IntrotoReformedTheology:

ACalvinistSurvivalGuide

EditedbyJohnHendryx

TableofContents

PartI:IntrotoReformedTheology

Preface-WhatisReformedTheology?

WhataretheFiveSolasandWhatDotheyMean?MonergismFAQ

TheCorruptionofMan,HisConversiontoGodandtheMannerThereofbySynodofDort

ABriefandUntechnicalStatementoftheReformedFaithbyB.B.Warfield

The Reformers' Hermeneutic: Grammatical, Historical, and Christ-Centered byNathanPitchford

TheReformedFaithbyLoraineBoettner

GodGlorifiedinMan'sDependencebyJonathanEdwards

ThePlanofSalvationbyB.B.Warfield

PartII:CalvinisminGeneral

ADefenceofCalvinismbyC.H.Spurgeon

TheFivePointsofCalvinismbyR.L.Dabney

CalvinismTodaybyB.B.Warfield

MoreThanaCalvinistbyJohnNewton

PartIII:TheSovereigntyofGod

God'sSovereigntyintheSalvationofMenbyJonathanEdwards

TheSoleConsideration,thatGodIsGodbyJonathanEdwards

TheSovereigntyofGodbyJohnMurray

TheDoctrineoftheSovereigntyofGodJohnMacleod

God'sSovereigntyDefinedandObjectionsAnsweredbyA.W.Pink

ATestimonytoGod'sFreeandSovereignGracebyC.H.Spurgeon

PartIV:TotalDepravity

Whatdoestheterm“totaldepravity”mean,andisitbiblical?JohnHendryx

TheDeceitfulnessoftheHeartbyDavidBlack(1762-1806)

Man'sUtterInabilitytoRescueHimselfbyThomasBoston

Root,ExtentandProblembyA.W.Pink

HumanInabilitybyC.H.Spurgeon

"IDon'tWantFreeWill"byMartinLuther(Quote)

PartV:UnconditionalElection

What does the term "Unconditional Election"mean? is it biblical?What Are SomecomonObjections?byMonergism

ElectionbyJ.C.Ryle

UnconditionalElectionbyLoraineBoettner

Jacob&EsaubyC.H.Spurgeon

OfElectiontoEverlastingLifebyThomasBoston

ElectingLovebyRobertMurrayM'Cheyne

TheDoctrineofElectionbyJohnCalvin

LettertoWesleyonElectionbyGeorgeWhitefield

PredestinationoftheElectofGodbyFrancisTurretin

PredestinationbyA.A.Hodge

PartVI:LimitedAtonement/ParticularRedemption

What does the term "limited atonement" mean, and does the bible teach it? byMonergism

ScripturalParticularismbyR.B.Kuiper

TheAtonementbyJohnOwen

ADefenceofParticularRedemptionbyWilliamRushton

ACaseforaDefiniteandCompleteAtonementbyFrancisTurretin

ForWhomDidChristDie?byCharlesHodge

LimitedAtonementbyLoraineBoettner

ParticularRedemptionbyC.H.Spurgeon

PartVII:IrresistibleGrace

What Does the term "Irresistible Grace" Mean and Does the Bible teach it?Monergism

IrresistibleGracebyJohnMurray

ADiscourseontheWord,theInstrumentofRegenerationbyStephenCharnock

TheInternalandExternalCallbyWilhelmusaBrakel

EffectualCallingbyThomasWatson

TheRelationshipBetweenIrresistibleGraceandtheAtonementbyJohnHendryx

PartVIII:PreservationoftheSaints

WhatDoes the term"Perseveranceof theSaints"meananddoes theBible teach it?MonergismFAQs

ThePerseveranceoftheSaintsbyLoraineBoettner

TrueGraceDistinguishedfromtheExperienceofDevilsbyJonathanEdwards

ThePreservationoftheSaintsbyJohnSamson

CanaRedeemedPersonApostasizeandBeLost?byA.W.Pink

PartIX:TheOrderofSalvation

Whatdoes“ordosalutis”mean,andwhyisitimportant?byMonergism

CallingandRepentancebyAbrahamKuyper

TheOrdoSalutisbyA.A.Hodge

TheOrderofApplicationbyJohnMurray

AppendiciesCanonsofDort(FullText)

TheCovenantofRedemptionbetweentheFatherandtheRedeemerbyJohnFlavel

TheTheologyoftheReformationbyB.B.Warfield

CalvinisminHistorybyLoraineBoettner

What is thedifferencebetween theCovenantofWorks, theCovenantofGrace, andtheCovenantofRedemption?Monergism

DoctrinesofGrace-CategorizedScriptureListbyNathanPitchford

Copyright

Preface-WhatisReformedTheology?

Reformedtheology...

....isalwaysbeingReformedbytheHolySpiritaccordingtothewordofGod.NotonlyourdoctrinebutourworshipandlifemustbedeterminedbyScriptureandnotbyhumanwhim,creativityorthespiritoftheage.

...presupposes God'sWord alone as our ultimate authority and it testifies thatJesusChrististheprismthroughwhichalllightconcerningGodisreflected.Thismeans thatJesusChrist is thebeginningand theend,better, the starting pointandsummary,ofbothOldandNewTestaments.ReformedTheologydeclaresthatGodinanysensedifferentiatedfromJesusChristisunknowable.

...stresses thesovereigntyofGod, that is,Hisreignoverall things,meticulouslydetermining(Eph1:11)allthatcomestopass(i.e.Godisnevertakenbysurprise).

...warns strictly against having any confidence in the flesh, declaring the utterinabilityoftheunregeneratemantobelievethegospelapartfromtheHolySpirit,andgloriesinChristJesusaloneforallspiritualblessings(John3:37,15:5;Eph1:3),includingHisgivingusanewhearttobelieve(Ezek.36:25-27).

...ephasizesaChrist-Centeredproclamationofthegospel,thatsalvationiswhollyof God, by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as revealed in theScripturealonetotheGloryofGodalone.

...viewstheBibleasaredemptive-historicalorganicunfoldingdramaofrevelationwhichisstructuredbythreecovenants(redemption,worksandgrace).

...grewtogreatermaturityoutofthesixteenth-centuryrevoltagainsttheRomanCatholicchurch.

Those in the Reformed Tradition hold to the doctrines of grace (the five points ofCalvinism),man's helpless condition apart fromChrist, the necessity of evangelismand the work of the Holy Spirit who (monergistically) quickens the dead to lifethrough thepreachingof thewordasGod turning theirheartof stone to flesh, and

openingtheireyestotheexcellenciesofthegospel(unitingthemtoChrist).Inotherwords,ReformedTheologystressesthewaytheobjective,writtenWordtogetherwiththe inner, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit work together. For the Wordwithout the illuminationof theHolySpirit remains a closedbook.We (the church)cast forth theseedof thegospeland theHolySpiritgerminates it, so tospeak,withthebloodofChristbringingforthlifeinpeoplefromeverynation,tribe,language,andpeople(Rev14:6).

