The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Eternal Justification

And a fine job you did too, although Spurgeon's comments in the book to which J_Edward's referenced which was voiced also by Spurgeon seems to indicate that there was some vacillation in his view of Gill. But be that as it may, your rather lengthy quote goes to show that Spurgeon did err on various matters of which this is one. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As I have said elsewhere in this thread, although those who have held to eternal justification begin with a few texts of Scripture, they all invariably DEDUCE the doctrine from a form or reason rather than from exegetical declarations of Scripture. What more can I say? The old accepted biblical hermeneutical principle that says "the clear interpret the unclear" seems to have been ignored by these men. For when it says that we are "justified by faith", I take that as being quite clear. But can one submit a biblical text that says we are "justified in eternity"? or anything even remotely close to such a thing? I would venture to say, NO! It simply cannot be done. The same is true for adoption. There are clear and cogent statements in Scripture that speak of our being adopted after we are reconciled to God. For how else could God adopt one unless then were clean in Christ? And how can one be clean in Christ unless the believe upon Him and have His righteousness imputed to them?

So, once again, the decree of God is eternal and infallible. But its execution is done throughout time. He decreed that the elect would be glorified, but would you or anyone else (hmmm, there probably is at least one, eh?) who would say that we were glorified in eternity and thus even now, we are glorified? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes2.gif" alt="" /> Even more so, the Lord Christ's crucifixion was decreed in eternity. Yet, we see throughout nearly 3000 years of HISTORY (time) men prophesied of its future coming which actually took place in time. If that which the crucifixion accomplished, i.e., the redemption of the elect, was eternally accomplished, then of what purpose did it serve that God became man and suffered upon the cross? Was that too simply a form of "recognition" of what He had already done? I find that type of thinking quite foolish.

In His Grace,