CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation

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4 4 CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation March 15-18, 2015 FBC New Philadelphia, OH INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW OF CALVINISM Reformed Theology Historical Designation Calvinism Philosophical Designation T.U.L.I.P. An acronym used as an ad hoc codification of the soteriological speculations of John Calvin. Remonstrance 1. Rejects: Election into Christ as unconditional. 2. Rejects: the atonement of Christ is limited to the elect. 3. Rejects: The total depravity of man applied to his will. 4. Rejects: God s grace as an irresistible force. 5. Semi-rejects: The perseverance of the saints.

5 5 The Canons of Dort Total Depravity Unconditional Election Limited Atonement Irresistible Grace Perseverance of the Saints

6 Molinism Salvation & Sovereignty A Molinist Approach. Kenneth Keathley, B&H Publishing Group Neo-Calvinism and John Piper The Neo-Calvinists are claiming that Calvin did not go far enough and are thereby claiming seven points of Calvinism. 6 Why Confront Calvinism? A. We ve been commanded to do so. Acts 20:27 Psalm 119:104 B. It has divided the Body of Christ for 400 years. History of bloodshed. C. The Modern Resurgence of Calvinism D. Calvinists repeatedly and dogmatically claim their doctrine to be synonymous with and exclusive to the gospel. E. It not only affects our doctrine, but our practice.

7 7 Engaging Calvinism Prima facie Res ipsa loquitur II Peter 1:16-21 I Thessalonians 2:13 I Corinthians 2 The scene of the crime: Eisegesis (preconceived notion/planting evidence) Exegesis (to draw out) The Law of First Mention: Genesis 3:1-5 Genesis 3:22 James 3:15 Colossians 2:8 General/Specific Revelation: theology = philosophy How private interpretation is presented: Create a false dilemma.

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9 9 CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation TOTAL DEPRAVITY 1. Definitions Depravity = moral corruption (dictionary) Deprave from the Latin, de meaning completely ; and pravus meaning crooked. The Calvinist defines total depravity as total inability. Total Inability has nothing to do with total depravity, but rather is the RESULT of it. Mark 1:15 Acts 17:30 The Importance of Total Depravity to the entire TULIP A denial of total depravity is a denial of sovereign grace. This in turn leads to a denial of limited atonement and unconditional election. And the perseverance of the saints necessarily falls by the wayside. Herman Hanko Deny this doctrine and the whole of Calvinism is demolished. David Engelsma There are 3 essential points of Calvinism: Total Depravity Unconditional Election Irresistible Grace Lamentations 3:26

10 10 2. Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis) John 1:13 Romans 9:16 Romans 11:30-32 John 5:40 3 Analogies Used Compared to Ephesians 2:1 who were dead in trespasses and sins; dead man John 3:3 Except a man be born again baby 2 Corinthians 5:17 he is a new creature creature 3 Types of proof texts 1) Someone who can t do something John 3:3 John 8:43 John 14:17 Romans 8:7-8

11 11 2) Inability with a specific reason John 6:44 John 6:65 John 12: ) Two most often used references Romans 3:11 1 Corinthians 2:14 The Bible commands men to seek God. Isaiah 55:6 Amos 5:4 Zephaniah 2:3 1 Chronicles 16:11 Jeremiah 29:13-14 Hebrews 11:6 Psalm 119:2 2 Chronicles 12:14

12 12 Isaiah 45:19 Psalm 10:4 3. Biblical Proof Texts (Exegesis) Biblical Depravity: Man s fallen sinful condition. Genesis 1:31 Genesis 1:26 Ecclesiastes 7:29 Psalm 8:5 I Timothy 2:4 Romans 5:12 Psalm 51:5 Psalm 58:3 Job 25:4 Romans 5:6 Colossians 3:6 Ephesians 2:3

13 13 Romans 6:20 Job 15:15 Titus 3:3 Romans 3:23 Ecclesiastes 7:20 Mark 7:20-23 Psalm 39:5 Isaiah 64:6 Galatians 3:22 Ephesians 4:18 Romans 3:19 Romans 8:8 Who then, can be saved? There are 2 options: 1) What the Bible says Acts 16:31 2) What Calvinism teaches Lamentations 3:26

14 14 The Issue of the Will Does depravity extend to the will? Matthew 7:17-18 Proverbs 13:22 Proverbs 17:22 Romans 2:10 Luke 6:33 Genesis 26:29 Genesis 31:24 Depravity does NOT mean that there is no good in man it means there is no good in man which can satisfy God! CONCLUSION: Illustration: Consider a worker at a widget plant that agrees to make 10 widgets per hour. Because he of his own free will agrees to the terms, he is responsible to make 10 widgets. But what if he only has the ability to make 5 widgets? Is he still responsible for 10 widgets? If he agreed to make 10 then he is responsible in spite of his inability; if his inability to make 10 is because the plant burns down, then he is not accountable because of his inability. The REAL Question: Does a man have the WILL to choose contrary to his depraved nature? If he CAN he is responsible. If he CAN T he can t be responsible.

