Arminianism

John Brumfiel

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Jacob Arminius

IRENIC ANTI-CALVINIST

"That teacher obtains my highest approbation who ascribes as much as possible to divine grace...."

as possible to divine grace...."

The year Jacob Arminius was born (1560 in Oudewater, Holland), John Calvin was busy establishing the Genevan Academy to propagate his ideas of predestination.

John Calvin was busy establishing the Genevan Academy to propagate

his ideas of predestination. About that same time, Guido de Bres wrote

the first edition of the Belgic Confession, which became one of the

basic doctrinal standards of Dutch Calvinism. As Arminius grew up,

About that same time, Guido de Bres wrote the first edition of the Belgic Confession, which became one of the basic doctrinal standards of Dutch Calvinism. As Arminius grew up, arguments over Calvin's teachings interrupted those over Spanish rule. By the time Arminius was 14, William the Silent, Holland's king, was a Calvinist.

arguments over Calvin's teachings interrupted those over Spanish rule.

By the time Arminius was 14, William the Silent, Holland's king, was a

Calvinist.

But by the time Arminius died, the theological landscape was shifting again, and Arminius's anti-Calvinist theology was spreading rapidly across Europe.

theology was spreading rapidly across Europe.

Irenic (aimed at establishing peace) reformer

Arminius began to question Calvinism (especially its view of grace and predestination) in his early 20s, but rather than fight for his views at the Geneva Academy, where he had studied under Calvin's successor, Theodore Beza, he left quietly.

rather than fight for his views at the Geneva Academy, where he had studied under Calvin's successor, Theodore

but rather than fight for his views at the Geneva Academy, where he had studied under Calvin's successor, Theodore Beza, he left quietly.

Beza, he left quietly. When Genevan authorities became angry at Arminius's defense of French humanist Peter

When Genevan authorities became angry at Arminius's defense of French humanist Peter Ramus, Arminius left for Basel. He was offered a doctorate there but turned it down on the grounds that his youth (he was only 24 or 25) would bring dishonor to the title.

Ramus, Arminius left for Basel. He was offered a doctorate there but turned it down on the grounds that his

youth (he was only 24 or 25) would bring dishonor to the title.

It was his study of the Epistle to the Romans as an Amsterdam minister that set Jacob Arminius firmly against Calvinism. Faith, he believed, was the cause of election: "It is an eternal and gracious decree of God in Christ, by which he determines to justify and adopt believers, and to endow them with eternal life but to condemn unbelievers, and impenitent persons."

Calvinism. Faith, he believed, was the cause of election: "It is an eternal and gracious decree of God in Christ, by

which he determines to justify and adopt believers, and to endow them with eternal life but to condemn

unbelievers, and impenitent persons."

Though he was accused of Pelagianism (an overemphasis on free will) and other heresies, his critics brought no proof of the charges.

no proof of the charges.

"That teacher obtains my highest approbation who ascribes as much as possible to divine grace," he assured them, "provided he so pleads the cause of grace, as not to inflict an injury on the justice of God, and not to take away the free will of that which is evil."

them, "provided he so pleads the cause of grace, as not to inflict an injury on the justice of God, and not to take

away the free will of that which is evil."

In 1606, while professor of theology at Leiden, Arminius delivered an address titled "On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians":

Dissensions among Christians":

"Religious dissension is the worst kind of disagreement," he wrote, "for it strikes the very altar itself. It engulfs everyone; each must take sides or else make a third party of himself."

engulfs everyone; each must take sides or else make a third party of himself."

Still, he continued to be disturbed by the determinism of Calvinism, and he called for a national synod to resolve the conflicts and to look critically at two crucial Calvinist documents,

the Belgic Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism.

Heidelberg Catechism. The synod finally met but not until nine years after Arminius died (in good standing with

The synod finally met but not until nine years after Arminius died (in good standing with the Dutch Reformed Church), and eight years after the Remonstrance was issued, which developed and articulated the key themes of what is today called Arminian theology:

which developed and articulated the key themes of what is today called Arminian theology:

the Dutch Reformed Church), and eight years after the Remonstrance was issued, which developed and

articulated the key themes of what is today called Arminian theology:

Christ died for all (not just the elect) and individuals can resist grace and even lose salvation.

articulated the key themes of what is today called Arminian theology: Christ died for all (not just the elect) and

individuals can resist grace and even lose salvation.

Arminianism since has influenced key figures in church history, such as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

history, such as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.1

When Jacobus Arminius was studying at the Geneva Academy in the 1570s, the religious loyalties of Europe had already split in different directions:

of Europe had already split in different directions:

Germany was going through reforms started by Martin Luther.

In England, the Anglican church had come into its own.

And in Switzerland, Protestants were practicing the doctrines of French theologian John Calvin.

Jacobus Arminius was studying under Calvin's son-in-law and successor, Theodore Beza. As Arminius got deeper into his work, he began to question Calvin's doctrines of predestination and perseverance. Rather than defend his position in the birthplace of Calvinism, however, Arminius moved to Basel.

As Arminius got deeper into his work, he began to question Calvin's doctrines of predestination and

perseverance. Rather than defend his position in the birthplace of Calvinism, however, Arminius moved to

Basel.

In 1588, the government of Amsterdam, Holland, Arminius' native country, called him home and appointed him preacher of the Dutch Reformed church there.

him preacher of the Dutch Reformed church there.

