Robin,
I read the last chapter of the book. 'The Doctrine of the Bondage of the Will' when I first got this book as a present from my dear wife. (Though I am most familiar with his excellent work on the topic.)
Long, long before I even knew who Martin Luther really was, or even so much as knew of his huge contribution to the Reformation. Long, long before I really knew who John Calvin was and the gigantic contribution he brought to bear against the Apostate Church of Rome. Long, long before I read about Huss and the firm stand he took against the heretical doctrines of the Apostate Church, I read the writings of the Apostle Paul and coupled with a simple breakdown of the TULIP handed to me by a kind friend in the early eighties, I was able to come to a deeper understanding of the true nature of salvation and how it was accomplished, and most important 'eternal security of the believer' (the main thrust of this thread.)
We had moved to another town and we were miles from the AOG. We did attend eventually but due to their involvement in the 'Discipleship' programme (so like the SS) we were forced to leave, hardly, we were told if we did not like it we could leave. Go to the little +++ Presbyterian Church down the road. At this time I crafted a song titled 'Safe and Secure' all about the joy of 'eternal preservation of the saints'.
Up until last night I had no idea that the Assemblies of God taught that they leaned towards Arminianism. (certainly NOT in black and white) It was only out of pure curiosity that I decided to dial up their website and as I went through the 'position papers' I discovered this terrible heresy. I could have only been alerted to this if I had actually studied it in greater detail, which I have done. Oh some four or five years ago, when I first went to a meeting at Calvary Chapel. I have a very thick envelope filled to the brim with both sides of the argument. Calvinism vs Arminianism. If you like I can get it out and send you all the links to the various articles ? I am not entirely sure but I think I wrote something about this.
This is what is on the outside of the envelope.
1. Synod of Dort.
2. Veritas Redux
3. Letter to Ray! (refer the extract)
4. Biblical Critique of Chuck Smith's study in Calvinism
5. Free Agency and the Will by Dr. DL Boettner
6. Five Points of Calvinism by RL Dabney
7. Total Inability by Lorraine Boettner
8. Particular Redemption by CH Spurgeon
9. Salvation is of the Lord by CH Spurgeon
10. Effacious Grace by Lorraine Boettner.
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Extract from my letter to Ray.
I said:
'So far we have not been for two whole Sundays, and life at home is back to it's happy routine.....I cannot tolerate falsity having always sought to be real in my music composing, it affects every aspect of my life. I will still maintain the same stance of getting the Pastor at Calvary Chapel to read the article on 'Hellfire' (that is what I called my second book - retitled to be 'It Is Written' - an expose of the JW doctrine of annhilationism - exposed so brilliantly in Pink's work - 'Eternal Punishment')...he is going to freak out, because they reject two major tennets of Calvinsm...namely...Unconditional Election adn Irristible Grace....
He replied:
'and also 'limited atonement' .. just about every Christian Church nowdays rejects that idea. But the alternative ..."universal atonement" is really a Catholic idea.... that Christ died to "open the doors of heaven' for everyone...and now they just have to follow Mother Church and store up enough merits to do what apparently Christ could not do by Himself. However, in Protestant churches this idea is altered slightly....Christ died to open heaven's doors and so all you gotta do is accept him. So then did Christ pay a full penatly for sins for His people or did he not ? If it was a full penalty and it was truly for 'everyone', then their sin debt is paid in full, even the sin of not accepting Christ, so hell will be empty and heaven completely full.
I then replied...
if one looks at the study on 'The Afterlife' bang..the whole issue of the WILL and salvation...explosions of Doctrinal Madness..oh, well I am going to have to be very gentle and keep focussed on Jesus every moment.
He finally replied:
You've got the right idea there...be very meek and humble as you bring things to people's attention....
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Wise words from Ray and exactly how I am going to proceed in minsitering to my sister who is already part of the AOG choir (ouch!). Please pray that the Lord will grant me wisdom as I share with her this erroneous doctrine which rejects, 'the eternal preservation of the saints'
In His service and worship.
ps. (add)
+++ actually I looked it up and the church referred to was probably St Mark's Methodist Church in Edgmead. ->
http://www.stmarks.co.za/contact.htm(They give the Alpha Course and something I have not heard of before called 'Walk to Emmaus' - I wonder if this is associated with the emergent stuff... from the introduction : 'The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion.' --- I wonder what they mean by giving three seperate ideas...'prayer' 'meditation' 'worship' -- it is interesting how Hinduism has been manfesting it's influence. I guess it has been going on a lot longer than just recently. After the yoga pose and encouragement to meditate at my sons youth fellowship meeting, I reckon anything is possible and it is not just in the Charismatic Churches, but even in the very conservative ones...where have I been.)
