Calvinism vs Arminianism

The purpose of this post is to be a resource I can come back to for quick access on Calvinism vs Arminianism in the rare cases that my knowledge of the two is insufficient & I need a more formal definition. 

1.

Calvinism: Total Depravity.

Total depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin; therefore, human beings are unable to come to God on their own accord. 

Arminianism: Partial Depravity. 

Partial depravity states that every aspect of humanity is tainted by sin, but not to the extent that human beings are unable to place faith in God of their own accord.

2. 

Calvinism: Unconditional Election.

Unconditional election is the view that God elects individuals to salvation based entirely on His will, not on anything inherently worthy in the individual.

Arminianism: Conditional Election. 

Conditional election states that God elects individuals to salvation based on His foreknowledge of who will believe in Christ unto salvation, thereby on the condition that the individual chooses God.

3.

Calvinism: Limited Atonement.

Limited atonement is the belief that Jesus only died for the elect. 

Arminianism: Unlimited Atonement. 

Unlimited atonement is the belief that Jesus died for all, but that His death is not effectual until a person receives Him by faith.

*Note: I need to come back and add more to these two. I did not fully explain. 

4.

Calvinism: Irresistible Grace.

Irresistible grace argues that when God calls a person to salvation, that person will inevitably come to salvation. 

Arminianism: Resistible Grace. 

Resistible grace states that God calls all to salvation, but that many people resist and reject this call.

5.

Calvinism: Perseverance of the Saints.

Perseverance of the saints refers to the concept that a person who is elected by God will persevere in faith and will not permanently deny Christ or turn away from Him. 

Arminianism: Conditional Salvation.

Conditional salvation is the view that a believer in Christ can, of his/her own free will, turn away from Christ and thereby lose salvation. 

Now just to be clear, if someone says they are a Calvinist or Arminian, it does not mean they believe all five points. 

For example, many Calvinists (called 4-point Calvinists) reject Limited Atonement and instead believe that Jesus died for everyone. Or some 5 point Calvinists change the definition of Limited Atonement. 

Another example; many Arminians are only 4-pointers and reject Conditional Salvation in favor of "eternal security," which is not the official position of Calvinism or Arminianism (and is frankly ridiculous).

Calvinism Bible Verses

The following are a list of bible verses that show a biblical basis for election & to some extent the other 4 points as well. 

1 Peter 1:1-2a. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. 

Deuteronomy 7:6. For you are a people holy to Yahweh your God. Yahweh your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Psalm 135:4. For Yahweh has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel as his own possession. 

Matthew 24:31. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Luke 18:7. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

Romans 8:33. Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Colossians 3:12. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

2 Timothy 2:10. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

Titus 1:1. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

2 John 1,13. The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth...

The children of your elect sister greet you.

2 Peter 2:9

John 15:16. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

John 17:9. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

Acts 13:48. And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Romans 9. 

Romans 11:5. So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

Ephesians 1:4-5. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

2 Thessalonians 2:13. But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

2 Timothy 1:9: [God,] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

Daniel 4:35. all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" 

John 6:39-40,44. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day...No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day."