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The Concise Guide to the Modern Calvinist/Arminian Debate

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Western Kentucky University TopSCHOLAR® Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Honors College at WKU Projects Fall 12-15-2012 The oncC ise Guide to the Modern Calvinist/ Arminian Debate David J. Leonhardt Western Kentucky University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses Part of the Communication Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Leonhardt, David J., "The oncC ise Guide to the Modern Calvinist/Arminian Debate" (2012). Honors College Capstone Experience/ Thesis Projects. Paper 381. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/381 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by TopSCHOLAR®. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors College Capstone Experience/ Thesis Projects by an authorized administrator of TopSCHOLAR®. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE CONCISE GUIDE TO THE MODERN CALVINIST/ARMINIAN DEBATE A Capstone Experience/Thesis Project Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Arts with Honors College Graduate Distinction at Western Kentucky University By David J. Leonhardt * * * * * Western Kentucky University 2012 CE/T Committee Approved by Professor Joseph Trafton, Advisor Professor Lawrence Snyder ___________________________ Advisor Professor Elizabeth Gish Department of Religion and Philosophy Copyright by David J. Leonhardt 2012 ABSTRACT The Calvinist/Arminian debate is not a new issue to the Protestant Church; however, it is an issue that has resurged within contemporary Christianity. One major offense committed in this controversial debate occurs when a person or group uses a term from the opposite side in a way that is not the proponent’s original intent or meaning. Furthermore, misconceptions concerning the actual doctrines maintained by either side have become commonplace in the debate. In order to correct this problem, this thesis will serve as a guide for understanding the Calvinist/Arminian debate. It will provide information on the founders of the two systems, the definitions of fundamental doctrines of each, the definitions of lesser-known terminology of the debate, the truth behind common misconceptions, and an analysis on the debate. This thesis will, in no way, attempt to determine a correct view. All the definitions, information concerning the founders, and information regarding misconceptions have been retrieved from the proponents of the respective theologies. Only Calvinists will define Calvinist terminology and only Arminians will define Arminian terminology. The goal of this work is to present an accurate depiction of both Calvinism and Arminianism. Keywords: Calvinism, Arminianism, Free Will, Predestination, Election, Sovereignty ii Dedicated to anyone who has suffered because of this debate. I pray it will be a help to you. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would first like to begin by thanking the people who made this thesis possible. I am grateful to the Honors College of WKU for giving me this wonderful opportunity. In addition, I offer my gratitude to the guidance, knowledge, and support of Dr. Joseph Trafton and Dr. Lawrence Snyder. More specifically, thank you, Dr. Snyder, for your perspective on my subject; your sources and advice have been extraordinarily helpful. And thank you, Dr. Trafton, for not only offering ideas and edits but for your continued guidance through my academic pursuits; it has truly been invaluable. I would also like to thank my family. To my grandmother, Bonnie, thank you for the wisdom you have offered throughout the years. To my brothers, Joseph, Jacob, and Chris, thank you for your continued support and humor when I need it most. To my best friend and companion, Ameliah, thank you for listening to every idea and for every edit you did. I would also like to offer my deepest gratitude to my parents. Thank you for instilling in me a love to study God’s Word. Thank you to my father for showing me what a Godly man is, and especially thank you to my mother for teaching me from kindergarten through high school. You both equipped me with the tools I needed to excel and without you, none of this would be possible. Most importantly, thank you, Lord, for blessing me with all of these people. iv VITA March 21, 1991 . Born – Fernandina Beach Florida 2009 . Set My Feet Upon The Rock Christian Academy, Bowling Green, Ky. 2009-2013 . Double Majored in Religious Studies and Communication Studies at Western Kentucky University 2012 . Presented Thesis at Kentucky Honors Roundtable Conference FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Religious Studies Major Field: Communication Studies v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv Vita .......................................................................................................................................v Introduction ....................................................................................................................... vii Chapters: 1 The Founders ...........................................................................................................1 2 Fundamental Doctrines ............................................................................................7 3 Miscellaneous Terminology...................................................................................47 4 Helpful Information ...............................................................................................55 5 Analysis of the Debate ...........................................................................................67 Index ..................................................................................................................................83 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................86 vi INTRODUCTION Within Christianity, there is a debate between Calvinists and Arminians. This is not a new debate; rather, it has been developing for centuries. During this time, many theological doctrines and terms have been created and expanded upon in order to explain the theologies and ideas. Due to this constant creation and expansion of terms it is easy to become confused or to misunderstand what either side believes. Furthermore, because of the expansion of terms, definitions change. Thus, a word can have the same title but not the same definition for both sides. Another problem that causes confusion is a misunderstanding of what doctrines either side claims as its own. Although the two sides have remained relatively close to their founders, there have been authors or denominations that have proposed or claimed different doctrines while still retaining the name of their respective patriarch. Consequently, there is much confusion regarding what contemporary scholars of each party claim. In response to these problems, this work will serve as a foundational guide to the Calvinist/Arminian debate. It will define terminology that is specific to this debate. Moreover, it will provide an answer to the problem concerning which doctrines each side claims and how each side defines each doctrine. These definitions have been obtained from contemporary, expert proponents of each party and will not reflect the opinion of the opposition. For the various doctrines that Calvinists claim, the definitions for these doctrines will be either quoted or summarized from Calvinist experts. Conversely, vii doctrines that Arminians claim will be either quoted or summarized from Arminian experts. In addition, this work will serve as a reference for the various aspects of the debate as well as an analysis of how the debate should be handled within contemporary Protestant circles. The scholars used in this work represent current experts in the debate. Because the aforementioned problems arise from what contemporary proponents imply by their use of terminology, all of the definitions of terminology in this work, as well as the analysis of the debate, stem from research of contemporary scholars. Each party is represented by five scholars who have been chosen because of their credentials, writings on the topic, and prominence within their party. Representing the contemporary Calvinist position: Wayne Grudem (Ph.D. University of Cambridge; Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary, Phoenix, Arizona.) James I. Packer (Ph.D. Oxford University; Board of Governors' Professor of Theology at Regent College.) Edwin H. Palmer (Th. D. Free University of Amsterdam; former Executive Secretary of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation.) John Piper (D.theol. University of Munich; current Senior Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church.) Robert C. Sproul (Drs Free University of Amsterdam, Litt.D. Geneva College, LHD Grove City College, Ph.D. Whitefield Theological Seminary; Chairman of Ligonier Ministries.) viii On behalf of the Arminian position: Jack Cottrell (Ph.D. Princeton Theological Seminary; Professor of Theology at Cincinnati Christian University.) F. Leroy Forlines (M.A. Winona Lake School of Theology, Th.M. Chicago Graduate School of Theology; Professor of Biblical Studies at Free Will
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