Remonstrance

In this series of episodes we will be diving into Arminius' Fourfold Doctrine of Predestination as outlined in his Declaration of Sentiments (1608). We will see how it aligns with Covenant Theology, Scripture, and is thoroughly Christocentric. In this episode we will focus on the third and fourth decree in Arminius' Fourfold Doctrine of Predestination. The fourth is the most controversial because it deals with "particular" election of individuals. We will also look at how Middle Knowledge fits into the theology of Arminius and what W. Stephen Gunter thinks of all of this in the analysis section of his book. Resources Used: Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments (W. Stephen Gunter) Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace (Stanglin and McCall) After Arminius (Stanglin and McCall)

In this series of episodes we will be diving into Arminius' Fourfold Doctrine of Predestination as outlined in his Declaration of Sentiments (1608). We will see how it aligns with Covenant Theology, Scripture, and is thoroughly Christocentric. We will also discuss whether it could be described as "Reformed" or not and compare it to various Calvinistic versions of the doctrine of predestination. Could the theology of Arminius be more "Reformed" than the theology of many Calvinists today? I think so. Listen in to see what you think. Resources Used: Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments (W. Stephen Gunter) Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives (Crossway) From Faith to Faith: John Wesley's Covenant Theology and the Way of Salvation (Stanley J. Rodes)

This month, we will be releasing a teaching I did last year based on John Wesley’s sermon “On Divine Providence” in two parts. There is a link to Wesley's sermon below. The teaching was done only a few weeks into the COVID-19 Pandemic and recorded at Wesley Chapel, the church where I serve as Lead Pastor. It focuses on how the doctrine of providence gives us hope and confidence even in times of uncertainty because the doctrine reveals that God is ultimately in control. If you are interested in listening to expository preaching from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective then check out the Wesley Chapel podcast. Links: On Divine Providence by John Wesley Wesley Chapel Podcast

This month, we will be releasing a teaching I did last year based on John Wesley’s sermon “On Divine Providence” in two parts. There is a link to Wesley's sermon below. The teaching was done only a few weeks into the COVID-19 Pandemic and recorded at Wesley Chapel, the church where I serve as Lead Pastor. It focuses on how the doctrine of providence gives us hope and confidence even in times of uncertainty because the doctrine reveals that God is ultimately in control. If you are interested in listening to expository preaching from a Wesleyan-Arminian perspective then check out the Wesley Chapel podcast. Links: On Divine Providence by John Wesley Wesley Chapel Podcast

Welcome back to Remonstrance Revamp! In this episode, we will continue to look at the lineup of Classical Methodist Theologians. Richard Watson, Samuel Wakefield, Thomas Ralston, Thomas Summers, and William Pope. Other Methodist theologians such as John Miley (boo!) will be mentioned as well. As a guide, we will be looking at sections of "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology" by Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall. In this episode, I will focus on the topics of Atonement, Justification, and Eschatology. Did you buy "After Arminius" yet? If not, please do! Also, here is the article by Henry C. Sheldon that is mentioned in the episode.

Welcome back to Remonstrance Revamp! In this series of episodes, we will be looking at the lineup of Classical Methodist Theologians. Richard Watson, Samuel Wakefield, Thomas Ralston, Thomas Summers, and William Pope. Other Methodist theologians such as John Miley (boo!) will be mentioned as well. As a guide, we will be looking at sections of "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology" by Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall. In this episode, I will focus on the topics of Scripture, Middle Knowledge, and Original Sin. Did you buy "After Arminius" yet? If not, please do!

Welcome back to Remonstrance Revamp! In this series of episodes, we have a conversation with Dr. Vic Reasoner about the theology and practices of the Holiness Movement. In this episode, Dr. Reasoner discusses the theology of the Holiness Movement. He talks about how Pheobe Palmer and Charles Finney influenced the theology of the Holiness Movement. He also shares how the theology of the Holiness Movement is supported through narrow "proof-texting" and a purposeful selection of particular theology. Finally, he shares his understanding of the doctrine of Perfect Love and how it differs from the formulation of the Holiness Movement. Links: Fundamental Wesleyan Society

