Unashamed of Grace

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Does Anybody Agree with this Quotation? IV

by Antonio da Rosa

This one speaks for itself, and needs no introduction:

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"There is a deadly and damnable heresy being widely propagated today to the effect that, if a sinner truly accepts Christ as his personal Saviour, no matter how he lives afterwards, he cannot perish. That is a satanic lie, for it is at direct variance with the teaching of the Word of truth. Something more than believing in Christ is necessary to ensure the soul's reaching heaven."
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(A.W. Pink as quoted by Iain H. Murray in "The Life of Arthur W. Pink" pgs 248-249) [Emphasis MINE]

This is a Calvinist calling a spade a spade: "Something more than believing in Christ is necessary to ensure the soul's reaching heaven."

This is what I have been saying about Calvinism all along. In choice moments, Calvinists actually directly say what the rest of their doctrine implies.

Does anyone agree with Mr. Pink?

Antonio

13 Comments:

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Earl Flask, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 7:39:00 PM
(Oops, typos on previous reply)

Here are some Calvinists who disagree with that statement:

Trinity Foundation

The White Horse Inn

Me (shameless plug)

Sometimes Calvinists do say the darndest things.

By Earl Flask, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 7:43:00 PM
Ephesians 2:8-9 say:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast."
The very next verse says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

We are saved by faith (believing - trusting in the finished work of the cross) and once we are saved, God's plan is for us to be transformed and walk in His Spirit, doing good works - not to keep our salvation - but because we love Him and are indebted to Him for our salvation.

I would say that pretty much sums it up.

By Ms.Green, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 7:53:00 PM
Earl.

Thanks for your comments.

I understand that there are some Calvinists who are nevertheless Free Gracers. In deference to those like Charles Ryrie, R.T. Kendall, and M. Charles Bell, I should come up with another designation. I often use the designation "Traditionalist".

Zane Hodges has called their movement (The Lordship Reformed position) "The New Puritianism" because it is better to identify them with the theology that became predominant in Puritan thought and which was, in significant respects, a rejection of certain basic concepts of Reformation theology.

John Robbins of the Trinity Foundation has many great articles, along with his mentor, Gordon Clark.

Michael Horton, although distancing himself away from John MacArthur substantially in some areas

(For great examples of Michael Horton calling John MacArthur's soteriology no better than Roman Catholicism see my post on my other blog here: John MacArthur is 'Hard to Believe'!)

nevertheless comes down squarely in the Lordship Salvation camp and has misrepresented Free Grace theology in his writings:

See the Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society:

The New Puritanism -- Michael S. Horton: Holy War with Unholy Weapons

and

The New Puritanism -- Michael S. Horton: Holy War with Unholy Weapons II

Earl,

I have been very heartened, encouraged, and pleased with our past communications on soteriology. I find you to be humble, wise, and gracious.

For some reason your blog is not on my link list on Free Grace Theology blog nor here on Unashamed of Grace.

I know that you are definitely unashamed and you will have a link here and there tomorrow. I am going to read to my kids, pray with them, sing to them, and tuck them in.

thanks again for your participation!

Antonio

By Antonio, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 8:10:00 PM
Ms. Green,

Thank you for your comments.

There is nothing in your comments that I disagree with, but whole-heartedly agree.

I would add that although it is God's plan, our will is necessary in addition to God's grace to proceed with that plan.

If we do not determine and then act on sanctification, we will not follow God's plan for our lives.

Blessings!

Antonio

By Antonio, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 8:14:00 PM
Antonio,

Shucks, with your kind words I'm going to have to *act* un-Calvinistically humble.

I'll read those articles on Michael Horton. Thanks for the links.

By Earl Flask, at Thursday, August 03, 2006 8:37:00 PM
Excellent choice of quotation, Antonio.

By Matthew Celestine, at Friday, August 04, 2006 12:50:00 AM
I don't care for Pink's writings. Specifically, I don't care for that quote! What a dreadful thing for a protestant theologian to say ... it sounds "Romish." ;~)

Antonio,
so are you saying that you mean to use the term "traditionalist" for men such as Charles Ryrie, R.T. Kendall, and M. Charles Bell? Or ... are you saying that doesn't fit?

By Rose~, at Friday, August 04, 2006 3:41:00 AM
Rose,

I re-read my comment and I was very ambiguous.

I use "Traditionalist" to refer to those Lordship Salvationist Calvinists, the "New Puritans".

I need to come up with a designation for those Calvinists, who maintain a biblical emphasis on grace.

There are not many so I don't think that coming up with something quickly will be any problem, as other than those I noted and a few others I know of, I don't believe that there are many FG Calvinists.

Antonio

By Antonio, at Friday, August 04, 2006 2:23:00 PM
Antonio,
I think that, in the quote you higlighted in bold print, you've cited someone who's taken his Calvinist theology to its inescapable and troubling conclusion.

Heartily, in Christ, Todd

By Todd Saunders, at Saturday, August 05, 2006 12:06:00 PM
I totally agree! Besides faith there is the need for evidences of fruit...lots and lots and lots and lots of fruit.

Did I mention fruit, even then, it could be a spiritual defector who hasn't defected yet posing as a genuine fruit bearer (oops, I mean believer).

Yeah, I think that really exposes the logical conclusion of this theology.

By Jim, at Saturday, August 05, 2006 1:57:00 PM
Todd and Jim,

thank you for taking the time to comment. I think for some reason I have gotten you two mixed up in the past.

Todd, when you gonna blog some more?

Antonio

By Antonio, at Saturday, August 05, 2006 11:31:00 PM
Hi Antonio,
Well, on towards Nov. I'll have time to blog somemore. Thanks for asking.

By Todd Saunders, at Sunday, August 06, 2006 7:28:00 PM