Jacob Arminius

by Rustin E Brian

Overview

Jacob Arminius was a Dutch theologian whose views have become the basis of Arminianism and the Dutch Remonstrant movement, and are quite influential on Wesleyan, and therefore Methodist, theology as well. Arminius attempted to reform Reformed theology and ended up lending his name to a movement that resisted some of the primary tenets of Calvinism. Rustin E. Brian outlines the life and theology of Arminius, shedding fresh light on his life, theology, and writings. In hopes of better understanding Arminian theology and Arminianism, Brian concludes with a constructive comparison and contrast of Arminius and several prominent theological figures: Pelagius, John Wesley, and Karl Barth.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498219761
Publisher:	Cascade Books
Publication date:	06/25/2015
Series:	Cascade Companions , #17
Pages:	126
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Rustin E. Brian is an ordained Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, currently pastoring Renton Church of the Nazarene in Renton, WA, and Adjunct Professor of Theology at Northwest Nazarene University and Seattle Pacific University. He is the author of Covering Up Luther: How Barth's Christology Challenged the Deus Absconditus that Haunts Modernity (2013).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Preface xi

Part 1 Who Was Arminius?

1 Introduction: The Man behind the Adjective 3

2 Arminius's Early Life 10

3 Arminius's Pastoral Career 20

4 Arminius's Academic Career 29

Part 2 Arminius's Theology

5 Interpretation of Scripture 37

6 Christology and Trinity 48

7 Grace, Predestination, and Election 58

Part 3 Arminian Theology Today

8 Arminius ≠ Pelagius 73

9 John Wesley, the Faithful Arminian 86

10 Arminius and Karl Barth 94

11 Conclusion: What Does It Mean to Be an "Arminian" Today? 103

Bibliography 111

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Much important and serious scholarship has been done in recent years to recover Arminius's theology for a new generation of Christians. Rustin Brian adds to this recovery, providing a creative introduction to Arminius that draws upon and adds to this scholarly conversation while making the great theologian more accessible to lay readers."
—Mark H. Mann, Co-editor of Reconsidering Arminius: Beyond the Reformed and Wesleyan Divide, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Wesleyan Center, Point Loma Nazarene University

"Whether worn as a badge of honor or hurled in derision, the term 'Arminian' says both too little and too much. In this short book, Brian introduces us to 'the man behind the adjective,' telling us just enough about his background and beliefs to spark a conversation about Arminius's place in the history of theology and the way theology might benefit from listening to him. What would a Reformed Wesleyan look like? Maybe like this."
—Matt Jenson, Associate Professor of Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

"Jacob Arminius is a theologian known more from the perspective of his antagonists than from his own substantive theological work. Dissatisfied with any theology that set God's will above God's truth and self-diffusive goodness, Arminius resisted the pull of some powerful modern theological tendencies. His theology needs reconsideration in light of the collapse of those theological tendencies. In this important work, Rustin Brian provides what we need — an excellent introduction to Arminius as a theologian in his own right."
—D. Stephen Long, Cary M. Maguire University Professor in Ethics, Southern Methodist University

Editorial Reviews

"Much important and serious scholarship has been done in recent years to recover Arminius's theology for a new generation of Christians. Rustin Brian adds to this recovery, providing a creative introduction to Arminius that draws upon and adds to this scholarly conversation while making the great theologian more accessible to lay readers."
—Mark H. Mann, Co-editor of Reconsidering Arminius: Beyond the Reformed and Wesleyan Divide, Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Wesleyan Center, Point Loma Nazarene University

"Whether worn as a badge of honor or hurled in derision, the term 'Arminian' says both too little and too much. In this short book, Brian introduces us to 'the man behind the adjective,' telling us just enough about his background and beliefs to spark a conversation about Arminius's place in the history of theology and the way theology might benefit from listening to him. What would a Reformed Wesleyan look like? Maybe like this."
—Matt Jenson, Associate Professor of Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University

"Jacob Arminius is a theologian known more from the perspective of his antagonists than from his own substantive theological work. Dissatisfied with any theology that set God's will above God's truth and self-diffusive goodness, Arminius resisted the pull of some powerful modern theological tendencies. His theology needs reconsideration in light of the collapse of those theological tendencies. In this important work, Rustin Brian provides what we need — an excellent introduction to Arminius as a theologian in his own right."
—D. Stephen Long, Cary M. Maguire University Professor in Ethics, Southern Methodist University

From the Publisher