Posts Tagged 'Doctrines of Grace'
What is Calvinism?
It is very odd how difficult it seems for some persons to understand just what Calvinism is. And yet the matter itself presents no difficulty whatever. It is capable of being put into a single sentence; and that, on level to every religious man's comprehension. For Calvinism is just religion in its purity. We have only, therefore, to conceive of religion in its purity, and that is Calvinism. In what attitude of mind and heart does ...
What is Calvinism?
It is very odd how difficult it seems for some persons to understand just what Calvinism is. And yet the matter itself presents no difficulty whatever. It is capable of being put into a single sentence; and that, on level to every religious man's comprehension. For Calvinism is just religion in its purity. We have only, therefore, to conceive of religion in its purity, and that is Calvinism. In what attitude of mind and heart does ...
What is “Reformed”? An Overview of the Five Solas and Calvinism.
Basically "Reformed" comes straight from the time of Martin Luther and the reformation, formally beginning in the controversy on justification and the authority of the church. Remember that the two issues dealt with back then was (1) How man is to be made right before God, and (2) What is the authority of the church that binds the conscience of the Christian. To make the long story short, Luther and the reformers labored to "re-form" the church ...
What is “Reformed”? An Overview of the Five Solas and Calvinism.
Basically "Reformed" comes straight from the time of Martin Luther and the reformation, formally beginning in the controversy on justification and the authority of the church. Remember that the two issues dealt with back then was (1) How man is to be made right before God, and (2) What is the authority of the church that binds the conscience of the Christian. To make the long story short, Luther and the reformers labored to "re-form" the church ...
Evangelicalism Stands or Falls with Calvinism
'The world should realize with increased clearness that Evangelicalism stands or falls with Calvinism.' ((B. B. Warfield, quoted in Arthur C. Custance, The Sovereignty of Grace (Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1979), 83-84.)) The great princeton theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield wrote those words a century ago. At the time, Calvinism still had a major influence on evangelicalism, helping to define its theology, shape its spirituality, and clarify its mission. That is no longer as true as ...
Evangelicalism Stands or Falls with Calvinism
'The world should realize with increased clearness that Evangelicalism stands or falls with Calvinism.' ((B. B. Warfield, quoted in Arthur C. Custance, The Sovereignty of Grace (Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1979), 83-84.)) The great princeton theologian Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield wrote those words a century ago. At the time, Calvinism still had a major influence on evangelicalism, helping to define its theology, shape its spirituality, and clarify its mission. That is no longer as true as ...
Thinking of His Birth Reminds me of His Death
Let us spend this moment, as Christmas day comes, in reflection of God's infinitely tremendous condescending grace by sending His Son to take up the flesh of sinful man to live among us on this earth, to fulfill the law that we never can and never could, that such righteousness may be imputed to us as our sin be imputed to Him. And in His death He bore the penalty of our sin, the full ...
Thinking of His Birth Reminds me of His Death
Let us spend this moment, as Christmas day comes, in reflection of God's infinitely tremendous condescending grace by sending His Son to take up the flesh of sinful man to live among us on this earth, to fulfill the law that we never can and never could, that such righteousness may be imputed to us as our sin be imputed to Him. And in His death He bore the penalty of our sin, the full ...
Thou Hatest All Workers of Iniquity, Not Just Iniquity
If it be true that God loves every member of the human family, then why did our Lord tell His disciples “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father…If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him.” (John 14:21, 23)? Why say “he that loveth Me shall be loved of My ...
Thou Hatest All Workers of Iniquity, Not Just Iniquity
If it be true that God loves every member of the human family, then why did our Lord tell His disciples “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father…If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him.” (John 14:21, 23)? Why say “he that loveth Me shall be loved of My ...
He is Not a Weak Beggar, He is a Powerful Savior
The Gospel of Calvinism as was just described is not: "Well, maybe God doesn't love you." You see the apostolic proclamation was "repent and believe." It wasn't "this is what God has done for you." Maybe the problem here is that we're judging the Gospel by our emotions and experiences rather than by the infallible, unchanging, inspired Word of God. I've heard no response to John 6, Ephesians 1, Romans 8 and 9, 1 Timothy 2. I've heard ...
He is Not a Weak Beggar, He is a Powerful Savior
The Gospel of Calvinism as was just described is not: "Well, maybe God doesn't love you." You see the apostolic proclamation was "repent and believe." It wasn't "this is what God has done for you." Maybe the problem here is that we're judging the Gospel by our emotions and experiences rather than by the infallible, unchanging, inspired Word of God. I've heard no response to John 6, Ephesians 1, Romans 8 and 9, 1 Timothy 2. I've heard ...
Reformation Theology: An Introduction
492 years ago, on this day, October 31st, Martin Luther marked the beginning of the Reformation with his famous 95 theses. It was said that the hinge that the door of Christianity swings is on the doctrine of justification by faith, such is what was fought for at the time of the reformation, the reformers prior to Luther and those who went after him. Contrary though to popular belief the issue did not merely hang on ...
Reformation Theology: An Introduction
492 years ago, on this day, October 31st, Martin Luther marked the beginning of the Reformation with his famous 95 theses. It was said that the hinge that the door of Christianity swings is on the doctrine of justification by faith, such is what was fought for at the time of the reformation, the reformers prior to Luther and those who went after him. Contrary though to popular belief the issue did not merely hang on ...
Who is Regulating Affairs on Earth, God or the Devil?
After nineteen centuries of Gospel preaching, Christ is still "despised and rejected of men". Worse still, He (the Christ of Scripture) is proclaimed and magnified by very few. In the majority of modern pulpits He is dishonored and disowned. Despite frantic efforts to attract the crowds, the majority of the churches are being emptied rather than filled. And what of the great masses of non-church goers? In the light of Scripture we are compelled to ...
Who is Regulating Affairs on Earth, God or the Devil?
After nineteen centuries of Gospel preaching, Christ is still "despised and rejected of men". Worse still, He (the Christ of Scripture) is proclaimed and magnified by very few. In the majority of modern pulpits He is dishonored and disowned. Despite frantic efforts to attract the crowds, the majority of the churches are being emptied rather than filled. And what of the great masses of non-church goers? In the light of Scripture we are compelled to ...
A Debtor to Mercy Alone!
A Debtor to Mercy Alone A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing; Nor fear, with thy righteousness on, My person and off'ring to bring. The terrors of law and of God With me can have nothing to do; My Saviour's obedience and blood Hide all my transgressions from view. The work which his goodness began, The arm of his strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, And never was forfeited yet. Things future, nor things that are now, Nor all things below or above, Can ...
A Debtor to Mercy Alone!
A Debtor to Mercy Alone A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing; Nor fear, with thy righteousness on, My person and off'ring to bring. The terrors of law and of God With me can have nothing to do; My Saviour's obedience and blood Hide all my transgressions from view. The work which his goodness began, The arm of his strength will complete; His promise is Yea and Amen, And never was forfeited yet. Things future, nor things that are now, Nor all things below or above, Can ...