In this series of episodes we will be discussing the Synod of Dort again along with the events that followed it. To do this we will continue reading through portions of an article by Kevin D. Young titled, "The Four Hundred Year Flower: Arminius, Dort, and the Battle for Grace" published on Desiring God. In this episode we will be discussing how the politics of the Netherlands surrounding the Synod of Dort dictated to how it was decided. We will also discuss how it was by no means a fair debate. We will also be discussing how the Synod of Dort defined what it meant to be "Reformed" in a way it was not clearly defined before. We will also discuss how the Arminian understanding of grace is different from the Calvinist understanding of grace. Finally, we will talk about what happened to the Remonstrant leaders after their "defeat" at the Synod of Dort.
Links:
The Four Hundred Year Flower: Arminius, Dort, and the Battle for Grace" by Kevin DeYoung
In this series of episodes we will be discussing the Synod of Dort again along with the events that led up to it. To do this we will be reading through portions of an article by Kevin D. Young titled, "The Four Hundred Year Flower: Arminius, Dort, and the Battle for Grace" published on Desiring God. We will be discussing what DeYoung got right in the article and what he got wrong. Like many others he presents some popular Arminian myths as facts. Is it true that Arminius was a devoted Calvinist after graduating from Geneva? Is it true that Arminius became a humanist (?) after preparing for a debate with a Dutch Humanist? What did it really mean to be Reformed at the time of Arminius? Listen to join us in this conversation.
Links:
The Four Hundred Year Flower: Arminius, Dort, and the Battle for Grace" by Kevin DeYoung
Avengers: Endgame and Middle Knowledge (Article 1, Article 2)
In this episode we will continue to discuss the theme of "Optimism of Grace" in the theology of John Wesley. Our specific focus is how having an optimism of grace has a significant impact on many areas of the Christian life. This is true of evangelism, social justice, and sanctification. In this episode we receive help from Fred Sanders and an article by Vinicius Couto.
Links:
In this episode we will begin to discuss the theme of "Optimism of Grace" in the theology of John Wesley. It is clear that this theme runs through all aspects of the theology of Wesley. This goes for Atonement, Soteriology, and Eschatology. We will receive help from Henry H. Knight III and his books "Anticipating Heaven Below." We also discuss how an overemphasis on optimism or pessimism could impact an individual's walk with Christ or a church culture. Hint: there are dangers in both extremes.
Links:
"John Wesley: Optimist of Grace" by Henry H. Knight III
In this episode we have the opportunity to sit down with Dr. William Sillings who is the General Superintendent of the International Fellowship of Bible Churches (IFBC). Both Vin and Ben are ordained Elders (pastors) in the IFBC and the church plant they serve is an IFBC church. In this interview Dr. Sillings shares briefly about the history of the IFBC along with what makes it unique among denominations in the broader Wesleyan-Arminian movement. One way is that the IFBC holds to a "classical" Wesleyan theology unlike other groups. Dr. Sillings also discusses how the IFBC emphasizes the inerrancy, authority, sufficiency, and inspiration of Scripture. He also discusses how the IFBC strongly encourages contextualization to local ministry contexts while simultaneously holding strongly to Wesleyan orthodoxy. If you are a pastor who is looking for church affiliation or ordination in a group with a solid Wesleyan-Arminian theology we strongly recommend you look into the IFBC.
In this episode we will continue to discuss the crisis of biblical authority in the broader methodist movement. This time we will actually talk about the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. We will begin by defining the Quadrilateral and then discuss what is good about it and what is dangerous about it. One very interesting thing to note is how Albert Outler regretted coining the term in the first place. We will discuss how the Quadrilateral can both lead people into error and heresy if it is understood incorrectly and how it could protect us from error and heresy if it is understood correctly. We will then discuss what early Methodist views were regarding the authority, inerrancy, and inspiration of Scripture. We will conclude this episode discussing what the International Fellowship of Bible Churches (IFBC) statement of faith is regarding the authority and inerrancy of Scripture. For more information about the IFBC see the link below.
Links:
The Wesleyan Quadrilateral (Theopedia)
The International Fellowship of Bible Churches (IFBC)
Note that Ben and Vin are ordained Elders in the IFBC and serve as pastors in an IFBC Church Plant in Connecticut.
In this episode we will begin to discuss the crisis of biblical authority in the broader methodist movement. We will begin by talking about the United Methodist Church Special Session of the General Conference 2019 and the decision regarding LGBT marriage and ordination. We will then move on to discuss what led to all of this. We would suggest it all comes down to a crisis regarding the question of biblical authority. We will then discuss what issues there are in the broader methodist movement regarding biblical authority. Is Scripture only a means of grace or is it the authoritative word of God as well? Do we have to choose between the two? At the end of the episode we will finally get to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral which we will discuss more extensively in the next episode in this series.
