Throughout this series, however it might seem to devoted fans of John MacArthur, I have endeavored to be honest and fair—both of which require me to acknowledge, as I have before, that chapters 14 and 15 are quite edifying. The beginning of chapter 14 is not promising. He begins with a note from Pilgrim’s Progress that there is “an entrance to hell at the gates of heaven.”178 He mentions Judas as an example of one who, figuratively, at the gates of heaven stepped through to hell. Suddenly, however, this chapter and the next take a sharp, gospel turn. To this point, I have been complaining that MacArthur has yet to tell us what is good about the good news. In these two chapters, however, though he does not tell us the whole story, he does revel in the free grace of salvation.
It is that even the lowest of sinners may be ushered into heaven from the very doorstep of hell. Publicans, prostitutes, thieves, and beggars all found in Christ a Savior who gave them abundant and everlasting life in exchange for the remnants of their squandered earthly existence. He came to seek and to save the lost, and He loved plucking them as brands from the fire. No one, no matter how dissipated by sin, was beyond the reach of His redemptive power.179
This is just right. Paul says, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim 1:15). We should agree heartily when MacArthur says every “repentant sinners who surrendered in faith to Christ received full salvation.”180
MacArthur is still wrong to say, “saving faith is an exchange of all we are for all that Christ is,” as noted previously (see the discussion of the “joyous exchange”)181 Yet when he turns to the parable of the vineyard (Matt 20:1–16), he sounds the right note. Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is by grace alone.181 As he notes, grace is not fair. Were it so, none of us would ever enter the Kingdom. He is right to say that God initiates, establishes, and continues our salvation, that God is compassionate toward us sinners,182 and that salvation has personal consequences for us, namely “everyone God redeems is willing to work for Him.”183
Further, in chapter 15, his account of God’s compassion on the lost, a theme really carried over from the previous chapter, is a powerful theme because it is so true to Scripture. Jesus really is the Good Shepherd and he really did leave the ninety-nine, as it were, to come after the one lost sheep.184 Though he does not use the category or the expression “free offer of the gospel,” those who know this aspect of the Reformed tradition will resonate with his account of the Ten Coins and the Two Sons.185 God does reveal himself, in Ezekiel 33:11 (and in many other places), as not desiring the death of the wicked and as rejoicing when one sinner turns. This is a refreshing gospel note in GAJ and a place where confessional Reformed folk should say Amen.
©R. Scott Clark. All Rights Reserved.
NOTES
- GAJ, 151.
- GAJ, 151.
- GAJ, 151.
- GAJ, 152–55.
- GAJ, 156
- GAJ, 155.
- GAJ, 159.
- GAJ, 160–64.
©R. Scott Clark. All Rights Reserved.
RESOURCES
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- The Heidelblog Resource Page
- Heidelmedia Resources
- The Ecumenical Creeds
- The Reformed Confessions
- The Heidelberg Catechism
- Recovering the Reformed Confession (Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2008)
- Why I Am A Christian
- What Must A Christian Believe?
- Heidelblog Contributors
- The Gospel According to John MacArthur
- Heidelcast: Is Confessional Reformed Theology Antinomian?
- Office Hours: The Lordship Controversy Is Back
- Michael Horton, ed., Christ the Lord: The Reformation and Lordship Salvation (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992).
- R. Scott Clark, Lordship Salvation, The Federal Vision, And The Covenant Theology That The Reformation Rejected
- Mike Abendroth, My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 1)
- Mike Abendroth, My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 2): Test Case—The Rich Young Ruler
- Mike Abendroth, My Pilgrimage From “Lordship” to Law/Gospel (part 3): Assurance
- Heidelcast 181: As It Was In The Days Of Noah (24)—We Are Pilgrims Under Christ’s Lordship
- With No Compromise Radio On The Lordship Controversy, QIRE, And The Reformation
- The Gospel According To Jesus, Grace, Salvation, And Sanctification
- Embracing The Reformation Doctrine Of Salvation Is Not “Wearying From The Battle”
- A Faithful Elder Stands Up For The Sheep
- Resources On Dispensationalism
- Resources On the Doctrine of Sanctification And The Third Use Of The Law
- Sanctification Is A Work Of God’s Grace: Resources On Sanctification
- Resources On The Marrow Controversy
- Heidelminicast: Heidelberg Catechism 64—Does Justification Sola Fide Lead To Antinomianism?
- Heidelcast Series: Nomism And Antinomianism
- Antinomianism Is A Serious Error And So Is Nomism
- Ursinus Against The Antinomians, Libertines, And Similar Fanatics Who Deny That The Decalogue Is For Teaching In The Christian Church (Objection 1)
- Resources on the Law/Gospel Distinction
- Calvin On Justification Without The Aid Of Love Or Works
- Heidelcast 95: Reformation Happens
- W. Robert Godfrey, “Faith Formed By Love or Faith Alone?” in Clark, ed. Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry.
- John 3 Might Not Mean What You Think It Does
- Resources On The Controversy Over “Final Salvation Through Works”
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