What is Provisionism?

Dr. Leighton Flowers, Director of Evangelism and Apologetics for Texas Baptists, explains PROVISIONISM in contrast to Arminianism and Calvinism.

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[galenstevenson]

L = Limitless atonement. O = Overflowing grace. V= Victory over sin and death. E = Everlasting life for the faithful in Christ.

[postscriptciara]

People have been saying, “Calvinist or Arminian? You have to choose!” Now I have an answer. I’m a Provisionist! Thank you so much for this. 🙏🏻

[dianehelena]

Your words: "Some argue that the gospel is not sufficient to enable the lost to believe without the work of the Holy Spirit. But I argue the gospel is always sufficient because IT IS A WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT". Amen

[Christianos_Theophile]

Based on the description you’ve given here, I’m definitely a provisionist - though I tend to think of it as simply Biblical Christianity

[Mygoalwogel]

6:52 Tozer quote
9:23 P.R.O.V.I.D.E acrostic
14:49 Proverbs 28: 13-14
20:15 Traditionalist Predestination
24:05 How God is glorified
25:52 Total inability rebutted

[ChrisHolman]

I'm one of three pastors of a church, I'm watching your videos on Provisionism to present a class on this at a future board meeting. We believe and teach this, to have it presented in full will help to clarify distinctly in black and white exactly what we believe and teach. Thank you for what you have put together here and in so many other videos. God Bless!

[mustang]

I've been struggling with election and predestination. My dad is a SB pastor and while I was raised to not believe in Calvinism I didn't know what doctrine to agree with. I didn't agree with Arminians and Molinism sounded good but seemed like it was missing something. I've been reading and listening to a lot of your stuff and agree with it so much more

[wtnickred]

Thank you for this much-needed clarity. This gives me a fresh, new perspective on the relationship between God's sovereignty and my responsibility. I'm also deeply encouraged to better understand how God's wrath comes AFTER his provision and our free choice to put our trust/faith in Him.

[NezSernitch]

Thank you Leighton!
As I continuously studying and reviewing the Bible in desiring and pursuing to know more the truth, this view of Soteriology is more biblical than any other views and in match with the sound doctrine that taught by the Apostles..
- formerly Calvinist for more than 10yrs from Philippines.

[enriquepalomares]

This is an excellent biblical explanation brother, thank you very much for providing these teachings, I do believe we must always study the scriptures so we can test everything to the Word of our Father

[PineTreez]

Thank you, Leighton, for giving your time to do these podcasts. It was a great blessing for me when I found you on YouTube. You have affirmed my beliefs. Good bless you!

[renzoventrice]

I wholeheartedly embrace this. I was once a Reformed Baptist Pastor

[amadeusasimov]

Thank you for this expounding on Provisionism.

The Lord has called us to unity, not uniformity.
You have the same Lord and Master.
Be united in His love. Be kind and show love to your brothers and sisters in Christ.

[dndsablan]

I'd like to first thank you for all your work on this topic Brother Leighton! I'm so happy to see others fighting to preserve the truth of God's Word and His desire to save fallen mankind.
Regarding your statement on some who say that you're being devisive with your videos and doctrine...I encourage you to keep on doing what you're doing. As, I personally think it's very important work. Because we don't want the lost misunderstanding the Way to salvation. nor do we want God looked at in the wrong light. There's been a very hard push and surge by the Calvinistic movement, to teach their false doctrine on predestination to all, especially the young. Therefore, I think it's right and proper, that we lovingly fight against it with the truth of God's Word. Not by bashing it, but by simply speaking the truth out loud to all we can. Just like you are doing. So, I say, good job and work, to you, for the Kingdom of God!
I love my Calvinist brothers and hope they turn from their false doctrine, but again, we must stand and speak truth to and for those who haven't received the Gospel unto salvation yet. I stand with you brother! God bless!

[Lordbuddy]

Thank you, Dr. Flowers.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me first, but your teaching helps to reaffirm what I know to be true.

I've struggled with same sex attraction for well over two decades now (30M) and although I believe in deliverance (first & foremost, before entertaining any thoughts of life-long celibacy, or same-sex marriage), when I was younger in Christ, about ten years ago, my inability to pray away the gay, coupled with my knowledge of Calvinism, had always made me feel like I wasn't part of the elect. It always made me question my salvation, and God's love for me. It was hard being a spiritual baby while also dealing with creeping thoughts that my part was in the lake of fire; that I was a vessel meant for destruction to God's glory.

