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).