Provisionism and Semi-Pelagianism share certain similarities but also have significant differences. Understanding these will help delineate the nuanced positions each theological stance holds regarding human will, grace, and salvation.
Similarities Between Provisionism and Semi-Pelagianism
Human Responsibility: Both Provisionism and Semi-Pelagianism emphasize human responsibility in responding to God's call. They assert that humans have the innate ability to seek God and respond to the gospel without the necessity of a special prevenient grace.
Rejection of Total Depravity: Neither Provisionism nor Semi-Pelagianism accepts the doctrine of total depravity as taught in Reformed theology. They both reject the idea that sin has rendered humanity entirely incapable of turning to God without divine intervention.
Universal Scope of Salvation: Both theologies affirm that Christ’s atonement was made for all humanity and that God desires all people to be saved. This stands in contrast to the Reformed doctrine of particular redemption.
Differences Between Provisionism and Semi-Pelagianism
Role of Grace:
- Provisionism: While Provisionism holds that humans are capable of responding to God's call, it emphasizes that this response is enabled by the gospel through the Holy Spirit's power. This is not to be confused with prevenient grace but rather a belief that the Word of God itself, accompanied by the Holy Spirit, is sufficient for enabling faith.
- Semi-Pelagianism: Semi-Pelagianism posits that the initial step towards faith is taken by human effort, and God's grace then assists in the process. This view holds that human nature has an inherent capacity to initiate the move towards God.
Nature of the Fall:
- Provisionism: It asserts that the Fall did not fundamentally alter human nature regarding the ability to respond to God. Instead, humans are seen as removed from God’s light but not morally incapacitated.
- Semi-Pelagianism: Semi-Pelagianism similarly downplays the impact of the Fall on human nature, suggesting that while humans are weakened by sin, they retain a natural ability to initiate faith.
Supernatural Intervention:
- Provisionism: It maintains that no internal supernatural work is necessary for initial faith. The gospel message, as the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is sufficient for enabling a response.
- Semi-Pelagianism: It suggests that humans can make the first move toward God on their own, and then grace assists them further. It does not emphasize the empowering role of the Holy Spirit through the gospel in the same way as Provisionism.
Theological Development:
- Provisionism: This is a relatively recent theological framework, largely developed by Leighton Flowers and aligned with many Southern and Independent Baptist views.
- Semi-Pelagianism: This is an older theological perspective that arose in the early church, particularly as a reaction to the doctrines of Augustine and Pelagius. It was condemned as heretical at the Second Council of Orange in 529 AD.
Key Points of Contrast
- Initial Step in Salvation: Provisionism holds that the gospel, through the Holy Spirit, is what enables the response, whereas Semi-Pelagianism asserts that humans take the first step towards God without the need for divine assistance.
- Grace: Provisionism does not necessarily involve a special prevenient grace that restores the ability to respond to God, while Semi-Pelagianism involves an assisting grace after the initial human step.
- Impact of the Fall: Both views downplay the total depravity effect, but Provisionism still places a unique emphasis on the sufficiency of the gospel message itself.
Conclusion
While Provisionism and Semi-Pelagianism share similarities in rejecting total depravity and emphasizing human responsibility, they differ significantly in their understanding of the role of grace, the nature of the Fall, and the process of coming to faith. Provisionism, with its recent development and distinct emphasis on the power of the gospel message through the Holy Spirit, offers a unique perspective that sets it apart from the historical framework of Semi-Pelagianism. But they are similar in that both reject the necessity of of some kind of special prevenient grace.