Classic Arminianism the Grandfather of Rationalism

Bavinck describes the early 17th century teaching of the Remonstrants (a.k.a. ‘classic Arminian’) that God gives sufficient grace to all humans which gives all people the moral ability to choose or reject Christ. This means that universal, sufficient grace inside all people gives all people moral ability and capacity to do the good.

Bavinck argued that this view was moralistic (i.e. emphasized what people can do), it denied the effectual call (i.e. people can accept or reject as they please), it “undermined God’s entire special revelation” because the Quakers, Anabaptists, and other Enthusiasts highlighted the “internal word” (i.e. who needs a preached word when you can find it inside yourself), and is ultimately contractual rather than covenantal (i.e. God does his part, you do yours). Read the rest HERE