R*o 发帖数: 3781 | 1 It is a general assumption that whatever other disagreements we may have, wh
en it comes to the gospel of our salvation both Calvinists and non-Calvinist
s are in full agreement. Many Calvinists, however, disagree, claiming that t
he biblical gospel is Calvinism. For example: "God's plan of salvation revea
led in the Scriptures consists of what is popularly known as the Five Points
of Calvinism."
Loraine Boettner declares, "The great advantage of the Reformed Faith is tha
t in the framework of the Five Points of Calvinism it sets forth clearly wha
t the Bible teaches concerning the way of salvation."10 Others insist that "
if you do not know the Five Points of Calvinism, you do not know the gospel,
but some perversion of it ... "B.B. Warfield claimed, "Calvinism is evangel
icalism in its purest and only stable expression."
Such claims that the Five Points of Calvinism make up the gospel raise the c
oncerns about Calvinism to a new level! If much special study is required to
understand Calvinism, and if years of Bible study still leave one ignorant
on this subject, and if Calvinism is the gospel of our salvation - then wher
e does that leave the multitudes who think they are saved but are ignorant o
f Calvinism? This question may seem divisive, but it cannot be ignored.
Another grave concern is raised concerning the proclamation of the gospel to
the whole world as Christ commanded. Calvinists insist that their doctrine
does not diminish the zeal with which the gospel is to be preached. To suppo
rt this assertion they name some of the great preachers and missionaries who
were staunch Calvinists, such as George Whitefield, Adoniram Judson, Willia
m Carey and others. And it is true that, although they know that many to who
m they preach are not among the elect, some Calvinists indeed preach earnest
ly so that the elect may hear and believe.
Certainly, however, the zeal of such men and women in bringing the gospel to
the world could not be because of their Calvinism but only in spite of it.
To believe that those who will be saved have been fixed by God's decree, tha
t none others can be saved, and that the elect must be regenerated by God's
sovereign act without the gospel or any persuasion by any preacher or by any
faith in God on their part, could hardly provide motivation for earnestly p
reaching the gospel.
No matter how the Calvinist tries to argue to the contrary, such a belief ca
n only lessen the zeal a reasonable person might otherwise have to reach the
lost with the gospel of God's grace in Christ. |
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