“Reformation Theology” is a term designating the theological doctrines andconvictions held in common by the great sixteenth century Protestant reformers,includingMartinLuther,PhilipMelancthon,UldrichZwingli,JohnCalvin,andothers.Although some of these reformers hadwidely varying beliefs in certain areas, theywereneverthelessfirmlyunitedagainsttheteachingsoftheRomanCatholicChurchinsomeveryfoundationaldoctrines.Theyallbelievedthatthescripturesaloneweresufficient to govern all believers in matters of faith and practice, and that thescriptures taught that justification was by grace alone through faith alone in JesusChrist.Likewise,theystressedarobustfederal,orcovenanttheology(seequestions31ff. above), and they held that man's will is wholly bound in sin, and that only theregeneratinggraceoftheHolySpiritcouldgivethefaiththatresultsinjustification.

Perhaps one of the best the best ways to understand the foundational truths thatunitedthesedifferentreformersistoreadthroughthevariouscreedsandconfessionsthatwerecomposed inthesixteenthandseventeenthcenturies.The“three formsofunity,”consistingoftheHeidelbergCatechism,theBelgicConfessionofFaith,andtheCanonsofDort,provideperhapstheclearestexplanationofthecommonfaithofthefirst reformers. Also, the Westminster Standards, including the WestminsterConfession of Faith and the shorter and longer catechisms, were a landmarkseventeenthcenturyworkcodifyingthedoctrinesoftheReformation.

QuotesonReformedTheology:

"Fornon-reformedtheologies..."attheendoftheday,thesecurityofthebelieverfinally rests with the believer. For those in the opposite camp [Reformed], thesecurityofthebelieverfinallyrestswithGod--andthat,Isuggest,rightlytaught,drawsthebelieverbacktoGodhimself,totrustinGod,toarenewedfaiththatisofapiecewithtrustinghiminthefirstplace."-D.A.Carson

Ifourreligionbeofourowngettingormaking, itwillperish;andthesooner itgoes,thebetter;but ifourreligionisamatterofGod'sgiving,weknowthatHeshallnevertakebackwhatHegives,andthat,ifHehascommencedtoworkinus

byHisgrace,Hewillneverleaveitunfinished.-C.H.Spurgeon

"ItisnotforustoimaginethatwecanprovethetruthofChristianitybyourownarguments;nobodycanprovethetruthofChristianityexcepttheHolySpirit,byhis own almighty work of renewing the blinded heart. It is the sovereignprerogativeofChrist'sSpirittoconvincemen'sconsciencesofthetruthofChrist'sgospelandChrist'shumanwitnessesmustlearntogroundtheirhopesofsuccessnotoncleverpresentationofthetruthbyman,butonpowerfuldemonstrationofthetruthbytheSpirit."-J.I.Packer

"Graceisnotlikeaboxofcandythatyoucansendbackifyoudon'twantit.Graceisdivine favor,anattitudeofGod'sownheart.Wecannotstophimfromlovingus, if he chooses to do so. Nor can we stop him from giving us blessings ofsalvation: regeneration, justification, adoption, sanctification, glorification. Hispurposeinuswillcertainlybefulfilled,Phil.1:6,Eph.1:11."-JohnFrame

"LetGodgivewhatHecommands,andcommandwhatHewill."-Augustine,Confessions

"Through freedommancametobe insin,but thecorruptionwhich followedaspunishmentturnedfreedomintonecessity."-Augustine,OnMan'sPerfectionInRighteousness

"Towillisofnature,buttowillarightisofgrace."-Augustine,Sermons

"Godbidsusdowhatwecannot,thatwemayknowwhatweoughttoseekfromhim."-Augustine,OnGraceAndFreeWill

"LetustakeheedwebenotcompelledtobelievethatAlmightyGodwouldhaveanythingdonewhichdothnotcometopass."-Augustine,Enchiridion

"Gracedoesnotdestroythewillbutratherrestoresit."-Augustine,OnGraceAndFreeWill

"Whodoesnottrembleatthesejudgments,whereGodworkseveninevilmen'shearts,whateverhewills,yetrenderstothemaccordingtotheirdeserts?"-Augustine,OnGraceAndFreeWill

"NomaneverbelieveswithatrueandsavingfaithunlessGodinclineshisheart;andnomanwhenGoddoesinclinehisheartcanrefrainfrombelieving."-BlaisePascal

"Electiondoesnotinanywaydependontheforeseenfaithorgoodworksofman,as theArminians teach, but exclusively on the sovereign goodpleasure ofGod,whoisalsotheoriginatoroffaithandgoodworks.IfGodowedtheforgivenessofsinandeternallifetoallmen,itwouldbeaninjusticeifHesavedonlyalimitednumberofthem.Butthesinnerhasabsolutelynorightorclaimontheblessingswhich flow from divine election. As a matter of fact he has forfeited theseblessings.NotonlyhavewenorighttocallGodtoaccountforelectingsomeandpassingothersby...,butwemustadmitthatHewouldhavebeenperfectlyjustifHehadnotsavedany."-LouisBerkhofSystematicTheology,PartI,Predestination

"Ifdamnationbejustice,thenmercymaychooseitsownobject."-JonathanEdwards

"Oh,myreader,benotdeceivedon thisvitalmatter; tomortify the lustsof theflesh,tobecrucifieduntotheworld,toovercometheDevil,todiedailyuntosinandliveuntorighteousness,tobemeekandlowlyinheart,trustfulandobedient,piousandpatient,faithfulanduncompromising,lovingandgentle;inaword,tobe a Christian, to be Christ-like, is a task far, far beyond the poor resources offallenhumannature."-A.W.Pink,fromSavingFaith

"Justasthesinner'sdespairofanyhopefromhimselfisthefirstprerequisiteofasoundconversion,sothelossofallconfidenceinhimselfisthefirstessentialinthebeliever'sgrowthingrace."-A.W.Pink

"Whenthebelieversinshedoesnotforfeiteternallife,andwhy?Becauseitisagift -a freegift fromGod.Hecoulddonothing tomerit thisgift (ifhecould, itwouldceasetobeagift:insuchacaseitwouldbeareward),consequently,hecandonothingtodemeritit."-A.W.Pink

Note on Pink's quote: "In fact, those who believe a person can lose theirsalvation deny Christ. Such a person does not believe the work of Christ issufficientorenoughtosavehimtotheuttermost,andassuch,arestilltrustingintheirownrighteousness.ifapastoristeachinghiscongregationthattheycanlosetheirsalvationbycommittingsuchandsuchasin,theyare,infact,declaringthatsalvationisbyworks,notbyChr...istalone.This isplaying inthefireandwhile

Christmaysavehearersinspiteofthemessenger,yetbelievingthatmessageasis,isdamnable.ItisthesameerrorthatthebookofHebrewswarnsagainst.ThatepistlesaysChrist isbetterthanMoses,theAngels,theLeviticalpriesthoodandthe sacrifices. It's warning are to never go backwards in redemptive history tothese shadows because they pointed forward to Christ,who fulfilled them. Theseverest warnings were given here.What was their sin? To trust in somethingotherthanChristalone(likesacrificialbulls)."(JohnH.)

