The First Set of Propositions
(1) God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
(2) We are most satisfied in God in our salvation, not our condemnation.
(3) Therefore, God is most glorified in us in our salvation, not our condemnation.
The Second Set of Propositions
(4) According to 5-point Calvinism, the life, death and resurrection of Christ is an intrinsically sufficient condition for our salvation. In other words, the life, death and resurrection of Christ in and of itself entails our salvation. Therefore, everyone whom Christ died for is saved.
(5) Not everyone is saved.
(6) Therefore, Christ does not (love everyone enough to) die for everyone.
Putting Both Sets of Propositions Together
(3) God is most glorified in us in our salvation, not our condemnation.
(6) Christ does not (love everyone enough to) die for everyone.
(7) Therefore, God does not make it possible for everyone to be saved, even though He is most glorified in us in our salvation, not our condemnation.
In order to be internally (not to mention externally) coherent, the 5-point Calvinist must affirm (7), that God does not seek to maximise His glory.
On my part, I would sooner deny (4) than I would affirm (7). In other words, I would sooner believe that the life, death and resurrection of Christ is not an intrinsically sufficient condition for our salvation, than I would believe that God does not seek to maximise His glory.
Of course, the life, death and resurrection of Christ remains an extrinsically sufficient condition for our salvation. In other words, trusting in the life, death and resurrection of Christ entails our salvation (without needing anything else).
5-Point Calvinism or Arminianism?
The logical fallacy of false dilemma involves a situation in which only two alternatives are considered, when in fact there are other options.
The choice between 5-point Calvinism and Arminianism is a false dilemma. Just because you are not a 5-point Calvinist does not mean that you are an Arminian. On the other hand, just because you are not an Arminian does not mean that you are a 5-point Calvinist. Indeed, you can be neither a 5-point Calvinist nor an Arminian, perhaps by being a Molinist.
Link: Another Anti-Calvinist Argument (25 Mar 10)
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