Warwick Allen’s Theological Profile

A Molinist Arminian Baptist Charismatic with High Sacramental Convictions

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Table of Contents

	Executive Summary
	About This Document
	Topics to Complete
Doctrinal Sections
I.	Theological Method and Authority
II.	Theology Proper (Doctrine of God)
III.	Christology
IV.	Anthropology and Hamartiology
V.	Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation)
VI.	Ecclesiology and Church Practice
VII.	Sacraments and Ordinances
VIII.	Pneumatology (Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)
IX.	Means of Grace
X.	Christian Life and Ethics
XI.	Eschatology (Last Things)
XII.	Creation and Science
XIII.	Other Doctrines
XIV.	Areas of Ongoing Study
XV.	Alignment with Historic Creeds
XVI.	Theological Identity and Tradition
XVII.	Practical Implications
	Conclusion

Executive Summary

This theological profile represents a thoughtful and internally coherent synthesis of beliefs drawn from multiple Christian traditions. The core commitments are:

1. Molinist Arminian Soteriology

   Emphasising libertarian free will, universal atonement, and prevenient grace.

2. Baptist Ecclesiology and Sacramentology

   Believers’ baptism, regenerate church membership, but with unusually high sacramental theology.

3. Charismatic Pneumatology

   Normative continuationism with careful biblical testing.

4. Progressive Sanctification

   Rejecting entire sanctification as attainable in this life in favour of asymptotic growth towards holiness.

5. Reformed Baptist Anthropology

   Corrupted nature without inherited guilt before accountability.

This combination places the holder within the Free Will Baptist theological stream, with significant charismatic convictions and philosophical sophistication through Molinism.

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About This Document

This theological profile presents a systematic overview of Warwick Allen’s personal theological convictions, organised by major doctrinal categories. It is intended to provide clarity on theological positions for pastors, church leaders, fellow believers, and anyone interested in understanding his particular theological framework.

Confidence and Importance Indicators

Throughout this document, certain beliefs are marked with confidence levels and importance ratings:

Confidence Levels

The confidence levels use a scale of 1–6:

• 6: Maximum confidence — As certain as belief in the external world; unlikely to ever be dissuaded.
• 5: Very strong confidence — Would require an overwhelmingly strong argument to be dissuaded.
• 4: Strong confidence — Could be dissuaded by a very strong counter-argument.
• 3: Moderate confidence — Could be dissuaded by a good counter-argument.
• 2: Held lightly — Could easily be dissuaded given new information or argumentation.
• 1: Undecided — Undecided on this matter.

Importance Ratings

The importance ratings use a scale of 1–6:

• 6: Fundamental — This is a fundamental doctrine of Christianity; denying this is heresy and might put one’s salvation in jeopardy.
• 5: Extreme Importance — Denying this doctirne is heterodox but not heresy; such denial is a serious error that will severely impact one’s Christian walk.
• 4: High Importance — This is an important topic, but there is room for disagreement within orthodox Christianity.
• 3: Moderate Importance — Christians within the same fellowship might disagree on this topic.
• 2: Low Importance — Christians should not spend much time debating this.
• 1: Negligible Importance — This is a mere curiosity of negligible importance.

Areas of Ongoing Study

Where importance exceeds confidence by 2 or more points, the topic is subject to ongoing study and theological development.

Related Document

This document is partly based on a table outline Allen’s commitment to various doctrines. This table is available for viewing in the Google Sheets document Personal Statements of Faith for Waiheke Fellowship. If you require more detail on how Allen handles a specific doctrine, you might find an answer there.

Topics to Complete

The following topics need to be added or expanded for this document to be considered complete:

1. Bibliology

   Addressed in Section I: The authority, divine origin, inerrancy, infallibility, and confluence of Scripture. These treatments are relatively brief and could be expanded into a dedicated, standalone Bibliology section at a later stage.

2. Angelology

   Only briefly mentioned under “Creation”. Missing:

   • The nature and orders of angels.
   • Their ministry and functions.
   • The fall of Satan and demons (only briefly mentioned).
   • Spiritual warfare beyond deliverance ministry.

3. Theodicy and the Problem of Evil

   A significant omission given the Molinist framework. Missing:

   • How God’s goodness relates to the existence of evil.
   • The nature and purpose of suffering.
   • Natural evil vs. moral evil.

4. Covenant Theology

   These discussion need to be expanded:

   • The covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New).
   • Continuity and discontinuity between Israel and the Church.
   • The relationship between law and grace.

5. The Doctrine of Providence

   Mentioned only tangentially. Missing:

   • How God’s middle knowledge relates to His providential care.
   • Miracles and natural law.
   • Divine concurrence with human actions.

6. Israel and the Church

   Missing:

   • The status of ethnic Israel.
   • Relationship between Israel and the Church.
   • Fulfilment of Old Testament promises to Israel.

7. Mission and Evangelism

   Only briefly mentioned under “Church Mission”. Missing:

   • The Great Commission.
   • Methods of evangelism.
   • The unevangelised and those who’ve never heard.

8. Cultural Engagement

   Missing:

   • How Christians should engage with secular culture.
   • Art, beauty, and aesthetics.
   • The relationship between Christianity and other religions.

9. Civil Government and Political Theology

   Christian’s relationship to civil authority is discussed in terms of political engagement, but needs to be fleshed-out.

   Missing:

   • Church-state relations.
   • Just war theory or pacifism.
   • Civil disobedience.

10. Religious Liberty and Conscience

    Missing explicit treatment of:

    • Freedom of conscience.
    • Religious pluralism.
    • The limits of Christian liberty.

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I. Theological Method and Authority

Scripture and Authority

• Primary Position

  Scripture is the supreme and sufficient authority for all matters of faith and practice.

• Core Doctrines

  For essential doctrines (salvation, Christ’s person and work), Scripture alone suffices (closer to sola scriptura).

• Secondary Matters

  Tradition (especially early Church Fathers), reason, and experience serve as valuable interpretive tools with genuine theological authority.

• Confidence Level

  High (5-6 on personal scale).

• No Contradiction

  The New Testament never overturns or contradicts the Old Testament.

• Law’s Fulfilment

• Because Christ has fulfilled the Law, many aspects are not directly applicable to Christians, though the entire Law retains indirect applicability.

• Israel and Church

  Promises and commands given to Israel are not automatically transferred to the Church.

