
The Foundational Beliefs of Arminianism
Arminianism is a theological framework that emerged in response to the determinism found in Calvinism. It is named after Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609), a Dutch theologian who sought to defend human free will while upholding God’s sovereignty. Arminianism teaches that salvation is available to all people, that God's grace enables faith but does not coerce belief, and that believers must persevere in faith rather than relying on an unconditional guarantee of salvation.
The core tenets of Arminianism align with a biblical understanding of God’s character and His dealings with humanity. The Scriptures consistently affirm human responsibility in responding to God's call while recognizing that salvation originates with God. Arminius and his followers emphasized passages that present a universal opportunity for salvation and a rejection of predestination as understood in Calvinistic theology.
Does the Bible Teach That Salvation Is for All People?
The biblical testimony overwhelmingly supports the view that God desires all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The universal offer of salvation is a key foundation of Arminianism, rooted in numerous passages of Scripture.
Jehovah has always demonstrated His desire for humanity to turn to Him willingly. In Ezekiel 18:23, He declares, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Declares Jehovah. Is it not that he should turn from his ways and live?"Â This verse affirms that God does not take pleasure in the destruction of the wicked but desires repentance.
Similarly, 1 Timothy 2:3-4 states, "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to an accurate knowledge of the truth." The scope of this passage does not limit salvation to a select group but rather affirms God’s desire for all humanity.
Titus 2:11 further supports this, stating, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people."Â Here, the Scripture teaches that salvation has been made available universally. If God had predetermined only certain individuals to be saved, these verses would not make sense in their context.
The invitation of salvation is open to all who respond. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus calls, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." The word all signifies that Jesus’ invitation is universal and not restricted to a preselected group.
Is Faith a Human Response to God's Grace?
Arminian theology maintains that salvation is a cooperative process in which God offers grace, but man must respond in faith. This does not mean that humans initiate salvation; rather, it affirms that God does not irresistibly compel belief.
John 1:12-13 states, "But to all who did receive him, he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."Â Here, receiving Christ is an active response, and those who do so are granted the right to become children of God.
Acts 16:31 emphasizes the necessity of faith: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."Â The imperative to believe demonstrates that faith is not something that happens automatically but is an active trust in Christ.
Romans 10:9-10 reinforces this teaching: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."Â Confession and belief are both human responses that bring about justification.
Arminianism upholds that salvation is not imposed upon a person without their willingness to receive it. Instead, the Scriptures show that God enables people to believe, but He does not override their ability to reject Him.
Can Grace Be Resisted?
Calvinism teaches that God's grace is irresistible, meaning that those whom God elects to salvation will inevitably believe. However, the Bible repeatedly demonstrates that people can resist God's gracious offer.
In Acts 7:51, Stephen rebukes the Jewish leaders, saying, "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you."Â This verse confirms that the Holy Spirit can be resisted, demonstrating that grace is not irresistible.
Matthew 23:37 presents a similar theme in Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!" Jesus desired to save them, but they refused.
Hebrews 12:15 warns believers, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God."Â If grace were irresistible, it would be impossible to fall short of it.
The Bible affirms that while God's grace enables faith, it does not force it. This aligns with Jehovah's dealings throughout Scripture, where He calls people to Himself yet allows them to reject Him.
Can a Believer Lose Their Salvation?
A fundamental difference between Arminianism and Calvinism is the doctrine of perseverance. Calvinism teaches that the elect will inevitably persevere, while Arminianism maintains that a believer must remain in faith and can fall away if they turn from Christ.
Jesus' parable of the vine and the branches in John 15:5-6 states, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me, and I in him, bears much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up, and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."Â This passage shows the necessity of remaining in Christ and the consequence of not doing so.
Hebrews 6:4-6 provides a sobering warning: "For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted the heavenly gift and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and have fallen away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify the Son of God for themselves and hold him up to public disgrace."Â This passage suggests that true believers can turn away and face judgment.
2 Peter 2:20-21 also warns against apostasy: "For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them."
These passages demonstrate that salvation requires continued faithfulness. A person can be genuinely saved yet later reject Christ, forfeiting their salvation.
Conclusion
Arminianism finds strong biblical support in its affirmation of human responsibility, resistible grace, and the necessity of perseverance in faith. The Scriptures consistently present salvation as available to all, contingent upon an individual's response. Unlike Calvinism, which teaches unconditional election and perseverance, the Bible emphasizes God's universal love and the accountability of human beings. The biblical doctrine of salvation upholds both God's sovereignty and man's ability to respond, ensuring that faith is neither an imposed necessity nor an unattainable gift.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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