John Piper - Believing is the Evidence of the New Birth

A Few Problems With Arminianism and a Case For Calvinism

Well said Dr. Bruce Ware!

Taking Place Before our Eyes Every Day

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Some Good Quotes
Predestination

"The determination of the existence of all things to be created, or what is to be camellia or buttercup, nightingale or crow, hart or swine, and equally among men, the determination of our own persons, whether one is to be born as boy or girl, rich or poor, dull or clever, white or colored or even as Abel and Cain, is the most tremendous predestination conceivable in heaven or on earth; and still we see it taking place before our eyes every day, and we ourselves are subject to it in our entire personality; our entire existence, our very nature, our position in life being entirely dependent on it. This all-embracing predestination, the Calvinist places, not in the hands of man, and still less in the hand of blind natural force, but in the hand of Almighty God, sovereign Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth; and it is in the figure of the potter and the clay that Scripture has from the time of the prophets expounded to us this all-dominating election. Election in creation, election in providence, and so election also to eternal life; election in the realm of grace as well as in the realm of nature."

-Abraham Kuyper in Lectures on Calvinism

“The very essence of consistent theism is that God would have an exact plan for the world, would foreknow the actions of all the creatures He proposed to create, and through His all-inclusive providence would control the whole system. If He fore-ordained only certain isolated events, confusion both in the natural-world and in human affairs would be introduced into the system and He would need to be constantly developing new plans to accomplish what be desired. His government of the world then would be a capricious patch work of new expedients He would at best govern only in a general way, and would be ignorant of much of the future. But no one with proper ideas of God believes that He has to change His mind every few days to make room for unexpected happenings which were not included in His original plan. If the perfection of the divine plan be denied, no consistent stopping place will be found short of atheism.”

-Loraine Boettner in The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination

Reformed Doctrine of Predestination

Speaking of the Doctrines of Grace, if you are interested in some further reading on this subject, this book is by far one of the best in writing (in my own opinion). Its a "must read" if you're going to give the subject of Calvinism any serious study. Its full of Scripture, long, in depth and yet fairly easy to read.

There is also a superb chapter at the very end of the book entitled 28. Calvinism in History which traces the influence of Calvinistic thought from before the time of the Reformation through to the founding of America and looks at its fruit in matters such as education and forms of government. Some excellent history!


Reformed Doctrine of Predestination
By Loraine Boettner / P & R Publishing

Includes the Five Points of Calvinism explained in detail, objections against the doctrine of predestination, the importance of the doctrine, Calvinism in history, and index of subjects and authors.

While I would personally much rather read a book you can also find this book in its entirety at Christian Classics Ethereal Library by clicking here.

All of the Sins of Some People

As I have mentioned on another occasion there are really only four ways in which to view the atonement.

1) Jesus died for some of the sins of all people.

2) Jesus died for some of the sins of some people.

3) Jesus died for all of the sins of all people.

4) Jesus died for all of the sins of some people.

The first two of these views can be immediately rejected for if Jesus did not die for all sins, then no one could be saved at all for none of us can atone for our own sin.

The third view is by far the most common in the church today, but if it is true that Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then why would anyone be sent to Hell? The common answer to this question is this: “People don’t go to Hell because of their sin; they go to Hell because they reject Jesus Christ.”

But there are two problems with this answer: 1) It creates a god who sends people to Hell for something that isn’t even a sin. And 2) The Bible is unmistakably clear, rejecting Jesus Christ is called unbelief and unbelief is a sin. And if Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then He died for the sin of unbelief also and that leads us right back to our question; if Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then why would anyone be sent to Hell?

At this point it is commonly answered that “Jesus died for all sins except unbelief.” But this leaves us in another conundrum: if Jesus did not for unbelief, how can any of us ever be saved? For before we believed we were all in the state of unbelief.

The third view of the atonement, the common one in our own day, is a logical impossibility and is never taught to us in Scripture. While God does do things that are certainly beyond our ability to fully comprehend, He does not do things that are contrary to one another such as send a person to Hell for their sins when their sins have been entirely erased and forgiven.

The widespread and almost overwhelming acceptance of view number three is a testimony to the confusion of modern evangelicalism, and the scary thing is that this confusion surrounds a subject that lies at the very heart of the gospel; the atonement.