Links:
New Global, Orthodox Identity for United Methodist Surprises Many (TGC)
United Methodist Reject Call to Embrace Homosexual Clergy and Same-Sex Weddings (TGC)
In this episode we will continue discussing the Synod of Dort which took place from 1618-1619 and led to the "condemnation" of Arminianism by the Reformed representatives. Specifically we will be responding to another article that was published in the January 2019 edition of Tabletalk magazine. This episode we will be focusing on "The Reason for Dort" by W. Robert Godfrey. First we will discuss whether or not orthodox Arminianism is an expression of the "Apostolic Faith" or "one of the greatest challenges to the Apostolic faith" (?) as the article claims. We will then discuss the radicalization of "Arminianism" after the death of Arminius and some of the historical events surrounding the Synod of Dort. We also discuss whether or not Irresistible Grace is necessary to believe in Total Depravity. Finally, we discuss whether or not the Arminians "were uncooperative" or not. Do you sit at the middle table? A link to the article is below.
The Reason for Dort (Tabletalk)
In this episode we will begin discussing the Synod of Dort which took place from 1618-1619 and led to the "condemnation" of Arminianism by the Reformed representatives. Specifically we will be responding to an article that was published in the January 2019 edition of Tabletalk magazine. In this episode we will be discussing the article, "Five New Points of Old Heresy" (ouch). In this article the writers at Tabletalk make some unfounded and incorrect claims about Arminian theology and we spend some time explaining what they got wrong about Arminianism. Before we get there we discuss some interesting tweets from David Watson and Fred Sanders about Wesleyan theology.
Links:
This episode is the second part of our interview with David Martinez about his work to promote Wesleyan Reformation around the world. David is a missionary and evangelist who has traveled to many countries for the sake of the gospel. In this part of the interview David will discuss his interactions with popular Calvinists at Calvinist conferences in America. David then shares stories of Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation in Cuba and beyond. He then discusses what the best books are to introduce readers to Wesleyan-Arminian Theology. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.
This episode is the first part of our interview with David Martinez about his work to promote Wesleyan Reformation around the world. David is a missionary and evangelist who has traveled to many countries for the sake of the gospel. In this part of the interview David shares how he became a Wesleyan and how he promotes Wesleyan theology around the world. He also discusses his role in the translation of Wesley's works into Spanish. We then discuss how Calvinism is making inroads into churches in Cuba and how the Lord is using David to promote Wesleyan theology as an alternative. Don't miss the second part of the interview which will be released in a week.
Links:
The Next Methodism: A Theology of Retrieval
In this episode we will continue to discuss the dangers of "Perfectionism" and show how it is altogether different from Wesley's doctrine of Christian Perfection. We will begin by discussing T.A. Noble's book, "Holy Trinity: Holy People" and how Wesley very guardedly affirmed that Christians are "at once a sinner and justified." This of course can degenerate into Antinomianism and Wesley guarded strongly against that but also affirmed it in a way that guarded his teaching from Perfectionism. We then interact with Thomas Oden and discuss what Christian Perfection is not. We end by using Fred Sanders to illustrate the we must choose between the dangers of Perfection or Anti-Perfection.
In this episode we will be discussing the dangers of "Perfectionism" and show how it is different from Wesley's teachings on "Christian Perfection." There are five major dangers of Perfectionism:
We will discuss how trying to teach "Christian Perfection" is like trying to defuse a bomb. We need to be careful and study to show ourselves approved. We then look at what Wesley taught about "Christian Perfection" and illustrate that it was both different from "Perfectionism" and serves as a corrective to it.
In this episode we will continue to discuss the role of the Law in Wesleyan theology. We will begin by discussing the three uses of the Law and how Wesley embraced all three uses in his ministry. We will then discuss how Wesley emphasized there is never a command given in the Scriptures without a promise. Then we will finish looking at the ideas presented in Wesley's sermon "The Law Established Through Faith Part Two" see the link below to read the sermon. It is one of the best sermons ever preached.
The Law Established Through Faith 2
In this episode we will begin discussing the role of the Law in Wesleyan theology. First, we discuss Andy Stanley's new book "Irresistible" which is causing quite a stir. We will then look at Wesley's teaching on the Law and how it both drives us to Christ and keeps us in Christ. We will then discuss the distinctions between the moral, civil, and ceremonial Law. Finally, we will look at how the Law relates to the gospel in the thought of John Wesley.
Richard Watson's Theological Institutes:
Articles About Andy Stanley's Book:
Why We Can’t Unhitch from the Old Testament
10 Reasons the Old Testament Is Important for Christians
Happy Reformation month everyone! In honor of the 501st Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures about the life of Martin Luther given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. This is the second lecture. We know that Luther was not Arminius or Wesley, but there would have never been an Arminius or Wesley if it were not for Luther! Don't forget that Wesley was regenerated while listening to the reading of Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Enjoy this second lecture and Happy Reformation Day from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaU9LFhCVmHTYK_4HvGZTuAZO4UhphJB/view?usp=sharing
Happy Reformation month everyone! In honor of the 501st Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures about the life of Martin Luther given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. This is the first lecture. We know that Luther was not Arminius or Wesley, but there would have never been an Arminius or Wesley if it were not for Luther! Don't forget that Wesley was regenerated while listening to the reading of Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans. Enjoy this first lecture and Happy Reformation Day from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast.
