Reformed Arminianism traces back to Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609) — a Dutch Reformed professor who questioned parts of stricter Calvinist predestination. After his death, his followers (the Remonstrants) drew up the Remonstrance in 1610, setting out five points that diverged from what became mainstream Dutch Calvinism. The Synod of Dort (1618–19) pushed back hard and hammered out the five points of Calvinism as a response. But Arminius and the Remonstrants remained within the broad Reformed orbit historically — they were Reformed pastors arguing with other Reformed pastors. (Wikipedia, Encyclopedia Britannica)
Translation: Arminianism started inside the Reformed world, not in some random corner of Christianity. It’s a branch that grew from the same trunk as Calvinism but leaned in a different direction on human freedom, grace, and election.
So — what is “Reformed Arminianism”?
“Reformed Arminianism” is a way of describing people or communities who keep some historically Reformed commitments (like a high view of Scripture, covenant thinking, liturgical/respectful worship, and confessional seriousness) while embracing Arminian positions on soteriology — especially prevenient grace, conditional election (or at least non-double-predestination), and human responsibility in responding to God’s offer of salvation.
Think: theologians and churches that won’t jettison Reformation-era convictions about Scripture, the sacraments, or covenantal theology — but who also say, “God graciously enables human response; election is not the mechanical, unconditional kind Calvinists promote.” Good, nuanced middle ground — though both sides will accuse the other of theological betrayal. (Classic.)
This hybrid identity has been discussed and defended by modern writers and interviewers — it’s not just a neat classroom label. (The Gospel Coalition)
Key historical figures (the OGs)
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Jacobus Arminius — the founder of the movement that bears his name. He began his challenge from inside Reformed circles. (Wikipedia)
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The Remonstrants (Simon Episcopius and company) — Arminius’ successors who formalized the Remonstrance (1610). They organized an Arminian Reformed presence in the Netherlands that survives in one form or another. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
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Hugo Grotius and other early Dutch scholars helped shape a more moderate Reformed-Arminian public theology.
(Those are the historical roots. From there, Wesleyan and later Arminian streams took the soapbox and ran with it.)
Big names — past and present (theologians & scholars)
I’ll split this into classical/early and modern so it doesn’t get scrambled.
Classical / early:
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Jacobus Arminius
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Simon Episcopius
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Hugo Grotius
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(Later) John Wesley and Charles Wesley — Wesley built Methodism on Arminian foundations (not “Reformed” in the Calvinist sense, but important for the movement’s trajectory).
Modern and contemporary scholars are often described as Arminian or Wesleyan-Arminian (many of whom keep high-church or historical-theological habits that could be called “reformed” in certain senses):
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Roger E. Olson — contemporary evangelical Arminian scholar and defender of classical Arminianism. He’s written widely on how Arminianism is rooted in the Reformation and in orthodox theology. (Wikipedia, Patheos)
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Kenneth J. Collins — Wesleyan historian/theologian (Asbury) — a leading voice in Wesley studies and contemporary Wesleyan theological scholarship. (Asbury Theological Seminary, Wikipedia)
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Thomas C. Oden (1931–2016) — United Methodist theologian often read as a classical/Wesleyan-Arminian voice and a “paleo-orthodox” evangelist for historical Christianity; many regard his work as sympathetic to classical Arminian emphases even as Oden described his own positions in nuanced ways. (Wikipedia, The Gospel Coalition)
Note: lots of Methodist/Wesleyan scholars appear in the “modern Arminian” category because Wesleyanism kept the Arminian soteriology alive in a historically disciplined way. Also: not every Arminian is a Reformed Arminian — some are Wesleyan, holiness, or Pentecostal in outlook — but there’s significant overlap on doctrine and practice.
What denominations or churches tend to be Arminian (and therefore where Reformed Arminians are likely to be found)
Historically and today, Arminian theology shows up in:
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Methodist family (United Methodist Church, many indigenous Methodist bodies) — historically Wesleyan/Arminian. (umcpcc.org)
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Wesleyan / Holiness denominations — Church of the Nazarene, Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist, etc. (Wesleyan holiness tradition = strong Arminianism). (Wikipedia, evangelicalarminians.org)
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Pentecostal/Charismatic movements (Assemblies of God, many independent Pentecostal churches) — these are commonly Arminian in soteriology and in practice (free will, universal offer, emphasis on response). (paginc.org, AG News)
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Remonstrant churches (The Netherlands) — the direct historical Remonstrant tradition is still around and is a prime example of “Arminian inside the Reformed family.” (World Council of Churches)
So: Reformed Arminians are sprinkled through Wesleyan, some Anglican, some Reformed/Remonstrant, and many Pentecostal/evangelical traditions.
