certainty conference notes - pages - clover...

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March 15-18, 2015FBC New Philadelphia, OH

CERTAINTY CONFERENCEThe Biblical View of Salvation

INTRODUCTION & OVERVIEW OF CALVINISM

Reformed Theology – Historical Designation

Calvinism – Philosophical Designation

T.U.L.I.P. – An acronym used as an ad hoc codification of the soteriological speculations of John Calvin.

Remonstrance

1. Rejects: Election into Christ as “unconditional”.

2. Rejects: the atonement of Christ is limited to the elect.

3. Rejects: The total depravity of man applied to his will.

4. Rejects: God’s grace as an irresistible force.

5. Semi-rejects: The perseverance of the saints.

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The Canons of Dort

Total Depravity –

Unconditional Election –

Limited Atonement –

Irresistible Grace –

Perseverance of the Saints –

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Molinism‘Salvation & Sovereignty – A Molinist Approach.‘ – Kenneth Keathley, B&H Publishing Group

Neo-Calvinism and John PiperThe Neo-Calvinists are claiming that Calvin did not go far enough and are thereby claiming seven points of Calvinism.

Why Confront Calvinism?

A. We’ve been commanded to do so.

Acts 20:27

Psalm 119:104

B. It has divided the Body of Christ for 400 years.

History of bloodshed.

C. The Modern Resurgence of Calvinism

D. Calvinists repeatedly and dogmatically claim their doctrine to be synonymous with and exclusive to the gospel.

E. It not only affects our doctrine, but our practice.

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Engaging Calvinism

Prima facie – Res ipsa loquitur

II Peter 1:16-21

I Thessalonians 2:13

I Corinthians 2

The scene of the crime: Eisegesis – (preconceived notion/planting evidence)

Exegesis – (to draw out)

The Law of First Mention:

Genesis 3:1-5

Genesis 3:22

James 3:15

Colossians 2:8

General/Specific Revelation: theology = philosophy

How private interpretation is presented: Create a false dilemma.

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TOTAL DEPRAVITY

1. Definitions

“Depravity” = moral corruption (dictionary)“Deprave” – from the Latin, “de” – meaning “completely”; and “pravus” – meaning “crooked”.

The Calvinist defines total depravity as “total inability.”

Total Inability has nothing to do with total depravity, but rather is the RESULT of it.

Mark 1:15

Acts 17:30

The Importance of Total Depravity to the entire TULIP“A denial of total depravity is a denial of sovereign grace. This in turn leads to a denial of limited atonement and unconditional election. And the perseverance of the saints necessarily falls by the wayside.” – Herman Hanko“Deny this doctrine and the whole of Calvinism is demolished.” – David Engelsma

There are 3 essential points of Calvinism:• Total Depravity• Unconditional Election • Irresistible Grace

Lamentations 3:26

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2. Calvinist Proof Texts (Eisegesis)

John 1:13

Romans 9:16

Romans 11:30-32

John 5:40

3 Analogies Used Compared toEphesians 2:1 …who were dead in trespasses and sins; dead manJohn 3:3 …Except a man be born again baby2 Corinthians 5:17 … he is a new creature creature

3 Types of proof texts

1) Someone who can’t do somethingJohn 3:3

John 8:43

John 14:17

Romans 8:7-8

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2) Inability with a specific reason

John 6:44

John 6:65

John 12:39-40

3) Two most often used references

Romans 3:11

1 Corinthians 2:14

The Bible commands men to seek God.

Isaiah 55:6

Amos 5:4

Zephaniah 2:3

1 Chronicles 16:11

Jeremiah 29:13-14

Hebrews 11:6

Psalm 119:2

2 Chronicles 12:14

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Isaiah 45:19

Psalm 10:4

3. Biblical Proof Texts (Exegesis)

Biblical Depravity: Man’s fallen sinful condition.

Genesis 1:31

Genesis 1:26

Ecclesiastes 7:29

Psalm 8:5

I Timothy 2:4

Romans 5:12

Psalm 51:5

Psalm 58:3

Job 25:4

Romans 5:6

Colossians 3:6

Ephesians 2:3

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Romans 6:20

Job 15:15

Titus 3:3

Romans 3:23

Ecclesiastes 7:20

Mark 7:20-23

Psalm 39:5

Isaiah 64:6

Galatians 3:22

Ephesians 4:18

Romans 3:19

Romans 8:8

Who then, can be saved?

There are 2 options:1) What the Bible says…

Acts 16:31

2) What Calvinism teaches…

Lamentations 3:26

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The Issue of the Will

Does depravity extend to the will?

Matthew 7:17-18

Proverbs 13:22

Proverbs 17:22

Romans 2:10

Luke 6:33

Genesis 26:29

Genesis 31:24

“Depravity” does NOT mean that there is no good in man … it means there is no good in man which can satisfy God!

