Calvinism and Arminianism

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SOVEREIGNTY, FREEWILL AND SALVATION PROF. M. M. NINAN 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. Though he was accused of Pelagianism (an overemphasis on free will) and other heresies, his critics brought no proof of the charges. In 1606, while professor of theology at Leiden, Arminius delivered an address titled "On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians": 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. 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. Arminianism since has influenced key figures in church history, such as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. But by the time Arminius died, the theological landscape was shifting again, and Arminius's anti-Calvinist theology was spreading rapidly across Europe. 57
SOVEREIGNTY, FREEWILL AND SALVATION PROF. M. M. NINAN Arminianism saw the function of grace only as a force that help to raise the insight to a new level of human understanding so that man can make a better choice in life. Whatever the case, it is man’s free will that is responsible for the choice and responsibility solely lie on man. Arminius said that the relationship between God and man is one of cooperative assistance as a father helping his son to make up their mind about his future. The Holy Spirit is not overcoming a hostile crying and yelling child to salvation, but as lovingly guiding and assisting the person’s natural faculties to respond to God. Holy Spirit is persuasive not compulsive. Man can resist and prevent the Grace of God from providing help. Arminianism was formally presented as a theological statement submitted by 45 ministers to the Dutch government. A Synod of Dort (1618-1619) was called and five Articles of Remonstrance were considered that stated the following: 1. Conditional Election: “Salvation (and condemnation on the day of judgment) was conditioned by the graciously-enabled faith (or unbelief) of man;” (See: John 1:7; John 12:32, Acts 17:30-31; Romans 5:18; 2 Corinthians 4:1-7; 2 Peter 3:9) 2. Atonement for All “The Atonement is qualitatively adequate for all men, “yet that no one actually enjoys [experiences] this forgiveness of sins, except the believer …” and thus is limited to only those who trust in Christ;” (See: Joshua 24:14-25; John 3:16; Romans 3:19-Romans 5; Galatians 3:6-26; Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:10) 3. Saving Grace:Total Depravity “’That man has not saving grace of himself, nor of the energy of his free will,’ and unaided by the Holy Spirit, no person is able to respond to God’s will;” (See: Psalms 73:25-28; Isaiah 12:1-4; Isaiah 29:13; John 6:44-45; John 12:32; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 10:38-39) 4. Resistable Grace: “The (Christian) grace ‘of God is the beginning, continuance, and accomplishment of any good,’ yet man may resist the Holy Spirit; and” (See: Matthew 12:30-32; Romans 13:1-2; ; 1 Corinthians 13: Ephesians 4:30; 2 Timothy 3:8; 1 Thessalonian 5:19) 58
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Prof. Madathilparampil Mammen Ninan
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Paintings of Ninan-Life of Christ P
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