Overview

The actual life and teaching of Jacobus Arminius are often unknown or misunderstood. Answers beyond a basic caricature can be elusive. In 40 Questions About Arminianism, however, J. Matthew Pinson combines solid historical research with biblical and doctrinal precision to address the following questions and more: Who was Jacobus Arminius? How has the church interpreted God's desire that everyone be saved? How is Arminianism different from Calvinism? Can one be both Reformed and Arminian? What is ""universal enabling grace""? What do Arminians mean by ""free will""? Do Arminians believe that God predestines individuals to salvation? Is it possible for a Christian to apostatize? An accessible question-and-answer format helps readers pursue the issues that interest them most, with additional resources available at 40questions.net. Questins regarding historical backgrounds and the Bible encourage a broad understanding of historic and contemporary Arminianism. "". . . the best resource in print that provides trustworthy insight into a comparison of Arminianism and Calvinism . . . the most comprehensive book available on the essentials of Arminian theology."" --W. Stephen Gunter, Duke Divinity School ""Anyone who wants to be thoroughly informed about Arminianism must read 40 Questions About Arminianism."" --Roger E. Olson, Baylor University ""40 Questions About Arminianism may well rank as the best available exposition of evangelical Arminianism . . . a gracious and profoundly learned response to the biblical Calvinism that I embrace."" --Michael A. G. Haykin, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary ""40 Questions About Arminianism conveys a beautiful irenic tone."" --Timothy Tennent, Asbury Theological Seminary

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Reviews

Matthew Pinson has surely produced what may well rank as the best available exposition of evangelical Arminianism. I found the book enormously helpful in tracing the Arminian vision from the vantage point of Scripture, theology, and history. And while I remain unconvinced by his argument in a number of places, his book is a gracious and profoundly learned response to the biblical Calvinism that I embrace. In fact, reading it was not only a learning experience--it was a joyful exercise! --Michael A. G. Haykin FRHistS, Chair and Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1/30/2022 12:00:00 AM) Matthew Pinson displays a broad and deep understanding of Arminius's theology, classical 'Reformed Arminianism, ' and varieties of Calvinism. Here he ably answers questions about classical 'Reformed Arminianism' and demonstrates how it differs from both Calvinism and Wesleyan Arminianism. At the same time, in very irenic tones, Pinson acknowledges and celebrates areas of agreement between these lines of Protestant Christian theology. The novel contribution of this book is the author's insightful discussion of how Arminianism can be 'Reformed.' According to him, and I agree, classical Arminianism is a branch of the broad Reformed tradition even though Wesleyans are also Arminians. Although he does not mention this 'fun fact, ' the original Arminian denomination, the Remonstrant Brotherhood of the Netherlands, is a charter member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. That fact supports his theological argument for Reformed Arminianism. Anyone who wants to be thoroughly informed about Arminianism and also entertained in the process must read 40 Questions About Arminianism. --Roger E. Olson Professor of Christian Theology and Holder of the Foy Valentine Chair in Christian Ethics, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM) Matthew Pinson in 40 Questions About Arminianism has beautifully recaptured the classic question-answer format which framed the great historic theologies of the past in order to present the distinctives of Arminian theology and thought to a new generation. Rather than dividing Christians into theological camps, Pinson conveys a beautiful irenic tone, helping inform fellow brothers and sisters in Christ about many of the frequently misunderstood features of the great tapestry which makes up Christian theology. --Timothy Tennent President and Professor of World Christianity, Asbury Theological Seminary (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM) Scholarly in its technical foundations of theology and history, but written in language accessible to lay reader and scholar alike, this book is the best resource in print that provides trustworthy insight into a comparison of Arminianism and Calvinism. Scholars will admire the full footnoting of all sources, and lay readers will appreciate that technical language is avoided but explicated when needed. Pinson knows full-well that there is no such thing as a single homogenous phenomenon of either Arminianism or Calvinism. This is where Pinson shines the brightest. He carefully guides the reader through nuanced differences and emphases, but he also honestly sets forth his own position on challenging differences. The careful reader will discern that Pinson is consequential in his pursuit, which means that no detail of difference is too small to set out. Simply put: this is the most comprehensive book available on the essentials of Arminian theology. The beauty of the book is that Pinson fulfills the ideal dialectic that he set out in his Introduction. He has produced an irenic apologetic for which Arminius himself would issue high praise. The spirit of Arminius shines through. --W. Stephen Gunter Research Professor Emeritus, Duke Divinity School (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM)

Matthew Pinson displays a broad and deep understanding of Arminius's theology, classical 'Reformed Arminianism, ' and varieties of Calvinism. Here he ably answers questions about classical 'Reformed Arminianism' and demonstrates how it differs from both Calvinism and Wesleyan Arminianism. At the same time, in very irenic tones, Pinson acknowledges and celebrates areas of agreement between these lines of Protestant Christian theology. The novel contribution of this book is the author's insightful discussion of how Arminianism can be 'Reformed.' According to him, and I agree, classical Arminianism is a branch of the broad Reformed tradition even though Wesleyans are also Arminians. Although he does not mention this 'fun fact, ' the original Arminian denomination, the Remonstrant Brotherhood of the Netherlands, is a charter member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches. That fact supports his theological argument for Reformed Arminianism. Anyone who wants to be thoroughly informed about Arminianism and also entertained in the process must read 40 Questions About Arminianism. --Roger E. Olson Professor of Christian Theology and Holder of the Foy Valentine Chair in Christian Ethics, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM) Matthew Pinson in 40 Questions About Arminianism has beautifully recaptured the classic question-answer format which framed the great historic theologies of the past in order to present the distinctives of Arminian theology and thought to a new generation. Rather than dividing Christians into theological camps, Pinson conveys a beautiful irenic tone, helping inform fellow brothers and sisters in Christ about many of the frequently misunderstood features of the great tapestry which makes up Christian theology. --Timothy Tennent President and Professor of World Christianity, Asbury Theological Seminary (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM) Scholarly in its technical foundations of theology and history, but written in language accessible to lay reader and scholar alike, this book is the best resource in print that provides trustworthy insight into a comparison of Arminianism and Calvinism. Scholars will admire the full footnoting of all sources, and lay readers will appreciate that technical language is avoided but explicated when needed. Pinson knows full-well that there is no such thing as a single homogenous phenomenon of either Arminianism or Calvinism. This is where Pinson shines the brightest. He carefully guides the reader through nuanced differences and emphases, but he also honestly sets forth his own position on challenging differences. The careful reader will discern that Pinson is consequential in his pursuit, which means that no detail of difference is too small to set out. Simply put: this is the most comprehensive book available on the essentials of Arminian theology. The beauty of the book is that Pinson fulfills the ideal dialectic that he set out in his Introduction. He has produced an irenic apologetic for which Arminius himself would issue high praise. The spirit of Arminius shines through. --W. Stephen Gunter Research Professor Emeritus, Duke Divinity School (1/14/2022 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

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.

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