The following from: http://drjohnsanders.com/is-open-theism-a-radical-revision-or-miniscule-modification-of-arminianism/ John Sanders, who is an Open Theist, defines Reformed Theology (Calvinism)
“According to Classical theism divine perfection means that God is absolutely independent of creation and cannot be dependent upon a creature in any respect. The motivation for this view arises out of a particular conception of perfection as applied to God. That is, if it is good to have qualities such as knowledge, will, power, and love, then what must a being that is perfect in these qualities be like? It is argued that God is perfect in the sense that there can be no possible improvement or potential for change since any change in God could only be a change for the worse.
Classical theism (Reformed Theology) affirms basic theism but adds a number of very carefully defined attributes. God is a simple, immaterial, immutable, impassible, timeless, necessary, personal, pure act, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and wholly good.
Although T.U.L.I.P. defines reformed theology's view point in those matters, it does not define Calvinism.
T.U.L.I.P. was developed to answer opposition on these matters.
Most verses used to object to Calvinism employ the ambiguous words: WORLD, ALL and EVERYONE where EVERYONE is a synonym for ALL. See John 3:16, John 6:51, 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:4,6, A close study of every verse using WORLD and ALL will reveal the ambiguity if just only one interpretation of these words were to be applied.
Calvinism is monogistic meaning God completely determines a person salvation whereas most (all?) other Christian denominations are synergistic meaning they believe a person is saved by their work of salvific faith which leads to God adopting them as sons or daughters as a reward for their 'work' of salvific belief. In this non-reformed system, salvation is a team effort in which the God shares His glory of salvation with those who are saved (synergism).
Finally, Calvinism might be defined by the 5 solas. We are saved per the contents of Scripture Alone, by God's Grace Alone, by Faith Alone, In Christ Alone for the Glory of God Alone.
I believe all other denominations, if they stand by their doctrine, believe in salvation by works; some to a greater degree than others. In others words, they must do something (WORK) independent of God (not caused by God) in other to be saved.
Definition of WORK: a mental and/or physical activity to accomplish a purpose. Any work in regards to salvation from a Reformed (Calvinism) prospective is caused to happen by God, not the person. John 6:29 Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
“According to Classical theism divine perfection means that God is absolutely independent of creation and cannot be dependent upon a creature in any respect. The motivation for this view arises out of a particular conception of perfection as applied to God. That is, if it is good to have qualities such as knowledge, will, power, and love, then what must a being that is perfect in these qualities be like? It is argued that God is perfect in the sense that there can be no possible improvement or potential for change since any change in God could only be a change for the worse.
Classical theism (Reformed Theology) affirms basic theism but adds a number of very carefully defined attributes. God is a simple, immaterial, immutable, impassible, timeless, necessary, personal, pure act, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, and wholly good.
Although T.U.L.I.P. defines reformed theology's view point in those matters, it does not define Calvinism.
T.U.L.I.P. was developed to answer opposition on these matters.
Most verses used to object to Calvinism employ the ambiguous words: WORLD, ALL and EVERYONE where EVERYONE is a synonym for ALL. See John 3:16, John 6:51, 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 2:4,6, A close study of every verse using WORLD and ALL will reveal the ambiguity if just only one interpretation of these words were to be applied.
Calvinism is monogistic meaning God completely determines a person salvation whereas most (all?) other Christian denominations are synergistic meaning they believe a person is saved by their work of salvific faith which leads to God adopting them as sons or daughters as a reward for their 'work' of salvific belief. In this non-reformed system, salvation is a team effort in which the God shares His glory of salvation with those who are saved (synergism).
Finally, Calvinism might be defined by the 5 solas. We are saved per the contents of Scripture Alone, by God's Grace Alone, by Faith Alone, In Christ Alone for the Glory of God Alone.
I believe all other denominations, if they stand by their doctrine, believe in salvation by works; some to a greater degree than others. In others words, they must do something (WORK) independent of God (not caused by God) in other to be saved.
Definition of WORK: a mental and/or physical activity to accomplish a purpose. Any work in regards to salvation from a Reformed (Calvinism) prospective is caused to happen by God, not the person. John 6:29 Jesus replied, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.”
