Few subjects generate more debate among Christians (and, sometimes, outright rancor) that the age-old question: Calvinism or Arminianism?  In other words, how exactly do God's sovereignty and human responsibility interact in the salvation of sinners?  Who's ultimately in control? 

Some Arminians (Christians who lean toward man having the final say) think Calvinists (Christians who focus more on the sovereignty of God in salvation) are anti-evangelistic, anti-missionary, cold hearted creatures, while some Calvinists think that biblical Arminians aren't really Christians.  Neither view is helpful.

Charles Simeon, a wonderful Anglican minister and thorough Bible teacher from the early 19th century, and a Calvinist (though he didn't like the label), showed us that such wars among Christians aren't always necessary.  Early in his ministry, he met John Wesley (the first Methodist and an Arminian), and they had this conversation:

"Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?"

"Yes, I do indeed."

"And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?"

"Yes, solely through Christ."

"But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?"

"No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last."

"Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?"

"No."

"What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?"

"Yes, altogether."

"And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?"

"Yes, I have no hope but in Him."

"Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree."  Handley Moule, Charles Simeon, 82-83.