Calvin's Perseverance vs Arminian OSAS

John Calvin's view on the perseverance of the saints differs from the concept of Once Saved, Always Saved (OSAS) as interpreted by some non-Calvinist groups, particularly within certain branches of Protestantism, such as some Arminian views or certain elements within Baptist theology. Let's review the key distinctions:

Calvin's View (Perseverance of the Saints):

God's Sovereignty:
Calvinism emphasizes God's sovereignty in salvation. God not only initiates salvation but also makes sure that the elect will persevere to the end by His grace. This perseverance is seen as a work of God, and is not of the individual's choice or will.

There is a caveat here, for this speaks of what is called a 5-point Calvinist. They follow all aspects of TULIP, which is a theological acronym that represents the five primary points of Calvinism: Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints.

However, there are 4-point Calvinists who do not believe in Limited Atonement, and 3-point Calvinists who do not believe in Limited Atonement or Irresistible Grace. This is important to note because the belief in Perseverance of the Saints is dependent on the belief in these other points of Calvinism. So a 3-point Calvinist would believe that even if one is elect, then can refuse salvation or reject it later in life.

Evidence of Faith:
In Calvinism, true believers will show evidence of their salvation through a changed life, good works, and continuing faith. It's important to note that this isn't about earning or securing salvation but is a natural outgrowth of genuine faith.

Assurance with Conditions:
While assurance of salvation is possible, it is often conditional upon a life that reflects regeneration. This means that true believers might go through periods of doubt or sin but will ultimately return to faith due to God's preserving grace.

So while Calvinism teaches that it is God's grace that saves you, you can know your salvation state by the change that appears in your life as the Holy Spirit leads you and works in you. In 5-point Calvinism, this leading is irresistible, but in 3-point Calvinism, it is resistible.

Non-Calvinist OSAS:

*Note: Many outside of belief in Calvinism do not believe in OSAS. They believe that one can lose their salvation if they do not continue to believe in Jesus Christ and follow his commandments. This is a common belief among Arminians and some Baptists.

Decision-Based Salvation:
Some interpretations of OSAS focus on the moment of conversion or decision for Christ. The idea is that once someone genuinely accepts Christ, their salvation is secure, regardless of subsequent behavior or loss of faith.

In this belief, a loss of faith is not a loss of salvation. When the bible speaks of a falling away in a person, it speaks of rebellion -- such as a naughty 3-year-old child. The parent doesn't throw them out of the house, but will continue to love them, teaching them obedience along the way.

There are many verses in the bible that seem to speak of losing one's salvation, but close examination of the context will show you that the topic is not salvation, but rather disobedience.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
-- Hebrews 6:4-6

Many use this key verse to claim loss of salvation beleifs. But you can read throughout the book of Hebrews that there are many passages meant as a warning, used to encourage perseverance and not suggesting loss of salvation. (Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-29)

Falling away is not losing salvation, but it is rebellion. It is a deliberate rebellion, so it is to be considered to be severe. It is willful disobedience to God.

One must understand that God is not a casual observer of our lives. He is interested in our salvation. He wishes that "all people" to be saved.

Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, 4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
-- 1 Timothy 2:3-4

Calvinists use this verse to support Limited Atonement. In the Amenian or Baptist view, we must look at God's desire: to save "all people." God will not sit back and watch a disobedient chile walk out in to the street, if you will, and get killed by a car. So what is God's role in our salvation?

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from my Father’s hand.
-- John 10:28-29

God, once you are saved, once you are in his hand, will not let you go. Nobody can snatch you away. And that nobody includes you. You cannot effect your own loss of salvation because God has you in control.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
-- Ephesians 4:30

So did God lie? If you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, did God lie that that seal will last until the day of redemption? No, God does not lie.

What can you do to overcome God's hold on you. He gave you the option to join the family. He gave you the choice to accept his free gift. And when you did there was rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7). And you think that you can be bigger than God and walk away?

do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.
-- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

You were bought at a price. Jesus blood. More importantly, you are not your own. When you accepted the free gift and became saved, your were changed.

