| dc.description.abstract | This study employed the historical and theological
method of investigation, which is geared to ascertain the
predestination views of James Arminius and John Wesley and
their similarities and differences toward postulating an
Arminian-Wesleyan doctrine of predestination.
Wesley scholars asserted that the Arminianism of
Wesley did not come from Arminius; it was mainly the result
of his readings of Anglican divines. However, in the course
of this investigation, it became plain that Wesley had
striking similarities with Arminius on predestination. They
both held predestination as Christ-centered, based on divine
foreknowledge, founded on grace, and consistent with free
will.
The theological developments of Arminius and Wesley
were presented in Chapters 2 and 3, with particular emphases
on the circumstances that ushered in the formulation of
their understandings on predestination. Arminius and Wesley
lived during two different periods, places, and situations
in history. But they had commonly formed their doctrines of
predestination as the outcome of their intense study of the
Scriptures and contests against their foes.
Arminius and Wesley both argued that the
predestination doctrine must be in harmony with all the
attributes of God manifested in the Scriptures. The mistake
of the Calvinists, according to them, was their insistence
on the sovereignty of God at the expense of His moral
attributes of love, justice, and mercy.
In Chapter 4, the similarities and differences of
Arminius and Wesley were examined. In spite of their
apparent similarities they had disagreements, particularly
on their views of unconditional election and irresistible
grace. Wesley reasoned that unconditional election is also
evident in the choosing of some men for distinct functions
in the world and that prevenient grace works irresistibly at
some point in the awakening and empowering of the human
will. Arminius did not adopt these views.
There are several conclusions stipulated as the
result of the examination of the views of Arminius and
Wesley on predestination. (1) Arminius and Wesley held
apparently identical doctrines of predestination.
(2) Predestination is the conditional election of classes of
people—the believers and unbelievers. (3) Christ is the
cause and not the result of predestination. (4) The act of
predestination is based on God’s foreknowledge of the belief
and unbelief of people. (5) The doctrine of unconditional
election and unconditional damnation is contrary to God’s
moral attributes of love, justice, and mercy. (6) The
predestination views of Arminius and Wesley are consistent
with the exercise of free will. And (7) there is an aspect
of grace that is irresistible; it is wrought by prevenient
grace in awakening and empowering one’s sensitivity and will
to be able to respond to God’s salvation. | en_US |
