Comments on: Recommendation: Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities by Roger Olson http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson ...dispatches from the post-evangelical wilderness Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:47:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John M. Crowe http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-125547 John M. Crowe Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:26:31 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-125547 Great review of a great book. If anyone wants to see how Calvinist misrepresent the Arminian position and this very book, then go to www.newcovenantliving.blogspot.com/. Rev.JAB takes several unfounded jabs, but he is not realize that he is shadow boxing. Great review of a great book. If anyone wants to see how Calvinist misrepresent the Arminian position and this very book, then go to http://www.newcovenantliving.blogspot.com/. Rev.JAB takes several unfounded jabs, but he is not realize that he is shadow boxing.

]]> By: chrisafari http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8317 chrisafari Tue, 07 Nov 2006 22:06:56 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8317 I've been keeping up with Scot McKnight's post on Olsen's book. I found many of them helpful, i.e. they helped me better understand the Arminian position. But I also found that McKnight and Olsen often misrepresent the Calvinist position, as well. So, while Olsen complains about Arminians being misunderstood by Calvinists, maybe Calvinists should complain about Olsen misunderstanding Calvinism. I’ve been keeping up with Scot McKnight’s post on Olsen’s book. I found many of them helpful, i.e. they helped me better understand the Arminian position. But I also found that McKnight and Olsen often misrepresent the Calvinist position, as well. So, while Olsen complains about Arminians being misunderstood by Calvinists, maybe Calvinists should complain about Olsen misunderstanding Calvinism.

]]> By: Patrick Kyle http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8290 Patrick Kyle Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:55:13 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8290 Great book review. I'll have to read it. I must admit that I long ago tired of an existence caught in a world that was bound exclusively by the dual horizons of the Calvinist/Arminian debate. There is a real third option-Lutheranism. Instead of starting with the sovereignty of God, or the freedom of man, as the first and underlying principle of a theological system,(In reality two very arbitrary starting points) start with God reconciling the World to Himself in Christ. That starting point creates a system that is on a totally different trajectory and in many ways really transcends the Calvinist/Arminian debate. Honestly, it saved my faith. Great book review. I’ll have to read it. I must admit that I long ago tired of an existence caught in a world that was bound exclusively by the dual horizons of the Calvinist/Arminian debate. There is a real third option-Lutheranism. Instead of starting with the sovereignty of God, or the freedom of man, as the first and underlying principle of a theological system,(In reality two very arbitrary starting points) start with God reconciling the World to Himself in Christ. That starting point creates a system that is on a totally different trajectory and in many ways really transcends the Calvinist/Arminian debate.
Honestly, it saved my faith.

]]> By: Keith Schooley http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8286 Keith Schooley Fri, 03 Nov 2006 20:47:44 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8286 Great review, Michael. I have a Wesleyan background and attended a Reformed seminary, so I can see through both lenses of the spectacles, and I think you are right about the mean-spiritedness and lack of concern for accuracy in much of the Reformed blogosphere. (I would be willing to offer the same critique of the Arminian blogosphere, except, well, there isn't an Arminian blogosphere.) And I think you are right: Calvinists <b>should</b> read Olson's book, not to be convinced, but to be able to conduct their side of the debate in a convincing manner. If they're actually interested (quite debatable) in convincing anyone, rather than just getting attaboys from their Calvinist buddies, then they should realize that misrepresenting someone else's opinion is not the way to go about getting a fair hearing from someone who doesn't agree. Great review, Michael. I have a Wesleyan background and attended a Reformed seminary, so I can see through both lenses of the spectacles, and I think you are right about the mean-spiritedness and lack of concern for accuracy in much of the Reformed blogosphere. (I would be willing to offer the same critique of the Arminian blogosphere, except, well, there isn’t an Arminian blogosphere.)

And I think you are right: Calvinists should read Olson’s book, not to be convinced, but to be able to conduct their side of the debate in a convincing manner. If they’re actually interested (quite debatable) in convincing anyone, rather than just getting attaboys from their Calvinist buddies, then they should realize that misrepresenting someone else’s opinion is not the way to go about getting a fair hearing from someone who doesn’t agree.