Godknowethwehavenothingofourselves,thereforeinthecovenantofgraceherequireth nomore than he giveth, and givethwhat he requireth, and acceptethwhathegiveth.-RichardSibbes

"TruthsandprospectsarealreadycontainedinthewordofGod;butwithoutthelightoftheSpirittheyarenotdiscerned."-JohnNewton

The God who gives the commandments is first of all the Saviour who hasdeliveredhispeoplefrombondage(Exod.20:1-2)."-WilliamStill

You did not make the cross effective in your life by faith. The cross becameeffectiveinourlifebypurchasingyourfaith.-JohnPiper

"TosupposethatwhateverGodrequirethofusthatwehavepowerofourselvestodo,istomakethecrossandgraceofJesusChristofnoneeffect."-JohnOwen

"Some make man God's co-worker, to ratify election by his consent. Thus,accordingtothem,man'swillissuperiortoGod'splan.AsifScripturetaughtthatwearemerelygiventheabilitytobelieve,andnot,rather,faithitself!"-JohnCalvin,InstitutesChXXIV.3

"Indeed theWord ofGod is like the sun, shining upon all those towhom it isproclaimed,butwithnoeffectamongtheblind.Now,allofusareblindbynatureinthisrespect...Accordingly,itcannotpenetrateintoourmindsunlesstheSpirit,astheinnerteacher,throughhisilluminationmakesentryforit."JohnCalvinInstitutes3.2.34

"If people mean [by free will] that man has in himself the power to work inpartnershipwithGod'sgracetheyaremostwretchedlydeludingthemselves.--JohnCalvin,InstituteseditedbyJohnT.McNeill,Volume1chap3.11page306

"NobodywhohasnottheSpiritofGodcanseeajotofwhatisintheScriptures.Allmenhavetheirheartsdarkened,sothatevenwhentheycandiscussandquoteall that isin Scripture, they do not understand or really know it... The Spirit isneededfortheunderstandingofallScriptureandeverypartofScripture."-MartinLutherTheBondageOfTheWill

"AmanwhohasnopartinthegraceofGod,cannotkeepthecommandmentsofGod,orpreparehimself,eitherwhollyorinpart,toreceivegrace;butherestsofnecessityunderthepowerofsin."-MartinLuther

"Thewillofmanwithoutgrace isnot free,but isenslaved,andthattoowith itsownconsent."-MartinLuther

"Itisfalsethatthewill,lefttoitself,candogoodaswellasevil,foritisnotfree,butinbondage."-MartinLuther

[Erasmusasks]"ifwecandonothing,towhatpurposearesomanylaws,somanyprecepts, so many threatenings, and so many promises?"— Paul here givesanswer:"Bythelawistheknowledgeofsin."Hisanswerisfardifferentfromthatwhichwouldenterthethoughtsofman,orof"Free-will.Hedoesnotsay,bythelawis,proved"Free-will,"because itco-operateswith ituntorighteousness.Forrighteousnessisnotbythelaw,but,"bythelawistheknowledgeofsin:"seeingthat,theeffect,thework,andtheofficeofthe...law,istobealighttotheignorantandtheblind;suchalight,asdiscoverstothemdisease,sin,evil,death,hell,andthewrathofGod; though! itdoesnotdeliver from these,but shews themonly.Andwhenamanisthusbroughttoaknowledgeofthediseaseofsin,heiscastdown,isafflicted,naydespairs:thelawdoesnothelphim,muchlesscanhehelphimself.Anotherlightisnecessary,whichmightdiscovertohimtheremedy.Thisis thevoiceof theGospel, revealingChristas theDeliverer fromall theseevils.Neither"Free-will"norreasoncandiscoverHim.AndhowshoulditdiscoverHim,whenitisitselfdarkanddevoidevenofthelightofthelaw,whichmightdiscoverto it itsdisease,whichdisease, in itsownlight itseethnot,butbelieves it tobesoundhealth."-MartinLuther

Nexttimeyouhaveanexchangewithafriendwhoaffirms"libertarianfreewill',askhimorherifapersoncancometofaithinJesusChristapartfromthegraceofGod. Ifhesays"no" thenyouhave justdemonstrated thathedoesnotreallybelieveinlibertarianfreewill,for,whydoesheneedthegraceofGodifhiswillis

alreadyfree?-JohnHendryx

"[fallenman]cannotfindGodforthesamereasonthatathiefcan'tfindapoliceofficer."-MichaelHorton

"...ifanyonemakestheassistanceofgracedependonthehumilityorobedienceofmananddoesnot agree that it is a gift of grace itself thatweareobedient andhumble, he contradicts theApostlewho says, "What have you that you did notreceive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor.15:10).-CouncilofOrangeCanon6

"Thewickedest of enemies ofGod are only axes and saws and hammers in hishands,andareignorantlyhisinstrumentsfordoinghisworkintheworld."-J.C.Ryle

"Godisworkingouthiseternalpurpose,notonlyinspiteofhumanandsatanicopposition,butbymeansofthem."-A.W.Pink

"There is a defect even in man's will. Sin has affected the whole of man. Ourfailure toappreciate thepowerofGod inourveryactofbelieving isdue toourfailure to realize thedevastating effect of theFall. Itmarred anddefacedGod'simage inus,with the inevitable consequences thatourmindsandwillsbecamedefiled."-MartynLloyd-Jones

"HowmayIknowI'melect?[i.e.thatGodhasdoneaworkofgraceinme]First,by theWord of God having come in divine power to the soul so thatmy self-complacencyisshatteredandmyself-righteousnessisrenounced.Second,bytheHoly Spirit convicting me of my woeful, guilty, and lost condition. Third, byhaving had revealed tome the suitability and sufficiency of Christ tomeetmydesperate case and by a divinely given faith causingme to lay hold of and restuponHimasmyonlyhope.Fourth,bythemarksofthenewnaturewithinme-alove for God; an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seekingafterconformitytoChrist.Fifth,bytheresistancewhichthenewnaturemakestotheold,causingmetohatesinandloathemyselfforit..."-A.W.Pink

"IfIreallybelievethat"all things"are forGod'sgloryandbyHis invincibleandperfect will, then I shall receive submissively, yea, thankfully, whatsoever He

ordainsandsendsme."-A.W.Pink

"IfIreallybelievethat"all things"are forGod'sgloryandbyHis invincibleandperfect will, then I shall receive submissively, yea, thankfully, whatsoever Heordainsandsendsme."-A.W.Pink