Who are the Free Will Baptists?
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Origins: They trace back to the early 17th century, specifically to General Baptists in England who were heavily influenced by Arminian thought within a Reformed (Puritan/Baptist) context. Unlike Calvinistic “Particular Baptists,” these Baptists embraced conditional election and general atonement.
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In America, Free Will Baptists took root in the 18th century through figures like Benjamin Randall (New England) and the earlier “Palmer line” in North Carolina. Both streams eventually merged into the National Association of Free Will Baptists (1935).
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They’ve always held to Arminian soteriology while keeping Baptist distinctives like believer’s baptism, congregational polity, and strong commitment to Scripture.
Why they’re “Reformed Arminian”
Free Will Baptists:
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Stay in the Reformation heritage — Scripture alone, salvation by grace, high view of the gospel.
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Hold Arminian soteriology — conditional election, resistible grace, possibility of apostasy.
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Reject hyper-Calvinism while also not being identical to Wesleyans (they don’t follow Wesley’s distinct emphases on sanctification or Methodist polity).
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Many Free Will Baptist theologians explicitly call themselves Reformed Arminians because they want to highlight both their Protestant/Reformation identity and their Arminian theology.
Notable Free Will Baptist Theologians / Scholars
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F. Leroy Forlines (1928–2020) — probably the best-known “Reformed Arminian” theologian, wrote Classical Arminianism: A Theology of Salvation (where he actually coins and defends the term Reformed Arminianism).
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Robert Picirilli — another key Free Will Baptist theologian- wrote Grace, Faith, Free Will, a modern defense of classical Arminian soteriology.
These men represent the clearest and most systematic use of the phrase Reformed Arminianism in modern theology.
Free Will Baptists in the World (including the Philippines)
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United States: The National Association of Free Will Baptists is the biggest organized body (around 2,000 churches).
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International Missions: Free Will Baptists have missions in Latin America, Asia, and the Philippines. Yes — they’ve planted churches in the Philippines through their FWB International Missions Board. These congregations are Arminian in theology, Baptist in practice.
Missions Bible Church: One local Free Will Baptist church that I’ve had the privilege of connecting with is Missions Bible Church, located in Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City. Led by Pastor Christian Levin, this vibrant congregation is deeply rooted in gospel-centered mission and biblical teaching.
We were honored to have Pastor Levin as one of our keynote speakers during the 2025 Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) Conference in Tagaytay. His session on the history and distinctives of the Free Will Baptist movement was both enlightening and deeply appreciated by our attendees.
I’m thrilled to share that Missions Bible Church is now officially one of our ministry partners in Former Adventists Philippines. Their commitment to truth, discipleship, and community aligns beautifully with our vision—and we’re excited for what the Lord will do through this partnership.
One of the most encouraging stories we've witnessed recently at Former Adventists Philippines (FAP) involves a longtime member of the Seventh-day Adventist church who began attending our Bible studies. After diving deep into the Scriptures with us, he reached out, asking where he and his family could find a gospel-centered local church near their home.
By God’s providence, Missions Bible Church in Guadalupe Nuevo, Makati City, was just around the corner from them. We gladly endorsed the church, knowing its strong biblical foundation and pastoral leadership under Pastor Christian Levin.
He and his family began attending regularly, continuing their journey of study and discipleship. Not long after, they publicly professed their faith through baptism together as a family. Today, both he and his wife joyfully serve the Lord in that very church, actively involved in ministry and growing in their faith.
Stories like these remind us why we do what we do. The gospel transforms lives—and we’re humbled to be part of that process.
So, if someone in the Philippines says “Reformed Arminian” and means it in the most historically consistent sense, they’re probably talking about the Free Will Baptist tradition (not Methodists, not Pentecostals).
So to fix the earlier list:
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Reformed Arminian churches today = Free Will Baptists (especially the National Association of FWB and its missions worldwide).
Free Will Baptist Churches = the most historically "Reformed Arminian" in a consistent sense
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Wesleyan/Methodist churches = Wesleyan Arminians (related but not identical).
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Pentecostals = practical Arminians (but usually not self-identifying as “Reformed Arminian”).