• Scriptural Justification Required

  To believe a promise or command given to Israel carries over to the Church requires scriptural justification beyond mere assumption of inheritance.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

Typology

Nature of Types

• Christological Focus

  All Scripture points to Christ in some way; if proposed typology does not point to Christ, scepticism is warranted.

• Spirit-Led Discovery

  Individuals might find types through the Spirit’s illumination.

• NT-Grounded Patterns

  Typology should be grounded in patterns the New Testament itself establishes.

• Consistency with NT Types

  Valid types should be the same kind of thing as explicitly-identified NT types (bronze serpent, rock Moses struck, Adam, various prophets).

• Wide Range

  The New Testament identifies a wide range of types of Christ.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

Progressive Revelation

Nature of Progressive Revelation

• Earlier Incompleteness

  Earlier revelation can be incomplete or less clear without being erroneous.

• Later Revelation’s Role: Later revelation adds details or layers of meaning but doesn’t undermine correct understanding of earlier texts.

• Correcting Misunderstanding

  Later revelation may correct erroneous interpretations of earlier revelation (e.g., Messiah’s two comings rather than one).

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Interpretation

Necessity of Illumination

• Not Strictly Necessary

  Illumination by the Spirit is not necessary for correct interpretation of Scripture.

• Unbelievers Can Interpret

  An unbeliever with proper tools may interpret Scripture accurately.

• Helps Prevent Misinterpretation

  Without the Spirit’s help, people are more likely to misinterpret Scripture through both (a) working on the interpreter’s heart/humility, and (b) more directly guiding to correct understanding. It is unclear which is more common or fundamental in Scripture interpretation.

• Personal Transformation

  The Spirit’s help is required to translate intellectual understanding into personal transformation toward Christlikeness.

• Confidence Level

  Low (2) - held lightly, could easily be dissuaded.

Insights Beyond Exegesis

• No New Insights

  The Holy Spirit will not give believers insights into Scripture that go beyond what complete grammatical-historical exegesis would yield.

• May Reveal Information

  The Spirit might reveal grammatical or historical information to aid otherwise incomplete exegesis.

• Not for Doctrine

  Such specially-revealed information should not establish doctrine unless clearly verified using conventional methods, due to human fallibility in discerning the Spirit’s voice.

• Hypothetical

  This is discussed hypothetically; no bona fide instances of such revelation are known.

• Verification Required

  Spirit’s illumination should be subject to verification using objective interpretive methods due to human fallibility.

• Confidence Level

  Low (2) - held lightly.

Spirit’s Role in Belief

• Necessary for Saving Faith

  The Spirit plays a necessary role in someone arriving at saving faith (John 6:44a; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16).

• Confidence Level

  Very strong (5) on necessity for saving faith.

• Details Uncertain

  Confidence in how this operates (e.g., whether someone can achieve thorough intellectual understanding apart from the Spirit) is much lower.

• Confidence Level

  Low (2) on operational details - held lightly.

Principles for Application

Foundational Approach

• Stable Original Meaning

  Scripture has stable original meaning that must be discerned before application.

• Christological Witness

  All Scripture ultimately bears witness to Christ (John 5:39).

• Textual Priority

  Internal textual evidence prioritised over external sources.

• Grammatical-Historical Analysis

  Employed within canonical-covenantal framework considering redemptive history and covenant relationships.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) - could be dissuaded by very strong counter-argument.

Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Texts

• Narrative Purpose

  Narrative passages primarily reveal something about Christ or God’s redemptive plan.

• Secondary Behavioural Principles

  Only secondarily (if at all) provide behavioural principles, and only when supported by didactic texts or clear textual indicators of divine approval or disapproval.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) on this principle.

Old Testament Narratives

• Primarily Descriptive

  Record what happened as part of God’s unfolding redemptive plan, not primarily prescriptive.

• Primary Hermeneutical Move

  From “this happened” to “this tells us about Christ or God’s redemptive plan” (consistent with John 5:39).

• Behavioural Implications

  Only after identifying redemptive-historical significance should behavioural implications be considered, and then cautiously.

• No Direct Moral Imperatives

  Cannot derive moral imperatives from narrative description alone without clear textual indicators (explicit divine approval/disapproval, didactic commentary, contextual clues establishing actions as moral examples).

• Prefer Didactic Foundation

  Prefer to establish behavioural principles from didactic/prescriptive texts first, then use narratives as illustrations.

• Pedagogical Not Authoritative Use

  When used illustratively, narratives function pedagogically rather than authoritatively in that specific application - the text remains authoritative Scripture in its primary purpose (historical record, revealing God’s nature, redemptive plan), but is used non-authoritatively when illustrating secondary principles.

• Some Narratives Lack Direct Application

  Some narratives are included because they advance the redemptive story and reveal God’s character, not to model behaviour for emulation.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) on overall approach.

Meaning vs. Application

• Objective Meaning

  The meaning of a text is objective.

• Subjective Application

  Personal application should only be particular subjective application of universal objective meaning, not distinct meaning.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

Multiple Applications

• One Interpretation, Multiple Applications: A passage may have multiple valid applications while having only one correct interpretation.

• Confidence Level

  Low (2) - held lightly, could easily be dissuaded.

Testing Against Community

• Historical and Contemporary

  Interpretations tested against community of believers through consultation with commentaries, church leadership, and consensus of Church tradition.

• Scripture as Ultimate Authority

  Scripture is ultimate authority, but the more an interpretation diverges from historical Christian consensus, the stronger the biblical evidence must be.

• Strong Evidence Required

  Strong biblical evidence to depart from consensus must include:

  1. a clear grammatical-historical analysis showing plain meaning in context;

  2. explicit theological reasoning within the text, grounding the command in transcultural realities;

  3. repetition across multiple biblical books/authors;

  4. coherence with broader canonical narrative and central doctrines;

  5. support preferably from didactic rather than merely narrative passages;

  6. an accounting for all relevant texts, not just a selective use;

  7. identification of why ithe historical consensus may have been influenced by extra-biblical factors;

  8. a demonstration from Scripture why the traditional interpretation appears to be a misreading;

  9. evidence substantial enough that other qualified interpreters could see the textual case, even if disagreeing;

  10. a case compelling enough to teach with intellectual integrity whilst fairly acknowledging the traditional view, and evidence so compelling that one cannot in good conscience hold the consensus view.

