On his website, Arminian Perspectives, Ben Henshaw has a questions page at which he answers questions about Arminianism and Calvinism that visitors to his site pose in the comment section of the page. Here is a question adapted from someone named Collin, with Ben’s answer adapted by SEA for this post:
Question: I can’t figure out John 6:37. It is given as proof by Calvinists. Do you have a good explanation from an Arminian perspective.
Answer: First, a few articles to highlight:
First, read Robert Hamilton, “The Order of Faith and Election in John’s Gospel: You Do Not Believe Because You Are Not My Sheep” http://evangelicalarminians.org/robert-hamilton-the-order-of-faith-and-election-in-johns-gospel-you-do-not-believe-because-you-are-not-my-sheep/. Then follow that up with Ben Henshaw, “Various Thoughts on the Use of John 6 and Related Passages from John’s Gospel to Support Calvinism” http://evangelicalarminians.org/ben-henshaw-various-thoughts-on-the-use-of-john-6-and-related-passages-from-johns-gospel-to-support-calvinism/, which will flesh out the concepts in more detail with specific reference to John 6 and the Arminianism/Calvinism debate.
There is also Richard Coords’ treatment of the passage: http://www.examiningcalvinism.com/files/Gospels/John6_37.html.
See further the John 6:37 category on our website. There is more than one aspect of the passage that is relevant to the Calvinist/Arminian debate. So if you do not find your particular concern addressed in the articles mentioned above, one of the ones in the John 6:37 category might address it. For example, there is Ben Henshaw, “Does Jesus Teach Unconditional Eternal Security in John 6:37-65?”