We know that our old man was crucified with him so that the body of sin would no longer dominate us, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 (For someone who has died has been freed from sin.)
-- Romans 6:6-7

You have an old man -- sinful, pre-salvation -- and a new man -- saved, post-salvation. Your old man was crucified with Christ. You have been freed from that old man, even as he still has a hold on you. The old man will cause you to sin. But as Paul says in the next chapter--

But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it.

It is the sin that lives in you that makes you do wrong things. And Christ has crucified that sin to the cross. You are not held responsible for that salfivically. It will hurt you in the flesh, but it cannot affect your salvation.

Eternal Security Without Assurance:
Some versions of OSAS argue that one can never lose salvation, with less emphasis on the perseverance aspect. This can lead to interpretations where a person might backslide severely or even deny faith but remain saved due to their initial decision.

When we look at Hebrews 6:4-6, we can see this. A severely backslidden person who rebels against God. Taken alone, this verse seems to suggest a loss of salvation. But in context with all other verses that tell us that losing your salvation is impossible, we see it as a warning.

Behavior and Salvation:
There's a spectrum of belief here. Some hold that behavior post-conversion does not affect one's salvation status, emphasizing grace over works or perseverance. Others might argue for a form of "lordship salvation," where true faith will result in a life reflective of Christian values, somewhat aligning with Calvinist thought but without the deterministic aspect.

We are not deists, thinking that God is an uninvolved, casual observer. God is active in your life. Before you are saved, he is active in pursuing you with the Gospel message. After you are saved, he is active in your life, leading you to do good works. He will not let you go. You belong to him. You were paid for with the price of the precious blood of his Son, Jesus Christ.

In church history, one of the church fathers that promoted a OSAS teaching was Augustine of Hippo (354-430). But Augustine's view was a little different. Augustine taught that God would help in the perseverance of the believer, but that the believer could still lose his salvation. It is a condition that is not left completely to the believer, as God would help the truly faithful to maintain their faith. But the decision to follow and believe in Christ is ultimately the free will of the believer.

A review of key differences:

Source of Perseverance:
In Calvinism, because God is soverign, perseverance is assured by God's grace. It is a condition of his will for the believer.

In OSAS views, it is a condition that God holds true after the believer makes a confession with their mouth and believe in their heart that Christ is Lord. (Rom 10:9-10; John 10:31) It might also be seen, by doctrines more aligned with Augustine, that God's grace helps a believer stay in faith, but it is up to the believer's free will ultimately.

Role of Works:
Calvinism ties perseverance to the visible fruits of faith, suggesting that a lack of these might indicate one was never truly saved.

OSAS interpretations will teach that a saved person will show such change, but still has the chance of chasing after sin, and so the fruits may not remain continuous evidence at all times.

Assurance:
Assurance in Calvinism can be nuanced, often requiring introspection and evidence of sanctification.

OSAS offers a more straightforward assurance based on an initial act of faith.

Conclusion

In the end, we must remember that there are good people in the world. One might look at Mahatma Gahndi and consider him a great person and a very good person. But Gahndi, although he respected Christ, did not believe in Christ as his Savior. So looking at a person's outward goodness is no yardstick for salvation. Ultimately, it will be decided by God at the Judgement Seat.

It should also be pointed out that there are extremist views on both sides. There are Calvinists who believe that if you don't adhere to their 'Perseverance of the Saints' doctrine, then you are not saved. There are Arminians who believe that if you do hold to Calvin's doctrines, then likewise you are not saved.

This is absurd on either side. The bible clearly teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is a gift of God. We differ in how that is achieved. But being wrong does not deny salvation.

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
-- Romans 10:9-10

By this we are saved, and not by the doctrines of men. We disagree on doctrine many times, and such may only be in ignorance. Don't muddy up the salvation message of the Gospel with weights that don't apply. Jesus warned us not to do this.

But Jesus replied, “Woe to you experts in religious law as well! You load people down with burdens difficult to bear, yet you yourselves refuse to touch the burdens with even one of your fingers!
-- Luke 11:46

He who has an ear, let him hear.
-- Revelation 2:7