GRACEFUL FUNDAMENTALISM
Lesson Three

Now that have you had a chance to research both Calvinism and Arminianism, 
we hope you have been able to compare and contrast them in your mind.  In 
this final lesson, we will give you a chance to see a third belief that is 
neither Calvinism nor Arminianism.

Go to the following sites and read what they have to say:

http://www.letgodbetrue.com/bible/salvation/calvinism-arminianism-truth2.htm
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw20calvinismarminianism.htm
http://lionofjudah.tribulationforces.com/questionable/calvinism.html

Now, read the following passages:

John 3:14-18
14: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so 
    must the Son of man be lifted up:
15: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
    whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that 
    the world through him might be saved.
18: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is 
    condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the 
	only begotten Son of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: 
   it is the gift of God:
9: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

For your assignment, write a summary telling in what ways Calvinism and 
Arminianism are either supported or opposed by the above passages from Scripture.
Also include your own personal stance in regards to Calvinism and Arminianism.
Support your belief with Scripture.

WRITE THE SUMMARY NOW.  Submit it to oamoam@hotmail.com.  Label it in the 
subject line as:  Essential 5c.

Now, go to http://www.oaim.org/calvinism.html and read OAIM's stance.  We 
look at what we believe as "graceful fundamentalism" because, while we do believe
in the fundamental truths of the Bible, as you have studied in this course, 
we try to maintain a belief that keeps us from either extreme of Calvinism or
Arminianism.  Unfortunately, whenever one swings too far in either direction, 
there is a tendency to become legalistic.  We always need to remember that we 
are saved by the grace of God and by nothing we ourselves can ever do.  Our 
salvation rests in the finished work of Christ and in that alone.  This is why 
we consider ourselves "graceful fundamentalists."

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