The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Hank Hanegraff on calvinism

In reply to:

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people like John Wesley were considered Christians. If I remember correctly, I think (correct me if I am wrong Pilgrim) Pilgrim has said that more than once on this forum.

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You are so right, Tom! Each INDIVIDUAL must be judged on his/her on merits or demerits, both theologically and by one's practice. (by their fruits you shall know them) Another consideration which many today fail to take into account, is that the Arminianism of John and Charles Wesley was decidedly different than that being promoted today. Actually, there are few real "Arminians" around. The majority of those who are antagonists toward historic Protestantism; i.e., the doctrines which distinguished Protestants from Roman Catholics during the Reformation, are semi-Pelagian. All one need do is read some of Wesley's sermons where he describes the condition of man after the Fall and if you didn't know that he had written it, you would swear that perhaps it was Edwards, Owen, or even John Calvin.

Also, as I have in myriad places written, there is sometimes a wide gulf that separates the theology of a man and what he truly believes in his heart. I do believe, as did Whitefield, that John Wesley was one of them. Show a person graphically what his/her theology looks like, e.g., by using a technique such I have done here: Do You REALLY Believe That Salvation is by Grace, ALONE?, and you will find that some will be smitten when they realize that what they profess to believe is actually akin to the soteriology of Roman Catholicism; i.e., synergism and that it denies Sola Gratia (by grace alone). I have had wonderful followup meetings with some in which the Word of God pierced their hearts afterward.

In His Grace,