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The significance of our concern is given further weight by the fact that its
proponents even claim that "Calvinism is pure biblical Christianity in its
clearest and purest expression." D. James Kennedy has said, "I am a Presbyt
erian because I believe Presbyterianism is the purest form of Calvinism." Jo
hn Piper writes, "The doctrines of grace (Total depravity, Unconditional ele
ction, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, Perseverance of the saints) ar
e the warp and woof of the biblical gospel cherished by so many saints for c
enturies." It would seem, then, that those who do not preach Calvinism do n
ot preach the gospel, a serious charge indeed. C.H. Spurgeon was very emphat
ic that no intelligent Christian could possibly entertain any other position
I do not ask whether you believe Calvinism. It is possible you may not. But
I believe you will before you enter heaven. I am persuaded that as God may h
ave washed your hearts, He will wash your brains before you enter heaven.
Such a strong statement is impressive, coming from Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
John H. Gerstner writes, "We believe with the great Baptist preacher, Charle
s Haddon Spurgeon, that Calvinism is just another name for Christianity." Ag
ain, if Calvinism is true Christianity, would that mean that non-Calvinists
are not Christians? Of course, we could cite many other Christian leaders of
equal stature in the history of the church, such as D.L. Moody, who were of
the opposite opinion. Norman F Douty lists more than seventy Christian lead
ers who opposed Calvinism, among them such men as Richard Baxter, John Newto
n, John and Charles Wesley, John Bunyan, H.C.G. Moule and others. A study of
early church history reveals that Calvinistic doctrines were unknown during
the church's first three centuries. One of the greatest experts on ecclesia
stical history, Bishop Davenant, declares:
... it may be truly affirmed that before the dispute between Augustine and P
elagius, there was no question concerning the death of Christ, whether it wa
s to be extended to all mankind, or to be confined only to the elect. For th
e Fathers ... not a word (that I know of) occurs among them of the exclusion
of any person by the decree of God. They agree that it is actually benefici
al to those only who believe, yet they everywhere confess that Christ died i
n behalf of all mankind ....
Augustine died A.D. 429, and up to his time, at least, there is not the slig
htest evidence that any Christian ever dreamed of a propitiation for the ele
ct alone. Even after him, the doctrine of a limited propitiation was but slo
wly propagated, and for long but partially received. |
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