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Title: Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities
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| Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press Grace, Grace, God's Grace | | If more Arminians talked about grace the way Arminius did and his consistent followers (Arminians of the heart, as Olson puts it), there would be friendlier "discussions" between Reformed and Arminian brothers and sisters in Christ. As Oslon describes it, Arminianism is believes in "evangelical synergism", but as I understood it, one could label this as "resistible monergism." That is, faith and salvation are all done by God, but this only happens if the individual doesn't resist the grace given (but even then, the ability to resist grace is only possible because of grace!). I would like to see the scriptural backing for the Arminian beliefs as Olson explained them and be able to evaluate the claims for my self and my own beliefs, but this book is a great introduction and the de-mythification of what exactly true Arminians believe. | | Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press Informative and Fair | The Calvinist/Arminian debate is often conducted in a way that is hurtful and lacks grace. If you are looking for a book that explains the Arminian view and at the same time treats the Calvinist view with respect, then this is for you.
This book is not a rejection of Calvinism, but instead is an explanation of why Arminians believe the way they do. Olson does not set out to disprove Calvinism.
I appreciated that Olson is not afraid to tackle those from his tradition if he believes that their theology is flawed in any way. For example he points out some of the shortcomings of the later Remonstrants (like Limborch) and he also points out some of the weaknesses of John Wesley.
The book was not an easy read. It was written at a level where I had to struggle at times to fully comprehend. The chapter on the theories of atonement was the most difficult.
| | Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press A Reformer's Must Read | With "Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities" (2006) Professor Roger Olson asserts that "Arminianism is a legitimate evangelical theological option" for the 21st century. Through this well documented 250-page hardback (with dozens of footnotes in each chapter) he intervenes on the "myths" attacking Arminianism.
Olson's adroitly refutes each "myth" posited on Arminianism primarily by classical and contemporary Calvinists. (This theological genre is named for the early 16th century Dutch reform theologian and pastor, Jacob Arminius.)
Speaking from the "classical Arminian" camp Olson ranges over the vast surface of Arminius' beliefs: from human free will, to the sovereignty of God, to election and predestination, to Justification and the Atonement. By the end, Olson convincingly confirms that Arminius, as a Protestant, is significantly different from Calvinists, Catholics, and Anabaptists of his era and today. (Arminius seems to have appreciated Luther.)
Each chapter is helpfully composed and presented in the same way. Olson posses a "myth" (an untruth), rebuffs it, documents what Arminius himself say on the topic, and then presents various Arminian thinkers reflections on the theological issue. Episcopus, Wesley, Watson, Pope, Miley, Wiley, Theissen, Oden and many more over the past 400 years are variously considered and extensively quoted. The author poignantly recommends that Arminianism's critics would do well to study it before condemning it. Finally, he rightly challenges Arminians and their critics to work together for proclaiming the mission of Jesus Christ.
Olson's is a good read teaching much about theology, the via salutis, and God's love. Although somewhat technical this book is recommended to any with interest in various Christian doctrines (such as free will vs. predestination, irresistible vs. resistible grace, original sin, prevenient grace, imputed righteousness, forensic justification, penal substitutional atonement, etc.) Olson is a must read for all reform theologians, Arminians, and Calvinists.
Happy Reformation Day!
| | Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities | | This excellent book clearly explains why many Calvinists falsely identify Arminianism with semi-Pelagianism or even worse identify Arminianism with Pelagianism. | | Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press Great intorduction to Calvinist-Arminian points of contention | Arminian Theology is not a systematic theology of Arminianism, but an attempt to dispel the ten most prevalent myths about Arminian theology. The book functions primarily as an apologetic against the ten myths and partially as an argument for the ten real positions of Arminianism on these ten issues.
Aside from myth 8(That Arminians do not believe in predestination) I find Olson's arguments to be clear and successful. He gives ample quotations form primary source material, and uses helpful sources from Arminius and later Arminians. I found his writing fair and balanced, and cannot think of any place where I thought he was deeply unkind or formed a clearly straw Calvinist man.
So for the person who find Calvinism powerful but deeply unsatisfying and thinks he may not yet have given Arminianism a real hearing, this book is a helpful introduction to Arminianism for the Calvinistically indoctrinated.
Personally, I found some of Olson's arguments belabored as he explored the writings of Arminians after Arminius. Also his argument against the Calvinist position sometimes ended up stretched throughout the chapter, since they were organized by the historical authors, making skimming for a defense of the theological positions more time consuming. His distinction of 'Arminianism of the Head' and Arminianism of the Heart' rubbed me the wrong way too. I think better language for that could have been found. I don't think the distinction is that one group thought and another felt- though that is not what Olson means- that's the flavor of that language, and I didn't care for it, especially since it feeds into Liberal-Evangelical standing stereotypes that need to die.
Also, someone on the IVP editorial board should have put their foot down on the exclamation point use in this book!!!!!!!!! It was the most overuse of that particular piece of punctuation I have ever seen. And it seemed all the more odd in such a measured and fair book.
| | Arminian Theology: Myths And Realities by InterVarsity Press Book Description | | About the Book In this book Roger Olson sets forth classical Arminian theology and addresses the myriad misunderstandings and misrepresentations of it through the ages. Irenic yet incisive, Olson argues that classical Arminian theology has a rightful place in the evangelical church because it maintains deep roots within Reformational theology, even though it maintains important differences from Calvinism. This is a book for those who want to know or should know what Arminian theology is. |
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