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16 16 UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION 1. Definitions: CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation The importance and interdependence of Unconditional Election to the theological system of Calvinism cannot be hyperbolized. Neo-Calvinists have given it a new name: Sovereign Grace Unconditional Election, when completely understood as a doctrine, is rather, a worldview that completely distorts the character of God. Res ipsa loquitur Omni-causality determinism / self-determinism fatalism libertarianism compatabilism

17 17 Romans 7 Paul s Struggle The two main problems from which unconditional election suffers: A. It is conditional. B. There is no election as Calvin defines it. 2. Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis) Ephesians 1:4-9 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: I Peter 1:1-2 Election is conditioned. Romans 8:29 Predestination is conditioned.

18 18 Romans 9:11 11 (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;) Romans 5:13-14 Ephesians 2:1-4

19 19 3. Biblical Proof Texts (Exegesis) John 15:16 Proverbs 11:30 II Peter 3:9 I Timothy 2:4 John 3:36

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21 21 CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation LIMITED ATONEMENT 1. Definitions This point is NOT ESSENTIAL to the Calvinistic system. This is the MOST OBJECTIONABLE point of the TULIP. Limited Atonement: Jesus Christ shed His blood and made atonement ONLY for the elect. 4-Point Calvinism

22 22 2. Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis) 1. Christ dying for the world John 1:29 John 3:16 John 4:42 John 6:51 II Corinthians 5:19 I John 2:2 I John 4:14 I John 2:2 I John 5:13 John 11:51-52.

23 23 2. Christ dying for all men. Isaiah 53:6 I Timothy 2:6 I Timothy 4:10 Hebrews 2:9 II Corinthians 5:14-15 I Timothy 2:6 Matthew 10:1 James 3:7 Revelation 5:9 I Timothy 4:10 Galatians 6:10 Romans 3:22 Hebrews 2:9 Isaiah 53:6

24 24 3. Christ dying for a particular group. Matthew 1:21 Matthew 20:28 Matthew 26:28 John 10:15 Acts 20:28 Ephesians 5:25 Hebrews 9:28 Romans 5:15 v.19 Matthew 1:21 John 1:10-11 Hebrews 10:29 II Peter 2:1 Luke 19:10 Romans 5:6 Galatians 4:4-5 I Timothy 1:15

25 25 I Peter 3:18 John 15:13 Luke 7:34 Matthew 26:50 Acts 10:43 Romans 1:16 Romans 10:11, 13 I John 5:1 Revelation 22:17 3. Biblical Proof Texts (Exegesis) The True Nature of the Atonement The nature of atonement is SUBSTITUTION. II Corinthians 5:21 Galatians 3:13 I Timothy 2:5 I Timothy 1:15 Romans 5:11

26 26 1. Sacrifice Isaiah 53:10 I Corinthians 5:7 Ephesians 5:2 Hebrews 7:27 Hebrews 10:10, Ransom Matthew 20:28 I Timothy 2:6 Colossians 1:14 Titus 2:14 Hebrews 9:12 I Peter 1:18-19

27 27 3. Expiation John 1:29 II Corinthians 5:21 Hebrews 1:3 Hebrews 9:14, 26 I Peter 3:18 4. Propitiation Romans 3:25 I John 2:2 I John 4:10 5. Reconciliation Romans 5:10 II Corinthians 5:18-19 Ephesians 2:16 Colossians 1:20-21 Hebrews 2:17

28 28 Calvinists argue for Limited Atonement by confounding the atonement with its application. The Old Testament Passover Biblically: God gave a universal atonement with an individual application. Christ s death is both complete and conditional. Everything depends upon being in Christ.

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30 30 IRRESISTIBLE GRACE 1. Definitions A. Irresistible Grace CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation In the view of Calvinist, faith is the gift of God which actually saves a man. Believing on Christ is only the result of grace. This view of grace as irresistible flows out of and depends entirely upon the false premise of total depravity. Westminster Confession X: Articles I & II Canons of Dort Calvinists believe that a man must be regenerated before exercising faith which is defined as a gift.