• High Threshold in Practice

  In practice, no interpretations are held that lack at least strong minority support within historic Christianity, suggesting threshold for departing from consensus is quite high.

• Scepticism of Personal Revelation

  Remain sceptical of personal “revelations” that conflict with established interpretation, recognising human tendency to conflate own thoughts with divine leading.

Determining Cultural Specificity vs. Transcultural Application

• Assumption of Transcultural

  Assume transcultural applicability for biblical commands unless strong evidence to the contrary.

• Evidence Sources

  Both textual indicators and Church tradition may provide evidence.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) on both the overall framework and the assumption of transcultural applicability unless proven otherwise.

Textual Markers of Transcultural Principles

• Appeals to creation order or God’s character.
• Repetition across multiple books or contexts.
• Explicit theological reasoning by biblical author (“because” or “for” clauses).
• Statements indicating universal application (e.g., “this is my rule in all the churches”).
• Connection to moral law rooted in God’s nature.

Traditional Distinctions

• Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral Law: Recognise traditional distinction whilst acknowledging categories often overlap and are not always clear-cut.

Situational Instructions

• Non-Repeatable Circumstances

  Instructions tied to specific, non-repeatable circumstances (Paul’s request for cloak, Jesus’ command to rich young ruler to sell everything) are situational rather than extracting universal behavioural principles.

Role of Church Tradition

• Valid Evidence

  Church tradition serves as valid evidence in discerning cultural specificity (e.g., widespread acceptance of cultural equivalents to “holy kiss” suggests application flexibility).

• Scripture Trumps Tradition

  When Scripture explicitly grounds command in transcultural realities (e.g., creation order), that command retains universal applicability regardless of evolving Church practice.

Handling Difficult and Unclear Passages

Encountering Unclear Passages

• Acceptable Uncertainty

  It is acceptable to say “I don’t know what this means.”

• Meaning Exists

  The passage will have meaning that accords with the rest of Scripture.

• Apprehensible with Study

  That meaning will be apprehensible given enough study, contextual knowledge, and the Spirit’s illumination.

• None Impossible

  Some passages are difficult to comprehend, but none are impossible.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

Interpreting Unclear Passages

• In Light of Clear

  Unclear passages should certainly be interpreted in light of clear passages. This is an important hermeneutic.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) - could be dissuaded by very strong counter-argument.

Passages with Orthodox Disagreement

• Careful Evaluation

  Each disputed passage should be evaluated carefully using hermeneutical principles already discussed.

• Some Relatively Clear

  Some disputed passages (e.g., women’s roles, spiritual gifts) are relatively clear and shouldn’t be as debated as they are.

• Some Genuinely Unclear

  Other passages are genuinely unclear (e.g., correct interpretation of Romans 7).

• Humility Based on Clarity

  Appropriate level of humility should be primarily based on the clarity of the passage itself, with level of disagreement within orthodoxy impacting humility only secondarily.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) on overall approach. Moderate (3) on interpretations of specific disputed passages deemed relatively clear (though confidence may vary by individual passage).

Clarity and Theological Centrality

• Affects Centrality

  The difficulty or clarity of a passage should affect how central it should be to one’s theology.

• Core Doctrines

  Unclear passages should not be used to establish core doctrines.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) - could be dissuaded by very strong counter-argument.

Additional Hermeneutical Principles

Analogy of Faith

• Harmony with Foundational Doctrines

  Scripture should be interpreted in harmony with foundational Christian doctrines.

• Confidence Level

  Strong (4) - could be dissuaded by very strong counter-argument.

Role of Reason and Logic

• Ministerial Role

  Reason and logic play important but ministerial (not magisterial) role in interpretation, in the sense used by Francis Turretin.

• Serving Scripture

  Reason serves Scripture and does not rule over it.

• Necessary Philosophical Presuppositions

  Some fundamental philosophical presuppositions unavoidably assume magisterial role (e.g., belief in external reality, ability to know something with useful level of confidence).

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

Prophecy and Predictive Passages

• General Principles Apply

  General hermeneutical principles already discussed apply to predictive texts.

• Cross-Reference with History

  Predictive texts should be carefully cross-referenced with historical records to determine if already fulfilled.

• Multiple Fulfilments

  The concept of multiple fulfilments of single prophecy is affirmed, often with lesser fulfilment first followed by later, greater fulfilment.

• Confidence Level

  Very strong (5) on applying general principles and cross-referencing with history. Moderate (3) on multiple fulfilments.

The Canon of Scripture

Formation and Recognition

Divine Authority

• Canonical Criterion

  A writing is canonical Scripture if, and only if, it was breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16).

• Inerrancy

  Scripture, being breathed out by God, is without error in the original manuscripts in all that it affirms.

• Infallibility

  Scripture is wholly trustworthy and reliable as a guide to salvation, faith, and godliness—it will not fail in its intended purpose (2 Timothy 3:15–17).

• Confluence

  The divine and human authors cooperated in the writing of Scripture, such that the words are genuinely both God’s and the human authors’.

• Church Recognition

  The Church recognised books that already possessed divine authority; the Church did not confer authority upon them.

• Role of Councils

  Church councils played limited role in helping the Church recognise the canon but did not establish it.

• Marks of Canonicity

  Apostolic authorship or approval, the Holy Spirit’s witness to the Church, and the internal qualities of the books themselves all served as clues helping the Church recognise which books were breathed out by God and divinely appointed to be recorded as Scripture.

• Confidence Level

  Very strong (5), except for the mechanism of inspiration (the doctrine of confluence), which is held lightly (2).

• Importance Rating

  High importance (4), except for the mechanism of inspiration, which is of low importance (2).

Closure of the Canon

No New Scripture

• Closed Canon

  The canon is closed; no new books can be added to Scripture.

• Confidence Level

  Very strong (5) - would require overwhelmingly strong argument to be dissuaded.

• Importance Rating

  High (5) - denying this is heterodox but not heresy; a serious error that will severely impact one’s Christian walk.

• Distinction from Prophecy

  Other prophecy (not recorded as Scripture) may also be breathed out by God, but the nature of these prophecies (e.g., limited scope) and the Spirit’s guidance did not lead the Church to recognise them as Scripture.

The Deuterocanonical Books

Status and Use

• Not Authoritative Scripture

  The books included in Catholic and Orthodox canons but not in the Protestant canon (Tobit, Judith, 1-2 Maccabees, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, additions to Esther and Daniel) are useful for historical understanding but are not authoritative Scripture.

