A Biblical Defense of Arminianism #1

[Steven Yeadon]

I have some posts I will make to explain why I am Arminian from scripture. This post centers on the doctrine God wants all saved. Another will center on the doctrine of human moral agency, as opposed to the terribly named doctrine of "free will." I confess no one is saved unless God shows mercy first as Romans 9 teaches. A third will look at the reality that faith in Jesus is not a work according to scripture.

The evidence thus adds up to a scriptural understanding in which God wants all saved, synergism is a valid interpretation of scripture, and we do not do a good work by putting faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, there cannot be boasting in synergism.

Here are scriptures affirming God wants all saved. I will start here, and I hope we have a good and respectful discussion.

Romans 11:32 NASB
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

2 Peter 3:9 NASB
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 NASB
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the [c]knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 23:37 NASB
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

Ezekiel 18:23 NASB
Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “[k]rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32 NASB
"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."

Ezekiel 33:11 NASB
"Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'

Lamentations 3:33 NASB
For He does not afflict willingly
Or grieve the sons of men.

 

[Revmitchell]

I have some posts I will make to explain why I am Arminian from scripture. This post centers on the doctrine God wants all saved. Another will center on the doctrine of human moral agency, as opposed to the terribly named doctrine of "free will." I confess no one is saved unless God shows mercy first as Romans 9 teaches. A third will look at the reality that faith in Jesus is not a work according to scripture.

The evidence thus adds up to a scriptural understanding in which God wants all saved, synergism is a valid interpretation of scripture, and we do not do a good work by putting faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, there cannot be boasting in synergism.

Here are scriptures affirming God wants all saved. I will start here, and I hope we have a good and respectful discussion.

Romans 11:32 NASB
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

2 Peter 3:9 NASB
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 NASB
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the [c]knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 23:37 NASB
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

Ezekiel 18:23 NASB
Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “[k]rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32 NASB
"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."

Ezekiel 33:11 NASB
"Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'

Lamentations 3:33 NASB
For He does not afflict willingly
Or grieve the sons of men.

Do you believe that one can lose their salvation?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Do you believe that one can lose their salvation?

No, you cannot lose your salvation. But we must search ourselves as the scriptures tell us repeatedly to know we are in Christ and are in His will.

 

[Dave G]

I have some posts I will make to explain why I am Arminian from scripture.

Perhaps this will help, Steven:

Here is a link to an important website that both summarizes and teaches from the perspective of what has now come to be known as "Arminianism".
Please read the summary, called "F.A.C.T.S.", carefully, as it describes in detail what all who call themselves "Evangelical Arminians", believe and teach:

The F.A.C.T.S. of Arminianism

There is a lot of information there, so grab a cup of tea, etc and settle in...
It may take a bit to read and digest.

For careful comparison, here is a chart ( and other references ) that shows the differences between what is now known as "Calvinism", and what is now known as "Arminianism" based on the predominant teachings that came out of the "Protestant Reformation" and the two men whose names seem to be stuck in everyone's minds, nowadays.

Calvinism and Arminianism Chart
The Five Points of Calvinism, TULIP
http://www.heritageabq.org/media/audio/Calvinisn_and_Arminianism_TULIP_Chart_1_2007.pdf
TULIP with Scriptures
http://evangelicalarminians.org/files/FACTS vs. TULIP Chart.pdf


May God bless you always, sir.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Perhaps this will help, Steven.

Here is a link to an important website that both summarizes and teaches from the perspective of what has now come to be known as "Wesleyan Arminianism".
Please read the summary, called "F.A.C.T.S." carefully, as it describes, in detail, what all who call themselves "Evangelical Arminians", believe and teach:

The F.A.C.T.S. of Arminianism.

There is a lot of information there, so grab a cup of tea, etc and settle in...
It may take a bit to read and digest.

Mat God bless you always, sir.

Wow, thank you for the resource.

I am approaching this from my own perspective, I see. My approach is less theological than philosophical in that I am writing kind of an apology of my own beliefs.

 

[Dave G]

I confess no one is saved unless God shows mercy first as Romans 9 teaches.

I agree, Steven.

In addition, I wish you well on your thread.
This seems like it might be a fairly in-depth undertaking for you, so I'll bow out now rather than clutter it up with appeals to hear my point of view, which you already know.

May God bless your studies and your walk with Him,
by reminding you of the miracle of His grace.

 

[Yeshua1]

No, you cannot lose your salvation. But we must search ourselves as the scriptures tell us repeatedly to know we are in Christ and are in His will.

There is a big difference from what someone ;like a Wesley taught in regards to "free will: salvation, and what many see that as being today!

