Summary
Houck argues that Arminianism presents a false Christ fundamentally incompatible with biblical Christianity, contrasting five key doctrinal differences: the Arminian Christ loves all humanity and offers salvation universally but cannot save without human free will cooperation, whereas the biblical Christ loves only the elect, effectually calls them through sovereign regeneration apart from human choice, and preserves them eternally. The article emphasizes that Christ's substitutionary atonement in Scripture was accomplished specifically for God's chosen people rather than made merely possible for all, with preservation of the saints grounded in God's sovereign will rather than human perseverance, supporting these claims through passages including John 6:37-40, Romans 8:29-30, and Ephesians 1:3-4.
Questions Answered in This Article
What does the Bible say about the Christ of Arminianism?
The Bible warns against false Christs, and the Christ of Arminianism is deemed a significant deception.
The Bible explicitly warns us about false Christs, emphasizing the importance of discerning between the true Christ and imposters. In Matthew 24:4-5, Jesus cautions that many will come in His name, falsely claiming to be the Christ, ultimately deceiving many. The Christ of Arminianism, distinct from the true Christ of Scripture, presents a version that claims to love all individuals and offers salvation universally; however, this understanding contrasts sharply with the biblical doctrine of unconditional election and the sovereign grace of God in salvation. The true Christ, as revealed in Scripture, only earnestly desires the salvation of His elect, demonstrating a specific love that leads to their actual salvation.
Matthew 24:4-5, Psalms 5:5, Romans 9:10-13, Ephesians 1:4-5
What does the Bible say about the Christ of Arminianism?
The Bible warns that the Christ of Arminianism is a false Christ, differing significantly from the true Christ of Scripture.
The Bible clearly distinguishes between the false Christ of Arminianism and the true Christ as presented in Scripture. The Christ of Arminianism professes to be God and claims to desire the salvation of all individuals, yet He is portrayed as impotent, unable to save those who do not choose Him through free will. In contrast, the true Christ effectually calls and saves only the elect, ensuring that not a single one will be lost (John 10:25-30). This profound difference highlights the necessity of recognizing the sovereignty of God in salvation, which the Arminian view undermines.
Matthew 24:4-5, John 10:25-30, Ephesians 1:3-4
How do we know that Christ's death was for the elect?
Scripture states that Christ's death was a substitutionary sacrifice for His chosen people, not for all individuals.
In understanding the nature of Christ's atonement, the Bible reveals that His sacrificial death was intentionally for the elect. Passages such as John 10:14-15 affirm that Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, lays down His life for His sheep, indicating a specific and defined group for whom He died. This understanding aligns with the doctrine of limited atonement, where Christ's death effectively secured salvation for those chosen by God rather than merely enabling potential salvation for all. In contrast, Arminianism posits that Christ's atoning work allows every individual the possibility of salvation, a viewpoint that undermines the complete salvation achieved through Christ’s death, which truly satisfies the justice of God only for the elect.
John 10:14-15, Romans 5:10, Ephesians 5:25, Hebrews 9:12
How do we know the true Christ is sovereign in salvation?
The true Christ is sovereign in salvation as He effectively calls and regenerates the elect, ensuring their preservation.
Scripture affirms the sovereignty of Christ in the salvation of the elect through passages that emphasize His control over the process of regeneration and salvation. Unlike the Christ of Arminianism, who supposedly offers salvation to all individuals but is unable to save without their consent, the true Christ ensures that those whom He has chosen are effectually called and cannot lose their salvation (John 6:37-40, Romans 8:29-30). The sovereignty of Christ guarantees that His purpose stands firm and that His elect will ultimately be saved, fulfilling the promises made in Scripture.
John 6:37-40, Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:4
Why is understanding God's sovereignty in salvation important?
It ensures believers recognize that salvation is entirely God's work, not dependent on human choice.
Recognizing God's sovereignty in salvation is paramount as it reinforces the believer's understanding of grace and divine agency in redemption. According to Scripture, faith is not man's contribution to salvation but rather a gift imparted by Christ during regeneration (Ephesians 2:8-10). This clarifies that our spiritual rebirth precedes our faith, thus eliminating any notion that we can choose God apart from His preceding work in our hearts. The Christ of Arminianism, on the other hand, suggests that human free will plays a pivotal role in accepting salvation; this not only elevates human effort but also clouds the grace of God. Affirming God's sovereign will ensures believers find genuine assurance in their salvation as it stems from His unchanging counsel rather than fluctuating human autonomy.
Ephesians 2:8-10, John 3:3, Philippians 1:29
Why is understanding the difference between the true Christ and the Arminian Christ important for Christians?
Understanding this difference is crucial to ensure true faith in the complete Savior and to avoid deception.
For Christians, recognizing the distinction between the true Christ of the Bible and the false Christ of Arminianism is vital for their faith and assurance of salvation. The true Christ sovereignly chooses and saves His elect, providing a robust foundation for believers to trust in His complete work of redemption (Hebrews 12:2). Conversely, the Arminian Christ's dependence on human decision undermines the security and efficacy of salvation. This understanding shapes not only one’s theology but also practical aspects of faith, including prayer, assurance, and the belief in God’s promises.
Hebrews 12:2, John 10:26-29
What makes the Christ of the Bible different from the Christ of Arminianism?
The Christ of the Bible is sovereign and effective in saving the elect, while the Christ of Arminianism is seen as contingent upon human choice.
