Moreover, the promise of the gospel is that whosoever believes in Christ crucified shall not perish, but have eternal life. This promise, together with the command to repent and believe, ought to be declared and published to all nations,2 and to all . . . Continue reading →
Free Offer of the Gospel
Calvin On Luke 2:10: God Invites All Indiscriminately To Salvation
For God had promised Christ, not to one person or to another, but to the whole seed of Abraham. If the Jews were deprived, for the most part, of the joy that was offered to them, it arose from their unbelief; just . . . Continue reading →
The Three Points Of Synod Kalamazoo (1924)
Synod, having considered that part of the Advice of the Committee in General which is found in point III under the head: Treatment of the Three Points, comes to the following conclusions The First Point Concerning the first point, touching the favorable . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: The Offer Is Common But Faith Is Not
Let us remember, on the other hand, that while life is promised universally to all who believe in Christ, still faith is not common to all. For Christ is made known and held out to the view of all, but the elect . . . Continue reading →
The Reformed Tradition On The Free Or Well-Meant Offer Of The Gospel
A commenter recently objected that there is no such thing as a Reformed tradition or history of the free or well-meant offer of the gospel. I reply: critics of the Reformed doctrine of the free or well-meant offer are entitled to their . . . Continue reading →
Hyper-Calvinism, Rationalism, and Anti-Predestinarians
By etymology, “hyper-Calvinism” is that doctrine which goes “beyond” (hyper) Calvin. Often, however, it is used incorrectly by critics of predestination to describe anyone who believes in reprobation. If teaching reprobation makes one “hyper-Calvinist” then Calvin would be “hyper-Calvinist” and that’s just . . . Continue reading →
“Common” is Not “Neutral”
An HB Classic
One of the more frequent criticisms of the attempt to appropriate the older Reformed “two kingdoms” (or as Calvin put, “a twofold kingdom”) approach to Reformed ethics for a post-Constantinian setting, as distinct from the “transformationalist” or some versions of neo-Kuyperianism, is . . . Continue reading →
God’s Immutable Purpose In Christ
A Strong Source of Assurance
Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He has out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own . . . Continue reading →
Calvin: God Works Effectually Where The Spirit Illuminates The Heart
At the same time, as he works not effectually in all, but only where the Spirit, the inward teacher, illuminates the heart, he subjoins, to every one who believes. The gospel is indeed offered to all for their salvation but the power . . . Continue reading →
Isaiah 54-55 and the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel
Hywel Jones is a dear friend but more importantly he is a dear preacher of the Gospel. In chapel on Tuesdays he’s been preaching through Isaiah 55 focusing on the well-meant, sincere, offer of the gospel. Here’s a recent message. Here are . . . Continue reading →
The Impetrative Offer of the Gospel in Isaiah 55
“‘Come to me a you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest’ or ‘I will be your rest.’ How good are we at pleading with people? Do people get the impression from us not only that there is a feast but that God wants them there and that you want them there?” Continue reading →
Atonement and Common Grace
How do we reconcile the notion of a limited, personal, substitutionary atonement with a universal non-saving favor? If God is favorably inclined toward all, how can one say that Christ did not die for them? And if Christ did not die for . . . Continue reading →
Getting the Gospel Right: It’s Harder Than It Looks And Simpler Than It Seems
Thanks to WSC student Brenden Link for the latest installment in the WSC video series. This episode features WSC MDiv student Jon Bushnell (class of 2011). Check out our Youtube channel.
Roger Nicole on the Gospel
At Justin Taylor’s blog. This is timely as it was one of the topics we discussed in our adult catechism class this morning at OURC.
John "Rabbi" Duncan on the Free Offer of the Gospel
The Rev. Dr John “Rabbi” Duncan was an outstanding Scottish minister and missionary in the 19th century. Here’s a brief summary of the Reformed doctrine of the free or well-meant offer of the gospel.
Calvin on the Free Offer
Yes, that’s right, Calvin said “offer” (not demand) as in “free” or “well-meant” offer of the gospel. Update 7 Jan 09: For more on this question see ” Janus, the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel, and Westminster Theology,” in David VanDrunen, ed. The . . . Continue reading →
Hyper-Calvinism, Rationalism, and Anti-Predestinarians
By definition, “hyper-Calvinism” is that doctrine which goes “beyond” (hyper) Calvin. Often, however, it is used incorrectly by critics of predestination to describe anyone who believes in reprobation. If teaching reprobation makes one “hyper-Calvinist” then Calvin would be “hyper-Calvinist” and that’s just . . . Continue reading →
Hodge on the Free Offer
At James Durham Thesis.
Rutherford on the Free Offer
At James Durham Thesis
1906 PTR Article on the Marrow Controversy
Thanks to John for the link