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The Free Presbyterian Magazine Vol 110 April 2005 No 4 Which Version?1 he shelves of today’s bookshops carry an almost endless variety of Bible Tversions. But how should we assess them? And should we assume that the newer the translation the better? The book under review should give considerable help to those who are asking these and similar questions. In his Preface, Mr Macgregor gives his own experience: “As a young Christian I went to a church that used the Authorised Version (AV). However, on moving with my wife and family to a different area, we went to a church that used the Good News Bible (GNB) and the New International Version (NIV). This enticed me away from the AV for a while. At first these new versions appeared to be easier to read and understand. However, soon I began to notice serious discrepancies (that is, Old Testament references to Christ veiled or missing) in the GNB. This troubled me greatly. I stopped using it, but continued with the NIV, which seemed more reliable. However, as I studied it and compared it with the AV I had first used, I began to feel concerned. The NIV had verses missing, and later I found it had many words missing. Its rendering of some parts gave a completely different meaning. The more I read and compared, the more concerned I became. Also, like the GNB, the NIV was more difficult to commit to memory. I bought a Revised Authorised Version (called in the USA, and now here, the New King James Version (NKJV)). -
Aspects of Arminian Soteriology in Methodist-Lutheran Ecumenical Dialogues in 20Th and 21St Century
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Helsingin yliopiston digitaalinen arkisto ASPECTS OF ARMINIAN SOTERIOLOGY IN METHODIST-LUTHERAN ECUMENICAL DIALOGUES IN 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY Mikko Satama Master’s Thesis University of Helsinki Faculty of Theology Department of Systematic Theology Ecumenical Studies 18th January 2009 HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO − HELSINGFORS UNIVERSITET Tiedekunta/Osasto − Fakultet/Sektion Laitos − Institution Teologinen tiedekunta Systemaattisen teologian laitos Tekijä − Författare Mikko Satama Työn nimi − Arbetets title Aspects of Arminian Soteriology in Methodist-Lutheran Ecumenical Dialogues in 20th and 21st Century Oppiaine − Läroämne Ekumeniikka Työn laji − Arbetets art Aika − Datum Sivumäärä − Sidoantal Pro Gradu -tutkielma 18.1.2009 94 Tiivistelmä − Referat The aim of this thesis is to analyse the key ecumenical dialogues between Methodists and Lutherans from the perspective of Arminian soteriology and Methodist theology in general. The primary research question is defined as: “To what extent do the dialogues under analysis relate to Arminian soteriology?” By seeking an answer to this question, new knowledge is sought on the current soteriological position of the Methodist-Lutheran dialogues, the contemporary Methodist theology and the commonalities between the Lutheran and Arminian understanding of soteriology. This way the soteriological picture of the Methodist-Lutheran discussions is clarified. The dialogues under analysis were selected on the basis of versatility. Firstly, the sole world organisation level dialogue was chosen: The Church – Community of Grace. Additionally, the document World Methodist Council and the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification is analysed as a supporting document. Secondly, a document concerning the discussions between two main-line churches in the United States of America was selected: Confessing Our Faith Together. -
The Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
FALL 2019 volume 6 issue 1 3 FROM RUTHERFORD HALL Dr. Barry J. York 4 FOUR CENTURIES AGO: AN HISTORICAL SURVEY OF THE SYNOD OF DORT Dr. David G. Whitla 16 THE FIRST HEADING: DIVINE ELECTION AND REPROBATION Rev. Thomas G. Reid, Jr. 25 THE SECOND HEADING - CHRIST’S DEATH AND HUMAN REDEMPTION THROUGH IT: LIMITED ATONEMENT AT THE SYNOD OF DORDT AND SOME CONTEMPORARY THEOLOGICAL DEBATES Dr. Richard C. Gamble 33 THE THIRD HEADING: HUMAN CORRUPTION Rev. Keith A. Evans 39 THE FOURTH HEADING: “BOTH DELIGHTFUL AND POWERFUL” THE DOCTRINE OF IRRESISTIBLE GRACE IN THE CANONS OF DORT Dr. C. J. Williams 47 THE FIFTH HEADING: THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS Dr. Barry J. York STUDY UNDER PASTORS The theological journal of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Description Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal is the online theological journal of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal is provided freely by RPTS faculty and other scholars to encourage the theological growth of the church in the historic, creedal, Reformed faith. Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal is published biannually online at the RPTS website in html and pdf. Readers are free to use the journal and circulate articles in written, visual, or digital form, but we respectfully request that the content be unaltered and the source be acknowledged by the following statement. “Used by permission. Article first appeared in Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal, the online theological journal of the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (rpts.edu).” e d i t o r s General Editor: Senior Editor: Assistant Editor: Contributing Editors: Barry York Richard Gamble Jay Dharan Tom Reid [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] C. -