"To be Christians under the law of grace does not mean to wander unbridledoutsidethelaw,buttobeengraftedinChrist,bywhosegracewearefreefromthecurseofthelaw,andbywhoseSpiritwehavethelawengraveduponourhearts."--JohnCalvin

"Ifpeoplemeanthatmanhas inhimself thepower towork inpartnershipwithGod'sgracetheyaremostwretchedlydeludingthemselves."JOHNCALVIN-JohnCalvin

"I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men forwhom it was intended, than a universal atonement that is not efficacious foranybody,exceptthewillofmenbeaddedtoit."-C.H.Spurgeon

"Theultimate tragedyofman'sself-understanding is thathebelieveshimself tobefree,hasallthefeelingsofafreeagent,butdoesnotrealizethatheisaslavetosinandservesthewillofSatan."-SinclairFerguson

"My advice to young Calvinists is to learn your theology from the historicmainstream Calvinist authors, not from blogs and discussion forums on theInternet.Someoftheforumsmaybehelpful inpointingyoutomoreimportantresources."-PhilJohnson

"ArminianssaythattheAugustiniantraditionsubordinatestheloveofGodtothewill ofGod ...But this isnotwhatdistinguishes theAugustinian tradition fromtheArminian tradition.Thedistinction isbetween intensive andextensive love,between an intensive love that saves its loved ones, and an extensive love thatloveseveryoneingeneralandsavesnooneinparticular.Orifyoureallywishtocastthis intermsofwillpower, it'sthedistinctionbetweendivinewillpowerandhuman willpower. Or, to put the two together, does God will the salvation ofeveryone with a weak-willed, ineffectual love, or does God love his loved oneswith a resolute will that gets the job done? The God of Calvin is the goodshepherd,whonamesandnumbershissheep,whosavesthelostsheepandfends

offthewolf.TheGodofWesleyisthehireling,whoknowsnottheflockbynameand number, who lets the sheep go astray and be eaten by the wolf.Which ismoreloving,Iask?"-SteveHays

WhattheArminianwantstodoistoarouseman'sactivity:whatwewanttodoistokillitonceforall-toshowhimthatheislostandruined,andthathisactivitiesare not now at all equal to thework of conversion; that hemust look upward.Theyseektomakethemanstandup:weseektobringhimdown,andmakehimfeel that there he lies in the hand of God, and that his business is to submithimself to God, and cry aloud, 'Lord, save, or we perish.'We hold thatman isneversoneargraceaswhenhebeginstofeelhecandonothingatall.Whenhesays,'Icanpray,Icanbelieve,Icandothis,andIcandotheother,'marksofself-sufficiencyandarroganceareonhisbrow.-C.H.Spurgeon

"Faith isnotourphysician; itonlybringsustothePhysician.It isnotevenourmedicine; it only administers the medicine, divinely prepared by Him whohealeth all our diseases. In all our believing, let us remember God's word toIsrael: I am Jehovah, that healeth thee (Exod. 14:26). Our faith is but ourtouchingJesus;andwhatiseventhis,inreality,butHistouchingus?"-HoratiusBonar

Faithcanexpiatenoguilt;canaccomplishnopropitiation;canpaynopenalty;canwashawaynostain;canprovidenorighteousness.Itbringsustothecross,wherethere is expiation, and propitiation, and payment, and cleansing, andrighteousness;butinitselfithasnomeritandnovirtue."-HoratiusBonar

"Faithitself isman'sactorworkandistherebyexcludedfrombeinganypartofhis justifying righteousness. It isone thing tobe justifiedby faithmerelyasaninstrumentbywhichmanreceivestherighteousnessofChrist,andanothertobejustifiedFOR faith as an act orwork of the law. If a sinner, then, relies onhisactingsof faithorworksof obedience to anyof the commandsof the law for atitletoeternallife,heseekstobejustifiedbyworksofthelawasmuchasifhisworks were perfect. If he depends either in whole or in part, on his faith andrepentance for a right to any promised blessing, he thereby so annexes thatpromisetothecommandstobelieveandrepentastoformthemforhimselfintoa covenant of works. Building his confidence before God upon his faith,repentance and other acts of obedience, he places them inChrist's stead as hisgrounds of right to the promise and so he demonstrates himself to be of theworksofthelawandsobeunderthecurse."Galatians3:10-JohnColquhoun(ATreatiseonLawandtheGospel)

"God ... as he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, actuallyworkethfaithandrepentancetous,givesthemuntous,bestowsthemonus;sothat they are mere effects of his grace in us. And his working in us infalliblyproduceth the effect intended, because it is actual faith that heworks, and notonlyapowertobelieve."-JohnOwen

"Asgraceledmetofaithinthefirstplace,sogracewillkeepmebelievingtotheend.Faith,bothinitsoriginandcontinuance,isagiftofgrace."-J.I.Packer

Ezekiel36saysoftheSpirit'swork,"AndIwillgiveyouanewheart,andanewspiritIwillputwithinyou.AndIwillremovetheheartofstonefromyourfleshandgiveyouaheartofflesh.AndIwillputmySpiritwithinyou,andcauseyoutowalkinmystatutesandbecarefultoobeymyrules."-Ez36:25-27

"And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of youroffspring,sothatyouwill lovetheLORDyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoul,thatyoumaylive."-Deut30:6

Unwarrantedconfidenceinhumanabilityisaproductoffallenhumannature...God's grace in Christ is notmerely necessary but is the sole efficient cause ofsalvation. We confess that human beings are born spiritually dead and areincapable even of cooperating with regenerating grace. We reaffirm that insalvationwearerescuedfromGod'swrathbyhisgracealone.ItisthesupernaturalworkoftheHolySpiritthatbringsus toChristbyreleasingus fromourbondage tosinandraisingus fromspiritualdeath to spiritual life.Wedeny that salvation is inanysenseahumanwork. Human methods, techniques or strategies by themselves cannotaccomplish this transformation. Faith is not produced by our unregeneratedhumannature.-CambridgeDeclaration

TheCovenantofWorksandtheCovenantofGrace"For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that thepersonwhodoesthecommandmentsshalllivebythem(Ro10:5).[but]Theverycommandment that promised life proved to be death to me (Ro 7:10) "Forwhoeverkeepsthewholelawbutfailsinonepointhasbecomeaccountableforallofit."(Jas2:10)"ForGod[sent]hisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulflesh...inorderthattherighteousrequirementofthelawmightbefulfilledinus"(Ro8:3-4)

Perfect law-keeping is required to merit eternal life. But the law brings deathbecauseweallhavefailedtokeepit,saveforJesusChristwhowas"bornunderthelaw"andfulfilled its righteous requirements on our behalf. Praise be to God. - JohnHendryx

