Merry Christmas! In this episode of Remonstrance we will continue our discussion of Middle Knowledge. The specific question we will be investigating is if Jacob Arminius and John Wesley affirmed Middle Knowledge or not and if it fits in their overall theology. To do this we will be getting some help from Keith Stanglin, Thomas McCall, and Randy Maddox. Also, check out the article below by Barry E. Bryant.
Links
Link to where you can buy a Remonstrance t-shirt for Christmas:
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
Article by Barry E. Bryant:
Merry Christmas and welcome to the Remonstrance Christmas special! In this episode we will be discussing Middle Knowledge (Molinism) and see how two beloved Christmas stories assume the existence of Middle Knowledge. Both "Its a Wonderful Life" and "A Christmas Carol" would not be possible if it was not for Middle Knowledge. In our discussion we will be getting some help from Thomas Oden, Jerry Walls, and Joseph Dongell.
Link to where you can buy a Remonstrance t-shirt for Christmas:
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
How many differences are there between Reformed Arminians and (Orthodox) Wesleyan-Arminians? You would be hard pressed to find any. This episode is the second episode devoted to illustrating that the supposed difference between Wesleyan and Reformed Arminianism is really not there. Evangelical Arminians need to UNITE and our prayer is that God would use Remonstrance to help in doing so. As in last episode we will be reading through and discussing an article by Matthew Pinson to illustrate our point.
Links:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-a-reformed-arminian/
Are there really any differences between "Reformed" Arminianism and "Wesleyan" Arminianism? No, as long as you are talking about orthodox Wesleyan-Arminianism. This episode is devoted to illustrating that this supposed difference is really not there. You would be hard pressed to find significant differences between Arminius and Wesley on all significant theological doctrines. Evangelical Arminians need to UNITE and our prayer is that God would use Remonstrance to help in doing so.
Links:
"Meet a Reformed Arminian"
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/meet-a-reformed-arminian/
"Why Arminians Should Celebrate Reformation 500"
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-arminians-should-celebrate-reformation-500/
Remonstrance Total Depravity Episodes
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/01/10/episode-11-arminius-and-total-depravity/
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/02/07/episode-12-wesley-on-depravity/
Remonstrance Sanctification Episodes
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/09/19/episode-23-sanctification-part-1/
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/09/26/episode-24-sanctification-part-2/
"The Lord Our Righteousness" by John Wesley
This month is the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation! It has been 500 years since Luther posted the 95 Theses which was the first act in the rescue of the Gospel. We are excited to celebrate here on Remonstrance and we think ALL Wesleyan-Arminians should be as well. In this episode we continue discussing an article that Vin wrote titled, "A Call for Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation." We then go over five principles for Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation: Ad Fontes, Positive Definition, Semi-Augustinianism, Standard of Orthodoxy, and Systematic Theology. Our apologies in advance that they are not in Latin. Also be sure to check out the links below:
"A Call for Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation"
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/04/27/a-call-for-wesleyan-arminian-reformation/
The Fundamental Wesleyan Society
This month is the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation! It has been 500 years since Luther posted the 95 Theses which was the first act in the rescue of the Gospel. We are excited to celebrate here on Remonstrance and we think ALL Wesleyan-Arminians should be as well. After talking about why it is important for Wesleyan-Arminians to celebrate Reformation Day we discuss the impact of Luther on the conversion, ministry, and theology of John Wesley. We then move on to discuss the need for reformation within Wesleyan-Arminian theology as we move into the 21st century and what we could learn from the Protestant Reformation when doing so. To do so we will be reading through and discussing an article that Vin wrote. Check out the link below.