Calvinism #Not Fatalism Calvinism: Argued in Outline
Study guide for Calvinism #not_fatalism Calvinism: Argued in Outline I. CALVINISM B. B. Warfield defines Calvinism as theism and evangelicalism come to their own. That is to say, quite simply, that God saves sinners. He does not merely provide the possibility or opportunity for them to be saved. He does not “do His part” and leave man to do his part to accomplish salvation. No, God actually saves sinners, and that salvation is all of Him. Cornelius Van Til says that Calvinism’s only system is to be open to the Scriptures. He adds, “The doctrines of Calvinism are not deduced in a priori fashion from one major principle such as the sovereignty of God.” This has been one of the most frequent arguments against Calvinism. The charge is that it fastens on to one Scripture principle, God’s sovereignty, and proceeds to develop a logical system based on that principle, with little or no regard to Scripture. As Van Til indicates, such a charge is groundless. Here is a fair statement of the Calvinistic position. We may here note the following Clarifications in particular: 1. The Five Points. What has just been said will make it clear that Calvinism is more than “five points.” The five points were actually answers to five points made by Arminians. Five-point Calvinism is frequently referred to as TULIP theology, using the T-U-L-I-P as an acrostic: Total Depravity; Unconditional Election; Limited Atonement (though Calvinists believe that Arminians, not they, limit the atonement; they prefer such terms as particular redemption or definite atonement); Irresistible Grace; Perseverance of the saints. -
The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip Van Limborch: a Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism
The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip van Limborch: A Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism By John Mark Hicks A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy 1985 Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard C. Gamble Second Faculty Reader: Mr. David W. Clowney Chairman, Field Committee: Dr. D. Claire Davis External Reader: Dr. Carl W. Bangs 2 Dissertation Abstract The Theology of Grace in the Thought of Jacobus Arminius and Philip van Limborch: A Study in the Development of Seventeenth Century Dutch Arminianism By John Mark Hicks The dissertation addresses the problem of the theological relationship between the theology of Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609) and the theology of Philip van Limborch (1633-1712). Arminius is taken as a representative of original Arminianism and Limborch is viewed as a representative of developed Remonstrantism. The problem of the dissertation is the nature of the relationship between Arminianism and Remonstrantism. Some argue that the two systems are the fundamentally the same, others argue that Arminianism logically entails Remonstrantism and others argue that they ought to be radically distinguished. The thesis of the dissertation is that the presuppositions of Arminianism and Remonstrantism are radically different. The thesis is limited to the doctrine of grace. There is no discussion of predestination. Rather, the thesis is based upon four categories of grace: (1) its need; (2) its nature; (3) its ground; and (4) its appropriation. The method of the dissertation is a careful, separate analysis of the two theologians. -
Methodists in Military Garb
Aldersgate Papers, Vol.2 September 2001 METHODISTS IN MILITARY GARB The Salvation Army as a living expression of John Wesley's movement by Alan R. Harley Introduction I worshipped everything that bore the name of Methodist. To me there was one God, and Wesley was his prophet. I had devoured the story of his life. No human compositions seemed to me to be comparable to his writings, and to the hymns of his brother Charles, and all that was wanted, in my estimation, for the salvation of the world, was the faithful carrying out into practice of the letter and the spirit of his instructions.1 So said the young William Booth. Even though Booth's subsequent writings make scant reference to Wesley and things Methodist, these words, uttered when twenty years old, find an echo in all Booth did in his subsequent ministry. Salvationist historians have called the early Salvation Army "old Time Methodism" and "a derivation of Methodism". The purpose of this paper is to ask if indeed there is such a relationship between Methodism and the Salvation Army. At the outset a difficulty is acknowledged. The younger movement has developed a strikingly distinctive identity, polity and ethos. These tend to make Salvation- ists feel self-contained rather than in continuity with a larger, older movement. It can be argued that in a significant number of instances these 'distinctives' represent the influence of the parent body. 1 F. De Latour Booth-Tucker, The Life of Catherine Booth, Vol.1 (Westwood: Fleming H. Revell, 1892) p.74. Aldersgate Papers, Vol. -
Wesleyan Theological Journal