Link to Power Point Used:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kaU9LFhCVmHTYK_4HvGZTuAZO4UhphJB/view?usp=sharing
In this episode we will continue to discuss John Wesley's theology of medicine and healing. We will start with looking at examples from his journals where he gives examples of divine healing in his ministry. Then we will discuss Wesley's theology of divine healing and how it differed from both modern charismatic teaching and puritan influenced teaching on sickness. The bottom line is Wesley believed that God provides means for both our spiritual and physical health. We hope this episode will help you to develop your theology of divine healing.
In this episode we will discuss John Wesley's theology of medicine and healing. To start, we will discuss the various extremes that exist in the evangelical church regarding the question of medicine and healing. Then we will talk about how Wesley held a middle ground on the issue that was both rational and glorifying to God. Wesley was certainly not a cessationist, but neither did he deny that medicine was a gift of God's providence. We will also discuss John Wesley's best selling book, his "Primitive Physic" as well. We hope this episode will be a step to the development of a biblical theology of medicine and healing.
In this episode we will be discussing Wesley's Covenant Theology. As a guide we will be relying on Stanley J. Rode's book, "From Faith to Faith: John Wesley's Covenant Theology and the Way of Salvation." We encourage you to buy and read this book. Links to where you can buy it can be found below. Wesley agreed with Reformed Covenant Theology in almost every way. Where he did differ was in his view of the termination of the Covenant of Works and the universality of the moral law as an expression of the Covenant of Grace so all people can be led to Christ. These adjustments were obvious results of his Evangelical Arminian Theology. We will also be looking at the article by Dr. Vic Reasoner again to clarify the conditionality of covenants found in Wesley's Covenant Theology as well.
Links to Buy Rode's Book:
https://www.amazon.com/Faith-Salvation-Distinguished-Dissertations-Christian/dp/1620325446
https://wipfandstock.com/from-faith-to-faith-16688.html
"An Arminian Covenant Theology" Article:
In this episode we will prepare to discuss Wesley's Covenant Theology by defining Covenant Theology. To do this we will compare Covenant Theology to Dispensationalism by giving a brief introduction to both. This is by no means an exhaustive definition of either so please do not get upset if we leave something out. We will then interact a little with Dr. Vic Reasoner's Article, "An Arminian Covenant Theology." Check out the link below. We will also discuss how Dispensationalism is difficult to reconcile with Wesleyan-Arminian theology because of the possibility of covenants being broken. Stay tuned for next episode when we will dive into Wesley's Covenant Theology.
Article:
http://www.fwponline.cc/v18n2/v18n2reasonera.html
In this episode we will discuss John Wesley's theology of the Lord's Supper. Along the way we will receive help from Kenneth J. Collins, Henry H. Knight, and Fred Sanders. We will be discussing how Wesley built upon the Spiritual Presence view of John Calvin and why the early Methodists even came to Communion with an attitude of expectancy! Communion is essentially the Holy Spirit brining Christ down to commune with us as we remember the sacrifice of our Savior. We pray this episode deepens and enlivens your understanding of the Lord's Supper.
In this episode we will be jumping into the topic of the Lord's Supper (Communion) and what the views of John Wesley were on it. We will begin by laying the groundwork by discussing the differences between Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation, Memorial, and Spiritual Presence views. We will also discuss the theological development of the doctrine through the Middle Ages and into the Reformation period. Then we will discuss what John Wesley's views were on the Lord's Supper and how he personally practiced the Lord's Supper.
Link to Zondervan Academic Article:
https://zondervanacademic.com/blog/transubstantiation-consubstantiation-catholic-protestant/
In this episode we will continue our discussion on the role that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit played in the theology of John Wesley. Our discussion will primarily focus on the different views that came along after Wesley and how they influenced groups of people to move away from the teachings of Wesley himself. The people we will primarily be focusing on will be Asa Mahan, Charles Finney, and Phoebe Palmer. We will also be discussing some differences between Wesley and his contemporary John Fletcher as well.
If you are interested in learning more about John FLetcher's Dispensational Pneumatology check out J. Russel Frazier's Book:
https://www.amazon.com/True-Christianity-Doctrine-Dispensations-1729-1785/dp/1620326639
Ready for some Pneumatology? In this episode we will be discussing the role of the Holy Spirit in Wesleyan theology. We will specifically focus on what role the Baptism of the Holy Spirit played in the theology of John Wesley. Did Wesley teach that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was a "Second Work of Grace" or did the Baptism of the Holy Spirit take place during Regeneration? Listen to find out.