Blog
The doctrines of grace: Irresistible grace
As we have seen, the first three doctrines of grace progressed in a logical order. The first (total depravity) highlighted the absolute inability of natural man to contribute anything to his salvation. The second (unconditional election) noted the sovereign initiative...
The doctrines of grace: Limited atonement
The doctrine of limited atonement is perhaps the most misunderstood and maligned of the doctrines of grace. There are those who call themselves “four-point Calvinists” who reject this doctrine. At the same time, while it is the central point of the five, it is also in...
The doctrines of grace: Unconditional election
We have already examined the biblical doctrine of total depravity, and concluded that salvation, if it is at all possible, is so only by the grace of God. Salvation must necessarily be of the Lord. That is where the doctrine of unconditional election enters the...
The doctrines of grace: Total depravity
As noted previously, the five points of Calvinism (doctrines of grace) arose as a response to a petition by a group of Dutch Arminians in 1610 to affirm the tenets of Arminianism as orthodox Christianity. The Synod of Dort rejected this appeal and in response...
The doctrines of grace: An introduction
W. J. Seaton has written, “There is scarcely another word that arouses such suspicion, mistrust, and even animosity among professing Christians as the word Calvinism. And yet much of the zeal that is levelled against this system and those who hold and preach it is...
Everyone evangelising everyone everywhere
In his last inspired letter, Paul urged Timothy to “preach the word” and to “do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:1–5). “The work of an evangelist” is a work to which every believer is called. The importance of evangelism in the life of the Christian and the...