But this one night, when I had failed (once again) to find deliverance, I tearfully and begrudgingly accepted Calvinism as quite possibly true. It was my first ever crisis of faith. I had shut myself in the room, and almost immediately cried out to God for answers. "Am I saved?" Like the Calvinist, I asked, "Why me?" And, "Do you love me?"

I had so many questions but those are the ones that still stick out. I felt urged to turn on the radio and read the Bible. So I did. I had never before read the Bible to random secular music and never did it again. It was the first and last bible study of its kind. And all anger towards God was forgotten, because I was fearful the devil had come in my moment of weakness and was trying to lead me astray - that he, the father of lies, might somehow interfere, quote scripture like he did to Jesus in the wilderness, or usurp God's microphone. So I prayed in earnest to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; I repeatedly and specifically addressed God by His names. Closing in Jesus' name. Because whatever I read coincided with the secular lyrics (well, certain phrases), it was all so coincidental. I kept reading...

That was about 5 years ago, and TBH I forgot exactly how The Spirit lead me through the Bible that day, and how I came to arrive at conclusions I've since upheld as true. He wasn't focused on debunking Calvinism, but through scripture, He shared with me essential truths that later made me caution myself against the teachings of Calvinism. What seemed important was that I believe God loves me too and that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. God wants all people to repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ. He wants us to clothe ourselves in the garment of Christ, His blood, His righteousness, so that His wrath could pass over us in the day of judgment. His wish is for all to accept the free gift of eternal life with Him. It's like being saved from drowning... like Peter... the restless sea churns dirt at its maker... you can't breathe and His hand reaches in the waters... He chose to save you, to save us all, but our salvation requires we choose Him too, and have faith in His power to pull us out of the restless sea... and the choice is between His hand vs. wilfully becoming part of the dead lost at sea vs. a ladder opposite His hand, offered by the strength of an idol, representing false religion, with its rungs - the idea to work for one's own salvation, to save oneself by climbing up. He wants us all to reach back and choose Him as much as He chose us; only He can pull us out from certain death. And just because He knows which decision we make, does not mean we didn't make our own decision. In the end, he has to make us all an offer so that we are without excuse as you preach.

And in that moment, after accepting all this, He gave me rest. I felt at peace.

In retrospect, as though anticipating that I would one day forget the verses and what exactly He said and how he exactly He established His points, the very last song the radio host played that night on shift was Journey's - Don't Stop Believing. (Edit: the end lyrics have a part that says, "hold onto this feeling" on repeat... I felt loved. I felt saved. I felt close to God. I felt sorry. Above all I felt His love). And the Holy Spirit was instructing me to hold on to that feeling, even when/if I forget the theology.

The Spirit taught me things more specific to me - possible ways to reconcile my faith and sexuality. I'm afraid to share that bit here because I have since lost faith in the answer... no, not really... my faith wavers, which is bad (if I remember correctly) because His teaching was linked to not ever violating my conscience and the end of Romans 14. Idk., you hear so many opinions and interpretations from Church leaders and over time, they drown out what you think you know. You know?

At least I am no longer distressed by Calvinism and thoughts of being unsaved by God from the very beginning.

I hope my testimony does not derail you, or cause you to stop preaching your message, Dr. I know the gay issue is complicated. I live it. (P.S. I'm a virgin btw, by choice). Just wanted to say thanks. God bless.

[ericsmith]

Watched again to brush up on the differences. This time I'm struck by your closing thoughts on evangelism and our call to share the Gospel with the world. The one thing that stuck with me some 20 years ago when I learned the views of calvinism was that not only did evangelism not make sense, but once understood it automatically gave excuse for those far from Christ to deny Christ. I know calvinist can "explain this position away, " but seem to me to miss the forest for the trees.

[barsiisadhugaa]

God bless you Leighton.
Discovering you and soteriology 101 has been a life changing experience for me.

[annettegaardlykke]

Thank you so very much Mr. Flowers! You made sense of it all in this short clip. I am only sorry that I am not able to support this ministry financially, but I will pray. It is not the one staying on the narrow path who is divisive, but the one who has wandered from it.

[johnjames]

Because God provides sun and rain for all without exception, this shows His provision of free salvation for all by grace through faith in His only begotten son apart from works, standing and resting on all that Christ Jesus has done for us. Your approach in dealing with this subject of provisionism in and with love is wonderful. God bless.

[MrKenpth]

Awesome....thank you so much....I am like a Berean Jew in seeking truth through scripture. I have been meeting Calvinists and many I know are of this belief. I found you because one of them used Acts 13:48 today and in doing a found your web-site. I like what you have shared very much. God bless.