That leaves us with view number four; Jesus died for all of the sins of some people. This breathern is the only logical and indeed Scriptural view of the Atonement. Christ lived and died as a substitute, in the sted of His chosen race. He, and He alone can save us and He saves us entirely from the sin that had enslaved us!

What have you limited?

Those who disagree with “Limited Atonement” will often object to the “Limited” part. They will often say something to this effect: “How can you put limits on the work of the Son of God? He’s infinite and His work is infinitely worthy! How dare you try to put limits on Christ’s atonement?”

But one thing that is often overlooked by the opponents of “Limited Atonement” is the fact that all Christians limit the atonement is some manner. Only the Universalists, who teach that all men are going to heaven and don't qualify as Christians, have an “atonement” without limits.

While the Calvinist limits the intention or scope of the atonement (Christ dies to secure the salvation of his elect), he does not limit the efficacy of the atonement (it actually and completely saves them).

The Arminian, on the other hand, does not limit the scope or intention of the atonement (Christ dies for all men generally but no one in particular) but he does limit the efficacy or power of the atonement (Christ’s death does not actually secure the salvation of anyone but waits upon man to make it effective).

The Calvinist limits the scope while the Arminian limits the efficacy.

This is no minor disagreement, we are striking at the very core of Christianity here. We have here two different views of the atonement setting forth two different answers to the question “What is comprehended in the atoning work of Christ?” Could we even ask a more important question?

Integral to the Calvinistic atonement is the securing of the new heart that the Scriptures say we so desperately need and the new birth we must undergo in order to believe. Christ’s death secures it all for His elect and the Spirit applies it to them whensoever He wishes (John 3:7, 8).

The Arminian view of the atonement is much more limited; it doesn’t go all the way! It doesn’t secure a new heart, it doesn’t secure faith and according to most of them it doesn’t even pay for the sin of unbelief. It stops short and waits for the feeble little man to make the Saviors work really effective. It waits for man to take that final most glorious step and produce fruit from the atonement. What kind of atonement is that?

In the Calvinistic view the atonement cannot and will not fail! Our prayers for the salvation of others will be answered and our evangelistic efforts will succeed. Christ will save those whom He has purchased! Now there's a reason to share the gospel!

TULIP

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Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Audio Links

1. TULIP, Part 1
   Introduction
   John Piper
2. TULIP, Part 2
   Assumptions - Irresistible Grace
   John Piper
3. TULIP, Part 3
   Irresistible Grace - Total Depravity
   John Piper
4. TULIP, Part 4
   Total Depravity - Unconditional Election
   John Piper
5. TULIP, Part 5
   Unconditional Election
   John Piper
6. TULIP, Part 6
   Unconditional Election
   John Piper
7. TULIP, Part 7
   Limited Atonement
   John Piper
8. TULIP, Part 8
   Perseverance of the Saints
   John Piper
9. TULIP, Part 9
   Ten Effects of Believing the Five Points of Calvinism
   John Piper

Particular Redemption and the Free Offer of the Gospel

Once again it seems that there is a great deal of controversy brewing in some parts of the church over the Doctrines of Grace or what is sometimes called Calvinism. The controversy seems to be revolving around the doctrine of Particular Redemption or Limited Atonement (the belief that Christ died with the sole intention of securing the salvation of His elect) and its relationship to evangelism. The objection to Calvinism usually goes something like this:

“Calvinism destroys evangelism! If Christ did not die for all men then we cannot call all men to come to Christ. How can we preach the gospel freely to all men if Christ did not die for all men? What if we tell them to believe that Christ died for them when maybe He did not, aren’t we lying to them? If the Bible tells us to invite all men to come to Christ then Christ must have died for all men.”

Personally I don’t see the problem.

First of all, Christ’s death is sufficient to pay for the sins of all men, no one is arguing with this point.

Secondly, all men have the parts necessary to entrust themselves to Christ. They have minds, hearts, intellects, wills, volition; there is no physical want or defect in men. The problem is not a physical problem.

Thirdly, we should invite all men to come to Christ. In fact, it is their duty as Gods creature to love Him, obey Him, trust Him, rely on Him and to fully submit to Him. We would be entirely Biblical to command all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).

