A Display of Arminianism

by John Owen

Being a Discovery of the Old Pelagian Idol Free Will with the New Goddess Contingency

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1642

About the author

John Owen was an English theologian and "was without doubt not only the greatest theologian of the English Puritan movement but also one of the greatest European Reformed theologians of his day, and quite possibly possessed the finest theological mind that England ever produced" ("Owen, John", in Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals, p. 494)

Reviews

[Wilson Hines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's Owen and he was going after the Arminians. Wow. It's very polemic and he didn't hold anything back whatsoever.

[Shaun Marksbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Owen demonstrates the idolatry of free will, comparing the Arminian position to Scripture. He demonstrates the primacy of God's eternal decrees, foreknowledge, and providence of God, and how boundless free-will would rob God of His freedom to work. Owen counters with Scripture and explains the irresistibility of God's will and man's need considering his depravity. In short, this is a good book to read to understand the issues of Calvinism vs. Arminianism.

The version I listened to is the audio reading found here: http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp...

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great.

[Christian Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is amazing, it's thoroughly based on scripture, constantly and accurately holding Arminian philosophies up to the light of God's Word. I must add, it had a very refreshing take on "irresistible grace":

"Thirdly. We do not affirm that grace is irresistible, as though it came upon the will with such an overflowing violence as to beat it down before it, and subdue it by compulsion to what it is not inclined to in any way. But if that term must be used, it denotes, in our sense, only such an unconquerable efficacy of grace as to always and infallibly produce its effect; for who can “withstand God?” Acts 11:17 – as it may also be used on that part of the will which will not resist it: “All that the Father gives to Christ shall come to him,” John 6:37. The operation of grace is not resisted by a hard heart because it mollifies the heart itself. It does not so much take away a power to resist, as give a will to obey, whereby the powerful impotency of resistance is removed."

It seemed appropriate though to remove one star, because I don't see how productive this would be to the debate. The author is so hostile towards any who would defend this "heresy," that they won't want to read this book, and if they did, why would they believe it? Pink's Sovereignty is much better for discourse, but both books are true.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exceptional job by Owen. I think of them book as the Death of Death lite. Less calories- With the same great taste! It is against the rise of Arminianism as a whole. It is not against a particular person. It speaks of predestination and limited atonement . This is Owen more readable. A fantastic read and great at under 150 pages.

[Md Meiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owen at his best, as he dispels the errors of free will and universal atonement, in order to defend the gospel of grace and unmerited favor in Christ.

[Tim Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic. This was written in 1642, when many of the original Remonstrants were still living. Owen understood Arminianism as well or better than its founders. He uses their own words against them, and is particularly effective when he shows how they explicitly contradict Scripture.

[Matthew Eyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not an attempt to prove the system called Calvinism, per se, but an attempt to show the great errors in Arminianism. After each section, he places statements (NOT taken out of context. He is careful to use statements that represent what the authors are intending) by Arminius and other Arminians alongside Scripture verses that demonstrate their folly. Those that promote the "idol" (as he calls it) of man's "free-will" and oppose Calvinism could learn a lot by reading this book, and examining the Scriptures. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of the logical conclusions of Arminianism. Thankfully most Arminians are not consistent.

[Alan Rennê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Análise devastadora!