Twelve myths about Arminianism

[Iosias]

Makes a useful read - Twelve Myths About Arminianism | Parchment and Pen

 

[Arete]

How much of that writing is held by the average Arminian? I know we should not judge an entire theological system based on inconsistencies of its proponents. I also know folks who identify as Arminian that by word or by life embody one or more of these myths.

So, perhaps we might say these myths declared showcase "high Arminianism"? Or "clasical Arminianism"? But does the average Arminian Joe really reflect solid Arminian beliefs.

It has seemed to me that Calvinists are more intentional and grounded in the particulars of their belief. While some Arminans I know are Arminian simply because they reject Calvinism and will agree to hold a position that is basically the diametrically opposed position.

Or perhaps I just need to broaden the scope of my friends and acquaintances.

Does anyone else have a similar experience with their Arminian friends and colleagues?

 

[St_Worm2]

Does anyone else have a similar experience with their Arminian friends and colleagues?

Sadly, most Arminians I've run into have not completely thought through their faith, though this is not true of my senior pastor. He is perhaps the most "classical" Arminian I have ever encountered, and not because he follows Arminius, but because he believes, through diligent study, that is what the Scriptures teach (the only rub to that being that he presupposes that Calvinism cannot be true based upon a personal experience he had while still in college).

He will argue (for instance) that one can lose their faith, but unlike our RC friends, it's never because a Christian has sinned so badly that God rejects him/her. IOW, in the Arminian view, God will never reject us, but we can "choose" to walk away from the faith just like we chose to accept it.

One thing I like about Credo House's list is the important differences it shows us between Arminianism and Catholicism (see points 2 &12). Point #4 also becomes relevant soon after RC baptism, IOW, as soon as one has committed his/her first "mortal" sin. At that point in RC soteriology their stated beliefs become Semi-Pelagian.

An Arminian is also not going to say that one can lose their salvation by sinning or rejecting God, and then get it back again (based on the teaching of Hebrews 6 & 10), but this is certainly not true in Catholicism, where such a thing is believed to be a daily occurrence.

Yours and His,
David

 

[Osage Bluestem]

#1 myth about Arminianism is that it is true.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Excellent thread to post: A Brief Comparative Study of: Arminianism and Calvinism

and An Antidote Against Arminianism By Rev. Christopher Ness

and A DISPLAY OF ARMINIANISM BY JOHN OWEN

I stumbled upon an amazing book on Amazon called: Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration the endorsements speak volumes.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Excellent thread to post: A Brief Comparative Study of: Arminianism and Calvinism

and An Antidote Against Arminianism By Rev. Christopher Ness

and A DISPLAY OF ARMINIANISM BY JOHN OWEN

I stumbled upon an amazing book on Amazon called: Salvation by Grace: The Case for Effectual Calling and Regeneration the endorsements speak volumes.

 

[DanielRB]

Since it is rare to find individuals who hold to 'pure' theological systems, such analyses are of limited usefulness. A lot of Christians are not theologically minded, and therefore they often are unreflective on the implications of their assumptions.

Yes, often those who oppose a theological system will set up a strawman to discredit; but quite honestly, I have known many Christians who hold (what seems to me to be) a bizarre conglomerate of beliefs that are incoherent and at some level deny some basic biblical truths.

I was raised in a tradition that was probably closer to Semi-Pelegian than Arminian...so I know that there is a range of belief in the Arminian camp. And yes, there is a range of Reformed belief, too--but since I have found more 'converts' to Reformed theology than 'born' Reformed believers, the have tended to be more theologically minded and therefore more coherent in their beliefs than others.

And yes, there are 'converts' to Arminianism. I just haven't met that many. In either case of 'converts' from or to Arminianism or Reformed theology the beliefs tend to be more consistent and coherent.