These three frameworks—Calvinism, Arminianism, and Molinism—are basically three different ways Christians have tried to explain the same mystery: How can God be fully sovereign while humans remain truly responsible?
Here’s a simple, straight-to-the-point breakdown.
BRAZAAR CHAIN/ CHRISTIAN MERCH
1. CALVINISM (God’s Sovereignty as the Starting Point)
Main idea: God has already decreed everything that will happen, including who will be saved.
Human choices are real, but they happen exactly as God ordained.
Strengths:
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Strong view of God’s power and control.
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Offers security: nothing surprises God.
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Fits verses like Romans 9, Ephesians 1.
Weaknesses:
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It can feel like humans are not truly free.
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Raises the question: If everything is predetermined, why evangelize or pray?
Picture it like this:
You’re in a story God already authored, but you still experience your choices as meaningful.
2. ARMINIANISM (Human Responsibility as the Starting Point)
Main idea: God has a plan, but He allows genuine freedom.
People can accept or reject God’s grace.
Strengths:
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Upholds human responsibility.
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Emphasizes God’s love and desire for all to be saved.
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Fits verses like John 3:16, “Choose this day whom you will serve.”
Weaknesses:
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Some feel it weakens God’s sovereignty.
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Raises the question: Does God react instead of plan?
Picture it like this:
God sets the destination, but you choose the road.
3. MOLINISM (Middle Knowledge)
Main idea: God knows every possible choice every person could ever make in every situation—before He creates the world.
So God sovereignly arranges the world knowing exactly how you would freely choose.
Strengths:
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Combines God’s sovereignty with human freedom beautifully.
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Answers questions about prayer, missions, suffering, and God’s foreknowledge.
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Allows for “God’s plan” without fatalism.
Weaknesses:
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Complex and philosophical.
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Some say it’s “too neat,” others that it uses logic not directly stated in Scripture.
Picture it like this:
God sees every path you could take…
He chooses the world where your free choices still accomplish His purposes.
WHERE DO THESE VIEWS CONNECT?
All three agree on these truths:
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God is sovereign.
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Humans make real decisions.
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God’s plan cannot be defeated.
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We are accountable for our actions.
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God desires relationship, not robots.
They diverge only on how those truths fit together.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR QUESTION?
“Are we just acting out what was already planned?”
Calvinism:
Yes, in a sense—God decreed everything, and we live it out.
Arminianism:
No—you have real freedom, and God works with your choices.
Molinism:
A balance—God planned knowing exactly how you would freely act.
MY PASTORAL, PRACTICAL TAKE (the one that helps people live well):
God’s purpose is fixed.
Your path is flexible.
Your freedom is real.
His sovereignty is sure.
In simpler terms:
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God wrote the destination.
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You write the journey.
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God knows the whole map.
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And He walks with you at every step.
Your choices matter.
Your prayers matter.
Your obedience matters.
Your calling matters.
And God—who knows all things—guides those choices without forcing them.
BE BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE!
Chris N. Braza, ACE
Soul Care Ministry Philippines
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