Does God love all people? Does He desire that all people be saved? Did He die on the cross to atone for the sins of all people? I would answer “Yes” to all of the…
Grace
“Arminianism Is Grace-centered Christian Theology” by Roger Olson
“Arminianism Is Grace-centered Christian Theology” Roger E. Olson The Martin McCullough Lecture First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro, Tennessee September 10, 2017 The first Baptists, led by English Independent, Separatist, Congregationalist pastors John Smyth and Thomas…
Resisting God’s calling—Exodus 4:1-17
By Dr. Craig Keener
When God calls Moses to confront Pharaoh, God not only promises to be with Moses; he also gives Moses a sign to confirm that God is with him. Unfortunately, this first-offered sign will be obvious…
Richard Watson on “Who Maketh Thee to Differ From Another?” as an Argument for Calvinism
1 Corinthians 4:7, “For who maketh thee to differ from another?” The context shows that the apostle was here endeavoring to repress that ostentation which had arisen among many persons in the Church of Corinth,…
Early Anabaptist theologian Balthasar Hubmaier on Prevenient Grace
Earlier this year I began researching early Anabaptist theologian Balthasar Hubmaier (1480 – 1528). Here is a portion of his treatise Freedom of the Will, II where he clearly affirms what would later be called…
Accepting/Rejecting Calvinism (Pt. 13: Calvinism, Church History, and Prevenient Grace)
This is from a series of posts which was copied with permission from Jordan Apodaca’s blog, “Thoughts & Anti-Thoughts,” which can be accessed here: https://jordanapodaca.wordpress.com/ This particular post, which allows comments, can be accessed here: https://jordanapodaca.wordpress.com/2017/08/01/acceptingrejecting-calvinism-pt-13-calvinism-church-history-and-prevenient-grace/…
Brian Abasciano, “What Do You Mean that Human Beings Cannot Do Good Apart from God’s Grace?
I received some questions in relation to these statements concerning total depravity in my FACTS article: “We cannot even believe the gospel on our own (John 6:44). If anyone is to be saved, God must…
Adam Dodds, “Regeneration and Resistible Grace: A Synergistic Proposal”
Please click on the attachment to view Adam Dodds, “Regeneration and Resistible Grace: A Synergistic Proposal”, Evangelical Quarterly Vol. 83 Issue 1 (January 2011: 29-48) (This PDF link is from the author’s biography at his…
Jesse Owens, “Arminius and the Doctrine of Prevenient Grace”
In his recent essay, Jackson Watts reminds us that Arminius wholly affirmed the human will’s complete depravity and perversity after the Fall. The Magisterial Reformers were not alone in affirming this. Arminius too held to the…
Andrew Hnatiuk, “Does an Arminian Understanding of Grace Lead to a More Missional Worldview?”
“What I’ve learned: a church’s dominant soteriology indelibly shapes its culture (the way people think about and do) for mission.” –Dr David Fitch In his “Framework for Missional Christianity” series, influential missiologist Alan Hirsch writes (bold…
Great Quotes: Merrill C. Tenney on John 1:12-13 And Faith Preceding Regeneration
This provides the initial definition of ‘believe’ by equating it with ‘receive.’ When we accept a gift, whether tangible or intangible, we thereby demonstrate our confidence in its reality and trustworthiness. We make it part…
Does Paul Support Calvinism’s View of Irresistible Grace in 1 Cor. 4:7?
The following is a comment I made in response to a Calvinist appealing to 1 Cor. 4:7 to show that unless faith is an irresistible gift from God, it would give us reason to boast. Links to…
Andrew Hnatiuk, “On Assurance of Salvation and Calvin’s ‘Evanescent Grace’”
Calvinist blogger C Michael Patton from Credo House writes (Link): It may surprise you to know that just about every contact I have had with people who are doubting their salvation are Calvinistic in their…
Greg Boyd – Calvinism Explained in 10 Minutes
The video may also be accessed on YouTube here. Greg Boyd is an Open Theist, which is a position SEA disagrees with. However, this video clip is not about Open Theism, but Calvinism. And it has…
Brian Abasciano, “Addressing the Calvinist Challenge, ‘Why Did You Believe and Your Neighbor Did Not?'”
For many Calvinists, the best argument for Calvinism and against Arminianism may be implicitly conveyed by questions like, “What is the difference between the one who believes in Christ and the one who rejects Christ?…
“Does “Draw” Only Mean ‘Irresistible Dragging’?” by Johnny Sakr
Here is an interesting conversation regarding the Greek word ἑλκύω: http://freethinkingministries.com/does-draw-only-mean-irresistible-dragging/
Daniel LaLond Jr., “Chuck Swindoll: Rewriting the Reformation”
In his magnum opus, The Grace Awakening, Charles R. (Chuck) Swindoll presents himself as taking up “the torch of freedom” as brandished by protestant Reformers such as Martin Luther. In this he leads his readers…
John Wesley, Contemporary Wesleyanism and the Reformed Tradition
INTRODUCTION Wesleyans are often surprised to discover how Reformed John Wesley is in his understanding of original sin and salvation. Conversely, many Calvinists are forced to re-evaluate their simplistic caricatures of Wesley as they examine…
Ben Witherington and Roger Olson, “Roger Olson’s Arminian Theology – Part 14”
BEN: It seems reasonably clear that Arminius took the Calvinistic view that regeneration precedes conversion. I suppose it depends on what one means by regeneration— the ability to repent? In any case, various later Arminians…
Ben Witherington and Roger Olson, “Roger Olson’s Arminian Theology – Part 13”
BEN: Jonathan Edwards in his Freedom of the Will argues that there is no compulsion or coercion involved, only predetermination when it comes to human choosing. People choose according to their desires and will and…