In God's economy both moral and immoral people are equally alienated fromGod.Thismaybe counter-intuitive but it is often the case that goodness keepspeople fromGod. In factmanypeopleavoidJesusbyavoidingsinbecause theyaretryingtobecometheirownsaviors...attemptingtojustifythemselves.Christcallsustorepentofbothourgoodandbadworks,forwehavenorighteousnessofourown.-JohnHendryx

"Regeneration isexpresslydenied tobeof thewillof the flesh,orof thewillofman(John1:13),andisascribedtoGodhimself.NotallmenhavefaithinChrist;andthosewhodohaveit,haveitnotofthemselves;itisthegiftofGod,workedoutthroughtheRedemptionwhichis inChristthroughthemightyoperationofhisSpirit,whichisthefruitandeffectofHisinvinciblegrace."-JohnHendryx

"...the Lord Christ fulfilled the whole law for us; He did not only undergo thepenaltyofitdueuntooursins,butalsoyieldedthatperfectobediencewhichitdidrequire...Christ'sfulfillingofthelaw,inobedienceuntoitscommands,isnolessimputeduntousforourjustificationthanHisundergoingthepenaltyofitis."-JohnOwen

Dr.RobertL.ReymonddefinestheactiveobedienceofChristas:"Christ's full obedience to all the prescriptions of the divine law…[making]available a perfect righteousness before the law that is imputed or reckoned tothosewhoputtheirtrustinhim.

Dr.RobertL.ReymonddefinesthepassiveobedienceofChristas:"[Christ's] willing obedience in bearing all the sanctions imposed by that lawagainst his people because of their transgression…[being] the ground of God'sjustificationofsinners(Rom.5:9),bywhichdivineacttheyarepardoned…"

"Everyplant thatmyheavenlyFatherhasnotplantedwill be rootedup" -Matt15:13

Whatarethe"FiveSolas,"andWhatdotheyMean?

The“fivesolas”isatermusedtodesignatefivegreatfoundationalrallyingcriesofthe

Protestant reformers. They are as follows: “Sola Scriptura” (Scripture Alone); “SolaGratia”(GraceAlone);“SolaFide”(FaithAlone);“SolusChristus”(ChristAlone);and“SoliDeoGloria”(ToGodAloneBeGlory).

These“fivesolas”weredevelopedinresponsetospecificperversionsofthetruththatwere taughtby thecorruptRomanCatholicChurch.TheRomanChurch taught thatthe foundation for faith and practice was a combination of the scriptures, sacredtradition,andtheteachingsofthemagisteriumandthepope;buttheReformerssaid,“No,ourfoundationissolascriptura”.TheCatholicChurchtaughtthatwearesavedthroughacombinationofGod'sgrace,themeritsthatweaccumulatethroughpenanceandgoodworks,andthesuperfluityofmeritsthatthesaintsbeforeusaccumulated;the reformers responded, “sola gratia”. The Catholic Church taught that we arejustifiedby faith and theworks thatwe produce,which the righteousness thatGodinfuses in us through faith brings about. The reformers responded, “No, we arejustifiedbyfaithalone,whichlaysholdofthealienrighteousnessofChristthatGodfreelycreditstotheaccountofthosewhobelieve”.TheCatholicChurchtaughtthatwearesavedby themeritsofChrist and the saints, and thatweapproachGod throughChrist, the saints, and Mary, who all pray and intercede for us. The Reformersresponded, “No, we are saved by the merits of Christ Alone, and we come to GodthroughChristAlone”.TheCatholicChurchadheredtowhatMartinLuthercalledthe“theologyofglory”(inoppositiontothe“theologyofthecross”),inwhichthegloryforasinner'ssalvationcouldbeattributedpartlytoChrist,partlytoMaryandthesaints,andpartlytothesinnerhimself.Thereformersresponded,“No,theonlytruegospelisthatwhichgivesallglorytoGodalone,asistaughtinthescriptures.”

Today,theCatholicChurchteachesthesameessentialperversionsoftruth;andmuchofProtestantismhasseenaregresstomanyofthesamecorruptions,inmanycirclesand denominations. It is a pressing need for Christians everywhere to reaffirm andchampion anew the “five solas”which underlay and gave impetus to the ProtestantReformation.

TerryJohnson,aPCApastorinGeorgiaexplainsthefivessolaslikethis:

ScriptureAloneBywhatmeansdowedetermine the faithandpracticeof the church?Thiswasprobably the fundamental battle between the Reformers and the churchauthorities.Thepositionofthe lateMedievalchurchwas that faithandpracticewas to be determined by the Bible plus the tradition of the church. "Tradition"includedahostofextra-biblicalpracticesandbeliefswhichhadbeenreceivedintothechurchoverthecenturieswhetherbycommonacceptanceorbythedecisionsof Popes and councils. Against the position the Reformers said sola scriptura.Scripturealoneistodeterminewhatwebelieveandwhatwepractice.

LuthersetthetonefortheReformationattheDietofWormsinApril1521.TherebeforetheassemblyoftheGermanPrincesandtheEmperoroftheHolyRomanEmpireLuther's theologywas examinedand condemned. Itwasdemanded thatherecant.Asthehearingscametotheirdramaticclose,Lutherwasasked:

Martin,howcanyouassumethatyouaretheonlyonetounderstandthesenseofScripture?Would you put your judgement above that of somany famousmenand claim that you know more than they all? You have no right to call intoquestion themostholyorthodox faith, institutedbyChrist theperfect lawgiver,proclaimedthroughouttheworldbytheapostles,sealedby theredbloodof themartyrs,confirmedbythesacredcouncils,definedbytheChurchinwhichallourfathersbelieveduntildeathandgavetousasaninheritance,andwhichnowweare forbidden by the pope and the emperor to discuss lest there be no end ofdebate.

Then finallyknowing thathis lifeprobablydependeduponhowheanswered, itwasputtohim,

Iask you,Martin - answer candidly andwithout horns - do you or do you notrepudiateyourbooksandtheerrorswhichtheycontain?

Lutheranswered:Since thenyourMajestyandyour lordshipsdesirea simple reply, Iwill answerwithout horns andwithout teeth.Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plainreason - I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they havecontradictedeachother-myconscience iscaptivetotheWordofGod.Icannotand Iwill not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right norsafe.HereIstand.Icannotdootherwise.Godhelpme.Amen.

Evangelicalsare thrilledbyLuther'swordsbecauseweendeavor tostandwherehestood.WebelievethatGod's"infallible"word(asLuthercalledit)is"theruleoffaithandpractice"(WestminsterConfessionofFaith,I.2.).

Everycorruption of biblical Christianity begins by compromising this principle.EverydeviationfromChristianityasChristandtheApostlesestablisheditbeginsbyaddingtotheBibleorbytakingawayfromit.ForthemallitistheBibleplusorminussomething.

