In this minisode I will be reading through an excerpt of a sermon by George Whitefield titled, "The True Way of Keeping Christmas." You can find this sermon in a free Ebook from Seedbed which you could download as a PDF. The link is below. Merry Christmas everyone from Remonstrance podcast!
Free Ebook:
Merry Christmas everyone! Are you trying to find the perfect gift for yourself or a fellow theology nerd or seminary student? Then listen to this episode! In this episode, I go over my favorite Wesleyan-Arminian theology books to put on your Christmas list to buy for yourself or someone else. I also share some interesting new theology books I have read this past year. We hope you have a very merry and theology filled Christmas from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Links:
Systematic Theology
Introduction to John Wesley
More in Depth Wesleyan Theological Studies
Commentaries
Interesting Theology
Arminian Theology
Most Exciting New Book
This is the final part of our interview with Keith Stanglin. In this episode we discuss the question of whether or not Arminius held to Middle Knowledge in his theology. Then we discuss the important question of whether or not Arminius could truly be categorized as "Reformed." Then we talk about whether or not the Synod of Dort truly condemned the theology of Arminius or only the theology of the Remonstrants who came after Arminius. We end by talking about whether or not Keith and Tom are going to make this a trilogy. Hopefully they will!
Click the link below to Keith and Tom's new book:
"After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology"
In this episode we continue our interview with Keith Stanglin! In this episode we talk about his new book "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology." Keith gives an overview of the new book which he co-authored with Thomas McCall. Then we discuss whether there is an inherent problem in Arminian Theology that leads it to take a "leftward shift" over time. Then we discuss how faithful John Wesley and the Early Methodist theologians were to the theology of Arminius. Then we ask Keith to weight in on the division between "Reformed Arminians" and "Wesleyan-Arminians." Should this division actually exist? Why or why not? Stay tuned for our next episode for the final part of our interview with Keith Stanglin.
Order Keith and Tom's new book! According to Amazon it will be released today!
"After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology"
In this series of episodes, we had the opportunity to interview Keith Stanglin! In this episode, Keith discusses how he originally became interested in Arminian theology and a little about his theological journey. He also discusses what led him to write "Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace." Keith shares what it was like to study the theology of Arminius at Calvin Seminary under the guidance of Richard Muller. Keith then discusses what the greatest strengths of Arminian theology and why so few people have conducted scholarly studies of the theology of Arminius. In the next episode, we will discuss Keith's new book "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology." Stay tuned!
Keith Stanglin is the co-author of:
Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace (Order Now!)
After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology (Pre-Order Now!)
In this episode we continue to discuss the issue of politics and voting with Election Day only a week away here in the United States. In this episode we will begin by focusing on how Wesley taught we should engage in civil discourse especially with those that we disagree with on political issues. When then discuss Wesley's position on slavery and the slave trade and how although he leaned "Tory" in his politics he was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery in the 18th Century. We then conclude the episode discussing Wesley's advice on voting. We encourage you to post this or tweet this on Election Day:
“October 6, 1774
I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
― John Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley
In this episode we jump into the issue of politics and voting as Election Day approaches here in the United States. We will be focusing on how to navigate through this complex and difficult political season as Christians and specifically seeing what John Wesley had to say. In this episode we will discuss the political context that Wesley lived in. Then we will focus on what it meant to "speak from the center" during the time of John Wesley and what it means to "speak from the center" today. How can Wesley appear to be both a "Tory" and a "Whig" at the same time? We will also focus on what he had to say about political partisanship during the time of the American Revolution and what motivated Wesley to oppose the American Revolution. We hope you enjoy this episode. Look out for the next episode that will drop next week.
Links:
Fundamental Wesleyan Society Website
Also Pre-Order Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall's new book!
