Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AR-MIN'I-AN, n.

1. One of a sect or party of Christians, so called from Arminius, or Harmansen, of Holland, who flourished at the close of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th. The Arminian doctrines are, 1. Conditional election and reprobation, in opposition to absolute predestination.
2. Universal redemption, or that the atonement was made by Christ for all mankind, though none but believers can be partakers of the benefit. 3. That man, in order to exercise true faith, must be regenerated and renewed by the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the gift of God; but that this grace is not irresistible and may be lost; so that men may relapse from a state of grace and die in their sins. – Encyc.