Arminianism is a theological framework within Protestant Christianity that emphasizes free will, conditional election, and universal atonement. Named after its founder, Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609), a Dutch theologian, Arminianism arose as a response to the Reformed theology of John Calvin, particularly the doctrines of predestination and divine sovereignty. Arminianism has had a significant influence on various Protestant denominations, especially within the Methodist and Wesleyan traditions.

Historical Background

Jacobus Arminius and the Origins of Arminianism

• Jacobus Arminius: Arminius was initially a Reformed theologian who studied under Calvinist scholars. However, he began to question certain aspects of Calvinist doctrine, particularly the concept of unconditional election, which led to the development of his own theological views.
• Remonstrance of 1610: After Arminius’s death, his followers presented the Five Articles of Remonstrance in 1610, outlining their theological positions in opposition to the Calvinist Synod of Dort. The Remonstrants, as they were called, emphasized conditional election, the possibility of resisting grace, and the potential for believers to fall from grace.
• Synod of Dort (1618-1619): The Synod of Dort was convened to address the controversy sparked by the Remonstrants. The Synod rejected the Arminian positions and reaffirmed the Calvinist doctrines, leading to the formulation of the Five Points of Calvinism, often summarized by the acronym TULIP (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints).

Spread and Influence

Arminianism gained prominence in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly through the influence of John Wesley and the Methodist movement. It continues to shape the theology of various Protestant denominations today.

• John Wesley (1703-1791): Wesley, the founder of Methodism, embraced and further developed Arminian theology. He emphasized the importance of free will, the universal offer of grace, and the role of personal holiness in the Christian life. Wesley’s Arminianism became a defining feature of Methodist doctrine and has influenced many other Protestant groups.
• Arminianism in Modern Protestantism: Today, Arminian theology is prominent in many evangelical, Pentecostal, and Methodist traditions. It is often seen as a counterbalance to the more deterministic aspects of Reformed theology, emphasizing God’s universal love and the human responsibility to respond to God’s grace.

Key Doctrines of Arminianism

1. Conditional Election

Arminianism teaches that God’s election is based on His foreknowledge of who will freely choose to accept His grace.

• 1 Peter 1:2: “Who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood.” This verse supports the Arminian view that election is based on God’s foreknowledge.
• Romans 8:29: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Arminians interpret this passage as indicating that God predestines those whom He foreknows will respond to His call.

2. Universal Atonement

Arminianism asserts that Christ’s atoning sacrifice was made for all people, not just the elect, and that salvation is available to everyone.

• 1 John 2:2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” This verse is central to the Arminian doctrine of universal atonement, emphasizing that Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all.
• John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The universal scope of God’s love and the availability of salvation to “whoever believes” aligns with the Arminian emphasis on free will and the universal offer of grace.

3. Resistible Grace

Arminianism teaches that God’s grace, though offered freely, can be resisted by individuals who choose not to respond to it.

• Acts 7:51: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” This passage is often cited by Arminians to support the idea that grace can be resisted.
• Matthew 23:37: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem illustrates the Arminian belief that God’s desire to save can be resisted by human unwillingness.

4. Prevenient Grace

Arminianism teaches that prevenient grace, a grace that goes before and enables the possibility of a response, is given to all people, allowing them to freely choose to accept or reject salvation.

• John 6:44: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” Arminians believe that this drawing is made available to all through prevenient grace, making it possible for anyone to come to Christ.
• Titus 2:11: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” This verse supports the Arminian view that God’s grace is universally available, enabling all to respond to the gospel.

5. Conditional Security

Arminianism holds that believers can fall from grace and lose their salvation if they turn away from God and fail to persevere in faith.

• Hebrews 6:4-6: “It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance.” This passage is often cited by Arminians as evidence that it is possible for believers to fall away from the faith.
• 2 Peter 2:20-21: “If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” This warning reflects the Arminian concern for the possibility of apostasy.

Protestant Emphasis in Arminianism

Emphasis on Free Will and Human Responsibility

Arminianism emphasizes the role of human free will in salvation, affirming that individuals are responsible for their response to God’s grace.

• Deuteronomy 30:19: “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” This verse reflects the Arminian emphasis on the human responsibility to choose life and respond to God’s offer of salvation.
• Joshua 24:15: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” The emphasis on choice in this passage aligns with the Arminian view of free will in the process of salvation.

Emphasis on God’s Universal Love and Desire for Salvation

Arminianism underscores the belief that God’s love and offer of salvation are extended to all people, not just a select few.

• 1 Timothy 2:3-4: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” Arminians emphasize this universal desire for salvation as a core aspect of God’s character.
• 2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This verse highlights God’s patience and desire for all to come to repentance, consistent with the Arminian view.

Emphasis on the Role of Grace in Empowering Human Response

While affirming free will, Arminianism also emphasizes the necessity of God’s grace in enabling the human response to salvation.

• Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Arminians see this as a balance between divine grace and human responsibility, where God’s grace empowers the believer’s actions.

Emphasis on Assurance with Caution

Arminianism teaches that believers can have assurance of salvation, but this assurance is conditional upon continued faith and perseverance.

• John 15:5-6: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” This passage supports the Arminian emphasis on the importance of remaining in Christ to maintain assurance of salvation.

Practical Implications of Arminianism in Christian Life

Evangelism and Mission

Arminianism’s emphasis on universal atonement and the availability of salvation to all encourages active evangelism and mission.

• Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The Great Commission reflects the Arminian commitment to sharing the gospel with all people, confident that Christ’s atonement is sufficient for everyone.

Personal Holiness and Perseverance

Arminianism encourages believers to pursue holiness and persevere in their faith, recognizing the importance of remaining faithful to the end.

• Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” This call to holiness is central to the Arminian emphasis on living a life that reflects one’s faith.

Assurance and the Role of Community

While Arminians believe that salvation can be lost, they also emphasize the role of Christian community in encouraging believers to persevere in faith and to support one another in their spiritual journey.

• Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” This verse emphasizes the importance of Christian fellowship in maintaining faith and perseverance.

Conclusion

From a Protestant worldview, Arminianism provides a theological framework that emphasizes free will, human responsibility, and the universal offer of God’s grace. Rooted in the teachings of Jacobus Arminius and further developed by John Wesley, Arminianism offers a counterbalance to the more deterministic aspects of Calvinism, while remaining firmly within the Protestant tradition.

Arminianism’s key doctrines, such as conditional election, universal atonement, and resistible grace, highlight the belief that God desires all people to be saved and that individuals have the responsibility to respond to God’s grace. This theological perspective has shaped the beliefs and practices of many Protestant denominations, particularly those within the Methodist and Wesleyan traditions.

Practically, Arminianism encourages a focus on evangelism, personal holiness, and perseverance in faith, while offering a balanced view of assurance that acknowledges the importance of continued faithfulness. By emphasizing God’s universal love and the role of grace in empowering human response, Arminianism continues to be a significant and influential theological tradition within Protestant Christianity.