31 31 B. God s Will The theory behind irresistible grace is that God s will cannot be frustrated, it is always done. Secret Will God is certain to carry out. Deuteronomy 29:29 Isaiah 14:24 Daniel 4:35 Revealed Will Man is responsible to obey. I Thessalonians 4:3 I Thessalonians 5:18 I Corinthians 4:19 I Corinthians 16:7 Matthew 12:50 John 7:17 Colossians 4:12

32 32 C.Repentance & Faith The Calvinist teaches that repentance and faith are given to man as a gift before he can be saved. Acts 5:31 Acts 11:18 II Timothy 2:5 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 5:15-18 Romans 6:23 What Faith is not: Faith is not a work. Romans 4:4-5 What Faith is: Faith is the medium of reception. Romans 5:1 Galatians 3:26 Philippians 3:9 Romans 10:8 Romans 10:17

33 33 2. Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis) Ezekiel 37:1-6 Jeremiah 31:3 John 6:64 Romans 9:9-22 (John 3:36) Philippians 2:13 John 1:13

34 34 3. Biblical Proof (Exegesis) Matthew 23:37 Jeremiah 5:3 Jeremiah 13:10 Nehemiah 9:16 Isaiah 65:12 Proverbs 1:24, Jeremiah 7:13 Psalm 78:41, Psalm 81:11

35 35 Proverbs 1:25 Luke 7:30 I Timothy 2:1-5 Four reasons all men of verses I Timothy 2:1, 4 do not refer to classes of men: 1. Classes of men are given in verse 2. There would be no point in doing this if it had already been done in verse The all that are in authority of verse 2 would be meaningless if Calvinists consistently interpreted the all like they did in the previous verse. 3. If Paul wanted to say, classes of men he could have done so (Matthew 10:1, James 3:7, Revelation 5:9 a rather ambiguous universality of the elect ) 4. If the all men of the passage refer to classes of men, it does not solve the Calvinist problem. II Peter 3:9 The grace of God / Holy ghost: Acts 7:51 is resisted Galatians 2:21 is frustrated Hebrews 10:29 has done despite to II Corinthians 6:1 is received in vain Galatians 5:4 is fallen from Hebrews 12:15 fails Jude 4 is turned to lasciviousness

36 36 Paul the Reprobate: I Corinthians 9:22 (Isaiah 42:8) I Corinthians 4:15 (James 5:20) II Timothy 2:10 Proverbs 29:1 Proverbs 1:24-26

37 37 Titus 1:11 (John 1:12) Romans 10:13-16 John 8:45-47 Romans 1:16

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39 39 CERTAINTY CONFERENCE The Biblical View of Salvation PERSEVERANCE of the SAINTS 1. Definitions Eternal Security is a common idea (which we all agree with). This is one of two non-essential points of Calvinism This is the most misunderstood point by non-calvinists! Clarification of the definition: The Problems with the standard definition: According to Calvinists: 1) The saints WILL persevere 2) ONLY those who persevere in the faith are true Christians 3) Those who do NOT persevere are LOST, no matter what they professed. 4) REAL Christians WILL RETURN to the faith before they die since obviously some do fall away. 5) Those who do not return were never truly saved.

40 40 According to the actual definitions: Perseverance of the Saints is really Arminianism. Perseverance: as defined by Arminians: 1. Sincere faith in Jesus Christ 2. Honoring Christ as Lord and keeping His commandments 3. Walking after the example of Christ 4. Loving the Father and His will rather than the world 5. Habitually practicing righteousness rather than sin 6. Love for the brethren 7. Consciousness of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit But IF Calvinism is true, and the elect were chosen unconditionally and overcome by irresistible grace, then they would be saved whether they persevered or not! LORDSHIP SALVATION Q: Must a sinner make Jesus LORD of his life at the time he believes for salvation? ERRORS: Contempt for dispensationalism. Denial of a carnal Christian I Corinthians 3:1 No two natures Ephesians 4:22 Blurring of the distinction of standing vs. state Accusation of easy believism, or cheap grace Confounding salvation & discipleship Rely on modern versions for proof texts Blur Sanctification Q: How can someone Totally Depraved submit to Christ s lordship? II Timothy 1:12

41 41 Q: Is salvation an instantaneous act of God that fixes the present position & eternal destiny of the individual? OR Is salvation a process that depends on man s perseverance? Bible believers are preserved by biblical predestination! Romans 8: Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis) 1. I Corinthians 9:24-27 Romans 8: I Timothy 4:16 II Corinthians 1:6 I Timothy 2:15 Luke 1:71 Acts 27:31 3. Matthew 24:13 I Corinthians 1:7-8

42 42 3. Biblical Proof Texts (Exegesis) 1. NO WORKS Romans 4:5 Ephesians 2:8-9 Titus 3:5 2. ONLY BELIEVE John 3:16 John 6:47 Acts 16:31 Romans 10:9 3. ONLY a lack of belief results in being LOST John 3:18 John 3:36 John 8:24 Ephesians 6:18 It is possible to NOT PERSEVERE: I Timothy 1:6 v.19 v.20 I Corinthians 5:5 II Corinthians 2:6-8 Acts 13:13

43 43 II Timothy 4:11 I Timothy 4:1 I Timothy 5:8 v.12 I Timothy 6:10 vv II Peter 2:7 II Peter 2:8 Ezekiel 18:24 FACT: the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 Romans 7:18 CONCLUSION: It is ironic that those who most emphasize that man has nothing to do with His salvation not even to believe of his own accord are the same who emphasize the need for continued good works.

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