradition make sense of this verse? If the Reformed believe that not all are saved because God has not elected all to be saved (see Rom 9:14-23), then how does 1 Timothy 2:4 make any sense at all? Doesn't the passage plainly say that God "desires all people to be saved"?
Pt. 6
3.Arminianism. This is a Christian perspective that understands that God knows the future and is in control, yet for God to have an authentic relationship with us He cannot impinge upon our choices-our "free-will" must be preserved. So, God desires all people to be saved, yet not everyone is saved because not all choose to be saved. (The name "Arminianism" comes from Jacob Arminius, a Dutch theologian who rebelled against the standard teaching of the church back in the late 16th century.)
4.Augustinian/Reformed. This is a Christian perspective that would understand that an individual's salvation is entirely dependent on the Lord. Our decisions and choices are real and we are held accountable for them, yet apart from the Lord's intervening work, none of us would choose God, thus it is God's prior choice of us that determines our response.
The reason that "all" are not saved is because God has not determined that "all" will be saved. (The name "Reformed" comes from the Protestant Reformation which occurred in the early 16th century, especially the tradition that followed John Calvin's teaching. "Augustinian" comes from the 5th century church father, Augustine of Hippo, who expounded this classic position clearly in his writings.)
A Reformed Understanding of 1 Timothy 2:4
Between the two Christian options given to us, it would seem like the Reformed tradition has the biggest problem with making sense of this verse. In fact, 1 Timothy 2:4 is a traditional proof-text that Arminians will typically run to when trying to discredit Reformed theology. So, how can those of the Reformed tradition make sense of this verse? If the Reformed believe that not all are saved because God has not elected all to be saved (see Rom 9:14-23), then how does 1 Timothy 2:4 make any sense at all? Doesn't the passage plainly say that God "desires all people to be saved"?
See Pt. 7
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