A fairly recent series on Calvinism in a podcast that I have been following for some time raises an interesting issue. Much of the evangelical community leans to a “Calvinist” view of salvation/atonement while certain portions of the community follow an Arminian view. The two views are not exactly what most of us think they are, and it might be argued are not as far from each other as the average follower of either thinks. In fact, outside of the question “what is predestination?” there is really only one issue in the minds of the average believer. That is the assurance of salvation. And that assurance is often stated in terms of “once saved, always saved,” or it is stated conversely that salvation can be lost.
But if you ask a true Bible scholar, and card-carrying, 5-point Calvinist, “once saved, always saved” is a misrepresentation of the Calvinist position.
If this is the case, how do the New Testament writers refer to assurance, and to the “joy of your salvation” if it is not a certain thing?
