Calvinism and Arminianism

Many people think that when you talk about a subject like Calvinism, Arminianism, you are in an area that primarily involves theologians bickering about points that don't really make a lot of sense. I think this issue is at the heart of how we live the Christian life. Your convictions here, whether you realize it or not, to a large extent determine how you face each day as a child of God. The Church today is basically Arminian. When I talk about the Church, I'm talking about the Church of Jesus Christ. It's basically Arminian in its theology. That doesn't mean that the doctrinal statement may not be Calvinistic. But most believers function as Arminians in the way that they live their lives. This creates all kinds of problems for us. Arminianism has presented us with the idea that man has some ability to deal with his sin, some ability to respond and accept God's salvation. Man is not viewed as totally depraved, totally helpless, worthless and unable to do anything pleasing to God. Rather he is seen as cooperating with God in bringing about salvation.