Links:
Reformation Day Episode
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/remonstrance/e/48095346?autoplay=true
Seven Minute Seminary (Kenneth J. Collins)
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/04/27/a-call-for-wesleyan-arminian-reformation/
"A Call for Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation"
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/04/27/a-call-for-wesleyan-arminian-reformation/
In this episode we will continue discussing the doctrine of sanctification from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective. To do so we will be continuing to working through an article by Chris Bounds specifically about sanctification. There are three major perspectives on sanctification in Wesleyan-Arminian theology: the "shorter" way, the "middle" way, and the "longer" way. in this episode we will focus on the "middle" way and the "longer" way. John Wesley could honestly be read supporting either of these positions. We will contrast Wesley's understanding of sanctification compared to that of Phoebe Palmer with the help of Henry H. Knight, Kenneth J. Collins, and Thomas C. Oden. We will then discuss which views of sanctification we each hold to. Is it the "middle" way? The "longer" way? Or is it a combination of both?
Links:
Remonstrance t-shirt store
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
Chris Bounds Article
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/835
In this episode we will be discussing the doctrine of sanctification from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective. To do so we will be working through another article by Chris Bounds specifically about sanctification. There are three major perspectives on sanctification in Wesleyan-Arminian theology: the "shorter" way, the "middle" way, and the "longer" way. In this episode we will be focusing on the "shorter" way that was championed by Phoebe Palmer during the 19th Century. We will discuss her ideas and then compare her perspective to the teaching of John Wesley. Hint, they are NOT the same thing. In the next episode we will look at the "middle" and "longer" way so stay tuned.
Links:
Remonstrance t-shirt store
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
Chris Bounds Article (academic article we are using)
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/835
Chris Bounds Article (great article with nice graphics)
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/838
In this episode we will continue our journey through the Spectrum of Salvation according to the article by Chris Bounds. In this episode we will focus on the two theologies on the "God" side of the spectrum: Semi-Augustinianism and Augustinianism. We will also touch on "Soft" Semi-Augustinianism as well. We will spend some time discussing the implications of these two soteriological systems with a specific focus on the role of the means of grace in salvation. With the release of this episode the Remonstrance t-shirt store has also been launched! Follow the link below to the store.
Links:
Remonstrance T-shirt Store:
https://www.freewebstore.org/remonstrance-podcast-apparel
Chris Bounds Article:
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/977
Other Chris Bounds Articles:
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/832
In this episode we will begin our journey through the Spectrum of Salvation according to an article by Chris Bounds. In this episode we will focus on the two theologies on the "man" side of the spectrum: Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism. We will also touch on "Soft" Semi-Pelagianism as well. We will spend some time discussing what salvation looks like according to Pelagianism and Semi-Pelagianism. Throughout the episode we will be discussing both theology and Church history. Also, if you pre-ordered a Remonstrance t-shirt there is some important information for you.
Links:
Chris Bounds Article (free to download):
https://repository.asbury.edu/handle/11415/977
T-shirts Preview:
https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/08/22/remonstrance-t-shirts/
Now it is John Wesley's turn. What did Wesley have to say about free will? Is his understanding also better understood as "freed" will? Spoiler Alert: Wesley did not believe that humans have natural free will but that free will is a gift of divine grace. Some things in this episode may surprise you a little and your Calvinist friends even more. Wesley was for the most part "Augustinian" in his understanding of free will and he relied on the Pre-Augustinian Church Fathers as well. As usual we will be looking to Kenneth J. Collins and Thomas C. Oden. Buy their books on the theology of John Wesley! You can find them all under the "Theologians and Resources" tab. Find a link below...only five months until Christmas. It is not too early to put some on your list.
Links:
Remonstrance Podcast T-Shirt Pre-Order: https://remonstrancepodcast.com/2017/07/13/remonstrance-t-shirt-pre-order/
Theologians and Resources: https://remonstrancepodcast.com/theologians/
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Website Post: https://wordpress.com/post/remonstrancepodcast.com/678
Later this summer we will be releasing our first line of Remonstrance T-shirts. The design is based on our new logo and the shirts come in either black (with white ink) or charcoal gray (with black ink).
If you are interested in ordering one (or more than one) please fill out the Pre-Order Form. After filling out the form we will notify you via e-mail when your shirt comes in.
At that time you will need to provide us with your shipping address and $20 (per shirt, which includes shipping) through the forthcoming Remonstrance store.
If you would like to pre-order more than one shirt please fill out one additional form per additional shirt.
