Boy, this is always a touchy subject. Everyone seems to have really strong feelings about this.
This is quote from
Synergism (theology) - Wikipedia
In Christian theology, synergism is the position of those who hold that salvation involves some form of cooperation between divine grace and human freedom. It stands opposed to monergism, a doctrine most commonly associated with the Lutheran and Reformed Protestant traditions, whose soteriologies have been strongly influenced by the North African bishop and Latin Church Father Augustine of Hippo . Lutheranism, however, confesses a monergist salvation and synergist damnation (see below). Synergism is upheld by the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and by the Methodist and Pentecostal traditions of Protestantism. It is an integral part of Arminian theology.
Ok.. well that was a boring read.... what does that have to do with works? Please bare with me.
This is a quote from
Monergism - Wikipedia
Monergism is the view within Christian theology which holds that God works through the Holy Spirit to bring about the salvation of an individual through spiritual regeneration, regardless of the individual's cooperation. It is most often associated with Calvinism (such as Presbyterianism and the Dutch Reformed Church) and its doctrine of irresistible grace, and particularly with historical doctrinal differences between Calvinism and Arminianism. This position contrasts with Arminian synergism, the belief that God and individuals cooperate to bring individuals salvation.
I know all about 5 point Cavinism and TULIP and all that. But to me... the heart of Amrminianism and Calvinism is really
the two ideologies above. Put simply.... one believes that God alone handles it all. There is NOTHING we can do to affect
our salvation. We can't chose it, turn away from it, or do anything to change it. God is in total control of it and nothing I
can do will ever change it.
The other believes that Salvation takes an effort, an intentional contribution. The choices we make, and how we live affect
our salvation. That isn't to say God doesn't guide us, lead us, persuade us... and we certainly aren't capable of doing on our own.
No one gets to heaven without Jesus. ( John 14:6; ) But these people believe salvation is ultimately in our hands. It is a cooperative
effort between you and God.
If you think about it.... everything we believe about OSAS, predestination, total depravity, irresistable grace, etc...
comes down to one of these two ideaologies. Also known as "your world view".
It also seems these things are ingrained in us to our very cores. It's been my experience that most Arminians will never change
their point of view on this. ( I can say this as someone who attended a Baptist church for over decade, it didn't change me).
Calvinists are equally strong in their convictions. Most of them never change this point of view. ( I can say this as a teacher in
a Pentecostal church that has many ex-Baptists, some ave been in this church for decades.). I've seen debates and arguments here
on TalkJesus over the last 10 years. Dozens of them. They often cause hard feelings, but it seems they never change anyone's point
of view, so I sometimes wonder why it is such a popular subject.
This thread is about works and salvation. Synergism would say some works are required.
The parable of the talents, the parable of the sheep and goats, the teaching about the two men who built their houses on the rock and the sand, these are central to the synergism/Arminians point of view.
Monergism would say works are not required. Eph 2:8-9; Rom 4:2; Rom 9:11; and 2 Tim 1:9; would be central to this point of view.
Is there a way to ever make these two points of view agree?
