August 6, 2024

Understanding Provisionism: A Theological Comparison and Critique

We Are Reformed

Provisionism is a relatively new theological perspective that has emerged within Christian circles, particularly among some Southern and Independent Baptists. Promoted by theologian Leighton Flowers, Provisionism seeks to offer an alternative to both Calvinism and Arminianism, with its own distinct emphasis on human responsibility and the universal offer of salvation. While it shares some commonalities with Arminianism, Provisionism is not merely a rebranded version of it; it has unique features that differentiate it from both Arminianism and Reformed theology. In this article, we will explore what Provisionism is, how it compares to Arminianism and Reformed doctrine, and highlight its significant theological errors.

What is Provisionism?

At its core, Provisionism emphasizes the sufficiency of the gospel—God’s Word empowered by the Holy Spirit—to enable a response from all who hear the call to be reconciled with God. This theological stance is summarized by the acrostic PROVIDE:

  • People sin: Sin has separated all from fellowship with God.
  • Responsible: Humans are able to respond to God’s appeals for reconciliation.
  • Open door: Anyone may enter by faith; whosoever will may come to God’s open arms.
  • Vicarious atonement: Christ’s atoning sacrifice provides a way for anyone to be saved.
  • Illuminating grace: God’s grace reveals truth clearly so that all can know and respond in faith.
  • Destroyed: Those who do not believe and resist the Holy Spirit face destruction.
  • Eternal security: True believers are secure in their salvation eternally.

Provisionism is built on the belief that the gospel message, by itself, is sufficient to bring about faith in anyone who hears it. It rejects the need for a preceding internal work of grace, such as the prevenient grace espoused by Arminians or the irresistible grace taught in Reformed theology. Instead, Provisionism asserts that all people, though sinful, are capable of responding to God’s universal call to salvation.

Provisionism vs. Arminianism

While Provisionism shares some similarities with Arminianism, particularly in its rejection of certain Calvinist doctrines, it is distinct in several key areas:

  1. Prevenient Grace: Arminianism teaches that prevenient grace is necessary to enable the human will to choose salvation, effectively countering the effects of total depravity. Provisionism, however, downplays or outright rejects the need for prevenient grace, arguing that the gospel itself, when empowered by the Holy Spirit, is sufficient to elicit a response of faith.
  2. Human Nature and Depravity: Arminianism holds that human nature is corrupted by sin, but through prevenient grace, individuals are given the ability to choose salvation. Provisionism, in contrast, often suggests that humans retain an inherent ability to respond to God’s call, despite the effects of sin.
  3. Eternal Security: Provisionism upholds the doctrine of eternal security (once saved, always saved), which is more common in certain Baptist traditions and some strands of Calvinism. Arminianism, on the other hand, teaches that it is possible for believers to fall from grace and lose their salvation.
  4. Open Theism: Provisionism is more open to or sympathetic towards open theism—the idea that God does not have exhaustive foreknowledge of future free will decisions—whereas classical Arminianism generally rejects open theism.

Provisionism vs. Reformed Theology

Provisionism stands in stark contrast to Reformed theology on several significant points:

  1. Total Depravity: Reformed theology teaches that humanity is so corrupted by sin that people are entirely incapable of seeking God or responding to the gospel on their own. Provisionism, however, asserts that all people are responsible and capable of responding to God’s call, which downplays the depth of human depravity described in Scripture (Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 3:10-12).
  2. Irresistible Grace: Reformed theology posits that God’s grace is irresistible and effectively brings about the salvation of those whom God has elected. Provisionism, in contrast, teaches that grace is resistible, and that individuals can choose to accept or reject the gospel message, which they believe is sufficient in itself.
  3. Limited Atonement vs. Universal Atonement: Reformed theology holds to the doctrine of limited atonement, meaning Christ’s atoning sacrifice was specifically intended for the elect, securing their salvation. Provisionism rejects this, advocating instead for a universal atonement where Christ’s death provides a potential means of salvation for all people, but does not guarantee it for anyone.
  4. Unconditional Election: Reformed theology teaches that God’s election of individuals to salvation is unconditional, based solely on His sovereign will. Provisionism denies this, favoring a view that either downplays individual election or sees it as conditional based on foreseen faith.

Significant Errors in Provisionism

While Provisionism attempts to maintain a balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, it introduces several theological errors when compared to the broader biblical witness:

  1. Minimizing Human Depravity: Provisionism’s assertion that humans retain the ability to respond to the gospel without a prior work of grace underestimates the severity of human sinfulness. Scripture consistently teaches that apart from divine intervention, humans are spiritually dead and incapable of coming to God on their own (John 6:44, Ephesians 2:1-5).
  2. Misunderstanding of Grace: By rejecting the need for a preceding work of grace, such as prevenient or irresistible grace, Provisionism misunderstands the nature of God’s grace as presented in Scripture. The Bible indicates that God’s grace is not only necessary but also effectual in bringing about the salvation of His people (John 6:37, Romans 8:29-30).
  3. Inconsistent View of Atonement: Provisionism’s stance on universal atonement, while well-intentioned, conflicts with passages that suggest Christ’s atonement was specifically intended for His sheep—the elect (John 10:14-15, Revelation 5:9). This view also raises questions about the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice if it only makes salvation possible rather than securing it for those whom God has chosen.
  4. Weak Doctrine of Election: By rejecting unconditional election, Provisionism fails to account for the biblical teaching that God’s choice of individuals for salvation is based solely on His sovereign will and not on any foreseen faith or human action (Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 9:15-16). This undermines the consistency of God’s sovereign purpose in salvation.

Conclusion

Provisionism presents itself as a middle ground between Arminianism and Calvinism, emphasizing human responsibility and the universal offer of salvation. However, in its attempt to affirm human free will and the sufficiency of the gospel message, Provisionism introduces significant theological errors, particularly in its understanding of human depravity, the nature of grace, and the doctrines of atonement and election.

While Provisionism may appeal to those who seek to reconcile God’s sovereignty with human freedom, it ultimately falls short of aligning with the full biblical teaching on these matters. Reformed theology, with its emphasis on God’s sovereignty, grace, and the effectiveness of Christ’s atonement, offers a more consistent and scripturally sound framework for understanding God’s work in salvation.

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