For Christian Science, it is the Bible plus Mary Baker Eddy's Key. For theMormons it is the Book of Mormon. For the Jehovah's Witnesses it is theWatchtower.FortheSeventhDayAdventistsitistherevelationsofEllenWhite.FortheRomanCatholic,itistradition.Formanymodernists,itiscommonsense,

logic, or the latest scientific discoveries. Calvin's question of all extra biblicalpracticesandbeliefs is this: "bywhatwordofGod,bywhat revelation,bywhatexample,isthisdone"(InstitutesIIIV.10).UnlessitcomesfromtheHolyWrit,ithasnoplace in thechurch.Scripturealonedeterminesour faith andpractice.To depart from this position is to be guilty of the sins of the Pharisees who,"neglectingthecommandmentsofGod...holdtothetraditionsofmen"(Mark7:8).

This is why the Reformers translated the Scripture into the language of thepeople,andwhywecontinuetoencouragetheso-calledlaitytostudytheirBiblesforthemselves.

Authority in the church is not based upon creeds or councils or clerics, notcommonsense,logic,intuition,scienceorevennewrevelation.Scripturealone-theinfallible,inerrant,completelysufficientwrittenwordofGodisouronlyruleoffaithandpractice.

ChristAloneWhere do these Scriptures everywhere and always direct us? To Jesus Christalone! "Howmayapersonbe in therightbeforeGod,"Jobasked(9:2).This isthe fundamental question of human existence - the question of the ages, thequestion of all questions. Universally people know that God exists. UniversallythereisasensethatHeisnotpleasedandsomethingmustbedonetopleaseHim(Romans 1). The history of religion is the history of attempts to do so. Somereligions direct one toward an "internal" sacrifice such as enlightened moralconduct or ascetic practices such as prayer, fasting, and physical deprivation inorder to please the deity.Others devise "external" sacrifices, such as human oranimalbloodsacrifices, inorder to satisfyGodandbegin the journeydown theroadofsalvation,whatevertheparticularreligionmayconceiveofthattobe.TheproblemwithapproachingGodonthesetermsisthatoneneversenses thatonehasdoneenough.ThereremainsthenaggingrealityofGod'sdisfavor.

In this respect theMedieval church wasmuch like the rest of the religions ofmankind.TheaveragecitizenofChristendomviewedGodasunapproachableandunappeasable.ByhisworkshedidallhecouldtopleaseGod.Heattendedchurch.He kept his 10 commandments. He observed the church calendar. He helpedthoseinneed.Butforallofthat,itwasneverenough.

Soheenlistedhelp.HefeltunworthytoapproachGodonhisownsoheprayedthrough priests, never directly. Still, it was not enough. Though he said hisprayers, though he visited shrines and relics, though he purchased indulgencespromisingtheforgivenessofsins, thechurchtaughttherewouldstillawaithim

hundredsandthousandsofyearsinPurgatory.

With great zeal the Reformers jettisoned the vast bulk of this religious systemandproclaimedinitsplaceSolusChristus,byChristalonewearesaved.Bythistheymeant,

1.Christ'ssacrificealone.

Thereisnoothersatisfactorywaytodealwithone'sguilt.ThereisnootherwaytoberightandreconciledtoGod.Thereisnootherway,noothertruth,noothervalidapproach toGod.His sacrifice alone can remove theguilt that liesbehindmyguiltyfeelings.ThiswasthepositionoftheReformersandasdifficultasthisis tomaintain inour relativistic age, it remains conviction today. Jesus said,AIamtheway,thetruth,andthelife,noonecomestotheFatherbutbyMe"(John14:16).

Peterpreachedthat,

There issalvation innooneelse; for there isnoothernameunderheaven thathasbeengivenamongmen,bywhichwemustbesaved.(Acts4:12)

JesusChristis theonlySavior forsinners.We,withthem, looktonootherandpresentnoother.ThewritertotheHebrewssays,

ButHehaving offered one sacrifice for sins for all times, sat down at the righthandofGod(Hebrew10:12,cf.Hebrew7:27).

Hisatoningsacrificewasaonceforallaccomplishment.InHisdeathHeborethesins of the whole world in the whole of history. It needs no supplementation.Nothingmaybeaddedtoit.Itistotallysufficientforallofoursins.

BecausetheScriptureteachesthis,theReformersrejectedtheMedievalconceptof the mass as a re-sacrificing of Christ, or even as a re-enactment of thatSacrifice, because His death was once for all. It need never be repeated. Theyrejectedthesaleof"indulgences,"wherebyonecouldpurchasethebenefitsofthe"merits of the saints" toward the remission of one's sins. One need not go tosaints formerits (even if theyhad any; they don't), becauseChrist'smerits aresufficient. They rejected thedoctrine ofPurgatory,where the souls of believersareallegedtogotobepurgedoftheguiltandstainofunpaid(orunatoned) forsins.InChristtherearenounpaidforsins.Hissacrificeisforallsinsforalltime.Theyrejectedprayersforthedead,becauseasCalvinputit"theentirelawandthegospeldonotfurnishsomuchasasinglesyllabletoprayforthedead"(III.V.10).

Theydidnotpray for thedeadbecause thedeadare in eternity. Their future issealed.EitherbyChrist'ssacrificetheyareinHeavenorbecauseofrejectingHimtheyhavedescendedintotheAbyss.Hissacrificewasonce forallandsufficientforalloursins!

2.Christ'smediationalone.

Wereadin1Timothy2:5that"thereisonemediatorbetweenGodandman,theman Jesus Christ." Likewise from Hebrews 7:24, "He always lives to makeintercession" forHis people. Towhomdo I turn to getwhat I need fromGod?Who can assist me in my search for the forgiveness of my sins, and peace ofconscience? The answer of the Reformation and of the Scriptures andEvangelicals today is "Christ alone." He alone mediates the blessings ofredemption.Healonejustifies.Healonedeclaresusforgiven.Healonesanctifies.He alone adopts us into the family of God. I go directly to God through JesusChrist.Ineednocelestialmediators,suchasangels,orsaints,orMary.Ineednoearthlymediatorssuchasclergymenandpriests.

Thus, theReformers affirmed the priesthood of all believers. Each believer hastherightofdirectaccesstoGodinChrist.Petersaysweare"aroyalpriesthood"(1Peter2:9).JohnsaysChrist"hasmadeustobeakingdom,prieststoHisGodandFather" (Revelation 1:6). Our privilege, joy and right is to go directly to GodthroughJesusChristwithoutthehelpofanycreatedbeing.TheRomanCatholicchurchmay be the singlemost important force for good in our world today. IthankGodfortheuncompromisingstandthatithastakenonavarietyofmoralissues, especially in the area of sexual ethics. But when Pope John Paul IIdismissesthe"widespreadideathatonecanobtainforgivenessdirectlyfromGod"and continues to exhort the faithful to confess their sins more often to theirpriests,wemustcontinuetosayinreturnthattoChristaloneweconfessoursinsandbyChristaloneweareforgiven.WhenthePopecontinuestosay"Maryisthesourceofourfaithandourhope,"wemustcontinuetosayinresponsethatourhope "is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." He alonemakes us partakers of the blessings of redemption. He alone is the Savior. HealoneistheMediator.ForthesetasksHeisentirelysufficientandwithoutneedofassistance.WeEvangelicalslooknottothesaints,buttoJesusChristalone.