Fourthly, the gospel message is not “Christ died in your place”, you never find this said to all men without exception anywhere in Scripture! The gospel message is this: “Christ has provided a way of redemption for sinners, entrust yourself to His atoning work! Believe on Him!” We can freely say this to anyone and it is their duty as a creature of God to do so.

For these reasons we may freely invite all men to come to Christ. If they did come Christ’s death would be sufficient to cover their sin. And if they did come Christ would freely forgive them and heaven would rejoice in their repentance. But, at last, they will not do it.

The only reason in the world that men do not come to Christ is because they will not. Scripture even goes so far as to say that they cannot (John 6:44; Romans 8:7, 8). Why can’t they? Because they will not do it. The problem is an ethical problem; they’re at enmity with God and will always refuse to submit to him (Romans 3:10-12; 8:7). It's not as if men were trying to come to Christ but they just aren't allowed because Christ didn't die for them.

As A.W. Pink put it the gospel message is as free as air, we can invite any man and all men to come to Christ. But only those to whom the Spirit applies the atonement, removes the enmity of their heart and causes them to be born again will believe and trust in Christ. This is the only grounds of true hope, for without the electing work of God and the application of the Son’s atonement by the Spirit we would all go to Hell by our own free choice.

Particular Redemption does not relieve men of the duty to trust Christ but rather highlights the problem with men; their wills are corrupt and at enmity with God. Men desperately need a full atonement that provides them with a new heart. Particular Redemption does not stop anyone from coming to Christ; they have refused to do so. Rather it has ensured that Gods elect will come when He so chooses to overcome their resistance.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33

For Whom Did Christ Die? Part 1

New at Polemos
Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Atonement, The

• Limited Atonement -ST #31
  Sam E. Waldron

What’s really fair?

As I was corresponding with a brother in Christ via email, this brother mentioned that he struggled with the Calvinistic idea that God does not give everyone the chance to be saved.

I must say I can completely understand this struggle. Before I had ever heard of Calvinism or knew anything about it whatsoever I was reading through Romans 9 when I came across verses 10-23 which read as follows:

“And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory…”

My first thought was “That’s not fair! How could a loving God do such a thing?” My second thought was “Who would want to worship a God like that anyhow?”

But after some further study I found my objection to be completely faulty because I hadn’t taken into consideration the guilt of the human race.

When God chose to save some of mankind from their sins He was not dealing with a neutral group of people. He was not dealing with a group of people whop knew nothing about Him and just might believe the gospel if only they had the chance to hear it. The truth of the matter was that God was dealing with willful rebels who were sinners both by nature and by choice. He didn’t have to save any of them! And if we’re gonna go around demanding He be fair then all of us, everyone of us without exception, aught to go straight to hell; that would be fair. That is what we all deserve.

When our first parents sinned they could no longer produce “clean” children. Their sin was passed on to us and now we are all born with a sinful nature. As psalm 51:5 puts it “in sin did my mother conceive me.” All of us are “…estranged from the womb: (we) go astray as soon as (we) are born, speaking lies…” (Psalm 58:3)

And as we grow up we express this sinful nature by sinning. “There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12) None of us are neutral towards God, we are all at enmity with Him (Romans 8:7) and are “by nature the children of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:3)

We know God exists through what He has made (Romans 1:19, 20) and as part of His creation ourselves we are a testimony to ourselves of His wisdom, power and Godhead. We don’t even have to open our eyes to see it.

Not only do we know God through what He has made but we have the remnants of His law written in our very being. (Romans 2:14, 15) We know much of what He requires of us and that we are guilty of breaking His law. We are willfully rebellious, we don’t want anything to do with Him (Romans 3:11) and we suppress this truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

God does not need to “give us a chance”, we have refused Him already. The fact that He saves any of us is a testimony to His great love, mercy and kindness. The fact that He lets others go on in their willful rebellion and then condemns them for it is a testimony to His justice, righteousness and hatred of sin.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33

Calvinism and Regeneration

I just thought that I would share a portion of a comment that was received recently and try to answer it best I can as it represents some of the common misunderstandings of the Doctrines of Grace. The writer said and asked the following:

“…it is the action of a holy God who provides the power and the means of that salvation. Yet, without the personal action of the individual, that person would die of spiritual thirst just arms-length away from rivers of living water. If it did not take an act of personal will, there would have been no reason for Saul to repent, for he would have already been converted. Peter surely lied against the Spirit by calling the Pentacostal visitors and religious leaders to “repent and be converted” by an act of their will if Spurgeon were correct that the natural man is impotent to receive spiritual blessings.

