{"id":20653,"date":"2025-11-24T16:29:59","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T14:29:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/?page_id=20653"},"modified":"2026-01-06T12:19:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T10:19:11","slug":"calvinisme-vs-arminianisme-de-vergeten-rol-van-de-heilige-geest","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/studies\/calvinisme-vs-arminianisme-de-vergeten-rol-van-de-heilige-geest\/","title":{"rendered":"Calvinism vs Arminianism: The Forgotten Role of the Holy Spirit"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"iframe-container\"><iframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" style=\"background: url('https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/images\/studies\/Calvinism-vs-Arminianism-The-Forgotten-Role-of-the-Holy-Spirit.jpg') no-repeat center center \/ cover;\" id=\"lbry-iframe\" src=\"https:\/\/odysee.com\/%24\/embed\/%40apologeet%3A3%2FCalvinism-vs-Arminianism-The-Forgotten-Role-of-the-Holy-Spirit%3A0?r=FGJbfxV4xTc1xDEKkoGZS9BpLCyn9Vsk\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"\"><\/p>\n\n<button class=\"fallback-yt tooltip\" title=\"Select a different stream in case of an error\" onclick=\"document.getElementById('lbry-iframe').src='https:\/\/rumble.com\/embed\/v6zn88e\/?pub=2102lq'\">Stream 2<\/button>\n<button class=\"fallback-yt tooltip\" title=\"Select a different stream in case of an error\" onclick=\"document.getElementById('lbry-iframe').src='https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0l3iTczLgn0'\">Stream 3<\/button>\n\n<p class=\"\">You\u2019ve probably noticed it \u2014 the endless debate about <i>Calvinism<\/i> and <i>Arminianism<\/i>. Who chooses whom? Does God choose us, or do we choose God? It\u2019s been discussed for centuries, but lately, it feels more alive than ever.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Online, you\u2019ll find brothers like <b>John Piper<\/b>, <b>R.C. Sproul<\/b>, <b>James White<\/b>, <b>Leighton Flowers<\/b>, <b>Michael Brown<\/b>, and <b>William Lane Craig<\/b> \u2014 each bringing powerful arguments about election, free will, and grace. And honestly, there\u2019s wisdom in all of them. But as I\u2019ve listened to these voices, I\u2019ve noticed something missing \u2014 something vital.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">It is about God Holy Spirit. The Spirit is mentioned in various debates, but mainly in connection with His sanctifying work during the life of a Christian. It is also mentioned that a Christian must live by the Spirit; that the Spirit gives life; and that the Spirit uses our conscience.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">So, we talk a lot about God and about man&#8230; but we rarely talk about the greater role of the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">And without the Spirit, this entire discussion is like talking about a fire without mentioning the flame.<\/p>\n\n<h3>2. The Real Question<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">At the heart of the debate lies one question: <b>Who makes the decisive move in salvation?<\/b><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Calvinists say: <i>God alone.<\/i> Arminians respond: <i>God invites everyone, but people must respond freely.<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">We must not forget that Calvin and Arminius did not take their teachings to such extremes as many do today. It was the later followers of these men who went too far.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Arminius&#8217; followers went much further in their teachings on free will and at one point tended towards the centuries-old false teachings of Pelagius, Pelagianism. It would take too long to explain this here, so I refer you to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/studies\/pelagianism\/\">a article I&#8217;ve made about it.<\/a><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">The Calvinists responded to this during the Synod of Dort in 1618\u20131619. During the synod, a number of important decisions were made, especially with regard to the doctrines that we now summarise under the acronym TULIP&#8230;  I don&#8217;t want to go into that now either. But it became clear that the Calvinist church members dug their heels in. They began to formulate their doctrines of, among other things, unconditional election and limited atonement in such a way that it would be impossible to misunderstand them.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Both are trying to protect something precious \u2014 the glory of God, or the reality of human choice.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">But what if both are looking at the same mystery from different sides, and the missing piece \u2014 the One Who connects divine will and human response \u2014 is the <b>Spirit of God Himself<\/b>?<\/p>\n\n<h3>3. The Spirit\u2019s Central Role<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">Let\u2019s be honest \u2014 without the Holy Spirit, no one can truly come to Christ. Paul writes in <b>1 Corinthians 12:3<\/b>, <i>\u201cNo one can say \u2018Jesus is Lord,\u2019 except by the Holy Spirit.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s powerful. Even faith \u2014 the act of believing \u2014 is made possible by the Spirit. But then Jesus says in <b>John 3:16<\/b>, <i>\u201cWhoever believes in Him shall not perish.\u201d<\/i> Whoever.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">So yes \u2014 the invitation is open to everyone. But the ability to respond \u2014 that comes from the Spirit. He doesn\u2019t force belief. He <b>awakens<\/b> it.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">In <b>John 16<\/b>, Jesus says the Spirit \u201cwill convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.