An Evangelical Arminian Ordo

The following is a summary from an article at https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rogereolson/2013/08/an-arminian-ordo-salutis-order-of-salvation/

1. God’s electing grace in Christ of all who will believe in him;

2. Christ’s atoning, reconciling death for all sinners;

3. Prevenient grace given by God to sinners through the Word (calling, convicting, illuminating, enabling); (Baptism as a means of prevenient grace; "through the water")

4. Conversion (repentance and faith) enabled by assisting, prevenient grace;

5. Regeneration, justification, adoption, union with Christ, indwelling of the Holy Spirit;

6. Sanctification;

7. Glorification.

The main point is this: In this Arminian ordo, in contrast to a typical Catholic one, a clear logical distinction is made between 4, 5 and 6. 6 is in no way a cause of 4 or 5. In contrast to a typical Calvinist ordo, 5 logically follows 4.

Why does this matter? Well, Arminians believe this is the pattern of evangelism in the Bible—the call to repent and believe is serious; without repentance and faith, enabled by prevenient grace, one cannot be fully saved (regenerated, justified, etc.). And one cannot count on God doing that for him or her apart from his or her free acceptance. There is urgency to the call to conversion. It is something we do, enabled by God, in response to God’s call, and not something that just happens to us. It is freely entering into a new relationship, not just having a new condition imposed.