Arminian Theology by Roger Olson

[Josh Parsley]

Hello,

I've been reading this book and I think it is awesome. Anyone who has been around the Calvinism/Arminianism debate should look into this book. It's interesting that most people who claim to be Arminian today probably wouldn't line up with what has been called historic Arminianism. This book deals with myths and facts about Arminian theology. Here is the table of contents.

Introduction: A Primer on Arminianism
Myth 1: Arminian Theology Is the Opposite of Calvinist/Reformed Theology
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Jacob Arminius and most of his faithful followers fall into the broad Reformed tradition; the common ground between Arminianism and Calvinism is significant.


Myth 2: A Hybrid of Calvinism and Arminianism Is Possible
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In spite of common ground, Calvinism and Arminianism are incommensurable systems of Christian theology; on issues crucial to both there is no stable middle ground between them.


Myth 3: Arminianism Is Not an Orthodox Evangelical Option
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Classical Arminian theology heartily affirms the fundamentals of Christian orthodoxy and promotes the hallmarks of evangelical faith; it is neither Arian nor liberal.


Myth 4: The Heart of Arminianism Is Belief in Free Will
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The true heart of Arminian theology is the character of God as love and justice; the formal principle of Arminianism is the universal will of God for salvation.

Myth 5: Arminian Theology Denies the Sovereignty of God
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Classical Arminianism interprets God=s sovereignty and providence differently than Calvinism without in any way denying them; God is in charge of everything without controlling everything.

Myth 6: Arminianism Is a Human-Centered Theology
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An optimistic anthropology is alien to true Arminianism which is thoroughly God-centered; Arminian theology confesses human depravity including bondage of the will.

Myth 7: Arminianism Is Not a Theology of Grace
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The material principle of classical Arminian thought is prevenient grace; all of salvation is wholly and entirely of God=s grace.

Myth 8: Arminians Do Not Believe in Predestination
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Predestination is a biblical concept; classical Arminians interpret it differently than Calvinists without denying it. It is God=s sovereign decree to elect believers in Jesus Christ and includes God=s foreknowledge of those believers= faith.

Myth 9: Arminian Theology Denies Justification by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
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Classical Arminian theology is a Reformation theology; it embraces divine imputation of righteousness by God=s grace through faith alone and preserves the distinction between justification and sanctification.

Myth 10: All Arminians Believe in the Governmental Theory of the Atonement
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There is no one Arminian doctrine of Christ=s atonement; many Arminians accept the penal substitution theory enthusiastically while others prefer the governmental theory.

Conclusion: Rules of Engagement for Evangelical Calvinists and Arminians

[Josh Parsley]

Here is an interview with the author. Even if you don't get the book, the interview will give you an idea of the author's style. He is very "irenic."

www.reclaimingthemind.org/scholar/rolson

[Eli Brayley]

Excellent, thanks for posting this Josh. Looks really good. I mentioned a book on here a while ago called "God's Integrity and the Cross" that lays out John Wesley's view of the atonement, which was penal substitution. Penal Substitution and Amrinianism are not incompatible by any means.

Thanks again for posting this, I'll be happy to check it out.

[Josh Parsley]

God's Integrity and the Cross is a good book. I read it awhile back. I don't remember, but I may have first seen it when you recommended it either here or on another message board.

Another book that goes really in depth with the penal substitution is

Apostolic Preaching of the Cross by Leon Morris

It's basically an in depth word study on words like redemption, ransom, atonement, ect. It's actually wrote for the more scholarly crowd. At certain points it might be a little hard to follow since he goes into in depth language stuff.

He also has a popular book called The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance that covers a lot of the same material. I mean popular in the since it's wrote for the general population and not so much for scholars. I'd like to read it some time.

[runner4jesus]

That is very interesting Josh. Have wondered what's the difference; there's so much said about Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

[rebecca]

Although I hate labels I would have to say I am more Arminian than anything.