]]> By: Michael Spencer http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8284 Michael Spencer Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:43:51 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8284 Not that I recall, Brian. I think that argument usually gets into the subjective pretty quickly. Some "Arminians" can claim bazillions of converts and some Calvinists will say that you don't have any idea what God is doing anyway. Not that I recall, Brian. I think that argument usually gets into the subjective pretty quickly. Some “Arminians” can claim bazillions of converts and some Calvinists will say that you don’t have any idea what God is doing anyway.

]]> By: BKC http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8283 BKC Fri, 03 Nov 2006 19:38:46 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8283 Hey Michael, Thanks for the review. Does Olson talk about the impacts (actual or supposed) on mission activity or missiology from Arminianism vs. Calvinism? Just wondering. Brian Coffey Hey Michael,
Thanks for the review. Does Olson talk about the impacts (actual or supposed) on mission activity or missiology from Arminianism vs. Calvinism? Just wondering.

Brian Coffey

]]> By: Heather http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8280 Heather Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:01:50 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8280 I am neither Arminian nor Calvinist. I don't consider myself "in the middle," but a third category, which is closer to Calvinist than Arminian. However, what strikes me when I read literature from both sides are the similarities more than the differences. I think I'd like to check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation. I am neither Arminian nor Calvinist. I don’t consider myself “in the middle,” but a third category, which is closer to Calvinist than Arminian. However, what strikes me when I read literature from both sides are the similarities more than the differences. I think I’d like to check out this book. Thanks for the recommendation.

]]> By: Histrion (Jay H) http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8279 Histrion (Jay H) Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:57:10 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8279 <b>iMonk</b> writes: <i>But who can disagree with Olson’s contention that the presentation of Arminianism by reformed critics has often been deplorably deficient and that a fairer understanding of both sides can do nothing but benefit everyone?</i> Well, obviously, anyone who's interested in promoting and defending accurate (i.e., Calvinist) belief, that's who. What's the point of illuminating what Arminians actually historically believe if it might tempt people into agreeing with it? Have you learned nothing from all those pre-election political ads on TV? ;-) iMonk writes: But who can disagree with Olson’s contention that the presentation of Arminianism by reformed critics has often been deplorably deficient and that a fairer understanding of both sides can do nothing but benefit everyone?

Well, obviously, anyone who’s interested in promoting and defending accurate (i.e., Calvinist) belief, that’s who. What’s the point of illuminating what Arminians actually historically believe if it might tempt people into agreeing with it?

Have you learned nothing from all those pre-election political ads on TV?

;-)

]]> By: jmanning http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8278 jmanning Fri, 03 Nov 2006 12:44:56 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8278 A representative theology book of Arminianism is probably about as accurate for your average joe-Arminian as a Calvinist theology book is for your average joe-Calvinist. If all Arminians lived like Wesley, and all Calvinists like Carrey, Judson, or Spurgeon, then everything would be peacefully wonderful. But you have your fair share of open theists, and "win them by whatever means you can" Baptists, and you have hyperCalvinistic churches that think "go and preach the Gospel in all nations" means read AW Pink for discipleship training year round. And both those poles are at constant enmity, drawing more moderate members of both camps into their melee by portraying the heart of each system as the "straw man" extreme caricature I have just portrayed. Books like this I'm sure would help cool that down as you said. A representative theology book of Arminianism is probably about as accurate for your average joe-Arminian as a Calvinist theology book is for your average joe-Calvinist.

If all Arminians lived like Wesley, and all Calvinists like Carrey, Judson, or Spurgeon, then everything would be peacefully wonderful. But you have your fair share of open theists, and “win them by whatever means you can” Baptists, and you have hyperCalvinistic churches that think “go and preach the Gospel in all nations” means read AW Pink for discipleship training year round. And both those poles are at constant enmity, drawing more moderate members of both camps into their melee by portraying the heart of each system as the “straw man” extreme caricature I have just portrayed. Books like this I’m sure would help cool that down as you said.

]]> By: the Foolish Sage http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson/comment-page-1#comment-8277 the Foolish Sage Fri, 03 Nov 2006 06:04:54 +0000 http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/recommendation-arminian-theology-myths-and-realities-by-roger-olson#comment-8277 Travis, I wonder if iMonk meant your Calvinist accent ;-) Travis, I wonder if iMonk meant your Calvinist accent ;-)

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