Arminius

Question 1

Denial of predestination

Answer 1

• He eventually rejected Calvinism
• He believed Calvinist predestination ideas reduced humanity to God’s pre-programmed minions
• He highlighted that if predestination was correct then God must be responsible for all evil

Question 2

The effect of original sin on free will

Answer 2

• Unlike Pelagius, Arminius believed that original sin was bad for humankind
• This is because all humanity do inherit original sin from Adam
• Therefore, like Calvins predestination argument, Arminius believed that if left in this state a persons natural impulse would be to sin

Question 3

Gods prevenient grace (the Holy Spirit) allows humans to exercise free will

Answer 3

• the fall didn’t completely fill humanity with the predestination to sin
• Therefore, humanity was not necessarily predestined to continually sin
• This is because of God’s grace which is associated with the Holy Spirit
• God has placed his Holy Spirit in all people that encourage people to do good works
• He believed the Holy Spirit is ever present to aid and assist all people through the variety of temptations they may face

Question 4

The elect and the possibility of rejecting God’s grace

Answer 4

• it’s someones own will to follow through on the guidance of the Holy Spirit
• Therefore a persons impulse to sin is balanced by the guidance of the God’s Holy Spirit
• The Holy Spirit does not override a persons natural impulse to sin or force itself onto a person
• All humanity has the free will to decide whether to follow the will of the Gods Holy Spirit or give in to their natural inclination to sin