Here's the 5th and final article of the Remonstrants:
ART. V. That those who an incorporated into Christ by a true faith, and have thereby become partakers of his lifegiving spirit, have thereby full power to strive against Satan, sin, the world, and their own flesh, and to win the victory, it being well understood that it is ever through the assisting grace of the Holy Ghost; and that Jesus Christ assists them through his Spirit in all temptations, extends to them his hand; and if only they are ready for the conflict. and desire his help, and are not inactive, keeps them from falling, so that they, by no craft or power of Satan, can be misled, nor plucked out of Christ's hands, according to the word of Christ, John x. 28: "Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." But whether they are capable. through negligence, of forsaking again the first beginnings of their life in Christ, of again returning to this present evil world, of turning away from the holy doctrine which was delivered them, of losing a good conscience, of becoming devoid of grace, that must be more particularly determined out of the Holy Scriptures before we ourselves can teach it with the full persuasion of our minds.
The first part basically says that God preserves the willing. Both Calvinists and Arminians agree on this. The controversy is what if one is unwilling? On this point the Remonstrants did not take a stance.
Here there is a great variety of opinions and because the Remonstrants didn't take a firm stance, they all fit under Armininianism.
Those of the free grace movement claim that no matter how far one falls away, even into unbelief, they are still saved. This is one extreme.
A very small minority of Weslians claim that unless one dies in sinless perfection, they are not saved. This is the other extreme.
Between we have all manor of views, so I will just share my own. Perseverance is necessary for salvation. God preserves His people through middle knowledge, such that we can, but will not fall away. God, knowing how we will choose in various circumstances, puts us only in those circumstances that keep us in the faith. Breaking the Law of Moses could never causes us to loose our salvation, but unbelief could. But God keeps us from unbelief.
ART. V. That those who an incorporated into Christ by a true faith, and have thereby become partakers of his lifegiving spirit, have thereby full power to strive against Satan, sin, the world, and their own flesh, and to win the victory, it being well understood that it is ever through the assisting grace of the Holy Ghost; and that Jesus Christ assists them through his Spirit in all temptations, extends to them his hand; and if only they are ready for the conflict. and desire his help, and are not inactive, keeps them from falling, so that they, by no craft or power of Satan, can be misled, nor plucked out of Christ's hands, according to the word of Christ, John x. 28: "Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." But whether they are capable. through negligence, of forsaking again the first beginnings of their life in Christ, of again returning to this present evil world, of turning away from the holy doctrine which was delivered them, of losing a good conscience, of becoming devoid of grace, that must be more particularly determined out of the Holy Scriptures before we ourselves can teach it with the full persuasion of our minds.
The first part basically says that God preserves the willing. Both Calvinists and Arminians agree on this. The controversy is what if one is unwilling? On this point the Remonstrants did not take a stance.
Here there is a great variety of opinions and because the Remonstrants didn't take a firm stance, they all fit under Armininianism.
Those of the free grace movement claim that no matter how far one falls away, even into unbelief, they are still saved. This is one extreme.
A very small minority of Weslians claim that unless one dies in sinless perfection, they are not saved. This is the other extreme.
Between we have all manor of views, so I will just share my own. Perseverance is necessary for salvation. God preserves His people through middle knowledge, such that we can, but will not fall away. God, knowing how we will choose in various circumstances, puts us only in those circumstances that keep us in the faith. Breaking the Law of Moses could never causes us to loose our salvation, but unbelief could. But God keeps us from unbelief.
Comments
I'm puzzled by your last sentence.
If middle knowledge doesn't let God guarantee universal belief, how can it let him guarantee universal perseverance of those who once believed?
Good question. God can always prevent us from choosing things, but He can't always get us to choose things. So He can prevent apostasy, even if He can't get us to convert.
Let's say God knows Bob will convert today, but if He is tempted tomorrow morning, He would fall away. He could take him home tonight. Thus God can prevent apostasy.
On the other hand, let’s say Judas would not trust Christ under any scenario. So God can't create a world in which Judas believes. Thus God can’t get us to do anything He wants.
Hope that helps.
God be with you,
Dan
I understand. Middle knowledge alleviates soo much tension, that it seems we are having our cake and eating it too.
God be with you,
Dan