The Friday Files compiles certain posts from Arminian and other non-Calvinistic bloggers from around the globe with a special introduction explaining each post. All links are offered because they are thought to be of potential interest to those who are interested in Arminian/Calvinist issues. Inclusion of links here does not necessarily mean the linked material is Arminian or carries SEA’s approval. The commentary on highlighted material does not necessarily represent SEA’s viewpoint, but is that of the compiler’s.
ARMINIUS AND REMONSTRANTS (LEFT): PRINCE MAURICE AND CALVINISTS (RIGHT)
- Adam Omelianchuck adds his own commentary concerning the debate over hierarchy in the Trinity and the subject of complementarianism in his post: “Is There Hierarchy in the Trinity? A Response to Gons and Naselli.” He astutely comments: “One is sovereign only if one holds the highest place of authority, and since the Son lacks this property [in the understanding of the hierarchical position that gives license to the theory of complementarianism], he lacks the property of being sovereign, which entails a denial of homoousios [the orthodox notion that God the Son is of the same substance as God the Father].”
- Roy Ingle, from his website Arminian Today, asks: “What Does Repentance Look Like?” Noting that repentance is not merely feeling regret for sin, nor moral reformation, but a change of heart that renders a change of habit, he writes, “In other words, while the Holy Spirit works on the human heart to produce repentance, and without His aid none of us could repent, the man himself must humble himself under the conviction of the Spirit to produce true repentance. Again, true repentance is not reformation. It is regeneration that begins the process of walking in repentance and bringing about sanctification.”
- Andrew, from his blog Beyond Calvinism, posts: “Did John Wesley Hold to the Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness? John Piper Says ‘Yes.’” Arminius and the Remonstrants also maintain that the righteousness of God in Christ is imputed to the believer by grace through faith in Christ.
- Dr. Craig Keener, from his site Bible Background, comments, in his post “Selling Joseph into Slavery,” that the “narrative withholds nothing in depicting the depravity of Joseph’s brothers — a depravity that will consequently underline the grace they receive. God did not choose this people because they were the most righteous (Deut 9:4) or powerful (7:7), but because of his covenant love toward Abraham (7:8-9). There is hope for all of us, not because of what we have been, but because of God’s great love and because of what God plans to make of us. Joseph behaves honorably in the narrative, but the ultimate hero is God himself.”
- Dr. Dale Wayman, of the spiritual formation website IRONSTRIKES, offers several posts this week for our spiritual growth: “Why Attending Church is Important,” granting us ten reasons, though more admittedly can be offered; “No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets,” challenging us to live full lives in and for Christ; “Blocking People Matters,” a pastoral message calling children of God to protect themselves from toxic individuals; and “Heroism,” reminding us that the everyday hero does not always look like Superman.
- The Remonstrance Podcast offers an exciting two-part entry: “Arminius on the Will of God.”
- The Society of Evangelical Arminians offers Solus Arminius’ posts, “A Beginner’s Guide to Free Will” and “The Practical Implications of Free Will,” both of which interact with two posts from John Piper regarding free will and his implicit disbelief in free will; Steve Sewell’s “Does Compatibilism Make Sense?” in which he answers a resounding No, given that God decreeing, rendering certain, and bringing to fruition what people think, say, and do is any other notion than the promotion of genuine free will and human culpability; Martin Glynn’s “Causal vs. Social Centered Part VI: Security,” as Martin engages the subject of eternal security; a Reformed Forum interview of Arminian scholar Keith D. Stanglin, and Jeremy Ostrander’s offering, “The Gift of Faith,” in which he re-affirms an Arminian concept that faith is most certainly conceived of as a gift of God through the inward work of His Holy Spirit.
- Solus Arminius brings us four posts this week, including, “Can God Love All People?” given that John Piper and other Calvinists argue that God can only love the so-conceived unconditionally elect; “The Arminian Conundrum,” answering John Owen’s sophomoric attempt at undermining Arminian theology; “The Superiority of Arminianism regarding Assurance of Salvation,” especially in light of John Calvin and St Augustine insisting that God deceives some people into thinking that they are regenerate and saved; and finally “The Doctrine of Apostasy: An Arminian Distinctive,” in which the author addresses the notions of “four-point” Calvinists and “four-point” Arminians.
- Dr. Leighton Flowers, of the site Soteriology 101, answers the Calvinist’s primary argument against all non-Calvinistic theology: “Why did you believe the Gospel, but your friend did not? Are you wiser or smarter or more spiritual or better trained or more humble?”He also addresses: “Casting Lots to Find God’s Will.”
