Theology shapes how we preach the gospel, disciple believers, and understand God’s grace. Two movements that have gained traction in evangelical circles are Provisionism and Reformed Arminianism. Both claim fidelity to Scripture and reject Calvinistic determinism, yet they diverge significantly in their doctrine of salvation. This blog will compare their soteriology.
1. The Nature of Grace and Human Ability
Provisionism:
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Humanity is fallen but not totally depraved. People retain the natural ability to believe without the prevenient grace of God.
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Grace is mainly external: gospel proclamation, Christ’s cross, and the Spirit’s conviction.
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Key Texts: John 3:16; Romans 10:14–17.
Reformed Arminianism:
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Humanity is totally depraved (Eph. 2:1). No one seeks God apart from prevenient grace (Rom. 3:10–12).
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Grace is prevenient and enabling. The Spirit must open hearts (John 6:44; Acts 16:14), yet this grace can be resisted (Acts 7:51).
2. The Atonement
Provisionism:
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Christ died for all, making salvation possible for everyone (1 John 2:2).
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The atonement is universal in intent but only effective upon human faith.
Reformed Arminianism:
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Christ died for all (1 Tim. 2:4–6), but His death accomplished an actual substitution securing redemption for believers.
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Applied by grace through faith, not merely a potential provision (2 Cor. 5:14–15).
3. Faith and Regeneration
Provisionism:
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Faith precedes regeneration, and man is naturally able to believe.
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Regeneration follows man’s decision to believe.
Reformed Arminianism:
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Faith precedes regeneration, but faith itself is enabled by prevenient grace (John 6:65).
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Regeneration is fully a work of God (Titus 3:5).
4. Perseverance and Apostasy
Provisionism:
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Tends toward eternal security (OSAS). Apostasy passages are explained as loss of rewards or proof of false conversion.
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Key Texts: John 10:28–29; Romans 8:38–39.
Reformed Arminianism:
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Conditional security: believers are safe in Christ but must persevere in faith (Matt. 24:13; Col. 1:22–23).
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Apostasy is real and warned against (Heb. 6:4–6; Heb. 10:26–29).
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit
Provisionism:
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Spirit convicts externally but does not necessarily enable faith beyond natural capacity.
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Grace is resistible and not essential for initial belief.
Reformed Arminianism:
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Spirit convicts, enables, and draws sinners to Christ (John 16:8–11).
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Grace is resistible but absolutely necessary (1 Cor. 12:3).
Parallel Comparison Chart
| Category | Provisionism | Reformed Arminianism |
|---|---|---|
| Human Condition | Fallen but able to believe without prevenient grace | Totally depraved, unable to believe apart from prevenient grace |
| Grace | External provisions (gospel, cross, conviction) | Internal, prevenient, enabling, but resistible |
| Atonement | Universal provision, effective only upon human faith | Unlimited atonement, actual redemption applied to believers |
| Faith & Regeneration | Faith comes from natural ability, and then regeneration follows | Faith enabled by grace, regeneration follows faith |
| Perseverance | Eternal security, apostasy is often reinterpreted | Conditional security, apostasy warnings taken seriously |
| Role of the Holy Spirit | Convicts externally, faith is possible without special enabling grace | Convicts, draws, and enables faith; essential to salvation |
Practical Implications
1. Evangelism
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Provisionism: Emphasizes human decision. The call is to persuade people with the gospel since all retain the ability to believe.
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Reformed Arminianism: Emphasizes reliance on the Spirit. Evangelism is proclamation, trusting God to enable faith through prevenient grace.
2. Discipleship
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Provisionism: Assurance is tied to the initial decision. Focus leans on affirming one’s past choice.
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Reformed Arminianism: Assurance is tied to present faith and perseverance. Discipleship stresses growth, holiness, and endurance in the faith (Heb. 12:1–2).
3. Assurance of Salvation
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Provisionism: Strong sense of eternal security. The danger of nominal Christianity, that apostasy is often explained away.
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Reformed Arminianism: Real assurance through Christ, but with sober attention to the warnings of Scripture. Assurance grows as believers continue in faith and obedience (2 Pet. 1:10).
4. View of God’s Grace
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Provisionism: Grace is God’s provision; the decisive factor remains human will.
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Reformed Arminianism: Grace is God’s active empowerment; the decisive factor is God enabling man to respond while still allowing rejection.
Conclusion
Both Provisionism and Reformed Arminianism reject Calvinistic determinism and affirm human responsibility in salvation. But the fundamental divide is this:
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Provisionism: emphasizes man’s ability and God’s provision. Salvation depends on man’s decision, enabled by general revelation and gospel appeal.
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Reformed Arminianism: emphasizes man’s inability and God’s enabling grace. Salvation depends on persevering faith, made possible only through prevenient grace.
The historico-grammatical reading of Scripture strongly supports the Reformed Arminian position: man is radically fallen, salvation is fully of grace, faith is enabled but not coerced, and perseverance is necessary. Thus, while Provisionism seeks to highlight God’s fairness, it risks reducing salvation to human initiative rather than divine grace.
As Paul reminds us: “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
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