• Use in Teaching

  May be read in church services and used for teaching, but only as aids to exegesis of canonical Scripture.

• Caution Required

  Care should be taken to prevent listeners from thinking of these books as Scripture.

• Bible Printing

  Preference is that deuterocanonical books not be printed in Bibles to maintain clear distinction between canon and other writings, though this is not strongly held; if included, clear separation from canonical text is essential.

• Confidence Level

  Low (2) - held lightly regarding their use in teaching.

Relationship Between Old and New Testaments

Four Relational Frameworks

The Old and New Testaments relate to one another through multiple complementary frameworks, none of which needs to be ranked above the others:

1. Promise and Fulfilment

• The Old Testament contains promises that find their fulfilment in the New Testament, supremely in Christ.

2. Type and Antitype

• Old Testament persons, events, and institutions were real and served genuine purposes in their own contexts, whilst also foreshadowing greater realities fulfilled in Christ and the New Covenant.

• Terminology

  “Type and antitype” is preferred over “shadow and reality” because the types were absolutely real, even as they pointed forward.

3. Continuity with Discontinuity

• The testaments share fundamental continuity in God’s character, purposes, and moral standards.
• Significant discontinuity exists in covenantal arrangements, ceremonial requirements, and the progressive unfolding of redemption.

4. Progressive Revelation

• God progressively revealed His character, purposes, and redemptive plan throughout history.

• Fuller revelation came in the New Testament and supremely in Christ, “the exact imprint of his nature” (Hebrews 1:3).

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - could be dissuaded by good counter-argument.

• Importance Rating

  Moderate (3) - Christians within the same fellowship might disagree.

The Mosaic Law and Christian Ethics

Fulfilment in Christ

Vicarious Fulfilment

• Christ Fulfilled All

  Christ fulfilled all the law.

• United to Christ

  Christians vicariously fulfil the law by being united to Christ.

• Not Under Mosaic Covenant

  Christians are not under the Mosaic Covenant as a covenant system.

Indirect Applicability of the Law

Though Christians are not obligated to keep the Mosaic Law, the entire Law retains indirect applicability to Christian life:

• Points to Christ.
• Reveals God’s character.
• Exemplifies being set apart for the Lord.
• Exemplifies personal and societal morality (e.g., concern for vulnerable members of society).
• Benefits of (voluntary) Sabbath-keeping.
• Many other ways the Law can be applied to Christian life exist beyond these examples.

Determining Binding Laws

When discerning which Old Testament moral standards remain binding:

Covenant-People vs. All-People Laws

• Laws given outside the Mosaic Covenant or explicitly applied to Gentile nations are typically binding for all people across all time.
• Fine-tuning needed for edge cases (e.g., circumcision is not uniquely Mosaic but Christians are not obliged to follow it).
• Better distinction may be “covenant-people only” laws versus “all people” laws.

Gentile Judgements

• Attention should be paid to reasons for judgements wrought against Gentile nations in the Old Testament, as these reveal universal moral standards.

New Testament Reaffirmation

• When New Testament epistles restate an Old Testament law, this generally indicates the law has been carried over into the Church era and remains binding upon Christians.

Caution with Gospel Accounts

• Care must be taken when interpreting Jesus’ words in the Gospels, as He was primarily speaking to people still living under the Old Covenant.
• Careful examination of context is required.

Grey Areas

• Careful Bible study will clarify which laws were for Israel only and which were for all people.

• Example

  The advice to avoid blood and strangled animals (Acts 15) represents a grey area requiring careful consideration.

Examples and Applications

Ceremonial and Civil Laws

• Laws unique to Israel’s covenant status (such as circumcision post-Christ, dietary restrictions, festivals, temple rituals) are not binding on Christians.

Universal Moral Laws

• Laws reflecting God’s unchanging character and applied beyond Israel (such as prohibitions on murder, adultery, theft, idolatry, sexual immorality) remain binding.

• Confidence Level

  Moderate (3) - the framework needs refinement for edge cases, though strong confidence exists that Christians are not required to keep Mosaic laws never applied to Gentiles.

Theological Framework

Molinism (Middle Knowledge)

Nature and Purpose

• Middle Knowledge

  God knows what free-will choice any creature will make in any circumstance, including all counterfactual truths.

• Purpose

  This framework reconciles divine sovereignty with libertarian human freedom.

• Confidence

  High (5 on personal scale).

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II. Theology Proper (Doctrine of God)

Essential Attributes All held with highest confidence (5-6):

• Trinity

  One being in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

• Aseity

  Self-existing, necessary, non-contingent being

• Eternality

  No beginning or end; exists outside created time but entered time at creation

• Omnipresence

  Present throughout all creation while remaining distinct from it

• Omniscience

  Knows all truth, including future events and counterfactuals (via middle knowledge)

• Transcendence and Immanence

  Both beyond creation and actively present within it

• Greatest Being

  That of which nothing greater can be conceived

Divine Sovereignty

• Sovereignty and Freedom

  God knowingly allows every event that occurs

• Molinist Framework

  God exercises meticulous providence through middle knowledge while respecting libertarian free will

• Time and God

  God entered into time when He created it (presentist view)

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III. Christology

All Christological affirmations held with the highest confidence (5-6):

Person of Christ

• Deity

  Jesus is the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father

• Incarnation

  Added human nature to divine nature; fully God and fully human

• Virgin Birth

  Mary was virgin until after Jesus’ birth

• Creator

  All things made through Christ

• Messiah

  Fulfilment of Hebrew Scriptures’ prophecies

Work of Christ

• Crucifixion

  Died under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried

• Resurrection

  Rose bodily on the third day

• Ascension

  Ascended to heaven, seated at the Father’s right hand

• Second Coming

  Will return to judge living and dead

• Revelation

  Jesus is the full revelation of God’s nature and character

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IV. Anthropology and Hamartiology

Nature of Humanity

• Image of God

  Humans created male and female in God’s image, sharing attributes to finite extent

• Two Genders

  Only male and female, corresponding to biological sex

• Purpose

  Created as recipients of God’s love; chief end is to glorify and enjoy God forever

• Libertarian Free Will

  Humans possess genuine libertarian freedom

• Historicity

  Adam and Eve were actual historical people (lived 6,000 to 1,000,000 years ago)