CONCLUSION:

Illustration:Consider a worker at a widget plant that agrees to make 10 widgets per hour. Because he of his own free will agrees to the terms, he is responsible to make 10 widgets. But what if he only has the ability to make 5 widgets? Is he still responsible for 10 widgets? If he agreed to make 10 then he is responsible in spite of his inability; if his inability to make 10 is because the plant burns down, then he is not accountable because of his inability.

The REAL Question:Does a man have the WILL to choose contrary to his depraved nature?• If he CAN – he is responsible.• If he CAN’T – he can’t be responsible.

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UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION

1. Definitions:

The importance and interdependence of Unconditional Election to the theological system of Calvinism cannot be hyperbolized.

Neo-Calvinists have given it a new name: “Sovereign Grace”

Unconditional Election, when completely understood as a doctrine, is rather, a worldview that completely distorts the character of God.

Res ipsa loquitur

“Omni-causality”

“determinism” / “self-determinism”

“fatalism”

“libertarianism”

“compatabilism”

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Romans 7 – Paul’s Struggle

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The two main problems from which unconditional election suffers:

A. It is conditional.

B. There is no election as Calvin defines it.


Ephesians 1:4-9

4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

I Peter 1:1-2 – Election is conditioned. Romans 8:29 – Predestination is conditioned.

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Romans 9:11

11 (for the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

Romans 5:13-14

Ephesians 2:1-4

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John 15:16

Proverbs 11:30

II Peter 3:9

I Timothy 2:4

John 3:36

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LIMITED ATONEMENT

1. Definitions

This point is NOT ESSENTIAL to the Calvinistic system.This is the MOST OBJECTIONABLE point of the TULIP.

Limited Atonement: Jesus Christ shed His blood and made atonement ONLY for the “elect.”

4-Point Calvinism

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1. Christ dying for the worldJohn 1:29

John 3:16

John 4:42

John 6:51

II Corinthians 5:19

I John 2:2

I John 4:14

I John 2:2

I John 5:13

John 11:51-52.

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2. Christ dying for all men.Isaiah 53:6

I Timothy 2:6

I Timothy 4:10

Hebrews 2:9

II Corinthians 5:14-15

I Timothy 2:6

Matthew 10:1

James 3:7

Revelation 5:9

I Timothy 4:10

Galatians 6:10

Romans 3:22

Hebrews 2:9

Isaiah 53:6

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3. Christ dying for a particular group.Matthew 1:21

Matthew 20:28

Matthew 26:28

John 10:15

Acts 20:28

Ephesians 5:25

Hebrews 9:28

Romans 5:15 v.19

Matthew 1:21

John 1:10-11

Hebrews 10:29

II Peter 2:1

Luke 19:10

Romans 5:6

Galatians 4:4-5

I Timothy 1:15

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I Peter 3:18

John 15:13

Luke 7:34

Matthew 26:50

Acts 10:43

Romans 1:16

Romans 10:11, 13

I John 5:1

Revelation 22:17


The True Nature of the AtonementThe nature of atonement is SUBSTITUTION.

II Corinthians 5:21

Galatians 3:13

I Timothy 2:5

I Timothy 1:15

Romans 5:11

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1. Sacrifice

Isaiah 53:10

I Corinthians 5:7

Ephesians 5:2

Hebrews 7:27

Hebrews 10:10, 12

2. Ransom

Matthew 20:28

I Timothy 2:6

Colossians 1:14

Titus 2:14

Hebrews 9:12

I Peter 1:18-19

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3. Expiation

John 1:29

II Corinthians 5:21

Hebrews 1:3

Hebrews 9:14, 26

I Peter 3:18

4. Propitiation

Romans 3:25

I John 2:2

I John 4:10

5. Reconciliation

Romans 5:10


Ephesians 2:16

Colossians 1:20-21

Hebrews 2:17

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Calvinists argue for Limited Atonement by confounding the atonement with its application.

The Old Testament Passover

Biblically: God gave a universal atonement with an individual application. Christ’s death is both complete and conditional. Everything depends upon being “in Christ.”

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IRRESISTIBLE GRACE

1. Definitions

A. Irresistible Grace

In the view of Calvinist, faith is the gift of God which actually saves a man. Believing on Christ is only the result of grace. This view of grace as irresistible flows out of and depends entirely upon the false premise of total depravity.

Westminster Confession X: Articles I & II

Canons of Dort

Calvinists believe that a man must be regenerated before exercising faith which is defined as a gift.

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B. God’s Will

The theory behind irresistible grace is that God’s will cannot be frustrated, it is always done.

“Secret Will” – God is certain to carry out.

Deuteronomy 29:29

Isaiah 14:24

Daniel 4:35

“Revealed Will” – Man is responsible to obey.

I Thessalonians 4:3

I Thessalonians 5:18

I Corinthians 4:19

I Corinthians 16:7

Matthew 12:50

John 7:17

Colossians 4:12

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C.Repentance & Faith

The Calvinist teaches that repentance and faith are given to man as a gift before he can be saved.

Acts 5:31

Acts 11:18

II Timothy 2:5

Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans 5:15-18

Romans 6:23

What Faith is not: Faith is not a work.

