Remonstrance

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Remonstrance Episode #5: What Does It Mean to Be Arminian? Aug 09, 2016

Show notes

In this episode we ask the very important question, "What Does It Mean to Be Arminian?" Historically, there have been many different definitions of the term "Arminian" and it becomes very confusing. To add to the confusion the term "Arminian" means something else in different historical eras and even in different countries throughout history!

In this episode we make a distinction between "Arminianism of the Heart" and "Arminianism of the Head." Unfortunately, many of the later Remonstrants and the English Arminians in England and New England were liberal "Arminians of the Head." It was really John Wesley who recovered true Arminian theology and restored a theological movement based on "Arminianism of the Heart."

Our hope is that through this episode people will begin to see that true Arminianism is "Arminianism of the Heart" taught by Jacob Arminius, John Wesley, and all their Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical heirs.

Links:

"A New Perspective on Arminius" featuring Keith Stanglin (podcast)

http://reformedforum.org/ctc446/

"The Loss of Arminius to the Remonstrants" by William Birch

http://evangelicalarminians.org/the-loss-of-arminius-to-the-remonstrants/

"John Wesley, A Faithful Representative of Jacobus Arminius" by W. Stephen Gunter

https://oimts.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/2002-2-gunter.pdf

Remonstrance Minisode 11: What Is An Arminian? Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

In this Minisode we will be asking the basic (but not so basic) question: "What Is An Arminian?" And see how John Wesley answered this question in his short writing titled (very appropriately) "What Is An Arminian?" In this writing Wesley brings up a lot of good points. He is clear that Arminians and Calvinists should come to an understanding of each other's theology so they could have a productive dialogue.

He also points out that no one should speak out against Arminianism unless they have actually read at least a page of his writings. This point is true of people who claim to be Arminian as well.

Wesley promoted more of a spirit of unity through understanding. Here at Remonstrance we believe that this is the way forward. We may disagree, but at least we can disagree based on an understanding of where each other are coming from.

To read through the full text of "What Is An Arminian?" you can find it by following this link: http://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/The-Wesleys-and-Their-Times/What-Is-an-Arminian

Remonstrance Minisode 10: The Systematic Wesleyan Jul 20, 2016

Show notes

This episode is a call to study Wesleyan Theology in a systematic way. As Fred Sanders points out, the Wesleyan-Arminian Tradition is not known for its systematic theologians...but they are out there. In fact, NOW is the best time in history to begin studying Wesleyan theology in a "systematic" way because of the resources that are available!

In this episode we will briefly look at why there was a lack of systematic theologians at the beginning of the Wesleyan Movement. We will then look at the early Wesleyan-Arminian Systematic Theologians: Watson, Summers, and Pope. Then we will talk about Thomas C. Oden's "Classic Christianity." After that we will focus on why NOW is the best time to study Wesleyan Theology in a Systematic way because of the work that Kenneth J. Collins and Thomas C. Oden have done to systematize Wesley's theology for the first time in history!

You should really look into buying "The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace" by Kenneth J. Collins and the four volume set "John Wesley's Teachings" by Thomas C. Oden.

You can find hyperlinks to their books by following this link:

https://wordpress.com/stats/insights/remonstrancepodcast.com

Remonstrance Episode #4: Justification and Imputation Jul 05, 2016

Show notes

This episode is entirely devoted to the Doctrine of Justification with specific emphasis on what Wesley and Arminius had to say about Imputation. We realize there is a lot of debate and confusion today about the Doctrine of Justification. It is important for Wesleyans and Arminians to see what their theological founders had to say. To do this we will be reading and discussing a variety of secondary and primary sources on Justification and Imputation. It is clear that both Wesley and Arminius stood with the Protestant Reformers on this issue.

We will also spend time focusing on three aspects of Justification that both Wesley and Arminius had in common: (1) they both expressed agreement with John Calvin (2) they both did not want to make a distinction between the "Active" and "Passive" righteousness of Christ in their Doctrine of Imputation and (3) they both taught that "Faith is Imputed for Righteousness" and for this they were criticized by their Reformed contemporaries.

Please visit the theologians page of our website to find links to all the books we references in this episode. We encourage you to buy them and read them all for yourself.

Remonstrance Minisode 9: Wesley on Imputation Jun 28, 2016

Show notes

In this minisode we will be mostly reading John Wesley's sermon, "The Lord Our Righteousness" to investigate his views on Imputation. If you want to understand Wesley's most mature thought on Justification, and namely Imputation, this is the best sermon to read. He wrote it in 1765 after a time of reflection and refinement of his teaching on this.

Wesley undoubtedly held to the Doctrine of Imputation in a way not very different (if different at all) from his Reformed contemporaries. He (like Arminius) quotes Calvin in explaining his views. Hopefully this minisode will bring clarification to Wesley's views on imputation and help to stop false accusations against him.