\u201d Notice that \u2014 the <i>world<\/i>, not a small group of pre-selected people. That means the Spirit works in every heart, calling, convicting, and drawing. But not everyone listens. Not everyone responds. God is sovereign in His calling \u2014 but He allows genuine freedom in our response.<\/p>\n\n<h3>4. Understanding Election<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">Now let\u2019s talk about <i>election<\/i>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">In <b>Ephesians 1<\/b>, Paul says, <i>\u201cHe chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Calvinists often read that as God picking out individuals before time began. But Paul\u2019s focus is actually on Christ. God chose a people <i>in Him<\/i>. Election is not just about individuals; it\u2019s about identity \u2014 about being united with Christ.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">So the key question isn\u2019t, <i>\u201cAm I on God\u2019s secret list?\u201d<\/i> It\u2019s, <i>\u201cAm I in Christ?\u201d<\/i> And who brings us into Christ? The <b>Holy Spirit<\/b>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\"><b>1 Corinthians 12:13<\/b> says, <i>\u201cWe were all baptized by one Spirit into one body.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">See the pattern? The <b>Father<\/b> plans salvation. The <b>Son<\/b> accomplishes it. And the <b>Spirit<\/b> applies it. The Spirit makes God\u2019s eternal choice real in time \u2014 in you and me. Without the Spirit, election stays theoretical. With the Spirit, it becomes personal.<\/p>\n\n<h3>5. Human Response<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">Now, that doesn\u2019t mean we have no responsibility. The Bible constantly calls people to <i>repent<\/i> and <i>believe<\/i>. Paul says in <b>Acts 17:30<\/b>, <i>\u201cGod commands all people everywhere to repent.\u201d<\/i>That means there\u2019s a real choice involved. A real opportunity.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">But again \u2014 that choice only becomes possible through the Spirit.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">In <b>John 6:44<\/b>, Jesus says, <i>\u201cNo one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws them.\u201d<\/i> And how does the Father draw us? Through the Spirit. So yes \u2014 man chooses, but that choice is only possible because God draws him first.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Why do I say that? Well, let&#8217;s have a look at Romans 3:10-11: \u2018As it is written: \u201cThere is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.\u201d\u2019 In other words: Man has free will, but man has absolutely no desire to choose God of his own free will. We are slaves to sin and do not even realise it. The Holy Spirit can break through that and make someone realise that he needs a Saviour.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">Spirit doesn\u2019t violate our will; He transforms it. He gives us new desires, new awareness, new hunger for truth. He doesn\u2019t coerce; He convinces. He doesn\u2019t force; He frees.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s the beauty of grace.<\/p>\n\n<h3>6. The Spirit Calls All<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">Here\u2019s what I\u2019ve come to believe: The Holy Spirit calls <b>everyone<\/b> \u2014 truly and sincerely.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\"><b>Titus 2:11<\/b> says, <i>\u201cThe grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">The Spirit knocks on every heart. Not always in the same way, not always at the same time \u2014 but He does knock. Sometimes through a crisis. Sometimes through a conversation. Sometimes through the quiet conviction no one else sees. Some people resist. Some people respond.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">But in every case, God is reaching out through His Spirit. He respects our freedom, but He never stops pursuing.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">That\u2019s what divine love looks like \u2014 it\u2019s sovereign, yes, but it\u2019s never manipulative.<\/p>\n\n<h3>7. The Role of the Triune God<\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"\">So here\u2019s where I land.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">The <b>Father<\/b> chooses. The <b>Son<\/b> redeems. The <b>Spirit<\/b> calls and gives life. The three work together \u2014 never in conflict, always in harmony.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">When we argue about Calvinism or Arminianism, we often forget the very One who makes salvation real \u2014 the Holy Spirit. Because where the Spirit is, there is freedom. And in that freedom, we discover that God is truly sovereign, and yet, our response \u2014 our \u201cyes\u201d to Him \u2014 really matters.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"\">So maybe, instead of choosing sides, we should start listening again\u2026 to the voice of the Spirit.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The debate about Calvinism and Arminianism has flared up again in the Netherlands. I think it&#8217;s great that this conversation is happening again. Because it touches on the core of the gospel: How does God work in the salvation of people? But we rarely talk about the greater role of the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20603,"parent":1147,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[225,307],"tags":[320,303,272,242,304],"folder":[305,102],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20653"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20653"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/20653\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1147"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20653"},{"taxonomy":"folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.apologeet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/folder?post=20653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}