K. M. asked an excellent question for our radio show:

I am a longtime listener. I came across a video discussing Provisionism. It is different than Calvinism and Arminianism. It was presented like Free Grace, but I wanted to check before deeply researching it. Is it the same as Free Grace?

Ken Yates and I discussed that yesterday during a radio taping. The show should air in a month or so. I will summarize here what we said.

Provisionism is a theological system developed by Leighton Flowers. It is mainly held by Southern Baptists (and some Independent Baptists). It is a cross between Calvinism (TULIP) and Arminianism. It is based on the acronym PROVIDE. P stands for People sin. R represents Responsible. O stands for Open door for all. V substitutes for Vicarious atonement. The letter “I” represents Illuminating grace. D stands for Destroyed, meaning that all who reject God’s grace and do not believe and repent will be eternally condemned. See here for a fuller explanation of the acronym and the system.

It shares these beliefs with Calvinism:

1. To be regenerated, a person must “respond to the Gospel with repentance and faith.”
2. God elects people to everlasting life.
3. Salvation is a process.
4. Perseverance in faith and good works is guaranteed and required.
5. All who are eternally secure persevere.

It shares these beliefs with Arminianism:

1. Everyone is “capable of responding to the Gospel,” not just “a select few.”
2. People have free will and can respond “to the Holy Spirit’s drawing through the Gospel.”
3. To be regenerated, a person must “respond to the Gospel with repentance and faith.”
4. Regeneration occurs after faith (and repentance), not before.
5. To get into Christ’s kingdom, one must persevere in faith and good works.

Provisionism does have some views that are consistent with Focused Free Grace. See points one and two above regarding how it is consistent with Arminianism. We would also agree that regeneration does not precede faith, though we would not agree with their view that repentance is a condition for regeneration.

However, do not be confused by some areas of agreement. Provisionism is not Focused Free Grace. It differs significantly from FFG in these areas:

1. More than faith in Christ is required to be born again.
2. Perseverance is guaranteed.
3. Failure in the Christian life is impossible. All persevere.
4. Assurance is not of the essence of saving faith. Everlasting life that cannot be lost is not the bullseye in evangelism.
5. Assurance is found in part in the works we do.
6. Lordship Salvation is true and is the saving message.

The sole condition of everlasting life is faith in Christ. Perseverance is not guaranteed or required. Failure is possible in the Christian life. To be born again, one must believe in Jesus for everlasting life. Assurance is based solely on the promise of everlasting life to the believer, not our works. Lordship Salvation is a false gospel.