"Not so Young" Restless and Reformed

The Doctrines of Grace

Introduction

As a Christian, I have come to find great joy and comfort in the sovereignty and power of the almighty God of the Christian scriptures. I enjoy sharing these truths with my brothers and sisters in Christ because I hope that they too might find a deeper awe and appreciation for how merciful our Lord has been to us.

Unfortunately, modern traditions have led many Christians away from the historic Reformation faith of the Protestants who freed us from unbiblical practices of Rome. This has even led so far as to teach ideas such as “Calvinists aren’t saved” or “Calvinists are anti-evangelistic” based on all sorts of misconceptions regarding the nature of God, man, sin and salvation.

It is my hope that some of the information in the articles I’ve provided below will be of some assistance to those wrestling over the apparent scriptural tensions that can really challenge our understanding of who we are in relationship to God and how his righteousness and longsuffering and his mercy and love are in perfect union in his sovereign act of saving sinners and making friends out of enemies. (Romans 5:6-8; Hebrews 12:3)

Article: What Does the Bible Say About the Doctrines of Grace? by Nathan Pitchford, Monergism Books

This article is an excellent compilation and an excellent starting point for those seeking to understand the biblical basis of these teachings from throughout scripture. I have added popup scripture reftags to the document for easy access to ESV renderings of the verses cited.

Article: For My Arminian Brothers by Nick Schoeneberger. I wrote this as an appeal to those who love Jesus so that they might understand why the Doctrines of Grace provide me with such joy and peace in God’s sovereignty.

Article: A Response to Frequently Offered Arminian “Proof” Texts by Nick Schoeneberger. In my discussions with Christians who believe in libertarian free will, I have often encountered these as supposed proof texts for the pagan conceptualization of free will, which is found nowhere in scripture. Thus, I offer these simple explanations thanks to the help of scripture itself and of many learned men before me.

By Grace Alone by Jim McClarty - an excellent primer on the Doctrines of Grace made available for free in PDF format by the author.

The Doctrines of Grace in the Book of Romans

Total Depravity (we don’t seek or embrace God in our natural state)

Our state of being spiritually dead means we don’t embrace God’s will, God’s plan or even seek it out.

The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:7)

Because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. (Romans 2:5)

Unconditional Election (we can’t earn it, He chooses whom He will call to saving faith unconditionally, regardless of what we might do in our lives, no matter how good or bad )

if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (Romans 11:6)

Particular Redemption (He chose many for salvation)

God has mercy on whomever he wills and hardens whomever he wills (Romans 9:18)

The elect obtained grace, but the rest were hardened (Romans 11:7)

Irresistible Grace (We can’t ignore his calling, God does not fail in the giving of his saving grace)

Who can resist his will? (Romans 9:19)

if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness (Romans 8:10)

Perseverance of the Saints (We can’t lose our salvation because He saves us perfectly and we may sin but will draw back to him in repentance)

God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew (Romans 11:2)

You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

The Doctrines of Grace in the Gospel of John

Who did Jesus Die for?

The biblical doctrine of particular redemption does not limit the power of Jesus’ death but rather proclaims the certainty of the power of Jesus death.

Did Jesus die so that all people might be saved or to ensure (infallibly) the salvation of a particular group of people?

If Jesus dies for everyone, then he died for people who are now in hell! That would mean his sacrifice might not be good enough for anyone.

If Christ’s saving power is efficient and is capable of saving us, then if he died for all, then we are left with Universalism.

(James R. White, The Potter’s Freedom)