Welcome to Remonstrance Revamp! In this series of episodes, we have a conversation with Dr. Vic Reasoner about the theology and practices of the Holiness Movement. In this episode, Dr. Reasoner shares his personal history with the Holiness Movement and what ultimately led him to leave behind the Holiness Movement. He also talks about "the good, the bad, and the ugly" within the Holiness Movement. Stay tuned for the second part of this series that will be released later this month where we will talk about the theology of the Holiness Movement. Links: Fundamental Wesleyan Society Bookstore

In this minisode I continue to share some of what I have learned so far from "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology" by Thomas H. McCall and Keith D. Stanglin. In this minisode I focus on the second part of Chapter 3: "Hearts and Hands: John Wesley and the Theology of Early Methodism." I focus primarily on the "Reformed" Wesley. Highlighting Wesley's views on the inspiration of Scripture, Meticulous Providence, Middle Knowledge, Federalism, Penal Substitution, Justification, and Imputation. Here is the link to the article about Wesley and Middle Knowledge: Molina, Arminus, Plaifere, Goad, and Wesley On Human Free-will, Divine Omniscience, and Middle Knowledge Make sure you buy a copy of "After Arminius" for yourself: "After Arminius" on Amazon

In March Remonstrance turns five! The first “minisode” of Remonstrance dropped on March 3, 2016, and we have been working to promote Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation ever since. A lot has changed in the last five years. Ben and I planted a church in Shelton, Connecticut, and we have both become fathers. Remonstrance has teamed up with the Fundamental Wesleyan Society and I graduated from Wesley Seminary. The theological podcast landscape has also changed significantly since 2016, although Calvinist voices still dominate. All of these factors have prompted the necessity to revamp Remonstrance beginning the week of our fifth birthday. The first week of March 2021. Remonstrance is not going anywhere but we will be changing our programming. Moving forward, the podcast will consist of five types of episode formats: Interviews: There will be a lot of interviews with Wesleyan and Arminian scholars, historians, seminary professors, and theologians on the show. Stay tuned for some interesting interviews! Some of them will be returning from past episodes and others will be new to the podcast. Book and Article Reflections: I will be dropping minisodes or even full episodes where I reflect on theology books I am reading or I have read. I will also interact with and respond to current theology articles relative to Wesleyan-Arminianism.Historical Episodes: I will be dropping some episodes (or minisodes) where I will explore significant historical events from the history of the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. Doctrinal Dialogues: True to our “pre-revamp” selves Ben and I will discuss topics together related to Wesleyan-Arminian theology or practice.Debates: Remonstrance will also be hosting debates from within the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition. These will not be your classic “Calvinist vs. Arminian” debates (yawn) but rather “in-house” debates only! Essentially, each month will be something different. Remonstrance will remain committed to delivering fresh and theologically substantial content every month. We will also continue our partnerships with the Society of Evangelical Arminians and the Fundamental Wesleyan Society. I hope you will join Remonstrance Podcast for the next five years of Wesleyan-Arminian Reformation. I am looking forward to seeing what God will do. Soli Deo Gloria. -Vin @ Remonstrance

In this minisode I continue to share some of what I have learned so far from "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology" by Thomas H. McCall and Keith D. Stanglin. In this minisode I focus on the second part of Chapter 2: "Heat and Light" which focuses on English Arminianism. I start off by sharing what I learned about the controversy surrounding Peter Baro at Cambridge which actually predated the Arminian controversy in the Netherlands! Then we look at the positives and negatives of English Arminianism including the thought of Thomas Jackson, John Goodwin, Thomas Goad, and George Bull. Here is the link to the article by Richard Muller about Thomas Goad. Goading the Determinists: Thomas Goad (1576-1638) On Necessity, Contingency, and God's Eternal Decree by Richard A. Muller Make sure you buy a copy of "After Arminius" for yourself: "After Arminius" on Amazon

In this minisode I share some of what I have learned so far from "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology" by Thomas H. McCall and Keith D. Stanglin. In this minisode I focus on the first part of Chapter 2: "Heat and Light" which focuses on the Dutch Remonstrants after the death of Arminius. We will see the good, bad, and the ugly in Dutch Remonstrantism with a focus on Simon Episcopius and Philip van Limborch. Stay tuned for a follow-up minisode that will focus on English Arminianism later this week. Buy a copy of "After Arminius" for yourself before the next minisode drops: "After Arminius" on Amazon

In this minisode I will be reading through an excerpt of a sermon by George Whitefield titled, "The True Way of Keeping Christmas." You can find this sermon in a free Ebook from Seedbed which you could download as a PDF. The link is below. Merry Christmas everyone from Remonstrance podcast! Free Ebook: Twelve Christmas Sermons (Seedbed)

