Calvinism and Classical Arminianism are not opposite theological views (link). In fact, I like to say that they are theological first cousins, both residing under the “Reformed” umbrella. While there are certainly differences, both systems of…
Depravity
Sin, Reprobation and Foreknowledge: The Calvinists Attempt to Have Their Cake And Eat it Too
The doctrine of the unconditional election of a part, necessarily implies the unconditional reprobation of the rest. I know some who hold to the former, seem to deny the latter; for they represent God as…
Andrew Hnatiuk, “Prevenient Grace: An Introduction”
Understanding the doctrine of prevenient grace was one of the most valuable studies for me after leaving Calvinism. It provided an answer to one of the simplest arguments I used to make for Calvinism: I…
Ben Witherington and Roger Olson, “Roger Olson’s Arminian Theology – Part 4”
BEN: On p. 55, you talk about Wesley’s treatise on divine sovereignty compared to Calvin’s view. Would you say that while Wesley agrees with Calvin that God is sovereign, absolutely so, and could do what…
Easy Believism Versus True Salvation
Zacchaeus up in the tree, Paul’s conversion, the Philippian jailer. What do these stories have in common? In every case, it was God who took the first step towards man. As I’ve stated many times,…
“Tactics And Total Depravity”
A recent article stated: “Millennials leaving the church in droves, study finds.” We could say, “oh, that’s just young people these days”, or “it’s a sign of the times!” Or, perhaps we should consider that…
Calvinist Misconceptions: The Arminian View Of Man’s Fallen State
Calvinists often accuse Arminians of being Pelagian, or Semi-pelagian at best, when it comes to original sin and the depravity of man. And it’s no wonder, as many Calvinist websites paint quite an inaccurate picture…
Steve Sewell: Response to John Piper: “How Do Arminians Pray?”
John Piper video clip: How Do Arminians Pray? In Piper’s words, Arminians praying to God for someone’s salvation: “Arminians don’t believe that He has the right and authority and power to save anybody. Do they?…
Steve Sewell, “Rebuttal to Maverick Victor Witlouw” [Prevenient Grace vs. Irresistible Grace]
Maverick Victor Witlouw, of Sovereign Grace Messianic Blog, wrote a response to my article, “Why Irresistible Grace Doesn’t Work, and Why Prevenient Grace Does” [Responding to Steve Sewell’s Presentation of Prevenient Grace]. He happened to…
Causal vs Social Centered Part IV: Depravity
The differences in Depravity between Calvinists and Arminians are perhaps the most interesting for our topic since both Calvinists and Arminians agree on the basic concept. However, I do think we think about Total Depravity…
Ben Witherington and Keith Stanglin, Jacob Arminius, Theologian of Grace – Part Nine
BEN: One of the things that is not clear to me from reading your book is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and prevenient grace in the thought of Arminius. Does by grace Arminius simply…
Matthew Pinson, “Who’s Afraid of the Word ‘Synergist’?”
A Theological Dirty Word Recently I’ve noticed that, over the past century, Arminians have increasingly used the word “synergist” to describe themselves, rather than seeing it as a negative epithet, as most Christian theologians have.…
Ben Witherington and Keith Stanglin, Jacob Arminius, Theologian of Grace – Part Seven
BEN: Why was Arminius accused of Pelagianism or semi-Pelagianism if in fact he was clear that prevenient grace comes to a person purely by unmerited divine initiative? KEITH: This controversy is inherent in the Protestant…
Micah Currado, “‘Unmediated’: A Response to Dr. Flowers”
INTRODUCTION This post is in response to Dr. Leighton Flowers regarding the role of and particularly the means of God’s personal involvement in a person choosing to respond to the Gospel. My response is intended…
Once More Unto the Breach: Total Depravity and Total Inability
Those who deny the doctrine of Total Depravity, and especially its corollary Total Inability, demand we show them from Scripture where an inherent inner inability to freely believe in Jesus Christ and His Gospel is…
Relational Salvation and Prevenient Grace — Micah Currado
I believe that a proper understanding of relationship within salvation will clarify some points of disagreement regarding the nature of prevenient grace. Following a protracted discussion on the nature of what God must supply (if anything)…
Two Views on the Doctrine of Election in under 5 Minutes
This video from the Currado family (SEA members) briefly overviews the two major models of election. The transcript is below. What’s the deal with Election? “Election” is a biblical word, and so every…
Luther and Arminius on Free Will
Luther, in 1528, pens his theological beliefs so that, in the future, “either during my life or after my death, there should be those who would undertake to falsify my writings so as to bolster…
How Is Arminianism Different From Pelagianism?
Introduction When asked the difference between Arminianism and Pelagainism, I always have trouble knowing exactly where to start. It is a bit like being asked about the difference between Republicanism and Monarchy: the simple answer…
Does Prevenient Grace Make Total Depravity Only Hypothetical and Not Actual?
Ben Henshaw has a page at his blog for questions, and he was recently asked this: I have a question about the prevenient grace. According to this doctrine, God enables the dead in sins so…
Recent Posts
Simon Peter Sutherland, “A 20th century revival of 17th century Tulip Mania”
Roy Ingle, “How Easy It Is to Swerve From the Faith”
Video: David Pallmann, “Introduction to Soteriology: Calvinism, Arminianism, and Molinism”
William Burt Pope, “Divine Attributes Related to the Creature Part 2: Omnipotence”