Wesleyan Theological Journal Volume 17, 2 — Fall — 1982 Charismata in the Christian Communities of the Second Century Ted Campbell 7 A Wesleyan Theology Of Evangelism Leon Hynson 26 The Nature of Wesleyan Theology J. Kenneth Grider 43 John Wesley and William Law: A Reappraisal John Tyson 58 The Wesleys’ Hymns On Full Redemption And Pentecost: A Brief Comparison Ken Bible 79 A Chronological List of Wesley’s Sermons and Doctrinal Essays Timothy Smith 88 Book Review 111 Editor Alex R. G. Deasley Digital texts copyright 2008 Wesley Center Online http://wesley.nnu.edu CHARISMATA IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES OF THE SECOND CENTURY by Ted A. Campbell I. Introductory and Methodological Considerations It will be our intent in this paper to consider the use of charismata 1 in the Christian communities of the second century A.D., and to assess the significance of the use (and eventual disuse) of charismata for our understanding of the religious intentionality of Christianity in this period. "Charismata" denoted for early Christian writers a variety of ecstatic phenomena associated with worship, especially prophecy and glossolalia. 2 The term could also be used to denote non-ecstatic "gifts of grace" as love (I Cor. 13) and service performed in love (I Pet. 4:10), 3 but we wish to take the term in the former sense for the purposes of this paper. 4 The term was also used in this (i.e., ecstatic) sense by the writers of the second century with whose works we shall be particularly concerned. The time span we are proposing to cover corresponds roughly to the second century A.D., although some of the writings of the Apostolic Fathers (e.g. -
Hugo Grotius in Praise of Jacobus Arminius: Arminian Readers of an Epicedium in the Dutch Republic and England
CHAPTER SIX HUGO GROTIUS IN PRAISE OF JACOBUS ARMINIUS: ARMINIAN READERS OF AN EPICEDIUM IN THE DUTCH REPUBLIC AND ENGLAND Moniek van Oosterhout When the Leiden Professor of Theology Jacobus Arminius died in August of 1609, Hugo Grotius wrote a Latin poem of 86 scazontes (limping iambics) to commemorate him. Grotius was by no means the only writer to express his opinions about the controversial theolo- gian. His poem was published in two pro-Arminian pamphlets of 1609 with Latin writings by various authors. Over 20 years later, Grotius’s poem was translated into English. Grotius’s ties to the man who gave his name to the movement of Arminianism in England were remem- bered in that era. The social and historical context in which the poem appeared in both the Dutch Republic and England are outlined below. This illustrates the points of view about matters of theology that the readers of Grotius’s poem held. An analysis of the text of the poem will establish what point of view the poet put across to the readers. It will then be possible to determine how and to what extent this poem was used to advocate the Arminian case in the Dutch Republic and in England. The Dutch Republic in the year 1609 In April of 1607 an armistice was signed between the Spanish and the Dutch. After more than 35 years, all fighting was suspended. Most of the people then living in the Northern Provinces had never known peace in their lives. Tension ran high between opponents and propo- nents of peace with Spain: Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, the most impor- tant politician of the young Dutch Republic, who was leading the way to a truce, came to stand opposite to the military leader Maurits of Nassau who was a member of the war party. -
The Doctrine of Prevenient Grace in the Theology of Jacobus Arminius
Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2017 The Doctrine of Prevenient Grace in the Theology of Jacobus Arminius Abner F. Hernandez Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Hernandez, Abner F., "The Doctrine of Prevenient Grace in the Theology of Jacobus Arminius" (2017). Dissertations. 1670. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/1670 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT THE DOCTRINE OF PREVENIENT GRACE IN THE THEOLOGY OF JACOBUS ARMINIUS by Abner F. Hernandez Fernandez Adviser: Jerry Moon ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE DOCTRINE OF PREVENIENT GRACE IN THE THEOLOGY OF JACOBUS ARMINIUS Name of researcher: Abner F. Hernandez Fernandez Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jerry Moon, Ph.D. Date completed: April 2017 Topic This dissertation addresses the problem of the lack of agreement among interpreters of Arminius concerning the nature, sources, development, and roles of prevenient grace in Arminius’s soteriology. Purpose The dissertation aims to investigate, analyze, and define the probable sources, nature, development, and role of the concept of prevenient or “preceding” grace in the theology of Jacobus Arminius (1559–1609). Sources The dissertation relies on Arminius’s own writings, mainly the standard London Edition, translated by James Nichols and Williams Nichols. -
Reflections Reflections Number 33 Reflections January 2011