…..is it true that Spurgeon would say those whom God will save are already saved at the point of birth, and have no ability in and of themselves to be saved or to lose that salvation?”

Dear brother, no Calvinist would say “those whom God will save are already saved at the point of birth.” And no biblical Calvinist would ever say that salvation requires no “personal action of the individual.”

In the context under discussion Spurgeon is speaking about the act of regeneration (or the new birth) which necessarily precedes our “personal action” of believing and repenting. We cannot regenerate our selves. And just as we have no control over our first birth we have no control over the second; “The wind blows where it wishes” John 3:8. Without belief and repentance men will not be saved but without regeneration they will not believe and repent.

While the components of salvation are inseparable there is clearly an order to them that cannot be ignored without distorting the Scriptures somewhere.

Men must repent and believe and they have all the parts required to do this namely a mind and a will. The problem is that we will not; our will is bent on sin and we can do nothing about that nor do we desire to.

Those who are in the flesh (unregenerate) cannot please God (Romans 8:8). Nor will they receive the things of the spirit of God (1 Cor. 2:14). In order to repent and believe though you must receive the things of the spirit of God, but the natural man will not do this. Repenting and believing are acts that please God, but once again, those who are unregenerate cannot please Him. Clearly God must act upon us first in regenerating us before we will in turn repent, believe and love Him. Until God regenerates us (causes us to be born again Jn. 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3; opens our heart Acts 16:14; Acts 13:48) we are carnally minded and at enmity with Him (Romans 8:5-9), but once He removes this enmity and gives us a new heart (Ez. 11:19) we immediately respond in repentance and belief.

Brother, if our initial entering in to the experience of salvation hinges upon what we do then it hinges upon a work of man and it is no longer entirely an act of grace. You have made man take the actual saving step that makes the death of Christ effective. In my understanding of scripture it is all of the grace of God and the death of Christ is the effective step! I must repent and I must believe but I see now that I did this in response to the gracious work of God in my heart. I have been saved by grace through, or by means of faith, not by any works I have done, lest I should boast about the good decision that I made (Ephesians 2:9,10).

God rightly requires of men that they repent, believe, trust and love Him; this is only right and proper. But men will not do this because they love their sin and refuse to part with it. In one sense mankind cannot do this, but they cannot because they will not. God must act upon us first making us willing, yet it is still entirely proper to command men to do these things; they are our duty as His creatures.

I did not stir myself up to seek after the true and living God and neither does anyone else (Rom. 3:11). None of us will come to Christ unless the Father draws us (John 6:44) and grants us the privilege (John 6:65). This should humble us to no end and make us loath ourselves for all the evil that is in our hearts (Ez. 20:42, 44)

Salvation is a radical change of heart initiated by God himself (Phil. 1:6) by means of His word preached and shared (1 Cor. 1:21). For this reason we can test ourselves to see weather we are in the faith or not (2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Peter 1:1-11). Those who’s hearts have truly been changed have been made partakers of the divine nature (2Peter 1:4) and now walk as Christ walked (1 John 2:3-6), those who claim to be followers of Christ and walk persistently in sin exhibit that they have never had their heart changed and show themselves to be liars (1 John 2:4).

The New Covenant and Calvinism

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Audio Links
Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)

• The New Covenant Constitution of the Church #3
  The New Covenant and Calvinism
  A Reformed Baptist Manifesto
  Sam E. Waldron

Putting Amazing Back into Grace

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Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)

Putting Amazing Back into Grace, Second Edition By Michael Horton / Baker What does it mean to be "saved by grace"? Many believers are confused and intimidated by the doctrine of salvation, and as a result are missing out on the freedom of God's grace. Michael Horton reminds us of the Reformation's radical view of God and his saving grace, the liberating yet humbling truth that we contribute nothing to our salvation. This book clearly lays out the Scriptural basis for this important doctrine and the implications of this message for a vibrant evangelical faith. Horton's accessible treatment of who does what in salvation will inspire a fresh amazement at God's grace.