After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology
Reformation month is coming in October! In honor of the 503rd Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures this month about the life of the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. Enjoy learning about Zwingli and Happy Reformation month from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBHbtzeGQj1oXkulHKcfEzQ2VYZrWzNo/view?usp=sharing
Reformation month is coming in October! In honor of the 503rd Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures this month about the life of the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. Enjoy learning about Zwingli and Happy Reformation month from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBHbtzeGQj1oXkulHKcfEzQ2VYZrWzNo/view?usp=sharing
This is the second part of a lecture by Dr. Vic Reasoner titled, "The Scapegoat of Calvinism." We hope you enjoy it and learn from it as much from it as we did. If you are interested in hearing more content like this from Dr. Vic Reasoner then check out our sister podcast "The FWS Podcast." Link below.
This is the first part of a lecture by Dr. Vic Reasoner titled, "The Scapegoat of Calvinism." We hope you enjoy it and learn from it as much from it as we did. The second part will be dropped next week. If you are interested in hearing more content like this from Dr. Vic Reasoner then check out our sister podcast "The FWS Podcast." Link below.
In this episode we will continue to explore the Wesleyan perspective on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As our guide we will be reading through an article titled, "Wesley, the Almost Charismatic" by Peter J. Bellini. Our conversation will primarily focus on how Wesley emphasized the "ordinary fruits" of the Holy Spirit rather than the "extraordinary gifts" of the Holy Spirit. We will also discuss that while Wesley was not a charismatic "in theory" he was not a cessationist either. We will continue discussing this article in the next episode of Remonstrance.
In this episode we will continue to explore the Wesleyan perspective on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To do this we will continue to focus specifically on the views of John Wesley. We start off discussing Wesley's views on the gifts of the Spirit and how he determined what was a genuine work of the Holy Spirit and what was "fanaticism." We then discuss the distinction he made between the "ordinary" gifts of the Spirt and the "extraordinary" gifts of the Spirt.
The article we are reading through is:
"Wesley and Charisma: An Analysis of John Wesley's View of Spiritual Gifts"
In this episode we will begin exploring the Wesleyan perspective on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. To do this we will be focusing specifically on the views of John Wesley. We start off discussing the differences between cessationism versus continuationism. Then we provide a historical overview of what else was going on in the Protestant world at the time of Wesley. We will focus on the views of the Calvinists, Puritans, and Anglicans during Wesley's time. Then we will look at the views of the Lutherans, Pietists, and Moravians. Then we will look at the views of John Wesley and see how they compared to his Protestant contemporaries.
The article we are reading through is:
"Wesley and Charisma: An Analysis of John Wesley's View of Spiritual Gifts"
Other Links:
Introduction to Wesleyan Theology I by Kenneth J. Collins
Introduction to Wesleyan Theology II by Kenneth J. Collins
The Theology of John Wesley Audiobook by Kenneth J. Collins
Christ is the Cure Interview with Remonstrance
This is the final part in a three part series where we interview Arminian scholar Richie Clark about current issues in Arminian scholarship. In this part of the interview Richie discusses the place of Middle Knowledge in Arminianism. He discusses different perspectives on whether or not Middle Knowledge has a place in Arminian theology and what specific type of Middle Knowledge Arminius likely utilized in his theology.
Resources:
Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace
The Transforming Power of Grace
This is the second part in a three part series where we interview Arminian scholar Richie Clark about current issues in Arminian scholarship. In this part of the interview Richie discusses the differences between "Reformed Arminianism" and "Wesleyan-Arminianism." He also discusses why this issue is so complicated. We also spend time talking about what it means to be a "Classical Arminian." We also spend time discussing the issues of Prevenient Grace and the doctrine of Imputation. We specifically focus on the issue of the imputation of Christ's "Active" Righteousness to the believer. Make sure you join us for the final part of the interview.
Resources Mentioned:
This is the first part in a three part series where we interview Arminian scholar Richie Clark about current issues in Arminian scholarship. In this part of the interview Richie shares his theological journey of how he became an Arminian. We then discuss his Master's Thesis: "The Calvinism of Arminius." Then he shares his current Ph.D. research in the area of early 17th Century Anglican expressions of Arminian theology. Make sure you join us for parts two and three of this fascinating interview.