The BRI Newsletter Reflections Reflections Number 33 Reflections January 2011 Arminianism and works, but such works are not a part of faith or a condition of justification. 1 Seventh-day Adventism Barry Callen, University Professor Emeritus of Christian BY GARY LAND Studies at Anderson University, picked up on this theme of the human dimension. Agreeing with Olson, he stated that salva- The symposium on Arminianism and Ad- tion comes only by unmerited divine grace, but added that it ventism, held October 14-16, 2010 at Andrews also involves a necessary human work. In contrast to Calvinism, University, attempted to analyze Adventist which is monergistic since it places all action with God, Cal- theology within a larger theological con- len favors a synergistic approach, which involves a God-human tinuum, helping to explore the relationship. While very concerned that we not connections between Adventism tip the scales, that with Arminius we not “devi- and other religious traditions. ate from viewing salvation as a sheer gift of a The plenary papers addressed gracious God,”3 he nonetheless criticized contem- three major areas of concern: porary evangelical theology for undercutting “the first, the Calvinist and Arminian conscious choice to exercise faith and the serious understandings of God; second, action required of believers for needed growth in Calvinist and Arminian posi- the Christian life.”4 tions regarding the assurance of Hans K. LaRondelle’s analysis of biblical salvation; and third, the rela- passages bearing on election and predestination, tionship of Seventh-day Advent- though not mentioning Calvinism, seems to fit with ism to Arminianism. -
Reconsidering Arminius
Arminius: a grand divide in theology Reconsidering Arminius The theology of Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius has been misinterpreted and carica- tured in both Reformed and Wesleyan circles. But by revisiting Arminius’s theology, this book hopes to be a constructive voice in the discourse between so-called Calvinists and Arminians. Traditionally, Arminius has been treated as a divisive figure in evangelical theology. In- deed, one might be able to describe classic evangelical theology up into the twentieth century in relation to his work: one was either an Arminian and accepted his theology, or one was a Calvinist and rejected his theology. Although various other movements within evangelicalism have provided additional contour to the movement (fundamentalism, Pentecostalism, and so on), the Calvinist-Arminian “divide” remains a significant one. What this book seeks to correct is the misinterpretation of Arminius as one whose theol- Reconsidering ogy provides a stark contrast to the Reformed tradition as a whole. Indeed, this book will demonstrate instead that Arminius is far more in line with Reformed orthodoxy than popularly believed and will show that what emerges as Arminianism in the theology of Arminius the Remonstrants and Wesleyan movements was in fact not the theology of Arminius but a development of and sometimes departure from it. This book also brings Arminius into conversation with modern theology. To this end, it includes essays on the relationship between Arminius’s theology and open theism and Neo-Reformed theology. In this way, this book fulfills the promise of the title by showing ways in which Arminius’s theology— once properly understood—can serve as a resource for evangelical Wesleyans and Calvinists doing theology together today. -
The Religious History of the Early Dutch Republic
REMONSTRANTS, CONTRA-REMONSTRANTS AND THE SYNOD OF DORT (1618-1619): THE RELIGIOUS HISTORY OF THE EARLY DUTCH REPUBLIC William van Doodewaard, Huntington University The United Provinces in the Early 17th Century The political events of the Union of Utrecht (1579) and the Act of Abjuration (1581) in part laid the foundations for the seventeenth-century “Golden Age” of the Netherlands. This “Golden Age” of republican independence and Protestant liberty in the northern United Provinces was one of cultural development and national progression. The early Golden Age would be the era of the formation of the prosperous Dutch East and West Indies Companies, with exploration, trade and colonization attempts ranging from the New Netherlands and Suriname to the East Indies and Formosa. Great artists, including Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and others, would begin their careers. During this period the increasingly metropolitan and well-connected Republic of the United Provinces, despite its comparatively small size and population, exerted substantial influence globally. While primary conflict with a declining Roman Catholic Spain continued, the influence of the Protestant United Provinces is also attested in episodic tensions with her nearest ally, the ascendant English. English state papers and Privy Council documents evidence this throughout the 1600s, particularly in relation to tensions over trade and colonization in the Americas. King James I of England’s ambassador to The Hague, Sir Dudley Carleton, brought complaints on several occasions before the States-General during the early part of the century, regarding what the English viewed as Dutch incursion into their rightful territory.1 141 Religious History of the Early Dutch Republic In the midst of this era of prosperity and growth the United Provinces were gripped by the Remonstrant controversy – a politically charged theological division and debate over the nature of God, the nature of man, his relationship to, and condition before God, and the nature of salvation, as revealed in the Scriptures.