libterm.com Arminianism emphasizes free will in salvation, opposing the Calvinist doctrine of predestination by asserting that individuals can choose to accept or reject God's grace. This theological framework highlights conditional election, universal atonement, and resistible grace, making it a significant perspective in Christian soteriology. Explore the rest of the article to understand how Arminianism shapes your understanding of faith and salvation.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Arminianism | Infralapsarianism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A Christian theological perspective emphasizing free will and conditional election. | A Reformed theological view on the logical order of God's decrees, placing election after the fall. |
| Election | Conditional, based on God's foreknowledge of faith. | Unconditional, God's sovereign choice after permitting the fall. |
| Predestination | Respects human free will to accept or reject salvation. | Emphasizes God's sovereignty and decrees predestining both election and reprobation. |
| View on the Fall | Human fall impacts free will but does not nullify it. | Fall precedes election; God's decree permits sin before choosing the elect. |
| Grace | Prevenient grace enables humans to respond to the Gospel. | Irresistible grace given only to the elect. |
| Key Theologians | Jacob Arminius, John Wesley. | Jonathan Edwards, William Perkins. |
Understanding Arminianism: Core Beliefs and Origins
Arminianism, originating from the teachings of Jacobus Arminius in the early 17th century, emphasizes conditional election based on God's foreknowledge of human free will decisions, contrasting with strict predestinarian views. Central to Arminian doctrine are human free will, prevenient grace enabling sinners to accept salvation, and the possibility of falling from grace, highlighting a relational dynamic between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. This theological framework challenges infralapsarianism by rejecting the notion of a predetermined order of election and reprobation following the fall, instead affirming God's desire for all to be saved.
The Foundations of Infralapsarianism
Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist theological framework, posits that God's decree to permit the Fall of humanity precedes His election and reprobation, situating the Fall as a foundational event in divine predestination. This view contrasts with Arminianism, which emphasizes conditional election based on foreseen faith and human free will, rejecting the infralapsarian presupposition of a predetermined Fall. The foundations of Infralapsarianism center on God's sovereign ordering of decrees, where the Fall is not only permitted but serves as the basis for subsequent divine decisions on salvation and condemnation.
Historical Background of the Arminianism vs Infralapsarianism Debate
The historical background of the Arminianism vs. Infralapsarianism debate centers on 17th-century theological disputes within the Reformed tradition, where Jacobus Arminius challenged strict Calvinist predestination views. Arminianism emphasizes conditional election based on foreseen faith, contrasting with Infralapsarianism's doctrine that God's decree to permit the fall precedes election, placing human sin after God's initial decree. Key synods like the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) critically addressed these views, shaping the ongoing dialogue between divine sovereignty and human free will in Protestant theology.
Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility: Key Differences
Arminianism emphasizes human free will and responsibility, asserting that God's sovereignty allows for conditional election based on foreseen faith, highlighting a synergistic relationship between divine grace and human response. Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist subview, upholds God's absolute sovereignty by positing that God decreed the fall of humanity before election, making election unconditional and emphasizing God's ultimate control over salvation. These differences shape the theological understanding of predestination, with Arminianism balancing divine sovereignty with human choice, while Infralapsarianism prioritizes God's sovereign decree in the order of salvation events.
Predestination in Arminianism and Infralapsarianism
Arminianism emphasizes conditional predestination based on God's foreknowledge of human free will decisions, rejecting the notion of unconditional election and allowing for resistible grace. Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist view, posits a logical order where God's decree to permit the Fall precedes the election of some individuals to salvation and reprobation of others, affirming unconditional election and irresistible grace. The key distinction lies in Arminianism's focus on prevenient grace and human response versus Infralapsarianism's emphasis on divine sovereignty and decrees within a structured theological order.
The Order of God’s Decrees Explained
Arminianism emphasizes prevenient grace, asserting that God's decrees align with human free will, allowing believers to accept or reject salvation without compromising divine foreknowledge. Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist viewpoint, posits that God's decree to permit the Fall precedes His decree to elect individuals for salvation, organizing divine decisions in a logical order: creation, permission of the Fall, election, and redemption. This theological framework highlights God's sovereignty while addressing the problem of evil and human responsibility within the divine plan.
Free Will: Contrasts Between Arminian and Infralapsarian Thought
Arminianism emphasizes free will as a fundamental aspect of human nature, asserting that individuals have the genuine ability to accept or reject God's grace, which underscores human responsibility in salvation. Infralapsarianism, rooted in Calvinist theology, interprets divine election as occurring logically after the fall of humanity, positing that God's sovereign decree predetermines salvation independently of human choice, effectively limiting free will. This contrast highlights the Arminian view of conditional election based on foreseen faith versus the Infralapsarian perspective of unconditional election within God's sovereign plan.
Salvation and Election: Varying Perspectives
Arminianism emphasizes conditional election based on God's foreknowledge of human free will and faith, highlighting prevenient grace that enables salvation but can be resisted. Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist perspective, teaches that God's election occurs logically after the decree of the Fall, focusing on unconditional election and God's sovereign choice in salvation without consideration of human decision. These differing doctrines shape the theological understanding of predestination, human responsibility, and the extent of Christ's atonement.
Biblical Support for Arminianism and Infralapsarianism
Arminianism emphasizes human free will and conditional election, drawing biblical support from scriptures like John 3:16 and 1 Timothy 2:4, which highlight God's universal desire for salvation and the offer of grace to all. Infralapsarianism, rooted in Reformed theology, is supported by passages such as Romans 9 and Ephesians 1, underscoring God's sovereign election and predestination prior to the fall of man. Both theological perspectives interpret key biblical texts differently to explain the relationship between divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the order of God's decrees regarding salvation.
Theological Implications for Christian Doctrine and Practice
Arminianism emphasizes human free will and conditional election, highlighting God's prevenient grace that enables believers to respond to salvation, which shapes doctrines of atonement, perseverance, and evangelism. Infralapsarianism, a Calvinist position, supports a supralapsarian order of God's decrees where election follows the fall, underscoring divine sovereignty and unconditional election, impacting views on predestination and assurance of salvation. The theological implications influence Christian practice in areas such as prayer, mission, and the believer's assurance of salvation, reflecting differing understandings of God's role and human responsibility.
Arminianism Infographic
