An article by Leighton FlowersFor further distinguishing between the recently branded "Provisionism" and Classical Arminianism see here:
Provisionists are frequently asked about the role of the Holy Spirit in salvation, considering our belief that the gospel itself is enough to guide lost sinners to faith. To address this question effectively, let’s break it down by engaging the insights of Herman Bavinck, a renowned Calvinist scholar, who wrote: When we speak of elenctics, we do well to understand it in the sense that it has in John 16:8. The Holy Spirit will convince the world of sin. The Holy Spirit is actually the only conceivable subject of this verb, for the conviction of sin exceeds all human ability. Only the Holy Spirit can do this, even though he can and will use us as instruments in his hand. The Holy Spirit, using the biblical message of the Cross, “awakens in man that deeply hidden awareness of guilt. He convinces man of sin, even where previously no consciousness of sin was apparently present. The Holy Spirit uses the word of the preacher and touches the heart of the hearer, making it accessible to the word. When the Holy Spirit convinces people of their sins, of Jesus’ righteousness, and of certain judgment, He awakens the human heart to hear and see truth in a new way. Upon seeing and perceiving (cf. Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15), the human heart cries out for God.[103] I would like to direct our focus towards several key points that might go unnoticed unless one is cognizant of what one should be looking for: 1. “Only the Holy Spirit can do this, even though he can and will use us as instruments in his hand.” This raises the question of the effectiveness of human means in the Calvinistic framework. Do miracles, the proclamation of truth, or persuasive argumentation in apologetics achieve anything that is not already accomplished by “effectual/irresistible grace” (also known as “regeneration”)? I have not encountered any Calvinist who can demonstrate that human means achieve anything that is not already accomplished by the regenerative work of God. In Romans 10:14, when Paul rhetorically asks, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard,” the implied answer is that hearing is enough for belief. However, according to Calvinism, it is not sufficient. If Calvinism were true, Paul would have asked, “How shall they believe what they hear unless God regenerates them?” 2. “The Holy Spirit, using the biblical message of the Cross, ‘awakens in man that deeply hidden awareness of guilt. He convinces man of sin, even where previously no consciousness of sin was apparently present.’” Please note that in Calvinism, this action of awakening is only performed for a select group called “the elect of God.” God is not awakening every individual and bringing their guilt and sin to their awareness. Instead, according to Calvinism, this awakening is exclusively reserved for His chosen ones, although there is no hindrance preventing Him from doing this for others as well. While these words may seem appealing, a closer examination reveals the inherent unnecessary complexities. In Calvinism, it appears that God deliberately chooses not to awaken everyone yet still communicates universally as if they might respond. However, He then condemns those who reject a truth they were born incapable of understanding and accepting. According to Calvinism, God holds everyone accountable and punishable for their refusal of the truth, yet only sufficiently reveals this truth to His elect. 3. “The Holy Spirit uses the word of the preacher and touches the heart of the hearer, making it accessible to the word.” Pay attention to the message being conveyed here. The author is subtly arguing that the listener’s heart cannot access the truth clearly revealed in the word unless the Holy Spirit “touches” them. Let me rephrase this statement slightly to align it with biblical accuracy: “The Holy Spirit uses the preacher’s words to touch the listener’s heart, allowing them to grasp the truth that the word clearly presents.” This might seem like a small change, but it has significant implications concerning a crucial doctrinal matter: the sufficiency of scripture, God’s Holy Word. The Calvinistic author is subtly suggesting that the word proclaimed by the preacher is not enough on its own unless the Holy Spirit “touches” the heart and makes the words accessible. This assumption implies that humans are born incapable of understanding and accepting the clearly revealed truth, a concept that is not taught in scripture. It also assumes that the proclaimed truth of God’s word cannot fulfill its intended purpose (John 20:31). Let’s take a moment to consider this perspective objectively. According to Calvinists, who follow this line of thinking, all of humanity is born unable to believe the truth presented in scripture, yet they are able to believe the falsehoods of other religions, like the teaching of the Koran. Despite this, God still holds us accountable for accepting false religions and rejecting the truths of scripture. The gospel, as a gracious work of the Holy Spirit, is sufficient in itself, and there is no need to create another form of grace. Furthermore, there is no scriptural evidence suggesting that God has rendered all of humanity totally unable to respond positively to His truth due to Adam’s Fall. We all know the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is false. Why? Because words have the power to hurt much deeper than physical objects. Moreover, words reveal the truth, and the truth is said to bring freedom. Words cannot be dismissed as powerless and ineffective in achieving the purposes God intended for them. This is especially true as Calvinists also acknowledge that words have the power to lead people astray. The natural man is held responsible for the very words of Christ because the natural man is able to respond to the very words of Christ. As Jesus explains, If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. (John 12:47-50) And in John 6:63, Jesus says, It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. The author of Hebrews puts it this way, For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13) Do these verses imply that the words of God can only be powerful, life-giving, and sufficient to enable the lost to respond positively when the Holy Spirit “touches the heart” and regenerates the soul effectually? Is there any biblical teaching that supports this kind of inward, irresistibly supernatural working of the Holy Spirit? Why do many people assume that the inspired truth of the Holy Spirit, preserved in the scriptures and conveyed by the Holy Spirit-led Bride of Christ, is not enough to allow the lost to willingly respond to its appeals? Shouldn’t we question the assumption that God decreed for fallen humanity to be born incapable of willingly responding to the message of reconciliation offered by the powerful truth of the inspired gospel? Why would God punish us for Adam’s sin by making us incapable of responding positively to His word, calling us to be redeemed from that sin? Why do Calvinists assert that people are born with a disdain for God and His truth but often fail to make it clear that this is due to God’s own sovereign decree on their worldview? How does it bring glory to God if He decrees that all of humanity will be born with a contempt for truth and then punish them for rejecting truth? Scripture does not teach that people are born with depraved minds and hardened hearts that prevent them from willingly responding to the truth of God. Instead, Scripture warns against trading the truth for lies and developing a calloused heart that cannot see or understand (Romans 1:17-23). It emphasizes the role of personal choice and warns against hardening one’s heart (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). The author of Hebrews cautions against having a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from God and urges us not to harden our hearts when we hear His voice (Hebrews 3:7-8). These warnings imply that hardening is not a condition from birth but a consequence of personal choices. 