All profits from the shirts will go to the programming needs of Remonstrance podcast, including some new microphones we just purchased. As always, thank you for listening and supporting Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation.
Is it true that Calvinists believe in predestination and Arminians believe in free will? Not really. In this episode we discuss what Arminius really believed about free will and how it is better understood as freed will. We will also talk about whether Arminius and Wesley would side with Erasmus or Luther in the free will debate. Hint, they would side with the German. Throughout our discussion we will be jumping into both primary and secondary sources. Don't miss the next episode where we will do the same for Wesley.
Links:
https://oimts.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/2002-2-gunter.pdf
In this episode we will be revisiting the topic of Open Theism and specifically focus on how Open Theism differs from Wesleyan-Arminian Theology in regards to the doctrine of foreknowledge. To do this we will be reading through a large number of quotes by Open Theists to see what they have to say in regards to foreknowledge. Then we will jump into what Jacob Arminius and John Wesley had to say about foreknowledge. Hopefully, by the end of the episode, you will see a clear contrast between Open Theists and Wesleyan-Arminian theology in regards to foreknowledge...God already knows that you will.
In this episode we will be revisiting the topic of Open Theism and specifically focus on how Open Theism differs from Wesleyan-Arminian Theology in regards to Meticulous Providence. We will first illustrate the beliefs of Open Theists by quoting Open Theists. We will then introduce the Wesleyan-Arminian perspective based on a combination of secondary sources and primary sources. Along the way we look into a very interesting exchange that took place between Roger Olson and Thomas Oden over Open Theism. This conversation will continue in our next episode so stay tuned.
Links:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2017/06/memories-thoughts-thomas-oden/
In this episode we continue to explore the question of whether or not Open Theism can properly be categorized as "Arminian" theology. We also want to clarify that these two episodes (15 & 16) were never intended to be a full blown attack on Open Theism, rather they were simply made to inform our listeners what Open Theism is and then determine whether or not Open Theism could be properly considered Arminian or not based on the writings of Arminian scholars. In this episode we read through some quotes by Clark H. Pinnock and ask whether or not he truly took a theological pilgrimage from Augustine to Arminius, or if he went further than Arminius in his pilgrimage. Then we weigh in on some opinions by Thomas C. Oden and John Mark Hicks regarding whether or not Open Theism can properly be considered Arminian or not. Don't miss the next two episodes of Remonstrance that will be released in June where we will revisit Open Theism again doing a source by source comparison of the writings of Arminius, Wesley, and prominent Open Theist authors. Stay tuned.
Links:
Thoms C. Oden on Open Theism:
https://summaphilosophiae.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/thomas-oden-on-greg-boyd-open-theism/
John Mark Hicks Article (READ IT)
In this episode we ask the question whether or not Open Theism can properly be categorized as "Arminian" theology. We start off by defining Open Theism and then turn to some analysis of Open Theism by Tim Challies (see link below). We then weigh in on the opinions of some modern Arminian scholars on the question.
Tim Challies Article:
https://www.challies.com/articles/challenges-to-the-church-open-theism
In this minisode we will be exploring the concept of Middle Knowledge and how it fits in the broader doctrine of foreknowledge in the thought of Arminius. To do this we will be jumping back into the same two disputations we read through in the past two weeks (Public Disputation IV and Private Disputation XVII). We will then look for some help from Stanglin and McCall in their book "Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace" for some clarification.
In this minisode we will continue exploring what the writings of Arminus have to say about the Doctrine of Divine Knowledge and specifically Foreknowledge. To do that we will be reading through a section of Public Disputation IV entitled: "On The Understanding of God." Once again it is clear that Arminius was no Open Theist in his understanding of the knowledge of God.
Links:
(Note: you need to scroll down to the section titled ON THE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD)
In this minisode we examine what Arminius wrote concerning the knowledge of God with a specific focus on foreknowledge. To do this we will be reading through Private Disputation 17: "On The Understanding of God." This episode will be the first in a three podcast series that will culminate in a full analysis of whether or not Open Theism could truly be called "Arminian." It should be pretty clear after listening through this minisode that it shouldn't be. Arminius has a very strong doctrine of Omniscience that is presented in this disputation. He also touches on the doctrine of "Middle Knowledge" and we get some help from Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall from their book "Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace."