The Reign of Grace By Abraham Booth & Edited by Richard Inns / Evangelical Press In this work the author examines the very nature of divine grace and how it operates in every part of our salvation, dealing with its sovereignty in such subjects as our election, calling, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, leading us eventually to eternal glory. He seeks to humble the pride of a man and show that grace, when rightly understood and embraced, leads to a life of love and holiness.

Why I Am Not an Arminian By Robert A. Peterson & Michael D. Williams / Inter-varsity Press What's wrong with Arminianism? Arminian theology is sweeping through the evangelical churches of North America. While most Arminians are good, sincere, orthodox Christians, authors Roberts A. Peterson and Michael D. Williams contend that aspects of Arminian thought are troubling both biblically and theologically. In particular, they argue, Arminians have too lofty a view of human nature and an inadequate understanding of God's sovereign love in Christ. This book explores the biblical, theological and historical background to the Calvinist-Arminian debate. The irenic nature and keen insight of this book will be appreciated by laypeople, pastors and scholars alike.

Chosen by God By R.C. Sproul / Tyndale House Predestination, says the author, isn't just for Calvinists. It is for all biblical Christians. Predestination doesn't create a whimsical or spiteful picture of God, but paints the portrait of a loving God who provides redemption for radically corrupt humans. There is mystery in God's ways, but not contradiction. Point by point, the author examines the scriptures on predestination and refutes the naysayers. Chosen by God is an excellent introduction to the Reformed or Calvinist view of God's sovereignty and God's election.

Mystery of Providence By John Flavel / Banner Of Truth Do we beleive that everything in the world and in our own lives down to the minutest detailes is ordered by the providence of God? Do we ever take time to observe and meditate on the workings of providence? If not, are we missing much? It should be a delight and pleasure to us to discern how God works all things in the world for His own glory and His people's good. But it should be an even greater pleasure to observe the particular designs of providence in our own lives. 'O what a world of rarities', says John Flavel, 'are to be found in providence...With what profound wisdom, infinite tenderness and incessant vigilance it has managed all that concerns us from first to last'. It was to persuade Christians of the excellency of observing and meditating upon this that Flavel first published his Mystery of Providence in 1678. Since then the work has gone through many editions. Based on the words 'God that performeth all things for me' (ps.57 v 2) this work shows us how providence works for us in every state and experience of our lives. The book is richly illustrated from the lives of believers and from the author's wide reading in church history. There are avenues of spiritual knowledge and experience opened to the Christian in this work which he probably never knew existed.

Our Accountability To God By Arthur W. Pink / Moody Publishers Who is man before God? Do we truly understand the results of sin and our fallen nature, or the scope of God's forgiveness? Previously published as Gleanings in the Scripture, Pink's exhaustive study provides you with a deeper and clearer understanding of the Almighty's amazing love toward us. Approx. 500 pages, softcover from Moody.

Fearing God in His Sovereign Majesty

Fearing God in His Sovereign Majesty
by A.W.Pink

"Why is it that, today, the masses are so utterly unconcerned about spiritual and eternal things, and that they are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God? Why is it that even on the battlefields multitudes were so indifferent to their soul's welfare? Why is it that defiance of heaven is becoming more open, more blatant, more daring? The answer is, Because "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom 3:18). Again; why is it that the authority of the Scriptures has been lowered so sadly of late? Why is it that even among those who profess to be the Lord's people there is so little real subjection to His Word, and that its precepts are so lightly esteemed and so readily set aside? Ah! what needs to be stressed to-day is that God is a God to be feared. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Pro 1:7). Happy the soul that has been awed by a view of God's majesty, that has had a vision of God's awful greatness, His ineffable holiness, His perfect righteousness, His irresistible power, His sovereign grace. Does someone say, "But it is only the unsaved, those outside of Christ, who need to fear God"? Then the sufficient answer is that the saved, those who are in Christ, are admonished to work out their own salvation with "fear and trembling." Time was, when it was the general custom to speak of a believer as a "God-fearing man" —that such an appellation has become nearly extinct only serves to show whither we have drifted. Nevertheless, it still stands written, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him" (Psa 103:13)! When we speak of godly fear, of course, we do not mean a servile fear, such as prevails among the heathen in connection with their gods. No; we mean that spirit which Jehovah is pledged to bless, that spirit to which the prophet referred when he said, "To this man will I (the Lord) look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word" (Isa 66:2). It was this the apostle had in view when he wrote, "Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king" (IPe 2:17). And nothing will foster this godly fear like a recognition of the sovereign majesty of God."

