Calvinism arose out of the Protestant Reformation and was largely defined by John Calvin. The doctrine emphasizes God’s sovereignty, man’s depravity and the salvation of God’s elect by grace alone. Well-known Calvinists are George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon and more recently, R.C. Sproul, J.I. Packer, Tim Keller and John Piper. Churches that subscribe to Calvinism include the Presbyterian Denominations and the various Reformed Churches around the world.

Arminianism is a school of theology based on the teachings of Dutch theologian Jacobus Arminius in the late 16th century. It arose as an objection to Calvinism in relation to its doctrines of predestination and election. Arminius and his followers, the Remonstrants taught that God has given humans free will, and humans are able to freely choose or reject salvation.

The debate between Calvinists and Arminians has been ongoing among the evangelicals for a long time, drawing from various Scriptures and the early church fathers to support their respective views. However the differences remain – particularly as related to the sovereignty of God in salvation and the ideas of election and predestination, and atonement.

The question remains: How big are the differences between the two views?

Alexa Ho speaks to Pastor Jeremy Lim who offers a Calvinist standpoint and David Tan who speaks from an Arminian perspective. Will sparks fly?

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