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AW Pink on the two natures of the believer
by AW Pink
AW Pink, Gleanings in Genesis, p.288
This is of course from one of Pink's earliest works and he may have changed his position on this later.
AW Pink's Calvinism could get really ugly at times, nevertheless there are some real gems in his writings. I cannot help but recommend his expository works to the discerning reader.
Jacob was a believer in God- a careful study of his prayer as recorded in Genesis 32:9-12 evidences that. But though Jacob was a believer there still remained the "flesh," the old evil nature in him. And to this he gave way. The flesh is ever unbelieving, and where it is not constantly judged breaks forth in God-dishonouring activities. The clearest exemplification and demonstration of the two natures in the believer is to be seen in the history of Jacob recorded faithfully by the Holy Spirit not for our emulation but for our "warning." The same two natures are in every child of God today, the spiritual and the carnal, the one which believes God and the other which disbelieves.
AW Pink, Gleanings in Genesis, p.288
This is of course from one of Pink's earliest works and he may have changed his position on this later.
AW Pink's Calvinism could get really ugly at times, nevertheless there are some real gems in his writings. I cannot help but recommend his expository works to the discerning reader.
posted by Matthew Celestine at 6:22 AM
8 Comments:
Sorry - but I would just as soon through the bath out with the bathwater when it comes to Pinky Predestinero.
By
Jon Lee, at Saturday, January 26, 2008 3:38:00 PM
You are missing out. He wrote some really edifying stuff in his commentaries.
By
Matthew Celestine, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:06:00 AM
We agree about something Matthew. He also was the one who coined the infamous, "Faith is a begger receiving bread with an open hand from God" or however it goes. He was the one who used it.
Yep...some good insight, still I like to refer to the flesh or the old nature as being not I but sin that dwelleth in me, understanding that we are to refer to our new identity in the triumphant Christ as who we really are now. The other is passing away as the seed of it has been put to death on the cross. I suppose we could go around in circles all day over this, but we must embrace the fact that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world....Satan himself, and if that be the case then certainley he is greater than our flesh and the more we learn to wait on the Holy Spirit, the more we will be enabled to walk. It isn't necessary that we sin all the time. Of course we will, but we do have a wonderful divine nature that has promised us that as we continue to learn and grow, we can indeed sin less and grow out of some old stubborn habits. God can indeed set us free from stuff, yet when we may gain a victory in one area, another is waiting for us to learn to overcome. In one sense it is like Karate and Judo. You will advance to black belt and levels after that, but there will always be a bigger fish that will come and challange you and put you back on your back if you get proud. The flesh does indeed grow more clever as we are strengthened by God and we can indeed be outwitted if we do not put the whole armour of God on. Also Satan knows how to buffet and torment and continue to push the button and bully us with whatever thorn in the flesh may be our weakness, but His grace is sufficient. It is a battle that will never die until we finally live with Him and are set free from this body of death. One day I will have to say goodbye to Brian as he will completely die and never live again, but ONLY LOOK will forever gaze at the beauty of Jesus.
I am guessing you may have read Chad Bressons excellent article. he is still growing as well, but I am greatly encouraged by many of his posts even though I consider he and Steve Camp Hyper Calvinist. I still benefit from some of their insights. They can be tricked by the flesh as well. We all can. Consider that this refined free grace position appeals to the flesh as well. I hope you do. We never know if we are being deceived. Thats the whole point about being deceived. If one knows he is being deceived then he is no longer being deceived and is instead becoming presumptuous if he continues to hold to something that is false.
By
Only Look, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 5:52:00 AM
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brian.
By
Matthew Celestine, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 6:43:00 AM
Your welcome Matthew.
By
Only Look, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 10:16:00 AM
Hey Matt,
Calvinists who don't believe in two natures nevertheless believe in two natures.
They only transfer the old nature to the flesh.
It is rather unjustified.
I think that Pink, for the most part, has it right here.
Although the new nature believes and the old nature disbelieves, only one can have control at a time. Therefore, faith and disbelief cannot reside in the mind at the same time.
Antonio
By
Antonio, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:49:00 PM
Matthew -
"You are missing out. He wrote some really edifying stuff in his commentaries."
How much does one miss out when they are in the Word of God instead of in the words of AW Pink?
Not trying to be troublesome...I just don't appreciate the man's overall body of work.
By
Jon Lee, at Sunday, January 27, 2008 2:02:00 PM
Thanks for your comment, Antonio.
By
Matthew Celestine, at Monday, January 28, 2008 4:52:00 AM
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