Editing Arminianism (section)

===Precursor movements and theological influences===
[[File:Jean Paul Laurens Castellion (cropped).jpg|left|thumb|[[Jean-Paul Laurens|Laurens, Jean Paul]]. (1892). ''[[Sebastian Castellio|Sébastien Castellion]]''.|200x200px]]
Arminius' beliefs, i.e. Arminianism, did not begin with him.{{sfn|Olson|2014|p=1}} Before the [[Reformation]], groups like the [[Waldensians]] similarly affirmed individual freedom over any [[Theological determinism|predetermined]] [[predestination]].{{sfn|Smith|2010|p=147}} [[Anabaptism|Anabaptist]] theologian [[Balthasar Hubmaier]] (1480–1528) also promoted much the same view as Arminius nearly a century before him.{{sfn|Olson|2014|p=1}} The [[soteriological]] doctrines of Arminianism and Anabaptism are roughly equivalent.{{sfn|Sutton|2012|p=86}}{{sfn|Bangs|1985|p=170}} In particular, [[Mennonites]] have been historically Arminian whether they distinctly espoused the Arminian viewpoint or not, and rejected [[Calvinist]] [[soteriology]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bender|1953}}: "Mennonites have been historically Arminian in their theology whether they distinctly espoused the Arminian viewpoint or not. They never accepted Calvinism either in the Swiss-South German branch or in the Dutch-North German wing. Nor did any Mennonite confession of faith in any country teach any of the five points of Calvinism. However, in the 20th century, particularly in North America, some Mennonites, having come under the influence of certain Bible institutes and the literature produced by this movement and its schools, have adopted the Calvinist doctrine of the perseverance of the saints or "once in grace always in grace." In doing so, they have departed from the historic Arminianism of the Anabaptist-Mennonite movement."</ref> [[Anabaptist theology]] seems to have influenced Jacobus Arminius.{{sfn|Sutton|2012|p=86}} At least, he was "sympathetic to the Anabaptist point of view, and Anabaptists were commonly in attendance on his preaching."{{sfn|Bangs|1985|p=170}} Similarly, Arminius mentions [[Denmark|Danish]] [[Lutheran]] theologian [[Niels Hemmingsen]] (1513–1600) as holding the basic view of soteriology he held and he may have been influenced by Hemmingsen.<ref>{{harvnb|Olson|2013b}}: "I am using 'Arminianism' as a handy&nbsp;[...] synonym for 'evangelical synergism' (a term I borrow from Donald Bloesch).&nbsp;[...] It's simply a Protestant perspective on salvation, God's role and ours, that is similar to, if not identical with, what was assumed by the Greek church fathers and taught by Hubmaier, Menno Simons, and even Philipp Melanchthon (after Luther died). It was also taught by Danish Lutheran theologian Niels Hemmingsen (d. 1600)—independently of Arminius. (Arminius mentions Hemmingsen as holding the basic view of soteriology he held and he may have been influenced by Hemmingsen.)"</ref> Another key figure, [[Sebastian Castellio]] (1515–1563), who opposed Calvin's views on predestination and [[religious intolerance]], is known to have influenced both the Mennonites and certain theologians within Arminius's circle.{{sfn|Guggisberg|Gordon|2017|p=242}} Early critics of Arminians even cited Castellio as a primary inspiration behind the Arminian movement.{{sfn|Guggisberg|Gordon|2017|p=242-244}}