Arminianism

I got into a fascinating discussion the other night about Calvinsim and Arminian theology. I had to go back and do some reading on both positions. I may have blogged about this previously but here it is again. My esteemed friend Peter Lumpkins, who would consider himself Reformed and is part of the SBC, did a marvelous interview with Dr. Roger Olson and transcribed the whole thing. I hope Peter is not too disappointed that after reading his interview it became more clear to me than ever that I am Arminian, though I lean to the eternal security side of the equation. Interview with Dr. Roger Olson and Peter Lumpkin: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 The discussion the other night was with a lay person with no formal theological training. His only understanding of "Reformed vs. Arminian" was that Reformed people believed in eternal security and those who weren't Reformed did not. He knew nothing of TULIP. But he is not unusual. Most think the central dividing issue is free will vs. predestination. That is wrong also. Roger Olson rightly points out that the difference is a fundamental shift in how the two understand who God is and His character. Dr. Olson says, "Arminianism is the belief in the universal love of God and God’s will that all be saved. That God is not willing for any to perish and that He does much to bring people to repentance and does not select some to whom He does not offer the same chance." That's why I am Arminian. It's how I understand the character of God as revealed in the Scriptures. But the truth is, I know really fine Reformed people, who believe as they do based on their understanding of the Bible. They're biblical people. And if I debated with them I would probably lose or at least throw my hands up saying, "I dunno maybe you're right." Reformed theology is solidly biblical, I just don't connect to it.