Contrary to popular belief, then, the true divide at the heart of the Calvinist-Arminian split is not predestination versus free will but the guiding picture of God: he is primarily viewed as either (1) majestic, powerful, and controlling or (2) loving, good, and merciful. Once the picture (blik) is established, seemingly contrary aspects fade into the background, are set aside as "obscure" or are artificially made to fit the system. Neither side absolutely denies the truth of the other's perspective, but each qualifies the attributes of God that are preeminent in the other's perspective. God's goodness is qualified by his greatness in Calvinism, and God's greatness is qualified by his goodness in Arminianism.—Arminian Theology, page 73.
I ran across this quote the other day while reading. I asked both a Calvinist friend and an Armininian friend if they thought it was accurate, and they both agreed. Hard to believe! So it must be true.
Personally, I find it to be the best summary of the differences that I have come across in some 30+ years of reading theology—the plus is an undefined variable :)
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