The Nature of the Will in the Writings of Calvin and Arminius: A Comparative Study

Looking for deeper insights into an age-old debate on the question of the issue of free will in the theology of Calvin and Arminius? Youve come to the right place. When the general question does man have a free will? is directed to John Calvin and James Arminius the received and oft-repeated answer is that Calvin jealous for the glory of God opposes free will and that Arminius being human-centered advocates for free will thus robbing God of his glory. This book shows through a fresh look at the original sources that the above characterization of the differences between Calvin and Arminius on the nature of the human will is misguided. For by using the fourfold state of human beings as the lens through which to ask and answer the question it is shown here that the glory of God constitutes the main reason underlying both Calvins opposition to and Arminiuss advocacy of free will. Moreover though for different reasons and with many nuances Calvin and Arminius do agree seventy-five percent of the time--in the created the redeemed and the glorified state--that human beings possess free will. However they differ significantly on the location efficacy and function of that free will. For Calvin free will is a gift of grace; for Arminius it is a gift of grace and nature. Alrick Headleys work provides a finely argued entry point into the views of Calvin and Arminius especially notable for its examination of human willing in the four states of human nature. Headley interacts cogently with the extant scholarship and the primary sources and ably demonstrates both the common ground and the substantive differences between the Calvinist and Arminian theologies. --Richard A. Muller Senior Fellow Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research and P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology Emeritus Calvin Theological Seminary For those who seek a better understanding of the positions of Calvin and Arminius on mans free will this book offers an in-depth look into their understanding of the will in the fourfold state of man. The difference in the positions of these men is clarified in a way to provide better understanding of this long-debated issue. --Jake Sonke Zion United Reformed Church Elder Headley has provided the scholarly and broader faith communities with the most sophisticated and integrative exposition to date of the manner in which the will is understood by Calvin and Arminius. His treatment of this conceptually difficult and historically divisive matter is unusually clear theologically astute textually sensitive and philosophically subtle. --A.A. Howsepian M.D. University of California San Francisco-Fresno and Fresno Pacific University Are the teachings on the will of man by Calvin and Arminius really all that different? Could they possibly be reconciled? Motivated by his own inner wrestling and guided by his academic life uniquely lived in either circle Headley offers a fair and exhaustive comparison of the two based on their own writings and teachings. This is a must-read for anyone who makes a claim one way but has not read the others writings. --Timothy L. Raakman pastor Christian Reformed Church Three Rivers MI Rev. Alrick Headley (MDiv ThM) is a chaplain in Phoenix Arizona. Prior to becoming a chaplain Alrick pastored three churches in the capacity of senior pastor church planter and associate pastor.