Here is the debate between Arminian and SEA member Dr. Michael L. Brown with Calvinist Pastor Bruce Bennett at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Merrick, Long Island, on May 11, 2013. Note: The video contains the whole debate,…
Recent Articles
Dr. Michael Brown vs. Pastor Bruce Bennett on Who Makes The Final Choice in Salvation…God or Man?
Did Arminius Affirm Salvation by Grace or Works?
Did Arminius Affirm Salvation by Grace or Works? written by SEA member, Roy Ingle I read a Calvinist piece in which the author showed his utter misunderstanding of Arminianism. He never cites Arminius, never cites…
From Where Did the First Evil Inclination Come? A Dialogue with a Calvinist
From Where Did the First Evil Inclination Come? A Dialogue with a Calvinist
written by Roger E. Olson, PhD
G.K. Chesterton on Calvinism
“The Calvinists took the Catholic idea of the absolute knowledge and power of God; and treated it as a rocky irreducible truism so solid that anything could be built on it, however crushing or cruel….
Free Will Debate with Turretinfan
Turretinfan and I recently debated if the bible teaches libertarian free will. I hope that you find it useful. Here was the format we used with links to the transcript: Introduction: The Bible teach…
An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Irrationality of Calvinism” Part 5: Taking The Mystery Out of Mr. Patton’s Strange Arguments
Part 5: Taking the Mystery Out of Mr. Patton’s Strange Arguments
Patton: These two issues, human freedom and sovereign election, are not contradictory when put together, but they are a mystery.
This is the same claim Mr. Patton made in his first post called “Why Calvinism is the Least Rational Option.” We have already begun to highlight the problems with this claim.
An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Irrationality of Calvinism” Part 4: Returning the Favor (Reversing the Argument)
Part 4: Returning the Favor (Reversing the Argument) Patton: To the Calvinists, man is fully responsible for his choice, yet God’s election is unconditional. This creates a problem. It creates great tension. I agree that…
An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Irrationality of Calvinism” Part 3: False Assumptions and Question Begging
Part 3: False Assumptions and Question Begging
Patton: Therefore, [according to Arminianism] God’s predestination of people is “fair” and makes sense. After all, there are too many questions left unanswered when one says that God chooses who will be saved and who will not. Why did he choose some and not others? Did God make people to go to hell? Is God fair? “Why does he still find fault, for who resists his will?”
The Arminian chooses this position because, for them, it is the only way to reconcile human freedom and God’s election.
Here is where Mr. Patton really missteps.
An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Irrationality of Calvinism” Part 2: Theological Imprecision and Misrepresentations
Part 2: Theological Imprecision and Misrepresentations
Patton: However, I think we need take a step back and see that while the shoe fits when it comes to some particular issues in Calvinism these accusations are far from forming the bedrock of the primary issues in Calvinism. You see, one of the many reasons I am a Calvinist has to do with the tension that is allowed within the Calvinistic system that is not allowed in other systems.
The central core of Calvinism primarily centers on one doctrine: predestination. While the sovereignty of God has its place, it does not ultimately determine where one lands.
This is highly debatable among Calvinists. This may be Mr. Patton’s opinion, but I think that he is probably in the minority.
An Arminian Response to C. Michael Patton’s “The Irrationality of Calvinism” Part 1: The Set Up
C.Michael Patton is the President of Credo House. He has now written two separate and similar posts defending the “irrationality” of Calvinism as actually being a strength of the system, specifically over and above Arminianism. In this newest post, Mr. Patton levels many unfair and unfounded criticisms against Arminian theology and “Arminians” in general, betraying a basic lack of understanding concerning what Arminians believe and why they believe it. For this reason, an Arminian response seemed appropriate in order to set the record straight. This response will interact with the entirety of C. Michael Patton’s post, which would make for a very long interaction as a single post. For that reason, the response will be broken into parts.
Christians Seeking to Evangelize Other Christians
Christians Seeking to Evangelize Other Christians written by SEA member, Roy Ingle I have been a disciple of Jesus for over 20 years by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). I know that my salvation is based…
Arminius on the Decrees of God Concerning Salvation of Sinful Men
Arminius on the Decrees of God Concerning Salvation of Sinful Men submitted by SEA member, Roy Ingle XV. ON THE DECREES OF GOD WHICH CONCERN THE SALVATION OF SINFUL MEN, ACCORDING TO HIS OWN SENSE…
Arminius and Junius Show Us How To Debate
Arminius and Junius Show Us How To Debate submitted by SEA member, Roy Ingle I was struck by how graceful both Arminius and Francis Junius were toward one another in their correspondence over the issue…
Questions to Ask Yourself When Analysing Romans 9 (and Arminian Resources)
Romans 9 is possibly the most cited passage in the whole Biblical corpus, used to enunciate the Calvinistic doctrine of unconditional election. Often though, the exegesis seems sloppy and the extrapolations hasty. I have put…
Arminius on Christ Being Head of the Church
Arminius on Christ Being Head of the Church submitted by SEA member, Roy Ingle DISPUTATION LIII ON THE HEAD AND THE MARKS OF THE CHURCH I. Though the head and the body be of one…
James M. Leonard, “Review of F. Leroy Forlines, *Classical Arminianism*”
Click on the link: James M. Leonard, “Review of F. Leroy Forlines, Classical Arminianism“, Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Spring 2011) 108-12.
Alvin Plantinga, “Bait and Switch: Sam Harris on Free Will”
Alvin Plantinga, “Bait and Switch: Sam Harris on Free Will” — http://www.booksandculture.com/articles/2013/janfeb/bait-and-switch.html?paging=off [Editor’s note: The author expresses doubt that Calvin held to determinism, but he certainly did. See e.g., Calvin’s Institutes, I.xvi.8; I.xviii; and his…
Another Calvinist Misrepresentation of Arminianism
Another Calvinist Misrepresentation of Arminianism written by Roger E Olson, PhD As anyone knows who comes here regularly, I am a self-appointed defender of the truth about classical Arminianism. That often brings me into conflict…
Roger Olson, “Where Was God when the Fertilizer Plant Exploded?”
If what many Christians believe about God is true, then the West, Texas disaster (like every disaster) was actually good–”designed, ordained and governed by God” necessarily means “good” in a Christian worldview. Something God designs,…
Dr. Michael Brown vs. Dr. James White on Predestination, Election, and the Will of God
Here is the debate between Arminian and SEA member Dr. Michael L. Brown and Calvinist Dr. James White at Southern Evangelical Seminary, February 14, 2013. You can also order the debate on high-quality DVD here.
