"40 Questions About Arminianism" (J. Matthew Pinson)

TITLE: 40 Questions About Arminianism
AUTHOR: J. Matthew Pinson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2022, (400 pages).

For many years, people have argued over the virtues of Arminianism and Calvinism. Based on the theological convictions of Jacob's Arminius and John Calvin, these two men in turn have relied on their reactions to the teachings of Theodore Beza and Augustine respectively. As Calvinists proclaimed their five points of Calvinism (TULIP), Arminians responded with the Five Articles of Remonstrance. Famous Arminians include John Wesley, Charles Finney, Dwight Moody, Billy Graham, Rick Warren, etc. Famous Calvinists include John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, Charles Spurgeon, George Whitefield, Charles Hodge, Francis Schaeffer, Tim Keller, etc. Other than these differences, what else can we learn? This is where this book comes in. With an understanding of both views, author-professor Matthew Pinson gives us a resource that comprises forty questions to help us appreciate the nuances of Arminianism. Calling himself a "Reformed Arminian," he aims to build bridges between the two traditional camps. The questions have a certain flow. In Part One, readers get a gist of the historical background of Arminianism. He looks at the life of Jacobus Arminius and how he reacted against some of the strong convictions of Calvinism. He shows us how theological convictions could degenerate into malicious labeling and name-calling. The key issue: Predestination. Readers get to learn more about the basic doctrines of both Arminianism and Calvinism. We learn about famous adherents of Arminianism, in particular, the Wesley brothers. Over time, more people came to nuance their understanding of predestination, while trying to find common ground in the search for truth. While traditionally one might claim Arminius was against the Articles of Calvinism, Pinson wonders if he was actually more Reformed than we might think. 

Part Two deals with the theology of Atonement and Justification. Part Three introduces us to the questions of free-will versus Determinism, the core controversy surrounding salvation and predestination. Rather than pointing out the differences between the two different doctrines, Pinson takes a sympathetic position toward Arminius, often defending the Arminian position against Calvinist accusations. Part Four looks at the theologies of Election and Regeneration. Part Five discusses the doctrines of Perseverance and Apostasy. All of these five parts parallel the Calvinist TULIP framework. 

My Thoughts

This book is a catechism that not only deals with the core beliefs of Calvinists and Arminians, but it also enlarges the middle ground for greater understanding and cooperation. Written in a way that casts a positive light on Arminius and Arminians, Pinson invites Calvinists and Reformed groups to be more open to Arminianism as complementary rather than contradictory. He constantly compares and contrasts the two sides from historical to theological to conclude with a summary that unites rather than divides the two camps. Even his chapter about contrasting the two parties concludes with harmony rather than a dichotomy. This is one major reason why the title of this book can be quite a misnomer. One might accuse the author of championing Arminianism under the guise of a catechism style Question and Answer format. Well, to some extent, that accusation is valid. Anyone, especially staunch Calvinists, who pick up this book might expect to read a book that is presented from a neutral standpoint. That is not true. This book is clearly pro-Arminian. It is directed at Calvinists so that there will be greater openness for discussion to avoid dismissive attitudes that fail to consider the virtues of the Arminian theological position. 

It has been said that the best theological stance of a good Christian is to think like a Calvinist, and practice like an Arminian. Though simplistic, it is easy to understand. Yet, such a quip will not be theologically satisfactory for those of us who want more depth to the serious arguments from both sides. There are rich merits and if we could take the best from both sides, we would be far more enriched. It is in that spirit that Pinson meant for this book as an invitation to discuss, not a polemical document to divide. Don't read this book for bullet points for polemical or argumentative purposes. Read this book in order to understand the nuances of each doctrine discussed. If we could do so, we might have learned a fair bit about how to deal with opposing views passionately but respectfully.

J. Matthew Pinson has been president of Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee, for twenty years and previously served as a pastor of churches in Alabama, Connecticut, and Georgia. He holds a master's degree from Yale University and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University and is the author or editor of ten books, including Arminian and Baptist: Explorations in a Theological Tradition.

 

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Kregel Academic without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.