Arminians only use that label to distinguish themselves from Calvinists and Lutherans-two Protestant traditions that, historically-theologically, hold to what is known as “monergism” and reject all forms of “synergism” in salvation. Arminians do not venerate Arminius he was nothing more than an especially clear expounder and defender of a biblical perspective on salvation. But one can find Arminians in many denominations that are not historically, “officially” Arminian such as many Baptist conventions/conferences.įAQ: Why identify a theology with a man’s name? Why not just be “Christians?” A: This would be ideal, but it is too late for that. Many “Brethren” churches are Arminian as well.
Arminianism is also the common belief of Free Will Baptists (also known as General Baptists). But, so far as I am able to tell, they have all died out or merged with traditionally Reformed-Calvinist denominations.) “Officially” Arminian denominations include ones in the so-called “Holiness” tradition (e.g., Church of the Nazarene) and Pentecostal one (e.g., Assemblies of God). They were followers of Wesley’s co-evangelist George Whitefield. (Calvinist Methodist churches once existed. Methodism, in all its forms (including ones that do not bear that name), tends to be Arminian. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, was an Arminian as were most of his followers. God’s grace in and through Jesus is the effectual cause of salvation/justification, but faith is the instrumental cause.įAQ: Is Arminianism a sect or denomination? A: It is not, but there are denominations that either assume classical Arminianism as their theology of salvation and/or have written it into their doctrinal confessions. According to Arminius and all classical Arminians, God’s justification of sinners is “by grace through faith alone” and solely on account of the work of Christ. Classical Arminianism is a form of Protestant theology, so it assumes (in all of the above) that salvation is a free gift of God’s grace that cannot be merited it can only be accepted. It is the belief that God’s grace is always resistible and election to salvation, “predestination,” is conditional: God decrees that all who believe will be saved and foreknows who will believe. It is the belief that God does not save people without their free assent but gives them “prevenient grace” (grace that goes before and prepares) to liberate their wills from bondage to sin and make them free to hear, understand and respond to the gospel call. In brief, classical Arminianism is the belief that God genuinely wants everyone to be saved and sent Christ to live, die and rise for everyone equally. For example, Anabaptist theologian Balthasar Hubmaier promoted much the same view almost a century before Arminius. However, I also refer to it as “evangelical synergism” (“synergism” here referring to “cooperation” between God and creature) because Arminius’ beliefs did not begin with him. For those of you who are not sure about my credentials for answering questions about classical Arminianism with any authority, I can only say I have been an Arminian all my life and have dedicated the past twenty years (at least) to studying and explaining it-including in my book Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities (InterVarsity Press).įAQ: What is “classical Arminianism?” A: “Classical Arminianism” has nothing to do with “Armenia.” It is a type of Christian theology especially associated with 17 th century Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius (d.