Maybe you don’t get in many debates with Calvinists over Arminian theology. If you ever do, Roger Olson has a nice illustration of how Arminians understand God’s saving work and our role in it.
Let an analogy make my point. Who would call the following scenario a “cooperative effort” between the giver and the receiver of a gift? A university professor discovers that a student has been evicted and is living under a bridge with no real shelter or food or anything. The student has become destitute and is also ill and in need of medical attention. The professor gives the student $1,000 to get him back on his feet and thus probably saves his life. All the student had to do is cash the check. Now who would rightly describe that situation as a “cooperative effort” between the professor and the student? Nobody would. Nobody. It would be ludicrous.
It’s just as ludicrous to describe the Arminian belief about the roles of God and a repentant sinner in salvation as a “cooperative effort.”
As a post-script. If you are looking for an interesting and intelligent blog about Arminian theoogy, Olson’s is a good place to go.
John Meunier 
Thank, I have marked the sight and will check it out. I like the analogy.
I can’t believe how much you cover. I can’t keep up with all the good content you expose me to. It is a nice problem to have.
Grace and peace.
You are quite kind.
Your nice words are probably a sign that I need to spend less time blogging. 🙂
Grace and peace to you.
Although you don’t expressly mention it, this quote also may be representative of how Calvinists misunderstand a point. For the uninitiated, I ask, does this mean something? How representative is this misundestanding of Calvinistic theology?
I don’t know how representative it is.
It is common for Calvinists to call Arminians semi-Pelagian or Pelagian, though. That is the big complaint they have about us.
Or am I missing the point of your question?