A version of this article has appeared in Trinity Journal 33 (2012) 3-18. Please click on the link to view John Mark Hicks, “Classic Arminianism and Open Theism: A Substantial Difference in Their Theologies of Providence”.
Determinism
4 Questions 4 Calvinists
1. If Calvinism were true, what is the point of the Final Judgment for the unbeliever? It would be like me walking into a courtroom and the judge telling me that I get a life…
A Conversation between a Calvinist and an Arminian about God’s Sovereignty
written by Roger E Olson, PhD Calvinist to Arminian: “You Arminians don’t really believe in God’s sovereignty.” Arminian: “You Calvinists don’t really believe in God’s love.” Calvinist: “Oh, but we do. You’re so wrong! The…
Paul A. Himes, “FIRST CORINTHIANS 10:13: A REJOINDER TO STEVEN COWAN”
Please click on the link to view Paul A. Himes, “FIRST CORINTHIANS 10:13: A REJOINDER TO STEVEN COWAN” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 55.4 (2012) 801–806. This article provides a compelling refutation of criticisms against…
Roger Olson, “A Non-Calvinist, Relational View of God’s Sovereignty”
I gave this talk at this week’s Missio Alliance gathering in Alexandria, Virginia. For those who are watching me carefully (from the Arminian camp) I must say I make no claim for this being “the” Arminian view. It is simply my view and I’m an Arminian.
“A Relational View of God’s Sovereignty” by Roger E. Olson
Eminent Mathematician John H. Conway on Why Determinism Should Not Be Embraced
John H. Conway, eminent mathematician and co-discoverer of the Free Will Theorem, concluded his Princeton lecture series (in 2009) with this assertion about determinism and free will, recorded in this 44 second video.
Calvinist Quotes on God Determining All Evil
Click on the link: Calvinist Quotes on God Determining All Evil Note: The author speaks very strongly against Calvinism in some of his commentary on the quotes. Please remember that the views expressed in individual posts are…
The Almost Completely Unknown Difference that Makes All the Difference
The Almost Completely Unknown Difference that Makes All the Difference…. written by Roger E Olson, PhD We talk endlessly about differences among Christians: Catholic versus Protestant, Calvinist versus Arminian, liberal versus conservative, neo-fundamentalist versus postconservative,…
A Day With Arminius
Session 3: Providence and Predestination
This is the third video in a fantastic series of lectures by Dr. Keith Stanglin and Dr. Thomas McCall on who Jacob Arminius was, and what he believed. McCall and Stranglin wrote the book Jacob…
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? – The Bible Answer Man responds
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? This is perhaps the most common question Christian celebrities are asked to answer on shows such as Larry King Live. At first blush, it…
Evil: Sometimes the Human Explanation is Better than the Divine Explanation
Evil: Sometimes the Human Explanation is Better than the Divine Explanation written by Ryan Ragozine “Everything happens for a reason.” How many times have you heard this short, pithy saying echoed in response to tragedy?…
Dr. Michael Brown vs. Pastor Bruce Bennett on Who Makes The Final Choice in Salvation…God or Man?
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,…
Monergism: A Doctrine of Demons?
Probably not, but this is SO MUCH FUN to say with a straight face. Let’s run with it a while and see how much mileage we get from it.
First, Calvinists claim that monergism is the only view of salvation that really glorifies God. Any non-Calvinist Christian knows this a lie, and since Satan is the Father of Lies …
Second, Calvinists claim that anyone who rejects monergism is a Pelagian at worst or a semi-Pelagian at best. Arminians know this is a false accusation, and since Satan is the Accuser of the Brethren …
Third, “Calvinism makes it difficult to recognize the difference between God and the devil except that the devil wants everyone to go to hell and God wants many to go to Hell.” (Roger Olson) Calvinists might whine they’re being misrepresented here, but Calvin himself said that election necessarily entails reprobation.
“But God isn’t sending people to Hell by withholding grace; he’s merely allowing them to go,” Calvinists might reply.
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.…
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…
