*First read my first six posts in this series. They set forth my fundamental “principles” for living and thinking. *Now begins a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being…
Recent Posts
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 7: My First Reason for Embracing “Evangelical, Arminian Christianity”: Christianity”
God and Foresight
Bombastic Calvinist James White thinks that the deterministic-Calvinistic view of the sovereignty of God is “the single issue that separates the supernatural religion of Christianity from the man-centered religions that surround us.”1 James White, who…
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…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 6: My Sixth Principle: Receiving Answers to Life’s Ultimate Questions Involves Faith (But Faith Should Be Supported by Reasons)”
*First read my first five posts in this series. This essay continues a series on why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 6) My Sixth Principle: Receiving Answers to Life’s Ultimate Questions Involves Faith (But…
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…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 5: My Fifth Principle: Answers to Life’s Ultimate Questions Must Be Revealed (And Received)”
*First read my first four posts in this series. This essay continues a series about why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 5) My Fifth Principle: Answers to Life’s Ultimate Questions Must Be Revealed (And…
The Loss of Arminius to the Remonstrants
One of the most frustrating aspects for the followers1 of Jacob Arminius’ teachings on God’s nature, character, salvation — including grace, election unto salvation, justification and conditional perseverance with an accompanying final or ultimate salvation…
Ben Witherington and Keith Stanglin, Jacob Arminius, Theologian of Grace – Part Fourteen
BEN: As we conclude this discussion, let’s talk about the practical implications of Arminius’ thought for today. It seems clear to me that Arminius, and Wesley as well, would have rejected recent ideas that have…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 4: My Fourth Principle: There Is No ‘View from Nowhere’…”
*First read my first three posts in this series. This essay continues a series of essays answering why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 4) My Fourth Principle: There Is No “View from Nowhere” (or…
Causal vs Social Centered — Part III: Atonement
The atonement debate is really interesting to me because to some degree it is a red herring. Both sides seem to think that the issue has to do with the nature of the Atonement. However…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 3: My Third Principle: Two Criteria for Deciding What Is True”
*First read my first two posts in this series. 3) My Third Principle: Two Criteria for Deciding What Is True (By Roger E. Olson) As I move on in this series of “my principles,” what…
Recap of Unconditional Election Debate between Dan Chapa and Richard Bushey
I recently debated Richard Bushey regarding the doctrine of unconditional election (Part 1) (Part 2). The debate was nearly two hours and while I hope you enjoy watching the full debate, I will attempt to…
Ben Witherington and Keith Stanglin, Jacob Arminius, Theologian of Grace – Part Thirteen
BEN: What are the four testimonies that can bolster assurance of salvation, according to Arminius? In what sense is clear belief in Christ as savior a basis for assurance of salvation? KEITH: Arminius delineates what…
Calvinists Concerned about the Salvation of Arminians
[Editor’s note: What is said in this post about Calvinists applies only to some Calvinists, not all.] Google-search “Are Arminians saved?” and you will discover how so very concerned Calvinists are regarding the possibility of…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 2: My Second Principle: Only I Can Decide What Is True (for Me)”
*First read “My First Principle…” which was the immediately preceding blog post. This essay is the second in a series about why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 2) My Second Principle: Only I Can…
Causal vs. Social Centered — Part II: Election
The question of election isn’t whether or not God chooses who to save, but whether or not He does so unconditionally. The question is whether or not our differences on this question are grounded in…
Roger Olson, “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’ Part 1: My First Principle: Authority is Truth (over Status)”
*Here begins a series of essays about “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’.” I begin at the beginning—with my fundamental principles of thought.These essays will appear every few days over the next few weeks.*…
Ben Witherington and Keith Stanglin, Jacob Arminius, Theologian of Grace – Part Twelve
BEN: What Arminius has to say about final justification seems to exclude the idea that works of piety and charity have anything to do with it (rather he opts for simple persevering in the faith…
Determinism in the Hebrew Scriptures: Hosea
What scholars refer to as the Minor Prophets, which include the books following the prophet Daniel (from Hosea to Malachi), we discover that the consistent theme of God’s sovereignty and humanity’s relative free will remain…
Video Lecture: Keith Stanglin, “How Much Purer Is the Synopsis Purioris Theologiae? A Comparison of Leiden Theology before and after Dordt”
This lecture was given on March 31, 2016 at the Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research’s Colloquium entitled, “The Leiden Synopsis Purioris Theologiae (1625) and Theological Disputation in the Era of Orthodoxy” held at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary…