Merry Christmas everyone! Are you trying to find the perfect gift for yourself or a fellow theology nerd or seminary student? Then listen to this episode! In this episode, I go over my favorite Wesleyan-Arminian theology books to put on your Christmas list to buy for yourself or someone else. I also share some interesting new theology books I have read this past year. We hope you have a very merry and theology filled Christmas from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast. Links: Systematic Theology Classic Christianity Theological Institutes Introduction to John Wesley Wesley on the Christian Life John Wesley More in Depth Wesleyan Theological Studies The Theology of John Wesley On Audible John Wesley’s Teachings Commentaries Romans (V.1), Romans (V.2), Ephesians, 1&2 Peter, 1&2&3 John and Jude Interesting Theology Born Again Against God and Nature Arminian Theology Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments Most Exciting New Book After Arminius

This is the final part of our interview with Keith Stanglin. In this episode we discuss the question of whether or not Arminius held to Middle Knowledge in his theology. Then we discuss the important question of whether or not Arminius could truly be categorized as "Reformed." Then we talk about whether or not the Synod of Dort truly condemned the theology of Arminius or only the theology of the Remonstrants who came after Arminius. We end by talking about whether or not Keith and Tom are going to make this a trilogy. Hopefully they will! Click the link below to Keith and Tom's new book: "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology"

In this episode we continue our interview with Keith Stanglin! In this episode we talk about his new book "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology." Keith gives an overview of the new book which he co-authored with Thomas McCall. Then we discuss whether there is an inherent problem in Arminian Theology that leads it to take a "leftward shift" over time. Then we discuss how faithful John Wesley and the Early Methodist theologians were to the theology of Arminius. Then we ask Keith to weight in on the division between "Reformed Arminians" and "Wesleyan-Arminians." Should this division actually exist? Why or why not? Stay tuned for our next episode for the final part of our interview with Keith Stanglin. Order Keith and Tom's new book! According to Amazon it will be released today! "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology"

In this series of episodes, we had the opportunity to interview Keith Stanglin! In this episode, Keith discusses how he originally became interested in Arminian theology and a little about his theological journey. He also discusses what led him to write "Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace." Keith shares what it was like to study the theology of Arminius at Calvin Seminary under the guidance of Richard Muller. Keith then discusses what the greatest strengths of Arminian theology and why so few people have conducted scholarly studies of the theology of Arminius. In the next episode, we will discuss Keith's new book "After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology." Stay tuned! Keith Stanglin is the co-author of: Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace (Order Now!) After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology (Pre-Order Now!)

In this episode we continue to discuss the issue of politics and voting with Election Day only a week away here in the United States. In this episode we will begin by focusing on how Wesley taught we should engage in civil discourse especially with those that we disagree with on political issues. When then discuss Wesley's position on slavery and the slave trade and how although he leaned "Tory" in his politics he was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery in the 18th Century. We then conclude the episode discussing Wesley's advice on voting. We encourage you to post this or tweet this on Election Day: “October 6, 1774 I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” ― John Wesley, The Journal of John Wesley

In this episode we jump into the issue of politics and voting as Election Day approaches here in the United States. We will be focusing on how to navigate through this complex and difficult political season as Christians and specifically seeing what John Wesley had to say. In this episode we will discuss the political context that Wesley lived in. Then we will focus on what it meant to "speak from the center" during the time of John Wesley and what it means to "speak from the center" today. How can Wesley appear to be both a "Tory" and a "Whig" at the same time? We will also focus on what he had to say about political partisanship during the time of the American Revolution and what motivated Wesley to oppose the American Revolution. We hope you enjoy this episode. Look out for the next episode that will drop next week. Links: Fundamental Wesleyan Society Website FWS Podcast Also Pre-Order Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall's new book! After Arminius: A Historical Introduction to Arminian Theology

Reformation month is coming in October! In honor of the 503rd Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation we will be releasing a series of two lectures this month about the life of the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli given at Wesley Chapel (our church) last year. Enjoy learning about Zwingli and Happy Reformation month from all of us here at Remonstrance Podcast. Link to Power Point Used: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBHbtzeGQj1oXkulHKcfEzQ2VYZrWzNo/view?usp=sharing