Calvin’s Corner
Pastor Michael Newnham and Phil Naessens discuss the differences between Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism, the importance of using the correct theological terms when discussing heresy, the relevance of quality Christian blogs that point out misdeeds and bad theology in the Church and much more on this week’s Calvin’s Corner.
Folks need to be careful not to confuse pelagianism with synergism, not that Michael did this, but just saying.
As a synergist myself, God does the initiation and all the heavy lifting. I cooperate with what God is already doing in my life.
Xenia,
I hope I made that clear…Pelagianism denies the need for synergyism, while semi-Pelagianism views it as man reaching for God first.
Thank you for listening and clarifying!
Or semi-pelagianism, either.
Michael, right, you did not equate the two.
Orthodoxy is about as synergistic as you can get but even we believe God makes the first move and not we ourselves although we do believe we have the free will to choose to follow God or choose to follow something else.
It’s like Christ sets a table full of good food and invites everyone to come join him. We did nothing to prepare the meal and we did not issue the invitation but we can choose to come eat at the banquet or not.
Xenia,
You’ll note that I didn’t even try to explain the Orthodox position…I’m glad you’re here to do so. 🙂
As far as mankind initiating anything, like you, I find that very problematic.
It reminds me of the story (which you have all probably heard) where a scientist challenges God to creation contest.
God goes first and creates a butterfly, poof, just like that.
The scientist puts some swamp water and mud in a beaker-
Whoa, says God. You have to create your own swamp water and mud out of atoms that you created yourself! You can’t use stuff that I have already made!
hope more than just me read the above, Michael and Xenia… amen to you both
to take the banquet table one step further … 🙂 God invites all to the banquet, but, since He is omniscient, He only sets enough places for the ones He know will come….
but that’s just an unnecessary doctrinal rabbit trail