Arminian-leaning; salvation is offered to all and freely received
Vineyard leans Arminian in its soteriology without formally adopting classical Arminian terminology or making predestination debates a defining issue. The movement's emphasis on God's universal love, the universal offer of salvation, and the human response of faith reflects an Arminian instinct. Both Calvinists and Arminians are welcomed within Vineyard, and the topic is treated as a secondary issue on which Christians may disagree.
The Kingdom theology framework tends to foreground human responsibility and invitation: the Kingdom is proclaimed and must be received. This practical emphasis on response fits more naturally with Arminian than Calvinist frameworks, even when formal positions on election are left open.
Key Distinctions
- Election model:
- generally Arminian-leaning; Kingdom theology; some Calvinist churches
- Double predestination:
- denied by most
- Free will teaching:
- libertarian free will generally
Scripture References
Sources
- Vineyard USA Statement of Faith
- John Wimber, Power Evangelism