We are utilizing a series of five blogs to address and
subsequently refute the five basic precepts of Calvinism. Calvinism lies at the
heart of the Protestant Reformation which developed in the late fourteenth and
early fifteenth centuries in reaction to the heresies and corruption of the
Catholic Church which had become anathema to the gospel of Christ as revealed
in the scriptures. Through the course of our investigation what we are finding
is that the prevailing doctrines found in Calvin’s theological system does not
bring the church into a condition of recovery which aligns itself with the clear testimony
of the Scripture. Calvinism prevailed during the period of the Reformation and
those precepts have been handed down in large measure during the subsequent
generations at least in part even unto this present time. There remains a
viable alternative which would bring the Christian church into much better alignment with the truth of the
Bible. It was formulated in the teachings of James Arminius (1560-1609) and has
come to be known as Arminianism. Its precepts stand in stark contrast to
Calvinism.
In
pursuit of our current topic we will investigate the doctrine of Irresistible Grace. What is meant by
this theological tenet of Calvinism and do we find a support for it in the scriptures?
Outlining what is meant and how it is held will follow. Calvinists would assert
that there is an efficacious call of the Spirit or irresistible grace. In
addition to the outward general call to salvation which is made to everyone who
hears the gospel, the Holy Spirit extends to the elect a special inward call
that inevitably brings them to salvation. The external call which is made to
all without distinction can be, and often is rejected; whereas the inward call
which is made only to the elect cannot be rejected; it always results in
conversion. By means of this special call the Spirit irresistibly draws the
sinner to Christ. He is not limited in his work of applying salvation by man’s
will, nor is he dependent upon man’s cooperation for success. The Spirit
graciously causes the elect sinner to cooperate, to believe, to repent, to come
freely and willingly to Christ. God’s grace is therefore invincible; it never
fails to result tin the salvation of those to whom it is extended.
Arminian
doctrine presents the exact contrast in asserting that the Spirit’s call or
conviction can be effectively rejected as a matter of the will and choice of
the individual so convicted. The Spirit calls inwardly to all of those who are
called outwardly by the gospel invitation.
He does all that he can to bring the sinner to salvation. But as much as man is free, he can
successfully resist the Spirit’s call and man’s free will limits the Spirit in
in the application of Christ’s saving work. The Spirit cannot regenerate the
sinner until he believes. Faith which is man’s contribution precedes and makes
possible the new birth. Thus, man’s free will limits the Spirit in the
application of Christ’s saving work. The
Holy Spirit can only draw to Christ those who will allow him to have his way
with them. God’s grace is therefore not
invincible; it can be and often is resisted by man.
As
with all matters of sound doctrine we must look to the word of God for its
validation and establishment. At Acts
3:22-23 we read:” For Moses truly
said unto the fathers, A prophet shall
the Lord God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear
in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul,
which will not hear that prophet,
shall be destroyed from among the people.” (emphasis
mine).
Moving further into the Book of Acts in chapter seven we are given
Stephen’s lengthy admonition to the Jewish Sanhedrim, i.e. the elders of
Israel. Concluding his summary of their
history and transgression even to the rejection of their Messiah he states at
verse 51 “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised
in heart and ears, ye do always resist the
Holy Ghost, as your fathers did so do ye.” As it isclear from the passage that Stephen is speaking to the
plurality of the Jewish elders, and is it not also clear that he is speaking in
the power of the Spirit? So then is it not obvious that they had the
opportunity to receive his words. So then it is clear that there existed not only an
unwillingness to receive the word but an exercise of the will to resist it?
This does not support Calvinist
doctrine.
Let
us look at two passages in Hebrews which illustrate the fallacy of irresistible
grace. “For it is impossible for those
who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and were made
partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the
powers of the world to come, if they
shall fall away, to renew the again to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God
afresh, and put him to an open shame.”(Heb.6:4-6 emphasis mine). Does this sound like irresistible
grace or is it a willful act to fall away and depart through a choice favoring
sinful activity or rebellion?(again emphasis mine).
“He that despised Moses law died without
mercy under two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment suppose ye,
shall be thought worthy, who have trodden under foot the Son of God , and hath
counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified , an unholy
thing, and hath done despite (insulted-Strg. Conc.) unto the Spirit of grace.” (Heb. 10:25-26). If grace is irresistible and election is unconditional how then is it possible
to fall from a place of being sanctified by the blood and being made a partaker of the Holy Ghost
and then to do despite unto the Spirit
of grace? The context of this passage is clearly addressing anyone who has come
to Christ and been regenerated but subsequently has turned aside and done
despite to the Holy Spirit. The passage
affirms that such a one cannot be renewed to repentance and most certainly will
be subjected to the judgement of God. “The
Lord shall judge his people” (verse 30). Calvinist doctrine again miserably
fails in its conclusions when measured by the testimony of Scripture.
David Lance
Dean website and blogs: authordavidlncedean.com
No comments:
Post a Comment