I guess I should have been more clear with some of my terminology. Arminianism is primarily a set of soteriological doctrines (that is, doctrines of salvation), often contrasted with the soteriology of Calvinism. Arminianism is the explicit soteriology of Wesleyans and other “free will” churches, and from what I can tell, is implicit in much Anabaptism as well. For a more detailed theological/philosophical description, see my blog series on Arminianism.

For those of you who don’t know what “Arminian” is (I didn’t…and thought maybe it was a misspelling of Armenian) I looked it up on wikipedia.

Arminianism is a school of soteriological thought within Protestant Christianity based on the theological ideas of the Dutch Reformed theologian Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609)[1] and his historic followers, the Remonstrants. The doctrines’ acceptance stretches through much of mainstream, evangelical Protestantism.

Arminianism holds to the following tenets:

* Humans are naturally unable to make any effort towards salvation (see also prevenient grace).
* Salvation is possible only by God’s grace, which cannot be merited.
* No works of human effort can cause or contribute to salvation.
* God’s election is conditional on faith in the sacrifice and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
* Christ’s atonement was made on behalf of all people.
* God allows his grace to be resisted by those who freely reject Christ.
* Salvation can be lost, as continued salvation is conditional upon continued faith.