Original Sin and the Fall

Key Distinctive : Corruption without inherited guilt

• Corrupted Nature

  All humans inherit Adam’s corrupted nature (tendency toward sin, spiritual brokenness)

• No Inherited Guilt

  Adam’s descendants are NOT guilty of his sin at birth; guilt requires personal moral agency

• Total Depravity

  All aspects of human nature affected by the Fall

• Physical Death

  Universal consequence of Adam’s sin (corporate/biological), but not personal punishment for those without guilt

• Enmity with God

  Unregenerate persons are enemies of God due to personal sin once accountable

Sin

• Definition

  Failure to follow God’s commands; offence against God

• Moral Agency Requirement

  Sin only incurs guilt when committed with moral agency (ability to choose otherwise)

• Infants and Sin

  Infants manifest sinful actions (as “sinners” = “people who sin”) but without moral culpability

• Age of Accountability

  Varies by individual based on cognitive/moral development; exact timing known only to God

• Cognitively Disabled

  Those who never develop moral agency remain in innocent state throughout life

Infant and Child Soteriology

Distinctive Position : Innocence until accountability

• Before Accountability

  Children are legally innocent, having corrupted nature but no personal guilt

• Need for Atonement

  Christ’s work addresses corrupted nature, enabling children to remain in relationship with God

• Status

  Children of believers are “holy”— set apart in covenant community (per 1 Cor 7:14)

• Salvation of Infants

  Those who die before accountability are saved (no guilt to condemn them)

• Parental Responsibility

  Parents should disciple children toward faith as understanding develops

• Young Conversion

  Children can exercise saving faith as young as 4 years old with basic understanding (“I need Jesus”)

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V. Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation)

Arminian Framework Strongly held positions (confidence 3-5):

The Five Articles of Remonstrance (Arminian Distinctive)

1. Conditional Election

   God elected a people (Israel, then the Church by adoption); individuals become elect when they trust in Christ.

2. Universal Atonement

   Christ’s atoning work was on behalf of and sufficient for all people.

3. Total Depravity with Prevenient Grace

   No one can come to God unless God first calls and enables them; all receive prevenient grace.

4. Resistible Grace

   God grants people ability to reject His call to salvation.

5. Perseverance

   Uncertain— leans toward belief that regenerate believers may fall away, but holds with very low confidence (this is a subject of ongoing study).

Prevenient Grace

• Nature

  Supernatural grace given to all people, enabling free acceptance or rejection of God’s call

• Function

  Restores capacity for moral response lost in the Fall

• Application

  May work gradually or immediately; all God’s preparatory work precedes faith

• Infants

  Exact mechanics unclear; ensures all have genuine opportunity to respond

Atonement Theories—Multiple Aspects Affirmed

• Penal Substitutionary

  Christ bore punishment for our sins

• Ransom

  Christ paid ransom to deliver from bondage to sin

• Propitiation

  Christ’s death satisfied God’s wrath against sin

• Effectual Application

  Becomes effective when person repents and trusts Christ

Justification and Sanctification

• Justification

  Instantaneous, forensic declaration of righteousness by faith alone

• Initial Sanctification

  Begins simultaneously with justification at regeneration

• Progressive Sanctification

  Holy Spirit begins process of growth in holiness at new birth

• Relationship

  Cannot have justification without sanctification beginning

• Complete Freedom from Sin

  Only achieved at glorification, not in this life

• Asymptotic Progress

  Believers grow progressively toward holiness but never achieve sinless perfection in this life

Major Difference from Wesleyanism :

Rejects entire sanctification/Christian perfection as attainable in this life

Faith and Works

• Justification

  By faith alone; works have no merit in justification

• Necessity of Works

  Saving faith necessarily produces good works as evidence

• Relationship

  Faith is the root, works are the fruit

Assurance

• Direct Witness

  Comes through Holy Spirit’s witness to believer’s spirit

• Indirect Witness

  Confirmed by fruit of sanctification over time

• False Assurance

  Purported Spirit witness without evidence of sanctification is likely illusory

• Confidence

  High (5)

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VI. Ecclesiology and Church Practice

Nature of the Church

• Universal Church

  The invisible body of all true believers where salvation occurs

• Local Church

  Membership essential for normal Christian life, though not strictly necessary for salvation itself

• Social Holiness

  Christianity must be lived in community; believers need fellowship and accountability

• Church Authority

  Any person or organisation attempting to issue binding decrees on all believers’ consciences is antichrist

Church Offices

• Biblical Offices Only

  Elder (pastor, overseer, bishop) and deacon

• Eldership

  Only men may serve as elders; must be “one-woman men” (faithful if married, chaste if single); divorced men may serve in some circumstances.

• Deacons

  Both men and women may serve.

• Titles

  Elders should not use titles like “pastor” or “father” (held lightly, confidence 2).

• Church Membership

  Formal membership to a local congregation should be encouraged. Because such membership bestows additional benefits, responsibilities and authority (as when matters of discipline are brought before the church, per Matthew 18:17), the role of “church member” (or “congregant”), may be considered similar to a church office.

• Authority Structure

  • Prophets and apostles (missionaries) are subject to elder authority.

Church Mission

• Evangelism

  Primary mission, addressing eternal salvation.

• Social Action

  Mandatory but secondary; flows from genuine faith.

• Balance

  Both are essential expressions of the gospel.

• Not Dominionist

  The Church is not expected to control the secular world until Christ returns.

• Political Engagement

  It is a good for society for Christians to vote, pursue political offices, and otherwise be politically engaged. Political activity should be encouraged.

