Perseverance of the Saints

Me.

By the way, you titled this thread "perseverance", then you talk about "particular redemption", then you talk about "unconditional election". Which is it?

 

Not that it matters what Calvin taught(I believe the Bible, not Calvin), but here is an interesting article about whether Calvin taught particular redemption - web page.

I believe he did teach particular redemption. I also believe that the only reason some people try to make a point that the did not is because they disagree with this Biblical position and mistakenly think if they can cast doubts on what Calvin taught, they can undermine the doctrines of God's amazing grace. They are badly mistaken.

 

Whether or not we are of the election is not a problem to us simply because our 'coming' to Christ is evidence of our election. You know this from previous posts as to what we believe, in this way Calvinism is less restrictive than any other system.

Bro. Dallas

 

Good quotes - got any more?

In Christ,

Bob

 

Dallas,

Calvinism "mandates" salvation for the arbitrarily select "FEW" of MATT 7 and "is not concerned" about the "MANY" in that context.

Hard to imagine that being "MORE open" than "Christ is the atoning sacrifice for OUR SINS and not for OUR SINs only but for those of the WHOLE WORLD".

Kinda reminds me of the contrast between the ARminian future scenario vs the Calvinist future scenario (complete with supporting quotes from Pastor Larry).

In Christ,

Bob

 

1) As a brother in Christ, I respectfully ask, and would deeply appreciate, if you would quit saying that I have no concern for the lost. You are attacking my character by such an allegation.

2) I see you are still peddling that false scenario. I appreciate that you did not repeat the silly thing but only referenced it.

 

The most important thing is to be a Christian and the elect are the ones who are saved.

 

If what I wrote reminds you of anything I cannot help that, I do not know of the 'scenario' nor the supporting quotes from Pastor Larry that you are talking about.

I do know what I believe, if this is similar to Pastor Larry that is fine, if not, that is fine.

Bro. Dallas

 

This also gets to what Dallas has posted - the "support" for the fact that Calvinism's response when "confronted with the case of the lost" is to "ignore their plight and point ONLY to the case of the saved".

Yelsew's excellent point about the monster known as Saddam and Pastor Larry’s point about our Joy that God would arbitrarily select US to be saved - deserves a follow up illustration.

All well and good for the Cavlinist position - but what about the Arminian view?

in Christ,

Bob

 

What in the world are you talking about, Bob? ... You have absolutely no charity in your heart toward those with whom you disagree, either in this forum or elsewhere on this board where I have read your posts on other subjects.

[ April 28, 2003, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: Pastor Larry ]

 

In John Calvin's Commentary on Romans, he stated the following in reference to Romans 5:18 (p. 211 in the 1979 reprinting):

"He makes this favor common to all, because it is propoundable to all, and not because it is in reality extended to all (i.e. in their experience), for though Christ suffered for the sins of the world, and is offered through God's benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive Him."

It should be noted that Calvin died in 1564, the Remonstrance was written until 1610, and the Synod of Dort (where the 5 points came from) didn't happen until 1618.

From Calvin's Commentary to the Colossians and COmmentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, he wrote regarding Colossians 1:14, "This redemption was procured through the blood of Christ, for by the sacrifice of his death, all the sins of the world have been expiated." On Mark 14:24, he wrote, "...which is shed for many. By the word 'many' he means not a part of the world only, but the whole human race."

In his Commentary to John, he writes, "And when he says the sin of the world, he extends this favour indisriminately to the whole human race, that the Jews might not thing that he had been sent to them alone. But hense we infer that the whole world is involved in the same condemnation and that as all men with out exception are guilty of unrighteousness before God, they need to be reconciled to him. John the Baptist, therefore, by speaking of the sin of the world, intended to express upon us the conviction of our own misery and exhort us to seek the remedy."

In fact, in Institutes 3.1.1, Calvin states that Christ had to have died for all to show His complete sovreignty. That is all that is mentioned about limited or unlimited atonement in his entire Institutes, (unless anyone else knows of a place that was missed.) Calvin thought that the atonement was limited in effect, it is also clear that in principle no people were barred from salvation.