Wesley was also clear to keep his doctrine of Imputation from becoming a "license to sin" and the end of the sermon he covers this concern as well.

Here is the full text of the sermon:

http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-20-the-lord-our-righteousness/

Remonstrance Minisode 8: Arminius on Imputation Jun 14, 2016

Show notes

In this minisode we will be looking at Arminius on the Doctrine of Imputation within his larger doctrine of Justification. You may be surprised to find out how close Arminius was to Calvin on this! And we are not making this up...this is all what Arminius wrote himself! To explore this topic we will be looking at "The Declaration of Sentiments" by Arminius as well as his "Public Disputation 19: On the Justification of Man Before God."

We will be releasing an episode in the next couple of weeks focusing on what Wesley had to say about the Doctrine of Imputation. Then a full Remonstrance episode will be released in July for a full treatment of this doctrine and how Wesley and Arminius were able to simultaneously hold to the Doctrine of Imputation while avoiding Antinomian conclusions. Please subscribe!

Remonstrance Episode #3: The Doctrine of the Atonement Jun 07, 2016

Show notes

This is our third full episode of Remonstrance Podcast. In this episode we will discuss the Wesleyan-Arminian Doctrine of the Atonement. First, we will explain the various major views on the Atonement. They are the Governmental, the Satisfaction, and the Penal-Substitution views. After that we will look at Hugo Grotius and the history of the Governmental View of the Atonement. Then we will look at what Arminius and Wesley taught in regards to the Atonement (spoiler alert: they did not hold to the Governmental Theory). Then we will focus on the views of the Atonement held by the major early Methodist Theologians: Watson, Pope, and Summers. Then we will discuss John Miley and how the Governmental Theory of the Atonement was introduced to Methodism. We will finish with some clarification from Thomas Oden. In this episode we reference works by Roger Olson, Kenneth J. Collins, and Thomas Oden. We highly recommend the works of all three of these theologians.

Here is the link to the J. Matthew Pinson Article on the Atonement:

http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/53/53-4/JETS_53-4_773-785_Pinson.pdf

It is titled, "The Nature of Atonement in the Theology of Jacob Arminius." If you want to learn what Arminius taught on the Atonement then READ THIS ARTICLE! Also download Remonstrance Podcast Minisode 7.

Remonstrance Minisode 7: Arminius on the Atonement May 26, 2016

Show notes

In this minisode we will begin exploring what Arminius taught on the Doctrine of the Atonement. It is clear that Arminius did not hold to the Governmental Theory of the Atonement but to (at least) the Satisfaction Theory instead. This episode will show this from the works of Jacob Arminius "Oration IV." We will also receive theological guidance from Dr. Roger Olson and his excellent book, "Arminian Theology Myths and Realities." Be on the look out for our next full episode that will be entirely devoted to the Wesleyan-Arminian view of the Atonement. Please subscribe!

Here is a link to "Arminian Theology Myths and Realities" by Roger E. Olson. You should buy it!

http://www.amazon.com/Arminian-Theology-Realities-Roger-Olson/dp/0830828419

Remonstrance Episode #2: The Doctrine of Divine Providence May 10, 2016

Show notes

This is our second full episode of Remonstrance podcast! On this episode we will be taking an in depth look at the theology of Jacob Arminius and John Wesley in regards to Divine Providence. We will start off by defining Providence and Meticulous Providence. Then we will be looking at what Arminius had to say, specifically in regards to preservation, divine governance, divine concurrence, and permission. We also look at the "greater good" theodicy in the thought of Jacob Arminius and how God directs evil and sinful actions toward a greater good. We then look at what John Wesley had to say and how he affirmed both meticulous providence and "greater good" theodicy as well.

In this episode we made many references to "Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace" by Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall. You can buy the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/Jacob-Arminius-Theologian-Keith-Stanglin/dp/0199755671

The Society of Evangelical Arminians Site:

http://evangelicalarminians.org

Also, we made reference to a great article from William Birch from the Society of Evangelical Arminians. You can find his article here:

http://www.williambirch.net/2016/03/jacob-arminius-and-open-theism.html

Remonstrance Minisode 6: John Wesley on Divine Providence May 05, 2016

Show notes

In this minisode we will be briefly looking at the views of John Wesley concerning Divine Providence. To do so we will be reading a selection from Wesley's sermon, "On Divine Providence." We will also receive some help from the writings of Kenneth J. Collins. This minisode will be followed up by our next full episode that will be all about the doctrine of Divine Providence that will be released next week. Please subscribe!

A link to Wesley's full sermon, "On Divine Providence"

https://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-67-On-Divine-Providence

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