Book Review: Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities
Growing up, I always viewed Arminianism as some sort of “faith plus works” model of salvation. That idea was further established by those friends of mine who came from supposed Arminian circles that very much did believe that their salvation was in part dependent on the salvific work of Christ on the cross and in part due to their constant striving in good works. Though I knew not what label to affix to their theology at the time, I grew to be certain in later years, that they practiced what is known as Arminian theology. In all reality, however, what my friends were guilty of embracing was more of a folk-theology digression from true, Classical Arminianism.
In his book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities, Roger E. Olson makes a strong defense of Classical Arminian theology against many of the commonly-held, yet thoroughly unwarranted caricatures of Arminian Theology. He does this in ten chapters, each tackling a separate Myth projected onto Arminianism by those outside (and, unfortunately by some supposedly inside) the Arminian camp. The 10 myths are as follows:
- Arminian Theology is the Opposite of Calvinist/Reformed Theology
- A Hybrid of Calvinism and Arminianism is Possible
- Arminianism is not an Orthodox Evangelical Option
- The Heart of Arminianism is Belief in Free Will
- Arminian Theology Denies the Sovereignty of God
- Arminianism is a Human-Centered Theology
- Arminianism is Not a Theology of Grace
- Arminians Do Not Believe in Predestination
- Arminian Theology Denies Justification by Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
- All Arminians Believe in the Governmental Theory of the Atonement
I believe this book would be beneficial for both Calvinist and Arminian alike. It has always been my conviction (though sadly not always my practice) that to be fair we ought to get our description of a particular theological persuasion from the best, most able proponents of that persuasion. All too often, we are satsified in obtaining our description of a theological camp we differ with from the detractors of that view, rather than “the horse’s mouth.” Let us all be gracious enough to read the perspective of those we think we disagree with before deriding them as sub-Christian or heretical. Those are strong terms that ought not be used flippantly.
If you are interested in purchasing this book, it is available at the following links:
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Jeff Whittum is the Founder and Director of Full-Proof Ministries. Challenged by a close friend, Jeff set out to discover the intellectual basis for his faith. This led him to a deeper and more substantiated faith in Christ, ultimately founding Full-Proof to reach others who are searching. |
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I highly recommend this book. Dr. Olson writes in such a way that you can pick up this book without even knowing how to spell Arminianism, and by the time you’re finished you will know where Arminius stood on all the major doctrines related to salvation. It should be standard reading in every seminary and Christian university, because most people have no idea what Arminius actually believed.
The biggest thing I took away from it was the fact that Arminianism should rightly be considered “reformed” theology. Jacobus Arminius studied under Theodore Beza, (Calvin’s son-in-law), and whole-heartedly agreed with the five solas of the reformation. Classical Arminians believe in total depravity, and the need for God’s sovereign grace to precede faith. It’s unfortunate that the term “reformed” has become synonymous with Calvinism, because the reformation movement was certainly not limited to calvinist theology.
Thanks for the additional commentary, Jake. Hopefully this book will refocus the debate at large off of straw-men and ad hominem attack and back to the academic exchange it was never really given in the first place. (For readers that are unfamiliar with the topic discussed here, read up on the Synod of Dort.)