IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL PRACTICE (IJRCP )

E-ISSN 2579-0501
P-ISSN 2695-219X
VOL. 9 NO. 2 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijrcp.v9.no2.2024.pg64.76

---

An Examination of the Doctrine of Eternal Security in the Context of Cavinist and Arminian Arguments Among Nigerian Christians in the 21ST CENTURY

Isaac Folorunso, OLUWALUSIN, PhD and Ayodele Adeyinka ATOWOJU, Ph.D

---

Abstract

The doctrine of Christian Eternal Security promoted by Calvinist and Arminian is not new to the Christian church. It has been in operation since the apostolic age. Many scholars have written about the significance of holiness in Christian living, however, the examination of the arguments of the Calvinists and the Arminians on the doctrine of eternal security, which is the onus of this paper, has not been given adequate attention among Nigerian Christians in the 21st century; this has largely led to many errors and heresies in the church. Eternal security is a doctrine providing believers with absolute assurance of their inevitable final salvation at some points in their lives. The current prevailing form within the church gives the hope for unconditional eternal security being taught in some churches, encouraging Christians to indulge in sin, participate in corrupt practices without any remorse or fear of feeling of guilt. Such Christians; believe that no matter what they do, their salvation is still secure. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Findings show that many Christians are ardent believers in the doctrine of eternal security; furthermore, this has led to gross errors, misconducts, complacency and conformity to worldly practices by some contemporary Christians. In conclusion, this belief is contrary to the teachings of Christian theology which emphasizes the place of holiness and holy living all through life in a faithful relationship with God and attainment of eternal life and that the conditional security and not eternal security doctrine is the only way to eternal life.

keywords:

Arminian, Calvinist, Conditional Security, Doctrine of Eternal Security,

---

References:

Allan, R. K. Regeneration, The Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia Vol.2, 1449, www.amazon.com.
Asaju, F.D., Paper presented at the Annual Bishops’ Retreat of the Church of Nigeria
(Anglican Communion), held at Ibru Centre, Agbaraotor, Delta State Nigeria, on 4th
January 2022
Atowoju, A.A.(2012), Paul of Tarsus, Lagos: BPrint Press, 57.
Atowoju, A.A.(2010), Introduction to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Ibadan: Daystar Press, 31.
Brent, B. (2010). Calvinism versus Armanianism. www.relevantbibleteaching.com
Bruce, F.F (1995). A Historical Examination of the Doctrine of Eternal Security Lagos, The
Paternoster Press.
Chip Denies, R. (2013). Eternal Security, London Union City Christian Church Press.
George, L.N. (2001). The Five Points of Calvinism, Presbyterian and Reformed, New York:
Philipsburg Press.
Holy Bible. King James Version.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/title=Nigeria
http://evangelicallarminians.org/EvangelicalArminism
http://mb-softcombeliever/text/charisma.htm.
http://pastorrandyshupe.com/books/eternal-security/index.htm1#p=1
http://www.the-gospel.org/stdy_dctrm/eternal_security.php
Keith Drury (2013), Soul Shaper: Becoming the Person God Want You to Be, India, Westleyan
Publishing House.
Kelvin, H. (2016). Introduction to the study of Calvinism Nasarene: Nasrene Publishing House.
Kenneth, B. (2006). The Perfect Leader, Abuja: Still Water Press.
Matt, C. (1998). A Study of the Doctrine of the Eternal Security of the Believer. Foundation
Magazine vol 2.
Murphy, J. and Carolyn (2002). An International Ministers Manual. Blue Jay:
Hundredfold Press.
Nathaniel J. Archer (2015), Inscrutable Providence: The Doctrine of Divine Concurrence and
The Theology of Charles Hodge, Michigan, Grand Rapids.
Oladeji, M. O.(2005). Understanding the Pentecostal Movement, Ibadan: Bounty Press.
Oladimeji, S.O. (2006). Total Dependence on the Holy Spirit: Lagos. Hosylam Press.
Richard D. Phillips (2008), What is so Great about the Doctrine of Grace, U.S.A. Reformation
Trust Publishing.
Roger, O. (2006). Arminian Theology, Downers Grove, Intervarsity Press.
Smith, C. (2013). Calvinism, Armanianism and The Word of God, Santa Maria Freedom
Press.
Stephen, J. H. (2002). A Wesleyan Arminian view, Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Stephen, M. A. (2002). A Reformed Arminian view, Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
The World Christian Encyclopedia Vol. 1,
www.worldchristiandatabase.or/wed/doc/WCE-Northern.
Ward, K. (2003). The Charismatic Movement and Pentecostal Churches in New Zealand,
Wordpress.com
Wintery, K. (2009). Differences between Wesleyan Arminianism and Calvinism, H/T
Neil Simpson.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back