INTRODUCTIONThroughout church history, John Calvin has been considered one of the greatest Reformed theologians the world has ever known. He is known for his views on God's election and salvation. Known as Calvin's challenger throughout theological history, Jacob Arminius taught a different view of election, commonly called Arminianism. After Calvinism took hold of Reformed circles, Arminianism then grew accordingly. Jacob Arminius struggled to address many of the issues Calvin had made in his argument for God's grace and election. He believed that Calvin's view, later known as the "Five Points of Calvinism" (TULIP), was insufficient to describe the relationship between man, God, and grace in terms of salvation. For some, Jacob Arminius is considered a heretic. Devout Calvinists will say that Arminianism completely eliminates the sovereignty of God. However, in defense of Jacob Arminius, Arminianism was intended to protect Calvinist predestination from heretical teaching. However, instead of reforming Calvinism, he is seen as the main antagonist of Calvinism in theological history. ARMINIUS AND PREDESTINATION Jacob Arminius (the Latin translation by Jakob Hermanszoon) was born after John Calvin had already published his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Many modern thinkers believe that Arminius and Calvin were contemporaries of each other. However, it is highly doubtful whether the two theologians ever met. Arminius was born in the Netherlands and when he was very young both his parents died, leaving him an orphan. He attended the Geneva Academy and studied theology. He then accepted a teaching position at the University of Leiden. However, he was soon accused...... middle of paper ......ment. This research paper has truly cleared up many of the gray areas surrounding the current Arminian view. This was a great way for me to strengthen my beliefs, as well as an opportunity to gain knowledge that will allow me to better defend Calvinism from an apologetic perspective. Works Cited Bangs, Jeremy. “Arminius and the Reformation”. Church History 30. (1961): 155-170 Harrison, AW Arminianism. London, UK: Kemp Hall Press, 1937Hicks, John. "Arminius on the assurance of salvation: the context, roots and form of the Leiden debate, 1603-1609." » Restoration Quarterly 52. ​​(2010): 50-52 Olson, Roger. Arminian theology. Downers Grove, IL: InterVaristy Press, 2006. Pinnock, Clark. The grace of God, the will of man. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Academy Books, 1989. Williams, Michael. “The Five Points of Arminianism.” Presbytery 30. (2004): 11-36