FaithAloneWhat must I do to receive what Christ accomplished on the cross? Lutherstruggledwiththisquestionformorethan10years.InJulyof1505,attheageof21,whilecaughtoutinarainstormhewassuddenlyhitbyalighteningbolt.Inaflashhesawhorriblevisionsof fiends inHellandinterrorcriedout, "St.Anne,

helpme!Iwillbecomeamonk."

ThatweekLutherenteredthemonasteryandbegantherehispilgrimageinsearchoftheassuranceofGod'sloveandfavorandescapefromtheterrorsofHiswrathand hell. An earnest young man, he thought that through ascetic practices hemightpleaseGod.Hefasted.Heprayed.Hesleptwithoutblankets.Hedeprivedhimselfofallworldlycomfortsandpleasures.Yetallhedidseemedtofallshort.Allhis efforts couldnot compensate for theweight ofhis guilt.He could senseonlyGod'sangeranddispleasure.Helatersaid,"Ifeveramonkgottoheavenbymonkery,itwasI."Yethisbestefforts,hisgreatestworks,werenotenough.

InNovemberof 1510he journeyed toRome, the "HolyCity,"wherehe thoughtsurely hewould findpeacewith hismaker. There he sought to appropriate themeritsofthesaints.Heviewedrelics.HeconductedmassesandherepeatedthePaterNoster.HevisitedtheHolysites.Whileheearnedconsiderablemeritsfromthe "treasury of the saints," he still could sense no satisfaction. Still, he feltalienatedfromGod.WhilecrawlingonhiskneesupthesupposedstepsofPilatesPalace,sayingthePaterNosteroneachstep,hearrivedatthetopandsaid, "whoknowswhetheritisso."

April, 1511Lutherwas transferred toWittenburg.Therehebegan to seekpeacewith God through the confession of sins. And confess his sins, he would,sometimesforuptosixhoursaday,terrifiedthatheshouldforgetevenone.

Seeingthe futilityof thisapproachhe thenbegantostudy theGermanMystics.Theirwritings urgedhim to stop striving. Instead theyurged that he surrenderhimself to the love of God. He must yield. He must surrender all ego and allassertiveness.HemustletgoandletGoddoitforhim.Luthernowwascomingclose to the answer, but not quite. It would work for a while. He would feelhimselfatpeacewithGodandwithhimselfforaseason.Andthenitwouldcrash.Againhewouldfallundertheburdenofhisguilt.God'sangerwastoogreat!Thedistancewastoofar!TheHolyGodcouldnotbesatisfiedwithanyofhisefforts.

TheturningpointcamewhenhewasaskedtostudyforhisdoctorateandtotakethechairofBiblicalStudiesattheUniversityatWittenburg.Themorehestudied,theclearerthegospelbecame.HetaughtthePsalms(1513),thenRomans(1515),and then Galatians (1516). Yet he continued to wrestle with the phrase "thejusticeofGod,"whichhe took tomeanGodexactingHispoundof flesh,whicheveryoneowedbutnoonecouldescape.Finally,Lutherhadwhathascometobeknownashis"TowerExperience,"whereat longlasthecametounderstandthegospel.Letuspickuphisownaccountofhisconversion:

IgreatlylongedtounderstandPaul'sepistletotheRomansandnothingstoodinthewaybutthatoneexpression,AthejusticeofGod,"becauseItookittomeanthat justice whereby God is just and deals justly in punishing the unjust. Mysituationwasthat,althoughanimpeccablemonk,IstoodbeforeGodasasinnertroubled in conscience, and I had no confidence that my merit would assuageHim.ThereforeIdidnot lovea justangryGod,butratherhatedandmurmuredagainstHim.YetIclungtothedearPaulandhadagreatyearningtoknowwhathemeant.

NightanddayIpondereduntilIsawtheconnectionbetweenthe justiceofGodand the statement that Athe just shall live by faith." Then I grasped that thejusticeofGodisthatrighteousnessbywhichthroughgraceandsheermercyGodjustifiesusthroughfaith.ThereuponIfeltmyselftoberebornandtohavegonethroughopendoorsintoparadise.ThewholeofScripturetookonanewmeaning,andwhereasbeforeAthejusticeofGod"hadfilledmewithhate,nowitbecametomeinexpressiblysweetingreaterlove.ThispassageofPaulbecametomeagatetoheaven....

IfyouhaveatruefaiththatChristisyourSavior,thenatonceyouhaveagraciousGod,forfaithleadsyouinandopensupGod'sheartandwill,thatyoushouldseepuregraceandshouldlookuponHisfatherly,friendlyheart,inwhichthereisnoangernorungraciousness.HewhoseesGodasangrydoesnotseeHimrightlybutlooksonlyonacurtain,asifadarkcloudhadbeendrawnacrosshisface.(RolandBainton,HereIStand,p.65)

EvangelicalsstandwithLutherandtheReformersbecausethistoohasbeenourexperience.What must I do to receive what Christ alone accomplished on thecross?Goodworks?Religiousworks?Socialworks?No!Never!Whatwemustdoisbelieve.ThisiswhattheBiblehastaughtusandwhatwehavefoundtobetrue.ItistheoneAwhodoesnotworkbutbelieves"whoissaved(Romans4:5).Itisbyfaithalonethatwearesaved.ItisbyfaithalonethatwereceiveChrist'swordandforgivenessandassuranceofeternallife.

Whataboutourworks?WhataboutkeepingtheTenCommandments,attendingchurch, beinghelpful to others, anddoing one's best? Isn't it faith plusworks?Don't they contribute? We say with Calvin, "Assuredly we do deny that injustifyingamantheyareworthonesinglestraw."

Why should God let you into heaven? Evangelicals continue to answer, onlybecauseofwhatChristhasdoneforyouonthecrosswhichyouhavereceivednotbecause of any goodworks but through empty-handed, beggarly faith. So againwhenJohnPaulIIsays"Itwouldbe. . .foolish,aswellaspresumptuous. . . to

claimtoreceive forgivenesswhiledoingwithout the sacramentofpenance,"wemustrespond"whoeverbelievesinHimshallnotperish."Itisbyfaithaloneapartfromworksthatwearesaved.