Where to find Reformed/Arminian (or Arminian-leaning) churches in the Philippines
If you live in the Philippines (or want to reach Filipinos who are Arminian), these are the obvious groups:
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The United Methodist Church — Philippines Central Conference (robust presence, historical Methodist mission in the islands). Big, institutional, and Wesleyan-Arminian in theology. (umcpcc.org, The United Methodist Church)
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Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas (AIM Pilipinas) — an indigenous Methodist body in the Philippines (Wesleyan/Arminian in roots). (Wikipedia)
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Assemblies of God / Philippines General Council of the Assemblies of God — major Pentecostal denomination, broadly Arminian in soteriology. The AG has thousands of Philippine congregations. (Wikipedia, AG News)
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Church of the Nazarene — active Wesleyan-Holiness denomination in the Philippines. (asiapacificnazarene.org, Wikipedia)
Missions Bible Church: historically "Reformed Arminian" in a more consistent sense, located in Guadalupe Nuevo in Makati City.
Plus: lots of independent evangelical and charismatic churches across the country are Arminian in practice (they preach decision, invitation, human response, etc.). That means if you’re in a Filipino evangelical/Pentecostal congregation, chances are high the soteriology is Arminian — whether they call it that or not.
Where else? (short global map)
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United States/UK/Australia: Methodists, Wesleyans, Nazarenes, many Baptists and Pentecostals with Arminian leanings, and a wide cohort of academic Arminian scholars.
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Netherlands: the historical Remonstrant Brotherhood — the direct Reformed-Arminian heir. (denhaag.com, World Council of Churches)
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Global Pentecostal world: the Assemblies of God and similar fellowships (Philippines, Africa, Latin America, Asia) — huge Arminian presence. (AG News)
Two quick, honest clarifications (aka the fine print)
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“Reformed Arminian” is more a descriptive tag than a strict, unitary school. People who call themselves that mean different things. Some preserve covenantal/Reformed liturgical forms and adopt prevenient grace; others are basically Wesleyan in practice but like some Reformed theological rhetoric. The label is elastic. (The Gospel Coalition)
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Lots of Arminians aren’t “Wesleyan,” and lots of Reformed folks aren’t Calvinists in popular imagination. History is messier than confessional boxes. Don’t assume someone’s position by their church name alone — but do assume that Methodist/Wesleyan/Nazarene and most Pentecostal churches preach some form of Arminian soteriology.
Wrap-up — why care?
Because this isn’t an academic quibble. How you think about election, grace, and human response shapes preaching, evangelism, pastoral care, and how you talk to souls in the pews. Reformed Arminianism tries to keep the reverence and doctrinal seriousness of the Reformation while insisting that grace empowers real human cooperation with God’s call. That’s attractive to many who want both theological depth and moral responsibility.
| Doctrine | Classical Reformed (Calvinist) | Free Will Baptists (Reformed Arminian) | Wesleyan (Methodist) | Pentecostal / General Arminian |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election | Unconditional Election — God chooses some to salvation apart from foreseen faith. | Conditional Election — God elects “in Christ” those who believe, rooted in prevenient grace. | Conditional Election — God elects based on foreknowledge of faith; covenantal and relational. | Conditional Election — Election depends on a free response to God’s universal offer. |
| Atonement | Limited Atonement — Christ died only for the elect, securing salvation. | General Atonement — Christ died for all, but only believers enjoy its saving benefits. | Universal Atonement — Christ’s atonement is for all humanity, applied by faith. | Universal Atonement — Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all, effective for those who believe. |
| Grace | Irresistible Grace — God’s saving grace cannot be resisted by the elect. | Resistible but Prevenient Grace — God enables all through grace; humans can resist. | Prevenient Grace — Restores the ability to respond; humans cooperate or resist. | Prevenient Grace — Emphasized with a strong call to decision and Spirit-empowered response. |
| Human Freedom | Total Inability — Humans cannot choose God without regeneration. | Total Depravity, Enabled by Grace — Humans are powerless without prevenient grace. | Same as Reformed Arminian but tied closely to Wesley’s pastoral theology. | Same as Wesleyan but often more practical/evangelistic in style. |
| Perseverance | Perseverance of the Saints — True believers never finally fall away. | Conditional Security — Believers must persevere; apostasy is possible. | Conditional Security — Salvation can be lost through persistent unbelief. | Conditional Security — Strong emphasis on holiness and faithfulness; backsliding possible. |
Former Adventists Philippines
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