Resources:
While under quarantine because of the COVID-19 Pandemic we continue to discuss the Means of Grace and how we can grow in them during this season. In this episode we focus on John Wesley's sermon, "The Means of Grace." First, we discuss what Wesley taught regarding the Means of Grace that: 1) God is above all means; 2) there is no power in the means; 3) they are not meritorious; 4) grace is dispensed by the power of his Spirit and the merits of his Son; 5) seek God alone. We then discuss the three chief means of grace: prayer, searching the Scriptures, and the Lord's Supper. We then look at the end of the sermon when we discuss some practical applications.
Links:
"The Means of Grace" by John Wesley
"How John Wesley's Means of Grace Should Impact Our Christian Witness" by Andrew Dragos (Seedbed)
While under quarantine because of the COVID-19 Pandemic we decided to record a series of episodes on the Means of Grace. We discuss how we can we grow in our use of the Means of Grace during quarantine. We then talk about how the use of the corporate Means of Grace has been impacted under quarantine and how fellowship with the members of our church has changed. We also define "the Means of Grace" and discuss how John Wesley defines the Means of Grace. We also discuss how many different types of Means of Grace there are. We hope this episode is an encouragement to you and that you find ways to grow in the Means of Grace during quarantine.
Links:
Introduction to Wesleyan Theology I (Dr. Kenneth J. Collins)
In this episode we will continue to discuss the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and how the doctrine of divine providence can encourage us during this season. For this whole episode we will be discussing sections of John Wesley's sermon "On Divine Providence." We will be discussing how how the doctrine of divine providence as explained by Wesley in his sermon can provide comfort to us during this difficult season. Follow the link below to follow along:
In this episode we will be discussing the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and how the doctrine of providence can encourage us during this season. We will start by discussing what is going on in the world and our nation in the midst of this Pandemic. Then we will discuss how it is impacting our every day life and specifically the church. We will then begin discussing the meaning of providence with help from Thomas Oden and how the doctrine of providence can bring encouragement during this difficult season. Next episode we will be jumping in John Wesley's sermon "On Divine Providence." You should read it before next episode. Link below.
"On Divine Providence" by John Wesley
In this episode we continue to discuss baptism and the views of Wesley and Arminius on baptism. This episode focuses on Wesley's views of baptism. Wesley's views on baptism are a little less straightforward than Arminius. We begin by discussing Wesley's thoughts on Paedobaptism and then we discuss his views regarding the relationship of regeneration and baptism. Then we talk about the question of original sin and how it relates to baptism within a Wesleyan framework. We end with some practical reflections on the subject of baptism from a pastoral perspective.
In this episode we begin to discuss baptism and the views of Wesley and Arminius on baptism. We start off by discussing the two major perspectives on baptism within Christianity: Credobaptism and Paedobaptism. Then we discuss how each side supports their position as well as what our views on baptism are. We end the episode discussing the views of Jacob Arminius on baptism. Next episode we will discuss Wesley's views on baptism so stay tuned.
Links:
"The Theology of John Wesley" by Kenneth J. Collins on Audible
"Born Again" by Sean McGever on Lexham Press and Amazon
For our episodes this month we will be releasing a lecture by Dr. Vic Reasoner on why inerrancy is compatible with Evangelical Wesleyanism. Dr. Reasoner is the chairman of the Fundamental Wesleyan Society and the author of numerous books including The Importance of Inerrancy. He is also the editor of The Arminian Magazine, a publication of the Fundamental Wesleyan Society. In this lecture Dr. Reasoner exposes the myth that the doctrine of inerrancy is incompatible with Evangelical Wesleyanism and instead shows how it was in fact the historic position of Wesleyan-Arminianism including the position of John Wesley himself. If you are interested in learning more about the Fundamental Wesleyan Society and subscribing to The Arminian Magazine then please visit their website: fwponline.cc
Additional links: