Arminianism

==Arminianism and other views==
{{further|Salvation in Christianity#Protestantism}}
===Divergence with Pelagianism===
[[File:Allegory of theological dispute-Abraham van der Eyk-MBA Lyon H1151-IMG 0428.jpg|thumb|''Allegory of the theological dispute between the Arminianists and their opponents'' by Abraham van der Eyk (1721), allegorically represents what many Arminians thought about the Synod: the Bible on the Arminian side was outweighed by the sword, representing the power of the state, and [[Calvin's Institutes]] on the other.]]

[[Pelagianism]] is a doctrine denying [[original sin]] and [[total depravity]]. No system of Arminianism founded on Arminius or Wesley denies original sin or total depravity;{{sfn|Pinson|2002|pp=138–139}} both Arminius and Wesley ''strongly'' affirmed that man's basic condition is one in which he cannot be righteous, understand God, or seek God.{{sfn|Arminius|1853b|p=192}} Arminius referred to Pelagianism as "the grand falsehood" and stated that he "must confess that I detest, from my heart, the consequences [of that theology]."{{sfn|Arminius|1853b|p=219|ps=. The entire treatise occupies pages 196–452}} David Pawson, a British pastor, decries this association as "libelous" when attributed to Arminius' or Wesley's doctrine.{{sfn|Pawson| 1996|p=106}} Most Arminians reject all accusations of Pelagianism.{{sfn|Pawson| 1996|pp=97–98, 106}}{{sfn|Picirilli|2002|pp=6-}}

===Divergence with semi-Pelagianism===
Some schools of thought, notably [[semi-Pelagianism]], which teaches that the first step of Salvation is by human will,{{sfn|Stanglin|McCall|2012|p=160}} are confused as being Arminian in nature. But classical Arminianism and Wesleyan Arminianism hold that the first step of Salvation is through the [[prevenient grace]] of God, though "the subsequent grace entails a cooperative relationship."{{sfn|Schwartz|Bechtold|2015|p=165}}{{sfn|Forlines|2011|pp=20–24}} 

===Divergence with Calvinism===
The two systems of Calvinism and Arminianism share history, many doctrines, and the [[History of Christianity|history of Christian theology]]. However, because of their differences over the doctrines of divine predestination and election, many people view these schools of thought as opposed to each other. The distinction is whether God desires to save all yet allows individuals to resist the grace offered (in the Arminian doctrine) or if God desires to save only some and grace is irresistible to those chosen (in the Calvinist doctrine). Many consider the theological differences to be crucial differences in doctrine, while others find them to be relatively minor.{{sfn|Gonzalez|2014|p=180}}

====Similarities====
* [[Total depravity]] – Arminians agree with Calvinists over the doctrine of total depravity. The differences come in the understanding of how God remedies this human depravity.{{sfn|Olson|2009|pp=31–34, 55–59}}

====Differences====
* Nature of election – Arminians hold that election to eternal salvation has the [[Conditional election|condition of faith]] attached. The Calvinist doctrine of [[unconditional election]] states that salvation cannot be earned or achieved and is therefore not conditional upon any human effort, so faith is not a condition of salvation but the divinely apportioned means to it. In other words, Arminians believe that they owe their election to their faith, whereas Calvinists believe that they owe their faith to their election.
* Nature of grace – Arminians believe that, through [[prevenient grace|grace]], God restores free will concerning salvation to all humanity, and each individual, therefore, is able either to accept the Gospel call through faith or resist it through unbelief. Calvinists hold that God's grace to enable salvation is given only to the elect and [[irresistible grace|irresistibly]] leads to salvation.
* Extent of the atonement – Arminians, along with four-point Calvinists or [[Amyraldian]]s, hold to a [[Unlimited atonement|universal atonement]] instead of the Calvinist doctrine that atonement is [[limited atonement|limited]] to the elect only.{{sfn|Olson|2009|p=221}} Both sides (with the exception of [[Hyper-Calvinism|hyper-Calvinists]]) believe the invitation of the gospel is universal and "must be presented to everyone [they] can reach without any distinction."{{sfn|Nicole|1995}} 
* Perseverance in faith – Arminians believe that future salvation and eternal life is secured in Christ and protected from all external forces but is [[conditional preservation of the saints|conditional on remaining in Christ]] and can be lost through [[apostasy]]. Traditional Calvinists believe in the doctrine of the [[perseverance of the saints]], which says that because God chose some unto salvation and actually paid for their particular sins, he keeps them from apostasy and that those who do apostatize were never truly regenerated (that is, [[Born again Christianity|born again]]) or saved. Non-traditional Calvinists and other evangelicals advocate the similar but distinct doctrine of eternal security that teaches if a person was once saved, his or her salvation can never be in jeopardy, even if the person completely apostatizes.

===Divergence with open theism===
The doctrine of [[open theism]] states that God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, but differs on the nature of the future. Open theists claim that the future is not completely determined (or "settled") because people have not made their free decisions yet. God therefore knows the future partially in possibilities (human free actions) rather than solely certainties (divinely determined events).{{sfn|Sanders|2007|loc=Summary of Openness of God}} Some Arminians, such as professor and theologian Robert Picirilli, reject the doctrine of open theism as a "deformed Arminianism".{{sfn|Picirilli|2002|pp=40, 59-|ps=. Picirilli actually objects so strongly to the link between Arminianism and Open theism that he devotes an entire section to his objections}} Joseph Dongell stated that "open theism actually moves beyond classical Arminianism towards [[process theology]]."{{sfn|Walls|Dongell|2004|p=45}} There are also some Arminians, like Roger Olson, who believe Open theism to be an alternative view that a Christian can have.{{sfn|Olson|2009|p=199|loc=note 67}}