photo credit: Jairus Calvin and Hobbes via photopin (license)
I am continuing in my deconstruction of the 11 Doctrines of The Salvation Army. Please refer to the other ones for context. I apologize for the delay in the publication. I had my sons with me for the summer and that took priority for me.
Not Calvin and Hobbes
One of my favorite comics of all time is Calvin and Hobbes. The genius behind it is unparalleled. Bill Watterson, the artist behind the strip, named the two main characters after Jean Calvin a French theologian, and Thomas Hobbes, an English philosopher.
The Ninth Doctrine of The Salvation Army is basically a rebuttal to Calvinism and espouses the theology of Wesleyan-Arminianism. This doctrine states:
We believe that a continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
The Ninth Doctrine of The Salvation Army is basically a rebuttal to Calvinism and espouses the theology of Wesleyan-Arminianism. This doctrine states:
We believe that a continuance in a state of salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
Definitions
Calvinism is based on the teachings of John (Jean) Calvin. To discuss this in this one blog would be to cover a vast amount of territory, one which I am not prepared yet to cover.
Arminianism is based on the writing of Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian, who actually was trying to defend Calvinism and instead ended up opposing it. His ideas were expounded upon by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
If we were to limit it to the scope of this one particular doctrine, we would be dealing only with the doctrine of Salvation.
According to Calvinism, salvation is something bestowed upon by God and nothing one can do can separate you from that salvation: Death, sin, love, etc. It is a gift of God that it given to certain elect (those whom God has chosen).
According to Wesleyan-Arminianism, of which The Salvation Army adheres to, salvation is something that one can choose to leave behind through sin, making mistakes, etc. Salvation is open to the "whosoever," while in Calvinism, it is only open to those whom God has chosen.
Guess what? You can find ample support in the Bible for both positions. People have actually had schisms in church simply over these teachings. That's ludicrous. There is no reason to do so.
Arminianism is based on the writing of Jacobus Arminius, a Dutch theologian, who actually was trying to defend Calvinism and instead ended up opposing it. His ideas were expounded upon by John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.
If we were to limit it to the scope of this one particular doctrine, we would be dealing only with the doctrine of Salvation.
According to Calvinism, salvation is something bestowed upon by God and nothing one can do can separate you from that salvation: Death, sin, love, etc. It is a gift of God that it given to certain elect (those whom God has chosen).
According to Wesleyan-Arminianism, of which The Salvation Army adheres to, salvation is something that one can choose to leave behind through sin, making mistakes, etc. Salvation is open to the "whosoever," while in Calvinism, it is only open to those whom God has chosen.
Guess what? You can find ample support in the Bible for both positions. People have actually had schisms in church simply over these teachings. That's ludicrous. There is no reason to do so.
What's at stake?
Salvation is at stake. For most Calvinists and Wesleyans: where do I go when I die? Do I go to Heaven or Hell? Is my soul right with God or not?
I don't think this doctrine really matters.
Salvation and the Realm of God is something that Jesus proclaimed for people now, not when they died. Salvation is something we bring to our everyday life. We are saved in how we treat our fellow neighbor. We are saved when we do justice for the orphan and the widow. We are saved when we stand in solidarity with people of other beliefs. We are saved by showing the Love of God to everyone, no matter what they look like or who they are.
We humans tend to like to have things in black and white: You are saved. You are not saved. You are going to Heaven. You are going to Hell. We act like Sentries of Gates that do not exist.
Who are we to make such a judgment? If we are showing love to everyone and treating everyone with love and kindness, no matter who they are, we are saved. We have also brought salvation to the people we are loving. I believe that this is something God wants all of us to do, but many of us choose not to do it.
Conclusion
If I were to rewrite this doctrine, I would simply erase it.