 

[Steven Yeadon]

There is a big difference from what someone ;like a Wesley taught in regards to "free will: salvation, and what many see that as being today!

Agreed Yeshua. Some perverse theories have come from Arminianism. One being the idea God looked forward to see who loved Him in the future, to determine our election.

 

[Yeshua1]

Agreed Yeshua. Some perverse theories have come from Arminianism. One being the idea God looked forward to see who loved Him in the future, to determine our election.

I was thinking more of the heresy that we have enough free will still left in us to make a decision for Lord Jesus apart from the work of the Holy Spirit!

 

[Barry Johnson]

I was thinking more of the heresy that we have enough free will still left in us to make a decision for Lord Jesus apart from the work of the Holy Spirit!

Depends on what you mean by " the work of the Holy spirit ' We have no verse that says the Holy Spirit ' draws ' anyone .

 

[Barry Johnson]

No, you cannot lose your salvation. But we must search ourselves as the scriptures tell us repeatedly to know we are in Christ and are in His will.

Can we forfeit Salvation ?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Can we forfeit Salvation ?

No, we can act like a believer for a time with an unchanged heart and "fall away" when we realize we never had the Spirit or salvation or heartfelt faith. The parable of the sower indicates as such along with the many warnings aimed at the tares among the wheat in the bible. That from the Parable of the wheat and tares.

 

[Revmitchell]

No, you cannot lose your salvation. But we must search ourselves as the scriptures tell us repeatedly to know we are in Christ and are in His will.

Then how is it that you are an arminian?

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Then how is it that you are an arminian?

I guess I was going with the debate forum's title as proper nomenclature. What is a 4 point Arminian called?

 

[Barry Johnson]

I guess I was going with the debate forum's title as proper nomenclature. What is a 4 point Arminian called?

I'm curious . As an Arminain you don't believe in Foresight / Election according to foreknowledge. And you believe Once saved always saved . Do you hold to 'previenient grace / Total inability ( The same T as described in T.U.L.I.P )

 

[Steven Yeadon]

I'm curious . As an Arminain you don't believe in Foresight / Election according to foreknowledge. And you believe Once saved always saved . Do you hold to 'previenient grace / Total inability ( The same T as described in T.U.L.I.P )

I believe God needs to show mercy and not harden for anyone to be saved. That said, I believe at some point in their lives God wants to show mercy to everyone.

However, as in the case of Pharaoh, God can harden to damnation if He wants. That said, I do not doubt Pharaoh had opportunities to repent before God lost patience with him and his genocide of Israelites.

 

[kyredneck]

I guess I was going with the debate forum's title as proper nomenclature. What is a 4 point Arminian called?

You might consider referring to yourself as a 'synergist' or a 'free-willer' and save all the details for deeper discussion:

Synergism: the doctrine that the human will cooperates with the Holy Ghost in the work of regeneration.

Monergism: the doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.

 

[Barry Johnson]

You might consider referring to yourself as a 'synergist' or a 'free-willer' and save all the details for deeper discussion:

Synergism: the doctrine that the human will cooperates with the Holy Ghost in the work of regeneration.

Monergism: the doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.

Only if you want to talk about philosophy.

 

[Barry Johnson]

I have some posts I will make to explain why I am Arminian from scripture. This post centers on the doctrine God wants all saved. Another will center on the doctrine of human moral agency, as opposed to the terribly named doctrine of "free will." I confess no one is saved unless God shows mercy first as Romans 9 teaches. A third will look at the reality that faith in Jesus is not a work according to scripture.

The evidence thus adds up to a scriptural understanding in which God wants all saved, synergism is a valid interpretation of scripture, and we do not do a good work by putting faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, there cannot be boasting in synergism.

Here are scriptures affirming God wants all saved. I will start here, and I hope we have a good and respectful discussion.

Romans 11:32 NASB
32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

2 Peter 3:9 NASB
9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 NASB
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the [c]knowledge of the truth.

Matthew 23:37 NASB
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.

Ezekiel 18:23 NASB
Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “[k]rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?

Ezekiel 18:32 NASB
"For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."

Ezekiel 33:11 NASB
"Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?'

Lamentations 3:33 NASB
For He does not afflict willingly
Or grieve the sons of men.

Essentially both systems teach Lordship salvation .

 

[Steven Yeadon]

You might consider referring to yourself as a 'synergist' or a 'free-willer' and save all the details for deeper discussion:

Synergism: the doctrine that the human will cooperates with the Holy Ghost in the work of regeneration.

Monergism: the doctrine that the Holy Ghost acts independently of the human will in the work of regeneration.

Agreed, I'll call myself a synergist.