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VII. Sacraments and Ordinances

Baptism

Distinctive

Believers’ baptism with high sacramental theology

Nature and Meaning

• Ordained by Christ

  A ritual commanded by Christ

• Believers Only

  Should only be undertaken by professing believers

• Not Necessary for Salvation

  But necessary for obedience to Christ

• Profession of Faith

  Involves profession of faith and repentance from sin

• Multiple Symbolism

  • Death of old nature and creation of new nature
  • Identification with Christ
  • Induction into Church membership

• Sign and Sacrament

  Both symbol and means of grace

• Supernatural Work

  God does supernatural work at baptism in addition to regeneration at first belief

• Duty and Privilege

  Believer’s duty and pleasure to seek baptism

Mode

• Proper Form

  Full immersion (confidence 3)

• Other Modes Valid

  Those baptised by other modes need not be re-baptised (confidence 2, subject to study)

Theological Rationale for Believers’ Baptism

• Infants have no inherited guilt requiring cleansing
• Baptism signifies personal faith and identification with Christ’s death/resurrection
• Requires moral agency that infants lack
• Children already “holy” (1 Cor 7:14) in covenant community without baptism

The Lord’s Supper (Eucharist)

Distinctive

High sacramental view unusual in Baptist circles

Nature

• Ordained by Christ

  A ritual commanded by Christ

• Means of Grace

  Genuine channel through which God conveys grace (confidence 2, subject to study)

• Real Spiritual Presence

  Christ is spiritually present; communicates grace to worthy receivers

• Not Merely Memorial

  Rejects Zwinglian memorialism

• Not Transubstantiation

  Rejects Roman Catholic doctrine

Practice

• Frequency

  Should partake frequently (as often as possible)

• Open to Believers

  All true believers may partake, even if not yet baptised

• Closed to Non-Believers

  Non-believers may not partake

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VIII. Pneumatology (Doctrine of the Holy Spirit)

Person of the Spirit

• Deity

  Consubstantial with Father and Son.

• Work in Salvation

  Regenerates, begins sanctification at conversion, continues sanctifying work throughout believer’s earthly life, and provides assurance.

Spiritual Gifts

Distinctive

Normative continuationism with careful biblical boundaries

Position on Gifts

• Continuationism

  All gifts continue throughout the Church age (Pentecost to Second Coming)

• Active Today

  Prophecy, tongues, healing, and all gifts should be normative in the church

• Biblical Guidelines

  When practiced, must accord with biblical instructions

• Testing Required

  All prophecy must be tested against Scripture

Contemporary Prophecy

• Divine Source

  God gives prophetic words for guidance, encouragement, and direction

• Fallible Reception

  God’s words are infallible, but prophet’s reception/interpretation is fallible

• Scripture Supreme

  All prophecy must be tested against Scripture

• No Contradiction

  No true prophecy will contradict biblical teaching

• Not Scripture-Level Authority

  Does not equal biblical authority

Deliverance Ministry

• Demonisation Possible

  Demons can seriously affect believers’ lives (confidence 2)

• Demonic Control

  Demons can control non-believers’ bodies

• Deliverance Available

  Demonised persons can be set free through prayer

Balance

• Experience Governed by Scripture

  Religious experience is real and important but must be subordinate to rational understanding of Scripture

• Guarding Against Error

  Subjective feelings untethered from biblical truth lead to heresy (e.g., Mormon “burning in the bosom”)

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IX. Means of Grace

General Principle

• Essential Channels

  Means of grace are ordinary channels through which God conveys grace

• Not Merely Helpful

  Essential for spiritual growth, not optional

• God’s Ordinary Method

  Grace ordinarily flows through these means, though God is not bound by them

Instituted Means Ordained by Christ:

• Prayer.
• Searching the Scriptures.
• The Lord’s Supper.
• Baptism.
• Fasting.
• Christian fellowship (conference).
• Service to the saints (exemplified by foot-washing).

Prudential Means

• Public worship attendance.
• Good works.
• Self-denial.
• Taking up one’s cross.
• Vigilance (watching) - spiritual alertness and awareness, being watchful against sin and temptation, maintaining readiness for Christ’s return.

Prayer

• Healing

  God heals in response to prayer, both miraculously and by natural means

• Delayed Healing

  Sometimes God delays healing; sometimes until resurrection

• Declarative Prayer

  Christians should not declare something in prayer unless first revealed by God

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X. Christian Life and Ethics

Sanctification and Holiness

• Progressive Growth

  Believers grow in holiness throughout life

• Not Perfectionist

  Complete freedom from sin only at glorification

• Expectation

  Believers expected to live godly lives and show fruit of Spirit

• Suffering

  Christians should expect to suffer for following Christ

Stewardship and Wealth

• Three Principles

  Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can

• Generous Giving

  Christians should give generously to local church and those in need

• Not Legalistic Tithing

  Giving should be determined by Spirit’s leading and conscience, not necessarily 10%

• Subject to Calling

  Economic principles subject to specific divine calling (e.g., full-time ministry may require different approach)

• Wealth Not Prosperity Gospel

  Rejects notion that prosperity is sign of God’s blessing

Marriage and Family

• Definition

  Only between one man and one woman

• Typology

  Represents Christ’s relationship with His Church

• Authority Structure

  Husband is spiritual head, lovingly serving wife; wife submits to his authority (complementarian)

• Divorce

  Prohibited except in specific biblical circumstances

• Sexual Ethics

  • Sexual intercourse outside marriage is sinful
  • Homosexual acts are sinful

Gender Roles

• In Marriage

  Complementarian - different roles with husband as head

• In Church

  • Only men may be elders
  • Both men and women may be deacons
  • Both men and women may function as prophets as Spirit enables
  • Both may serve as apostles (missionaries)

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XI. Eschatology (Last Things)

General Framework

Premillennialism

(Held with humility and low confidence.)

Order of Events

1. Pre-Tribulation Rapture

   Believers taken from earth at start of tribulation (confidence 2)

2. Seven-Year Tribulation

   God will afflict earth’s inhabitants

3. Christ’s Return

   Jesus will return to judge living and dead

4. Millennial Reign

   Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years

5. Coexistence

   People with resurrection bodies will coexist with those with natural bodies

6. Final Rebellion

   Satan will incite rebellion at end of millennium

7. Final Battle

   Christ will destroy all who participate

8. Final Resurrection

   Everyone who has died will be resurrected to face judgement

9. Final Judgement

   Christ will judge everyone for their deeds

10. New Creation

    God will destroy and recreate heavens and earth

Intermediate State

• Immediate Consciousness

  Upon death, believers’ spirits immediately enter God’s presence while awaiting bodily resurrection

• Awaiting Resurrection

  Not soul sleep; conscious existence in intermediate state

Final States

• Hell (Lake of Fire)

  • Those whose names not in Book of Life will be cast into lake of fire
  • Conscious, never-ending torment (not annihilationism)
  • Confidence level: 3 (moderate)

• New Heavens and Earth

  Believers resurrected into glorious, supernatural bodies

• No Purgatory

  Rejects Roman Catholic doctrine

• No Universalism

  Not all will be saved

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XII. Creation and Science

Age and Process

Old Earth Creationism with Theistic Evolution

• Universe Age

  Several billion years old (confidence 2)