Arminius Develops His Theology

Arminius, whose Dutch birth name was Jacob Harmenszoon, took the Latin name Jacobus Arminius, from a first century German leader who opposed the Roman empire. He married Lijsbet Reael in 1590, an aristocrat who guided him into the circle of Amsterdam's most influential people.

first century German leader who opposed the Roman empire. He married Lijsbet Reael in 1590, an aristocrat

who guided him into the circle of Amsterdam's most influential people.

He spent 15 years in Amsterdam. Over that time, his studies led him to expound on Romans chapters 7 and 9.

Arminius believed that instead of being unconditionally chosen for salvation by God, as Calvin taught, people

chose salvation of their own free will. Arminius thought God elected only those whom he foreknew would

Arminius believed that instead of being unconditionally chosen for salvation by God, as Calvin taught, people chose salvation of their own free will. Arminius thought God elected only those whom he foreknew would choose him.

choose him.

His other major disagreement was over losing one's salvation.

(such as an individual's salvation), God would see it through successfully until the task was completed.

Calvin stated that once God started a work (such as an individual's salvation), God would see it through successfully until the task was completed.

Arminius, on the other hand, believed people could use their free will to turn away from God--in other words, forfeit their salvation.

forfeit their salvation.

In 1603, Arminius received another call, to teach at the university at Leyden. Two theology professors had died, and he was asked to fill a vacancy. When he launched into public lectures on predestination, the lines were drawn.

died, and he was asked to fill a vacancy. When he launched into public lectures on predestination, the lines

were drawn.

Students at the school split into two camps, some supporting Arminius and others backing his opponent, theologian Franciscus Gomarus. Ministers in Leyden also chose sides.

theologian Franciscus Gomarus. Ministers in Leyden also chose sides.

Arminius Goes to Court

The Calvinists in Holland wanted to call a general synod to resolve the dispute, but the government would not allow it. Instead, a liberal politician arranged in 1608 for both men to defend their views before the Dutch Supreme Court.The court's verdict amounted to a tie. It ruled that neither side's views caused any essential change in a person's salvation; therefore, the two theologians should acknowledge each other's right to hold their stance.

allow it.

Instead, a liberal politician arranged in 1608 for both men to defend their views before the Dutch Supreme Court.

Court.

The court's verdict amounted to a tie. It ruled that neither side's views caused any essential change in a person's salvation; therefore, the two theologians should acknowledge each other's right to hold their stance.

person's salvation; therefore, the two theologians should acknowledge each other's right to hold their stance.

Gomarus would not have it. A year later, he and Arminius again prepared to square off for new negotiations. First there were oral arguments, then written arguments. In October, 1609, the Calvinists thought they had won the issue when Arminius' health failed and he died.

First there were oral arguments, then written arguments. In October, 1609, the Calvinists thought they had

won the issue when Arminius' health failed and he died. But Arminius' supporters refused to give up. The next

But Arminius' supporters refused to give up. The next year they published a document titled the Remonstrantiae (Remonstrance), defining his views in five articles.

The next year they published a document titled the Remonstrantiae (Remonstrance), defining his views in five articles.

year they published a document titled the Remonstrantiae (Remonstrance), defining his views in five articles.

Arminius' Teachings Spread

Arminius presented his beliefs in a book called Disputationes, some of which was published during his lifetime and the balance after his death. Along with the Remonstrantiae, these writings provided later theologians with clearly articulated positions of Arminius and his followers.

and the balance after his death. Along with the Remonstrantiae, these writings provided later theologians with

clearly articulated positions of Arminius and his followers.

Lutherans embraced the ideas. Eventually aspects of Arminianism were picked up by Methodists, Episcopalians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Free Will Baptists, and charismatic and holiness denominations.

Episcopalians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, Free Will Baptists, and charismatic and holiness denominations.

Today, nearly 500 years after Arminius' death, many Calvinists consider him a heretic.

doctrines with those of Pelagius, a fifth century Roman Catholic monk who taught that humans are born

without original sin and can choose God through their free will. Pelagianism was condemned as heresy by

They equate his doctrines with those of Pelagius, a fifth century Roman Catholic monk who taught that humans are born without original sin and can choose God through their free will. Pelagianism was condemned as heresy by several church councils, both Roman Catholic and Protestant.

several church councils, both Roman Catholic and Protestant.

Some people feel that modern evangelicals are leaning more toward Arminianism, especially in their approach to evangelism and calling unbelievers to "make a decision for Christ" or to "receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior", which seems to be an act of the will.

to evangelism and calling unbelievers to "make a decision for Christ" or to "receive Jesus Christ as personal

Lord and Savior", which seems to be an act of the will. Strict Calvinists insist on God's sovereignty in every step

Strict Calvinists insist on God's sovereignty in every step of salvation. While the debate may never be settled, both sides can point to Bible passages to support their positions. Classical Arminianism by F . Leroy Forlines, offers “proof texts” for Calvinistic positions and “scriptural support” for Arminian positions.

of salvation. While the debate may never be settled, both sides can point to Bible passages to support their

positions.

The Remonstrance (Protest)

Article One: Election Based on Foreknowledge

God elected those whom He knew would of their own free will believe in Christ and persevere in the faith.

Article Two: Unlimited Atonement

In His atonement, Christ provided redemption for all mankind, making all mankind saveable. Christ's atonement becomes effective only in those who believe.

atonement becomes effective only in those who believe.

Article Three: Natural inability

Man cannot save himself; the Holy Spirit must effect the new birth.

Article Four: Prevenient Grace

Preparatory work of the Holy Spirit enables the believer to respond to the gospel and cooperate with God in Salvation

Salvation

Article Five: Conditional Perseverance

Believers have been empowered to live a victorious life, but they are capable of turning from grace and losing their salvation