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What is Arminianism?

Arminianism is a branch of erroneous theology common among evangelicals. It is founded on humanist presuppositions attractive to the carnal reason of man.

Arminianism takes it name from Jacob Arminius, a 16h century Dutch heretic who took exception to important teachings of the reformers. Arminius died in 1609, but his followers spread his teaching throughout Holland, resulting in division and confusion in the churches.

This confusion was resolved at the Synod of Dort in 1618, where Arminianism was thoroughly refuted and shown to be unscriptural. Though it abated considerably, the English evangelist John Wesley revived it and spread it throughout England and the American colonies in the 1700’s. Through Wesley’s Methodist movement, other groups were born or infiltrated with Arminianism.

Arminianism presupposes that fallen man is able to convert himself to faith in Christ, or prepare himself for conversion, through the strength of his own free will.  Arminians unconsciously insert logic fallacies into their interpretation of the Scriptures to support their presupposition, despite clear biblical teaching to the contrary.

This results in a theological system, plausible on the surface, but is really a series of logic fallacies. Its popularity is due to the human desire to perceive oneself as morally autonomous, relatively free from the dominion of sin, rather than bound and controlled by it.

The purpose of this brief paper is to expose the main fallacies on which Arminius built his system and root them out of the thinking of modern Christians influenced by the humanist culture of our day.

     -Smalling