Saturday, February 18, 2012

Arminianism: Is the Theology right?

Arminianism: A theological view expressed by Jacobus Arminius in the 16th century Netherlands.




  •  Unlimited atonement. Christ died for the entire world, not just the elect. However, Christ's atonement works only in those who choose to believe.
  •  I would have to agree

  • Natural inability. People cannot save themselves. The Holy Spirit causes a person to be born again.
  • It is the Holy Spirit who works upon our hearts to convert us

  •  Prevenient grace. Preparatory grace is given to everyone to enable them to respond to the gospel. However, a person may use their free will to accept or reject God's invitation to salvation.
  • Free Will is what it is all about

  •  Conditional perseverance. Believers receive all the grace they need to persevere to salvation, but again, they can exercise their free will, turn away from God.
  •  This is TRUE

    I don't understand every nuance of "Arminianism", but on the surface it seems close to the truth compared to the other theories out there along the same subject matter.
    Speaking of Free Will-
    For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2 Peter 2:21

    There is also Wesleyan Arminianism,(Wesley founded Methodism) which adds the following:
    Christian perfection – According to Wesley's teaching, Christians could attain a state of practical perfection, meaning a lack of all voluntary sin by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, in this life. Christian perfection (or entire sanctification), according to Wesley, is "purity of intention, dedicating all the life to God" and "the mind which was in Christ, enabling us to walk as Christ walked." It is "loving God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves". It is 'a restoration not only to the favour, but likewise to the image of God," our "being filled with the fullness of God".
    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works Titus 2:14