• Adam’s Timing

  Lived 6,000 to 1,000,000 years ago (confidence 1 - very uncertain)

• Genealogical Gaps

  Adam’s genealogy likely contains omissions

• Evolution

  God used evolution as one element of His creative work (confidence 2)

• Progressive Creationism

  God supernaturally intervened at points to produce speciation (confidence 1)

• Neo-Darwinism

  Neo-Darwinian macroevolution is not scientifically plausible (confidence 3)

Hermeneutics of Genesis

• Hermeneutical Freedom

  Various approaches to Genesis 1-6 can be considered orthodox

• Days of Creation

  Six days should not be interpreted as literal 24-hour periods (confidence 3)

• Genesis 6 Flood

  Regional event, not global (confidence 2)

• Sons of God

  Fallen spiritual beings (confidence 2)

Theology of Creation

• Creator

  Father Almighty is maker of all things visible and invisible

• Through Christ

  All things made through Christ

• Time

  God created time and entered into it

• Sustenance

  God actively sustains all creation, including Satan and demons

• Angels and Demons

  Demons are created spiritual beings that are evil

Philosophy

• Anti-Platonism

  Abstract objects do not exist; if they do, they’re contingent on God (confidence 3)

• Presentism

  Only present time exists; past has ceased, future hasn’t yet come (confidence 3)

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XIII. Other Doctrines

Mariology

• Virgin Birth

  Mary was virgin until after Jesus’ birth

• Other Children

  Mary did not remain perpetually virgin; bore other children

• Prayer to Mary

  Attempting to pray to Mary or other departed saints is prohibited

• No Special Status

  Rejects Catholic Marian dogmas

Biblical Translations

• Multiple Good Translations

  Many very good English translations exist

• Modern Advantages

  Modern translations have advantages due to Dead Sea Scrolls

• Warning

  “The Passion Translation” is dangerous and should be avoided

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XIV. Areas of Ongoing Study

The following areas are marked for ongoing study (where confidence is 2+ points below importance):

1. Perseverance of the Saints (∆=2): Whether regenerate believers can fall away 2. Demonisation of Believers (∆=2): Extent to which demons can affect Christians 3. Modes of Baptism (∆=2): Whether non-immersion baptisms are valid 4. Timing of Adam (∆=2): When Adam lived 5. Baptism as Sacrament (∆=2): Exact nature of supernatural work at baptism 6. Various Creation Topics (∆=1-2): Details of evolutionary process, flood extent, etc.

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XV. Alignment with Historic Creeds

This section examines alignment with the most significant ecumenical creeds of historic Christianity. These creeds represent the theological consensus of the early Church and continue to serve as standards of orthodoxy across the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions.

The Apostles’ Creed

Overall Affirmation: Yes, with full agreement.

The Apostles’ Creed represents the most basic and ancient summary of Christian faith. Full affirmation of all articles:

• Belief in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
• Belief in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
• Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.
• Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
• Descended into hell/to the dead: Affirmed - Christ’s spirit went to Hades/Sheol to proclaim victory between His death and resurrection.
• Rose again from the dead on the third day.
• Ascended into heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father.
• Will come again to judge the living and the dead.

• Belief in the Holy Spirit.

• The holy catholic Church

  Affirmed - “catholic” meaning the one, universal Church of all true believers.

• The communion of saints.
• The forgiveness of sins.
• The resurrection of the body.
• The life everlasting.

Significance

The Apostles’ Creed represents the core of Christian orthodoxy and is affirmed without reservation.

The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (Nicene Creed)

Overall Affirmation: Yes, with full agreement.

This creed, formulated at the Councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381), provides the definitive statement on Trinitarian and Christological orthodoxy. Full affirmation of all articles:

On the Father

• One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

On the Son

• One Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God.
• Begotten of the Father before all worlds.
• God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.
• Begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father.
• By whom all things were made.
• Who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven.
• Was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
• Was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.
• Rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
• Ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father.
• Shall come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead.
• Whose kingdom shall have no end.

On the Holy Spirit

• The Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life.
• Who proceeds from the Father (note: see discussion of filioque below).
• Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified.
• Who spoke by the prophets.

On the Church and Sacraments

• One holy catholic and apostolic Church

  Affirmed - “catholic” meaning universal; the Church is one, holy, universal, and built on apostolic foundation.

• One baptism for the forgiveness of sins

  Affirmed with nuance - “one baptism” meaning baptism into Christ is the only valid baptism regardless of particular mode; “for the forgiveness of sins” is affirmed in that baptism should quickly follow faith, and Scripture often treats regeneration and baptism as a single event, though if baptism is delayed, forgiveness is still applied through faith in anticipation of baptism.

• The resurrection of the dead.
• The life of the world to come.

The Filioque Question

The original creed states the Spirit “proceeds from the Father.” The Western Church later added “and the Son” (filioque). The position held here is that the Spirit “proceeds from the Father, through the Son” - closer to the Eastern Orthodox formulation. However, this does not constitute rejection of the Western addition; rather, agnosticism regarding the precise mechanism of procession is maintained. The Spirit’s procession is somehow related to the Son, whether “from” or “through” the Son, but strict insistence on one formulation over the other is avoided.

Significance

The Nicene Creed represents the definitive statement of Trinitarian orthodoxy and is affirmed in its fullness.

The Chalcedonian Definition (451)

Overall Affirmation: Yes, complete agreement.

The Definition of Chalcedon provides the orthodox formulation of Christ’s two natures. Full affirmation:

• Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man.
• Of a reasonable soul and body.
• Consubstantial with the Father according to His Godhead.
• Consubstantial with us according to His manhood.
• Like us in all things, sin only excepted.
• One and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures:
  • Without confusion (the natures are not mixed).
  • Without change (the natures are not altered).
  • Without division (the natures are not separated into two persons).
  • Without separation (the natures remain united in one person).
• The distinction of natures is in no way abolished by their union.
• Rather, the property of each nature is preserved.
• Both natures concur in one person and one subsistence.
• Not parted or divided into two persons.
• But one and the same Son, Only-begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Significance

The Chalcedonian Definition is the gold standard for Christological orthodoxy, guarding against all major heresies (Nestorianism, Eutychianism, Apollinarianism, Arianism). It is affirmed completely and without qualification.

The Athanasian Creed

Overall Affirmation: Yes, with one significant qualification.

