The Ground of Election (Studies in Christian History and Thought) (Studies in Christian History and Thought) [Paperback]

F. Stuart Clarke (Author), Herbert B. McGonigle (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007 | Series: Studies in Christian History and Thought

The young Reformed scholar Arminius returned from finishing his studies to Amsterdam in 1588 to begin pastoral ministry. His personal interests had been philosophical rather than theological, and in the Bible, the Old Testament rather than the New. To his dismay, he found the Dutch Reformed Church divided on theological issues, especially predestination. He was reluctant to get involved, though in his Bible exposition in 1593 he got into trouble for expressing unacceptable views on Romans 9. He was hoping that Franciscus Junius, the new Theological Professor at Leiden University, would intervene in the controversy and restore harmony.

The two met in December 1596 and began a correspondence. Arminius was disappointed with Junius’ views. Nevertheless, he learned from Junius the centrality of Christ and his work for all that belongs to human salvation, including predestination. Arminius began to construct his own theology, setting Christ’s work at the heart of it.

This study retells the story with new emphases, concentrating on Arminius’ theological development up to his magnum opus, the Declaration of Sentiments , in 1608, and summarizing his conclusions: in particular, that Christ himself is the foundation of election, and that we are saved by a new relationship with God through Christ. Both these insights led him at last to reject the Calvinist concept of salvation and damnation through a hidden decree made in a Christ-less secret counsel of the divine wisdom. Arminius was unsuccessful in the short term, but this study contends that his views have much to teach us.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those who want to get to grips with what Arminius actually wrote, as opposed to what others have said he wrote or have written about him, this is now the first place to turn. From beneath centuries of misunderstanding and misinterpretation Stuart Clarke has unearthed the real Arminius." John Darch, Lecturer in Church History and Liturgy, St. John's College Nottingham

"Dr. Clarke's historical and theological study shows Arminius to be both more and less than an adversary of Calvin. His lucid account forms an invaluable companion to the 1986 English edition of Arminius's writings." Paul Ellingworth, Honorary Lecturer, University of Aberdeen

"This thorough study of the writings of James Arminius will be of great interest to all Christians who are unhappy with the Calvinist view of predestination, but it also suggests how wide of the mark some so-called "Arminians" have been. In this intellectual biography, Arminius emerges as a champion of Christian orthodoxy whose opponents were marginalizing the work and person of Christ and were portraying God as other than a God of love. This Christocentric interpretation of Arminius is a significant new development in historical theology." Tom Noble, Professor of Theology, Nazarene Theological Seminary

About the Author

F. Stuart Clarke is a retired Methodist minister who spent most of his ministry in pastoral work in the UK and also seven years as a theological teacher in Sierra Leone.

Product Details

• Paperback: 205 pages
• Publisher: Paternoster (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842273981
• ISBN-13: 978-1842273982
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,865,498 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Better Understanding of the Works of Arminius, January 17, 2011

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Nelson Banuchi "atdCross" (Concord, NC USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Ground of Election (Studies in Christian History and Thought) (Studies in Christian History and Thought) (Paperback)

An excellent overview of Arminius' theology demonstrating the centrality of Christ as the ground of election/salvation. This book also succeeds in giving the reader a better general understanding of Arminius' "Works", which Clarke admits (along with others) is difficult reading. I would assume this is especially true for non-scholars, of which I am counted in their number. I read the "Works of Arminius" twice (before I read this book) and had a hard time understanding exactly where Arminius was on the issue of predestination. Reading this book has given me a better understanding of the "Works". I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in obtaining a better grasp of Arminius and his theology and to understand more clearly the controversy he was reluctantly embroiled in on the issue of the Reformed/Calvinistic notion of predestination. It should be required reading for the Calvinist.