Calvinist and Arminian Traditions:
Denominations, Hybrids, and
the Politics of Doctrine
PART 1
by R.E. Slater and ChatGPT 5
August 8, 2025
A Personal Note
I grew up in the "Regular Baptist" tradition which is classically based in Arminian thought but under 20th century evangelicalism's influences became influenced by strong versions of Calvinism. The more likely because the RCA and CRC synods are headquartered in the city I reside and go to church.
These 16th century Calvinistic projections upon the bible were especially centered in God's sovereignty from which all Reformed dogma then proceeded. This theological persuasion was also my educational training in the several churches I attended including my bible college experience, and the M.Div degree I obtained centered in Reformed Covenantal and not arbitrary dispensational et al schemas.
When moving first towards a progressive form of evangelicalism (known as the Emergent church movement lasting some 20 years, 1995-2015 roughly) I found that Evangelicalism's theological foundation rested upon an eclectic basis of philosophies from Platonism to Hellenism to Medieval, Enlightenment, and Modernism, as example. I had first thought a new biblical hermeneutic might solve the evangelical stigmatization (or overload) upon the bible but I next realized that what was needed was a new philosophical foundation from which all theology derives its energy.
Hence, in the early years of developing this website (2009), Calvinism was systematically removed and replaced by Arminianism (ala Dr. Roger Olson). From that arrangement I then moved logically and quite easily towards Open and Relational theology (ORT) which is the upgraded version of contemporary Arminianism. All the while I was yet ignorant of the need for a new philosophical basis which shortly thereafter came into view (2014?) and into which I at first explored (up to 2021?) and have ever since been presently developing.
Point being, it's taken awhile to get to where I am today having first to deconstruct the entirety of my life's learning and beliefs, to then reconstruct forward with no fixed center, stated goal, or idea where I was going. It further meant expanding and broadening my understandings of the world from what I thought I knew - and was led to believe - and especially away from those areas that I was warned not to examine, thereby staying true to my past Christian heritage. But once the ingrained cultural walls were knocked down and stepped over my theological horizons could expand and new vistas be explored. All this took quite a long while as I did not have the advantage of a mentor or discipler. It was a self learned journey ever guided by the Holy Spirit.
Eventually, I came to process philosophy with its derivations of process theology, process religion broadly, and how to processually view the sciences - including all academic disciplines - such as studies in urban ecological growth, or the development of ecological civilizations... including socio-political economies of scale, transformative process democracies centered in justice and equality, and etc. As a result, process has become essential in viewing all 21st century developments from AI and tech to the family unit and broken human relations.
One last significant observation came to me in my journey which finally put all things into place when realizing that the "Evangelical-Arminian version" of "Open and Relational theology" was essentially a draw down from Whitehead's own process philosophy. The phrase's fuller descriptor was-and-is "Open and Relational PROCESS theology"... which is where it must remain... and not within evangelicalism's hodgepodge of eclectic admixtures of non-processual world philosophies.
To conclude, I will now submit three posts:
Part 1 - An introduction to the Calvinist/Arminian debates (here);
Part 2 - How Process Theology differs from Arminian and Evangelical thought. This post will also include the argument for the complete replacement of both 16th century systems of theology placed upon the bible - that of Calvinism and Arminianism - along with the replacement of 20th century Evangelicalism, by Process Theology alone. Thus enabling broader philosophical-theological discussions in Christian metaphysics, ontology, and ethics will also including more integrative processual dialogues with global religions and contemporary cultural developments.
And finally,
Part 3 - The development of a processual soteriology as more attuned to God's person and work than evangelicalism's own doctrines of salvation.
R.E. Slater
August 9, 2025
List of Christian Creeds -
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| R.E. Slater & ChatGPT5 |
Introduction
The history of Protestant theology has been shaped profoundly by two major streams of thought: Calvinism and Arminianism. Emerging from the Reformation and its immediate aftermath, these systems represent not only distinct theological convictions but also competing visions of God’s sovereignty, human freedom, and the nature of salvation. Over the centuries, their debates have produced denominational alignments, institutional loyalties, and shifting theological syntheses.
In the modern era, both Calvinism and Arminianism have evolved, adapted, and, in some cases, merged into hybrid forms. These theological developments are deeply intertwined with the historical, cultural, and political contexts of their respective church bodies. Understanding their origins, transformations, and current expressions is essential for grasping the present theological landscape within global Christianity.
1. Historical Origins (16th–17th Century)
Calvinism - The Reformed Stream
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Origins: Rooted in the theology of John Calvin (1509–1564), a French Reformer in Geneva, and his contemporaries in the wider Reformed tradition (e.g., Ulrich Zwingli, Heinrich Bullinger).
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Core Tenets (TULIP acronym codified later in the 17th century at the Synod of Dort, 1618–1619):
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Total Depravity — Human nature is wholly corrupted by sin.
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Unconditional Election — God’s choice of the elect is not based on foreseen faith.
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Limited Atonement — Christ’s atonement is effective for the elect alone.
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Irresistible Grace — God’s grace cannot be ultimately resisted by those elected.
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Perseverance of the Saints — The elect will persevere in faith until the end.
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Historical Denominational Issuers:
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Reformed Churches of Switzerland (Swiss Reformed Church)
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Dutch Reformed Churches (later the Reformed Church in America, RCA, and the Christian Reformed Church, CRC)
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French Huguenots - The Huguenots were French Protestants who largely adhered to the Reformed tradition of Calvinism, distinct from the Catholic Church that dominated France. They faced intense persecution from the French monarchy and the Catholic Church, leading to the French Wars of Religion, a series of conflicts. At the revocation of the Edict of Nantes and other instances of persecution, many Huguenots fled France, seeking refuge in countries like England, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and even further afield to North America and South Africa.
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Presbyterian Churches (Scotland, later Presbyterian Church USA and Presbyterian Church in America)
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Puritans (in England and New England)
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Congregationalists (New England origins)
Arminianism - The Remonstrant Stream
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Origins: Developed by Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) in the Netherlands as a counterpoint to strict Calvinism, especially its view of predestination. His followers issued the Remonstrance (1610), prompting the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) to condemn their views.
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Core Tenets (often expressed as “The Five Articles of the Remonstrance”):
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Conditional Election — Based on God’s foreknowledge of who would freely believe.
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Unlimited Atonement — Christ died for all, though only believers benefit.
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Partial Depravity — Humanity is fallen but prevenient grace enables a free response.
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Resistible Grace — Humans can resist God’s saving call.
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Conditional Perseverance — Salvation can be lost through persistent unbelief.
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Historical Denominational Issuers:
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Remonstrant Brotherhood (Netherlands)
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Certain English Baptists (General Baptists)
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Early Methodism (John and Charles Wesley)
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Some Anabaptist communities
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Armenian Evangelical Church (Middle Eastern Protestant expression)
2. Contemporary Expressions (20th–21st Century)
Calvinism - The Neo-Reformed & "Young, Restless, Reformed" (YRR) Streams
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