The Athanasian Creed (likely 5th-6th century) provides the most detailed exposition of Trinitarian theology among the ecumenical creeds. It is affirmed in its theological content with one important pastoral qualification.

Trinitarian Theology

Fully Affirmed:

• The catholic (universal) faith is to worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity.
• Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.
• The Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God.
• Yet there are not three Gods, but one God.
• The three persons are co-eternal and co-equal.
• Each is uncreated, incomprehensible, eternal, almighty, Lord, and God.
• Yet not three uncreated, incomprehensible, eternal, almighty, or Gods, but one.

Christology

Fully Affirmed:

• Perfect God and perfect man.
• Of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.
• Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead.
• Inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.
• One Christ, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the manhood into God.
• One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.

Procession of the Spirit

Affirmed with Nuance:

The creed states: “The Holy Spirit is from the Father and the Son: not made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.”

This represents the Western (filioque) position. As noted above, the position held here is that the Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son, closer to the Eastern formulation. However, the Western formulation is not rejected; rather, agnosticism is maintained about the precise mechanism. The creed’s affirmation that the Spirit’s procession is somehow related to the Son is affirmed, whether expressed as “from” or “through.”

Damnatory Clauses

Qualified:

The creed contains strong language: “Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.”

Qualification

Whilst Trinitarian orthodoxy is essential to Christianity and represents fundamental truth, this strong formulation is qualified pastorally. Trinitarian orthodoxy is necessary for the mature believers who have had opportunity to understand it, but salvation is not denied to the new or simple believers who have genuine faith in Christ but have not yet grasped the full Trinitarian theology. The thief on the cross, for instance, was saved through simple faith in Christ without articulating the Nicene theology.

This qualification does not represent the rejection of Trinitarian orthodoxy’s importance, but rather the pastoral sensitivity to believers at different stages of theological understanding.

Significance

The Athanasian Creed represents the most thorough articulation of Trinitarian theology in creedal form. Its theological content is affirmed, with the pastoral qualification on its damnatory clauses.

Summary of Creedal Alignment

Full Affirmation

• Apostles’ Creed (100%)
• Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (100%, with acknowledged nuance on filioque)
• Chalcedonian Definition (100%)

Qualified Affirmation

• Athanasian Creed (theological content 100%; pastoral qualification on damnatory clauses)

This creedal alignment places this theological position firmly within the historic Christian orthodoxy as recognised by the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions. The nuances on the filioque and the pastoral qualification on the Athanasian Creed’s damnatory clauses represent careful theological distinctions rather than the departure from orthodoxy.

The affirmation of these creeds demonstrates the commitment to:

• The Nicene Trinitarianism.
• The Chalcedonian Christology.
• The unity and catholicity of the Church.
• The historic Christian orthodoxy across traditions.
• The ecumenical consensus of the early Church.

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XVI. Theological Identity and Tradition

Primary Identity

Molinist Arminian Baptist Charismatic with high sacramental convictions.

Closest Denominational Fit

1. Free Will Baptist (primary fit)
2. Charismatic Baptist churches with Arminian theology
3. Churches of Christ (charismatic-leaning)
4. Independent charismatic evangelical churches
5. Some Vineyard churches

Alignment with Historic Wesleyanism

55-60% Strong Alignment

Areas of Agreement

• Arminian soteriology (prevenient grace, universal atonement, conditional election)
• High view of means of grace
• Sanctification begins with justification
• Assurance through Spirit’s witness
• Economic ethics
• Social holiness alongside evangelism
• Balance of Scripture, reason, experience, tradition

Areas of Divergence

• Entire sanctification/Christian perfection (major)
• Infant baptism vs. believers’ baptism (significant)
• Original sin - corruption without inherited guilt (significant)
• Normative continuationism vs. cautious openness (significant)
• Perseverance (uncertain vs. clear position)
• Eschatology (premillennial vs. amillennial)

Theological Influences Drawing from Multiple Streams

Influences include:

• Arminian Tradition

  Arminius, Remonstrants, Free Will Baptists

• Baptist Tradition

  Believers’ church, regenerate membership, local autonomy

• Charismatic Movement

  Pentecostalism, Third Wave, continuationism

• Reformed Tradition

  High view of Scripture, emphasis on God’s sovereignty (via Molinism)

• Wesleyan Tradition

  Means of grace, social holiness, balance of authorities

• Philosophical Theology

  Molinism (William Lane Craig, Thomas Flint)

Distinctiveness

This theological profile is uncommon but internally coherent, representing a thoughtful synthesis that:

• Maintains Baptist convictions on baptism and church polity
• Embraces Arminian soteriology through a Molinist framework
• Incorporates charismatic pneumatology with biblical safeguards
• Elevates means of grace beyond typical Baptist practice
• Distinguishes between corruption and guilt in anthropology
• Balances theological confidence with appropriate humility

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XVII. Practical Implications

Worship and Church Life

• Expects regular communion (weekly or more)
• Open to prophetic words and tongues with testing
• Values expository preaching and Scripture
• Emphasizes both evangelism and social concern
• Practices believers’ baptism by immersion
• Complementarian leadership structure

Spiritual Formation

• Disciplines of prayer, fasting, Scripture, fellowship
• Progressive growth in holiness without perfectionism
• Community accountability essential
• Experience governed by Scripture and reason
• Openness to Spirit’s leading with discernment

Ethical Framework

• Biblical commands are authoritative
• Conscience guided by Scripture and Spirit
• Generous stewardship of resources
• Sexual ethics based on biblical marriage
• Social concern alongside personal holiness

Intellectual Approach

• High confidence on core Christian doctrines
• Appropriate uncertainty on debated matters
• Ongoing study where importance exceeds confidence
• Values both theological precision and pastoral sensitivity
• Molinist framework for complex questions of sovereignty and freedom

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Conclusion

This theological profile represents a believer who:

• Is deeply committed to historic Christian orthodoxy
• Thoughtfully integrates insights from multiple traditions
• Maintains appropriate theological humility on debated matters
• Balances Word and Spirit, doctrine and experience
• Pursues holiness without perfectionism
• Engages both mind and heart in faith
• Values both theological precision and practical application

The profile is characterized by internal coherence within a Molinist Arminian framework, pastoral sensitivity on matters of conscience and practice, and theological confidence balanced with humility where Scripture allows for diverse understandings.

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This profile reflects beliefs as of October 2025, with recognition that theology continues to develop through study, experience, and the Spirit’s illumination of Scripture.

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