There are different degrees of Arminianism and Calvinism. There are 2 or 3 alternatives also. e.g. Lutheranism, and Eastern Orthodox.
The beliefs of the early church do not fit into any category but are closer to Arminianism than Calvinism. Arminianism and Calvinism are both doctrines which attempt to explain or reconcile the apparent contradiction between man's free-will and God's sovereignty. The early church was content in leaving the matter as an unexplained paradox.
Only the divisive brethren have divided the body of Christ by setting forth such doctrines in stone.
Judging by the responses of people in this forum we can see that few, if any, hold rigidly to one view or the other.
Many of us hold to elements of each view, and this is some indication that we truly know God.
Anyone who says they understand the ways of God must be a liar, they can never be known entirely in our life time.
I believe God elects some individuals from eternity (Jesus Christ obviously) , and others who are not, are meant to find Him. And there is nothing stopping them from finding God. God chooses and finds some, and others choose and find God. Jesus chose the 12 disciples, and yet many crowds of people chose and followed Him.
I personally fit in the former category, God chose me from birth, I did not choose Him. So how can I say God doesn't choose individuals before they were born?
To clear up any misunderstandings: Calvinists do believe in free-will. Both Arminianism and Calvinism believes in free-will.
A Calvinist typically believes in free will that is subject to their nature, condition etc. That is, a person's free choice will depend upon their nature. A sinner cannot choose God because it is against their nature.
An Arminian typically believes in free will that can go against, or over-ride a person's nature, condition etc. That is, a person's free choice is independent of their nature. A sinner can choose God because their free will is not powerless because of their sinful nature.
So the Arminian versus Calvinist debate should not be about free-will versus no free will. But free will subject to human nature, or free will which is independent from human nature.
Can a good man choose evil and can an evil man choose good? The answer is yes.
A person can make choices contradictory to their nature. But, a person's nature is often behind their choices.
To say that a person is bound to make choices according to their nature, or that their will and choices is completely independent of their nature, is wrong in my view.
Those that do not believe in free-will altogether, are the ultra-Calvinists. Actually I believe they are not Calvinists at all but gnostics or asian religions, .. that our free-will does not exist and we are all subjects of fate and destiny.. Calvin himself never put forward any such doctrine. But this idea is throughout our movies and TV programs, that speaks of human destiny, fate, etc.