Romans 4:4-5

What Faith is: Faith is the medium of reception.

Romans 5:1

Galatians 3:26

Philippians 3:9

Romans 10:8

Romans 10:17

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Ezekiel 37:1-6

Jeremiah 31:3

John 6:64

Romans 9:9-22 (John 3:36)

Philippians 2:13

John 1:13

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3. Biblical Proof (Exegesis)

Matthew 23:37

Jeremiah 5:3

Jeremiah 13:10

Nehemiah 9:16

Isaiah 65:12

Proverbs 1:24, Jeremiah 7:13

Psalm 78:41, Psalm 81:11

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Proverbs 1:25

Luke 7:30

I Timothy 2:1-5

Four reasons “all men” of verses I Timothy 2:1, 4 do not refer to classes of men:

1. Classes of men are given in verse 2. There would be no point in doing this if it had already been done in verse 1.

2. The “all that are in authority” of verse 2 would be meaningless if Calvinists consistently interpreted the “all” like they did in the previous verse.

3. If Paul wanted to say, “classes of men” he could have done so (Matthew 10:1, James 3:7, Revelation 5:9 – a rather ambiguous “universality of the elect”)

4. If the “all men” of the passage refer to classes of men, it does not solve the Calvinist problem.

II Peter 3:9

The grace of God / Holy ghost:

Acts 7:51 – is resisted

Galatians 2:21 – is frustrated

Hebrews 10:29 – has done despite to

II Corinthians 6:1 – is received in vain

Galatians 5:4 – is fallen from

Hebrews 12:15 – fails

Jude 4 – is turned to lasciviousness

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Paul the Reprobate:

I Corinthians 9:22 (Isaiah 42:8)

I Corinthians 4:15 (James 5:20)

II Timothy 2:10

Proverbs 29:1

Proverbs 1:24-26

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Titus 1:11 (John 1:12)

Romans 10:13-16

John 8:45-47

Romans 1:16

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PERSEVERANCE of the SAINTS

1. Definitions

“Eternal Security” is a common idea (which we all agree with).

This is one of two “non-essential” points of Calvinism This is the most misunderstood point by non-Calvinists!

Clarification of the definition:

The Problems with the standard definition:

According to Calvinists:1) The saints WILL persevere 2) ONLY those who persevere in the faith are true Christians3) Those who do NOT persevere are LOST, no matter what they professed. 4) REAL Christians WILL RETURN to the faith before they die – since obviously some do fall away. 5) Those who do not return were never truly saved.

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According to the actual definitions: “Perseverance of the Saints” is really Arminianism.

Perseverance: as defined by Arminians: 1. Sincere faith in Jesus Christ2. Honoring Christ as Lord and keeping His commandments3. Walking after the example of Christ4. Loving the Father and His will rather than the world5. Habitually practicing righteousness rather than sin6. Love for the brethren7. Consciousness of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit

But IF Calvinism is true, and the elect were chosen unconditionally and overcome by irresistible grace, then they would be saved whether they persevered or not!

LORDSHIP SALVATION

Q: Must a sinner make Jesus LORD of his life at the time he believes for salvation?

ERRORS:• Contempt for dispensationalism.

• Denial of a “carnal Christian” I Corinthians 3:1

• No “two natures” Ephesians 4:22

• Blurring of the distinction of “standing vs. state”

• Accusation of “easy believism,” or “cheap grace”

• Confounding salvation & discipleship

• Rely on modern versions for proof texts

• Blur Sanctification

Q: How can someone “Totally Depraved” submit to Christ’s lordship?

II Timothy 1:12

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Q: Is salvation an instantaneous act of God that fixes the present position & eternal destiny of the individual? OR Is salvation a process that depends on man’s perseverance?

Bible believers are preserved by biblical predestination!

Romans 8:29-30


1. I Corinthians 9:24-27

Romans 8:38-39

2. I Timothy 4:16

II Corinthians 1:6

I Timothy 2:15

Luke 1:71

Acts 27:31

3. Matthew 24:13

I Corinthians 1:7-8

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1. NO WORKS

Romans 4:5

Ephesians 2:8-9

Titus 3:5

2. ONLY BELIEVE

John 3:16

John 6:47

Acts 16:31

Romans 10:9

3. ONLY a lack of belief results in being LOST

John 3:18

John 3:36

John 8:24

Ephesians 6:18

It is possible to NOT PERSEVERE:

I Timothy 1:6 v.19v.20

I Corinthians 5:5


Acts 13:13

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II Timothy 4:11

I Timothy 4:1

I Timothy 5:8 v.12

I Timothy 6:10 vv.20-21

II Peter 2:7

II Peter 2:8

Ezekiel 18:24

FACT: the flesh is weak.

Matthew 26:41

Romans 7:18

CONCLUSION:It is ironic that those who most emphasize that man has nothing to do with His salvation – not even to believe of his own accord – are the same who emphasize the need for continued good works.

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