Reconsidering Arminius
Subtitle: beyond the reformed and Wesleyan divide
By: edited by Keith D. Stanglin, Mark G. Bilby, Mark H. Mann
Publisher: Kingswood Books
Published: 2014
Language: eng
Number of pages: 169
ISBN-13: 9781426796548
Subjects: Arminianism; Doctrinal Theology; History
Description: The theology of Dutch theologian Jacob Arminius has been misinterpreted and caricatured 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. Indeed, 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 theology 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 the Remonatrants 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. (Back cover).
Notes: Includes bibliographical references.