The End for which God gave His Truth

Some Good Quotes
Doctrinal Knowledge and Understanding

"The end for which God gave His truth was not so much the instruction of our minds as the transformation of our lives. But a person cannot come directly to the life and experience, he must come mediately through the mind. And so God’s truth is addressed to the understanding and the Spirit of God operates in the understanding as the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge. He does not illuminate the mind simply that the file drawers of the mental study may be crammed full of information. The end for which God instructs the mind is that he might transform the life."

Albert Martin The Practical Implications of Calvinism

Calvinism in History

Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Article Links

• Calvinism in History (The Book)
  Loraine Boettner
  

This is legality!

Some Quotes
Arminianism

“Arminianism, by making the love and salvation of God to turn upon the fulfillment of conditions on the part of the sinner instead of entirely upon grace, encourages an error which can­not be too strongly opposed: 'Do you not see at once that this is legality,' says Spurgeon, ' that this is hanging our salvation upon our work that this is making our eternal life to depend on something we do? Nay, the doctrine of justification itself, as preached by an Arminian, is nothing but the doctrine of salvation by works, after all; for he always thinks faith is a work of the creature, and a condition of his acceptance. It is as false to say that man is saved by faith as a work, as that he is saved by the deeds of the Law. We are saved by faith as the gift of God, and as the first token of his eternal favour to us; but it is not faith as our work that saves, otherwise we are saved by works and not by grace at all.”

From The Forgotten Spurgeon
By Iain H. Murray / Banner Of Truth

Evangelism & Sovereignty of God

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Evangelism

Evangelism & Sovereignty of God
By J.I. Packer / Inter-varsity Press

"If God is in control of everything, can Christians sit back and not bother to evangelize? Or does active evangelism imply that God is not really sovereign at all? J.I. Packer shows in this classic study how both of these attitudes are false. In a careful review of the biblical evidence, he shows how a right understanding of God's sovereignty is not so much a barrier to evangelism as an incentive and powerful support for it."

Evangelism and the Divine Sovereignty of God - Audiobook on CD
By J.I. Packer / Hovel Audio Inc.

Evangelism and the Divine Sovereignty of God - audiobook on MP3
By J.I. Packer / Hovel Audio Inc.

Did you know there’s a controversy?

Doctrines of Grace (Calvinism)
Atonement, The
Audio Links

• 1 John: For Whom Did Christ Die? 16 of 82
  Pastor Jeff Pollard • 58 min.
  1 John 2:1-2

This is definitely one of the better messages that I’ve heard on the subject of Particular Redemption.

As Pastor Pollard points out in this message, there are only four ways in which to view the atonement.

1) Jesus died for some of the sins of all people.

2) Jesus died for some of the sins of some people.

3) Jesus died for all of the sins of all people.

4) Jesus died for all of the sins of some people.

The first two of these views can be immediately rejected for if Jesus did not die for all sins, then no one could be saved at all for we can not atone for our own sins.

The third view is by far the most common in the church today, but if it is true that Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then why would anyone be sent to Hell? The common answer to this question is this: “People don’t go to Hell because of their sin; they go to Hell because they reject Jesus Christ.”

But there are two problems with this answer: 1) You’ve created a god who sends people to Hell for something that isn’t even a sin according to your own words. And 2) The Bible is unmistakably clear, rejecting Jesus Christ is called unbelief and unbelief is a sin. And if Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then He died for the sin of unbelief also and that leads us right back to our question; if Jesus died for all of the sins of all men, then why would anyone be sent to Hell?

At this point it is commonly answered that “Jesus died for all sins except unbelief.” But this leaves us in another conundrum: if Jesus did not for unbelief, how can any of us ever be saved? For before we believed we were all in the state of unbelief.

The third view of the atonement, the common one in our own day, is a logical impossibility and is never taught to us in Scripture. While God does do things that are certainly beyond our ability to fully comprehend, He does not do things that are contrary to one another such as send a person to Hell for their sins when their sins have been entirely erased and forgiven.

The widespread and almost overwhelming acceptance of view number three is a testimony to the confusion of modern evangelicalism, and the scary thing is that this confusion surrounds a subject that lies at the very heart of the gospel; the atonement.