Thus, limited atonement was a post-Calvin invention and is not faithful to his teachings or writings.

For more, read Douty's book "Death of Christ." He's a four-point Calvinist, who doesn't ascribe to nor believe Calvin ascribed to an idea of limited atonement.

 

We have gone through this argument before, Scott. And I have again posted a link earlier in this thread to an article that proves you are wrong.

Here we are on the theological merry-go-round.

 

We have gone through this argument before, Scott. And I have again posted a link earlier in this thread to an article that proves you are wrong.

Here we are on the theological merry-go-round. </font>[/QUOTE]From your article:

Even the article admits that the published evidence leans towards Calvin believing in general atonement.

Perhaps someone should find Daniel's dissertation and post it - since the author admits that it is the most extensive treatment of Calvin's views as any other.

 

You are misrepresenting, Scott. You wrote a false statement.

Just because a person presents an extensive analysis does not prove his conclusion is correct.

Of course, regardless of what Calvin taught, the Bible teaches definite atonement and that's all I care about and all I wish to be in agreement with.

 

Scott, can you find the direct quote for me. I looked through 3.1.1 and can find nothing like that stated. In fact, here is 3.1.1 in it's entirety:

 

I think this is the charge that is made - "He [Paul] says that this redemption was procured by the blood of Christ, for by the sacrifice of His death all the sins of the world have been expiated" (Institutes 3.1.1, comments on Colossians 1:15).

I found the above on a website - www.ifca.org/voice/00Jul-Aug/bauer.htm.

Does this help in researching this item?

 

I also think that in all likelyhood, Calvin used the words "all" and "world" and even "human race" to mean something less than every single person. I think this is something that is overlooked by those who take quotes with those words in them and use them as proof that Calvin believed in a universal atonement.

Anyway, here is an interesting quote from his commentaries on 1 John 2:2:

So I tend to believe that when Calvin says things like "the sins of the world are expiated", he is speaking in the same sense that he outlines quite clearly above--that the sins of all who believe throughout the world are expiated.

But it's really difficult to make a definitive statement about Calvin's view on the extent of the atonement when he simply didn't address it in any sort of a systematic way, but makes a very few tantalizing statements that may or may not address it. For every statement that seems (on the surface anyway) to support universal atonement, there is an equally strong one that seems to point the other direction.

Also, many of the statements used as evidence that he supported universal atonement are really just statements that he supports a universal offer of the gospel and are not statements on the extent of the atonement at all.

 

Will God save all his people that he gave his Son... Jesus Christ to save?... If he will accomplish all that he came in the world to do... Who is lost and what are they lost to?... If some are going to be lost worlds without end according to some of the thought on here God is unjust?

Since all are included in unbelief both Jews and Gentile... Where is the unjustice of God?... When it states further that he might have mercy on all.
If mercy was not extended to all none would be saved?

Did the Angel from God know what he was talking about when he told Mary that holy seed growing in her called Jesus would save all his people?... Even a child can understand those words whereas theological giants and those that wannabe want to tell God his business.

What tears my heart up and makes me weep bitter tears are how some think that their loved ones are lost worlds without end?... My wife Charlotte and I believed in God soon after we both were born... Our parents emphasized there was a God but all I had to do was look around me to see it was so and her also.

What I see on here is the callousness and hard heartedness of believers who don't believe God knows what he is doing. Go to any religion... Pick one... Do you have the heart to tell the one grieving for the one departed where they went?... Not only that can you say with certainity where they are?... If you can you are playing God.

If there is a Perserverance of the Saints how did they perservere... If you tell me by their works they perservered... The Primitive Baptist of which I am don't buy it... Christ is the only reason the saints of God perservere!

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

1st Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.

1st Peter 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Isn't it wonderful that eternity is hidden in the hearts of men... Where they cannot go and corrupt the work God has done and still does daily. Are any lost to God in an eternal sense?... Will Christ not save all his people that the Father gave him to save and none else?

The only reason the saints perservere is because Jesus Christ perservered... It is the Faith of Christ and In Christ and his works that the saints of God have their blessed assurance... Without that none are saved and we are all on the hellbound train instead of bound for glory... Brother Glen & Sister Charlotte