Link to Disputation 17:
http://wesley.nnu.edu/?id=4788
This episode of Remonstrance is devoted to the Doctrine of Regeneration. One major question we will be looking into is whether or not regeneration precedes faith (the Calvinist view) or if faith precedes regeneration (the Wesleyan-Arminian view). We will be reading through sections of articles by the Society of Evangelical Arminians (SEA) and discussing them. Then we will move on and look at what Arminius specifically had to say about regeneration and what Wesley specifically had to say about it as well. One interesting point that Arminius brings up is that Calvin actually taught that faith precedes regeneration as well. We make references to a lot of different articles in this episode so make sure you investigate the links below. Also, join become a member of the SEA and buy Thomas C. Oden's "Classic Christianity." Trust us, you need this systematic theology.
Links:
"Does Regeneration Precede Faith?"
http://evangelicalarminians.org/does-regeneration-precede-faith/
"Arminius on Regeneration"
http://evangelicalarminians.org/arminius-on-regeneration/
"Calvin on Faith Preceding Regeneration"
http://evangelicalarminians.org/calvin-on-faith-preceding-regeneration/
"John Wesley on Regeneration"
http://evangelicalarminians.org/john-wesley-on-regeneration/
"Sermon 45: The New Birth"
http://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-45-The-New-Birth
In this minisode we will be reading through John Wesley's Sermon, "The New Birth" to get some insight into his views on the Doctrine of Regeneration. This is a great sermon by Wesley. He covers the depravity of man as a result of the fall. He also writes about the nature of the new birth and why the new birth is necessary. The questions he asks are as follows in his own words: "First, Why must we be born again? What is the foundation of this doctrine of the new birth? Secondly, How must we be born again? What is the nature of the new birth? And, Thirdly, Wherefore must we be born again? To what end is it necessary?"
The sermon will not be read entirely, but follow the link below to where you can find the whole sermon online:
http://www.umcmission.org/Find-Resources/John-Wesley-Sermons/Sermon-45-The-New-Birth
This minisode launches a three podcast series where we will examine the doctrine of regeneration in the thought of Jacob Arminius and John Wesley. In this minisode we will specifically focus on what Arminius had to write about regeneration in his works. To do this we will be reading through a selection from his commentary on Romans 7 where he deals with the doctrine of regeneration, specifically the differences between the regenerate person and the unregenerate person. We will also be reading through Article 20 of his "Certain Articles to be Diligently Weighed and Examined" as well where he explores the topic of regeneration further. Along the way we will explore his understanding of where regeneration takes place in the order of salvation and the high view of regeneration that he held to.
In this episode we will discuss the doctrine of saving faith in the thought of Jacob Arminius and John Wesley. The episode will focus on how both men taught that faith was a gift of God. We will also discuss how both Arminius and Wesley had a very theocentric understanding of salvation and were not man centered at all. We will also discuss how the theology of Arminius and Wesley was different from the theology of other theologians such as Charles Finney on this point. For help on this episode we will be referencing works by Stanglin, McCall, Collins, Olson, and Rodes. All of their books can be found on the Remonstrance website theologians tab. We also read through sections of an article by Chris Bounds and Keith Drury.
Links:
In this episode we will be reading through a portion of John Wesley's sermon "Salvation By Faith" to start getting some insight into Wesley's views on faith. It is clear from this sermon that Wesley did not understand faith as something that people can do independent of the grace of God. Wesley in strong terms emphasizes the divine activity of God in saving sinners. Wesley is clear that faith is a gift of God and that God works faith in men's hearts. In working faith into men's hearts, God (in Wesley's words) shows that He is "mighty to save." Please read or listen to the rest of this sermon by following the links below. Also, don't miss the next full episode of Remonstrance that will be devoted to the Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine of faith and will focus on how faith is a gift of God.
Links:
Text Version
YouTube Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oObNm8ZCiDI