4. “When the Holy Spirit convinces people of their sin, of Jesus’ righteousness, and of certain judgment, He awakens the human heart to hear and see truth in a new way. Upon seeing and perceiving (cf. Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:15), the human heart cries out for God.” This summarizes the Calvinistic doctrine of Irresistible Grace, which states that God regenerates the hearts of those He has chosen so they will accept the truth of scripture. However, this belief contradicts the clear teaching of the Bible. The scripture shows that all humans are responsible, meaning they have the moral ability to respond either positively or negatively to God’s revelation. It is through the work of the Holy Spirit, using human means, that conviction and reconciliation to God are achieved. The Holy Spirit inspires and empowers the proclamation of truth, appealing to individuals to be reconciled to God. Some argue that the gospel is not sufficient to enable the lost to believe without the work of the Holy Spirit. I argue that the gospel is always sufficient because it is a work of the Holy Spirit. As David said: The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his word was on my tongue. (2 Samuel 23:2) Therefore, when someone listens to or reads the words of David, then they are being impacted by the Spirit of the Lord because the Spirit is the source of those words. I am only striving to give credit where credit is due. When someone reads or hears the words inspired by the Spirit of the Lord and comes to faith, then the Spirit should be given credit for His work in bringing those words, regardless of the means through which He brings them. Remember, when we speak His words, it is really “as though God were pleading through us,” as Paul explained: Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:20) Therefore, when the gospel is proclaimed, and someone responds by giving their life to follow Christ, the credit should be given to the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is actively working through the preacher to make His appeal to the individual. The preacher is merely a tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit, carrying out His work. The idea that the Holy Spirit must independently regenerate the heart prior to the preaching, making it effective, is not found in scripture. Instead, the Holy Spirit accomplishes His work through the means of preaching only to indwell the hearts of those who believe (Galatians 3:2,14). Through the proclamation of the gospel, the Holy Spirit calls people to repentance and faith, and this calling is sufficient for anyone who hears it to respond and be transformed. Why should we believe the unlikely assertion that humans are born with the ability to have faith in the teachings of the Koran but not in the Bible? Is it rational to teach that individuals are inherently unable to willingly respond to God’s appeals for reconciliation due to their fallen state? Where does this presumption come from, and why do so many people accept it without question? It is worth noting that this assumption has not always been widely held in the church. Irenaeus, (130-202) wrote, We have known the method of our salvation by no other means than those by whom the gospel came to us; which gospel they truly preached; but afterward, by the will of God, they delivered to us in the Scriptures, to be for the future the foundation and pillar of our faith. (Adv. H. 3:1) Athanasius wrote, The Holy Scriptures, given by the inspiration of God, are of themselves sufficient toward the discovery of truth. And, most importantly, the scriptures themselves teach: …you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:15-16, emphasis added). It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63). Consequently, faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. (Romans 10:17-18, emphasis added) And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:39-42, emphasis added) At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1, emphasis added) …from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets (the written word of God) he tried to persuade them about Jesus. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” (Acts 28:23a-24, emphasis added) Now, get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:16-18, emphasis added) For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit…” (Eph. 3:1-5, emphasis added) We must not presume that just because man is born fallen, the gospel is not up for the task of enabling the fallen man to respond to its appeal for reconciliation from that fall. In other words, there is no reason to assume that God’s message of hope is hopeless to enable a willing response from those who need it the most. Let’s consider this from an objective standpoint. In the context of Calvinism, there is a belief that individuals who are spiritually lost have the ability to accept various religious texts, such as the Koran or the Book of Mormon, along with any misleading information that opposes the teachings of the Bible. However, these same individuals seem unable to access the profound truths found within the Bible itself. This raises some questions. Why would God deliberately make humanity, with its fallen nature, predisposed to accept the truths presented in other historical books while making it impossible for them to embrace His own sacred word? Why does He allow people to put their faith in fictional stories created by atheists and deceivers while withholding access to the rich and beautiful truth contained in His divinely inspired word? Scripture does not teach that individuals are born with inherently corrupted minds and hardened hearts, rendering them completely unable to willingly respond to the truth revealed by God. Rather, Scripture teaches that people have the capacity to “exchange the truth for lies” (Rom. 1:25) and be given over to a “depraved mind” (Rom. 1:18). It acknowledges the possibility for individuals to “become calloused” or “close their eyes,” resulting in an inability to “see, hear, understand, and turn” (Acts 28:27b). The Bible also points out that when people do not acknowledge and honor God, their thinking “becomes futile and their hearts are darkened” (Rom. 1:21). It is worth noting that this condition is not described as a “default” condition of all humanity.
Flowers, Leighton. Drawn By Jesus (pp. 136-146). Trinity Academic Press. Kindle Edition.