The stark difference between the Christ of the Bible and the Christ of Arminianism lies in their respective views on sovereignty and salvation. The Christ of Arminianism is often characterized as one who offers salvation to all individuals, hoping they will accept this offer of grace; however, this portrayal presents a Savior who is ultimately unable to fulfill His promise due to human rejection. In contrast, the Christ of the Bible ensures that every individual whom He has chosen will come to faith and ultimately be saved, as evidenced in John 6:37-40—'All that the Father gives Me will come to Me.' This distinction affirms that the true Christ operates in complete control over the salvation process, safeguarding the eternal security of the believer and reinforcing that their salvation does not hinge on personal decisions or efforts.
John 6:37-40, Romans 8:29-30, Jude 24-25
The Bible warns us that in the last days in which we live there will be many false Christs-those who claim to be Christ but who are imposters. Jesus said, "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying I am Christ; and shall deceive many." (Matt. 24:4-5). We who profess to be Christians must take heed. We must be very careful that we are not deceived. Our calling is to trust, love, and follow the true Christ and Him only. We may have nothing to do with the false Christs who are so numerous in our day.
We know about the Christ of the cults and other religions. He is a good man, a prophet, the first creation of God, a great spirit, a divine idea, or even a god himself. But he is not true and eternal God. He receives his existence from another who is greater than he. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
We know about the Christ of Roman Catholicism. They profess that He is true God. He suffered and died for the forgiveness of sin. He arose again, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. But he is not a complete Savior. The Christ of the Roman Catholics can not save sinners without their own good works and the intercession of priests. He is not the Christ of the Bible. We are not deceived by this Christ. He is a false Christ.
There is, however, another false Christ who is much more dangerous than the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism. He has deceived people for many years and he continues to deceive millions. This Christ is so dangerous that, if it were not impossible, he would deceive the very elect (Matt. 24:24). He is the Christ of Arminianism.
This false Christ is extremely dangerous because in many ways he appears to be the True Christ. They say that he is true God, equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They say that he died on the cross to save sinners. They even say that he saves by his grace alone, without the work of man. This Christ will have nothing to do with the Christ of the cults and the Christ of Roman Catholicism.
But watch out! Be warned! The Christ of Arminianism is not the Christ of the Bible. Do not be fooled!
1. The Christ of Arminianism - loves every individual person in the world and sincerely desires their salvation.
The Christ of the Bible - earnestly loves and desires the salvation of only those whom God has unconditionally chosen to salvation. (Ps. 5:5, Ps. 7:11, Ps. 11:5, Matt. 11:27, John 17:9-10, Acts 2:47, Acts 13:48, Rom. 9:10-13, Rom. 9:21-24, Eph. 1:3-4)
2. The Christ of Arminianism - offers salvation to every sinner and does all in his power to bring them to salvation. His offer and work are often frustrated, for many refuse to come.
The Christ of the Bible - effectually calls to Himself only the elect and sovereignly brings them to salvation. Not one of them will be lost. (Isa. 55:11, John 5:21, John 6:37-40, John 10:25-30, John 17:2, Phil. 2:13)
3. The Christ of Arminianism - can not regenerate and save a sinner who does not first choose Christ with his own "free will." All men have a "free will" by which they can either accept or reject Christ. That "free will" may not be violated by Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - sovereignly regenerates the elect sinner apart from his choice, for without regeneration the spiritually dead sinner can not choose Christ. Faith is not man's contribution to salvation but the gift of Christ which He sovereignly imparts in regeneration. (John 3:3, John 6:44 & 65, John 15:16, Acts 11:18, Rom. 9:16, Eph. 2:1, Eph. 2:8-10, Phil. 1:29, Hebr. 12:2)
4. The Christ of Arminianism - died on the cross for every individual person and thereby made it possible for every person to be saved. His death, apart from the choice of man, was not able to actually save anyone for many for whom he died are lost.
The Christ of the Bible - died for only God's elect people and thereby actually obtained salvation for all those for whom He died. His death was a substitutionary satisfaction which actually took away the guilt of His chosen people. (Luke 19:10, John 10:14-15 & 26, Acts 20:28, Rom. 5:10, Eph. 5:25, Hebr. 9:12, I Peter 3:18)
5. The Christ of Arminianism - loses many whom he has "saved" because they do not continue in faith. Even if he does give them "eternal security," as some say, that security is not based upon his will or work but the choice which the sinner made when he accepted Christ.
The Christ of the Bible - preserves His chosen people so that they can not lose their salvation but persevere in the faith to the very end. He preserves them by the sovereign electing will of God, the power of His death, and the mighty working of His Spirit. (John 5:24, John 10:26-29, Rom. 8:29-30, Rom. 8:35-39, I Peter 1:2-5, Jude 24-25)
As you can see, although the Christ of Arminianism and the Christ of the Bible may at first seem to be the same, they are very different. One is a false Christ. The other is the true Christ. One is weak and helpless. He bows before the sovereign "free will" of man. The other is the reigning Lord Who wills what He pleases and sovereignly accomplishes all that He wills.
If you believe and serve the Christ of Arminianism, you must recognize the fact that you do not serve the Christ of the Bible. You have been deceived! Study the Scriptures and learn of the True Christ. Pray for grace to repent and trust Christ as your sovereign Savior.
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