GraceAloneLestonebetemptedtoclaimcreditforyourfaith,theReformerssaidinadditionto"faithalone"thatwearesavedby"gracealone."TheReformerssawthattostopat"faithalone"couldhavetheeffectofturningfaithintoawork.Inotherwords,iftheonerequiredresponsetoChristisfaith,andwearesavedbecausewehavefaith, then doesn't faith become a sort of work? It is an effortless work, butneverthelessawork,theexercisingofwhichearnsussalvation.

SotheReformerswerecarefultoremovethelastpossiblegroundofhumanmeritby saying that while faith is the means by which we receive eternal life, theground or basis of our salvation is "grace alone." Faith does not save us.Christdoes,onthebasisoftheunmeritedmercyofGodwhichHehasshowntowardtheundeserving.OurresponseoffaithisitselfapartofwhatGodgivesinsalvation.Farfrombeingmeritorious,faithisagift.It isnot evenourown. If youbelieve, it is becauseGodgave you theabilitytodoso.Paulsays,

Forbygraceyouhavebeensaved through faithand thatnotofyourselves, it isthe gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Ephesians2:8,9).

Wearesaved"bygrace . . . through faith."What faith?The faith that is "not of(our)selves."Godgaveittous.Evangelicalsaffirminadditionto"faithalone"theunmeritedmercyandgraceofGodalone.

"Gracealone"remindsusthat"itisbyHisdoing"thatweareAinChristJesus"(1Corinthians1:30).IfIbelieve,itisbecauseGodgavemetheabilitytobelieve.IfIhavechosenChrist,itisbecauseHefirstchoseme(John15:16).IfIloveChrist,itisbecauseHefirstlovedme(1John4:10).ItwaswhileIwasdeadandblindandignorantandhelplessthatChristdiedformeandthenbegantoworkdecisivelyinmylife.TheReformers,andwewiththem,mustneverlosesightofthefactthatitisbythesovereign, initiating,electingloveofGodinChrist thatweweresaved.Calvininhisonlystatementregardinghisconversion,foundintheprefacetohiscommentary on the Psalms, shows the biblical perspective in our salvation insaying,

God drew me . . . God at last turned my course by the secret rein in Hisprovidence. . . byanunexpectedconversionHetamedtoteachablenessamind

toostubbornforitsyears...

Why am I saved? Because "God so loved." Andwhy did God so love? One canplunge no deeper than Deuteronomy 7:7 - He loves us because He loves us.Nothing we have done, nothingHemight have seen or foreseen has attracted,earned, or merited His favor. Our salvation is of God's sheer mercy and gracealone.

God'sGloryAlonePatrickHamilton,anobleblooded24yearoldScotsmanreturnedhomeearly in1528 from studying in Germany a convert to the Protestant faith. He returnedknowingthathisnewconvictionsmeantforhimcertaindeath.Forsixweekshepreached,andasKnoxsaid,

Neithertheloveoflife,noryetthefearofthatcrueldeath,couldmovehimajottoswervefromthetruthonceprofessed.

Hewasarrested, triedandcondemned.OnFebruary29, 1528,PatrickHamiltonwasburned inSt.Andrews.Forsixhours,onacoldandwetwinterday the firestruggledtoburn.Finallyhecriedout,

LordJesusreceivemyspirit.

PatrickHamilton,withalloflifebeforehim,cametoatragicend.

Eighteenyearslater,February28,1546,GeorgeWishart,amightypreacherofthegospelandJohnKnox'smentor,wasburned in frontofSt.Andrew'scastle. Thelittlebook,SevenMenoftheKirk,describeshismovingend:

Whenhecametothefireheprayed:AFatherofheavenIcommendmyspiritintoThy holy hands." To the people he said: AFor theWord's sake, the true gospelgivenmebythegraceofGod,Isufferthisdaybymen;notsorrowfully,butwithagladheartandmind.For thiscause Iwas sent, that I shouldsuffer this fire forChrist'ssake.ThisgrimfireIfearnot.IfpersecutioncomestoyoufortheWord'ssake fearnot themthatslay thebody,andhavenopower toslay thesoul."Thehangmankneltbesidehimandsaid:ASir,Iprayyouforgiveme."AComehithertome,"heansweredandkissedhimonthecheek.ALo,hereisatokenthatIforgivethee.Myfriend,dothywork"(p.25).

What possesses men to do such things? Certainly this is where the previouspoint,andindeedallotherpointshavebeenleadingus.TheReformerslivedanddied forScripturealone,Christ alone, faithalone, andgracealonebecause they

sawintheseprinciplesthatwhichgavealloftheglorytoGodandnonetoman.God'sword andGod'swork alonewere glorified by the cry of sola. Indeed, thegoalofeverythingwedoistobeGod'sglory-"forfromHim,andthroughHim,andtoHimareallthings,toHimbethegloryforeverandever"(Romans11:36).

The Reformers were among the most humble, self-effacing, God exalting menwhoeverlived.ThePsalmistcry,Nottous,OLord,nottous,buttoThynamegiveglory(Psalm115:1),

mightbecalledthemottoverseof theReformation.IndeedSoliDeoGloriawasthemottoofmottosforthem,astheysoughtnottheirownglorybutGod's.

Calvin, by his instruction, was buried in a simple pine box and an unmarkedgrave.Hisgravesiteisunknowntothisday.Why?LestanyoneshouldbedrawntohimandnottoGodalone;lestindeathanyoneshouldmakeaheroofhimandhavetheireyesdrawnawayfromChrist.

Itisouraimtostandwheretheystood.Weseeknotthegloryofourchurch,andnotthegloryofourownnames,andnotourownfameandfortune.OurteachingisforGod'sglory.OurevangelismisforGod'sglory.OurgivingisforGod'sglory."Whetherthenyoueatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,doalltothegloryofGod"(1Corinthians10:31).Thatisourmotto.Weareheretolive,nolongerforourselves,"butforHimwhodiedandwhoroseagainonourbehalf"(2Corinthians5:15).

We celebrate our Reformation heritage because we stand where they stood,squarely on these fundamental principles of biblical, Evangelical andReformedChristianity.

TheCorruptionofMan,HisConversiontoGodandtheMannerThereof

SynodofDortThirdandFourthHeadsofDoctrine,1618-1619

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE1.Manwasoriginallyformedaftertheimageof God. His understanding was adorned with a true and saving knowledge of hisCreator,andofspiritualthings;hisheartandwillwereupright,allhisaffectionspure,andthewholemanwasholy.But,revolting fromGodby the instigationof thedevilandbyhisownfreewill,heforfeitedtheseexcellentgifts;andanintheplacethereof

becameinvolvedinblindnessofmind,horribledarkness,vanity,andperversenessofjudgment;becamewicked, rebellious,andobdurate inheartandwill, and impure inhisaffections.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE2.Manafterthefallbegatchildreninhisownlikeness. A corrupt stock produced a corrupt offspring. Hence all the posterity ofAdam,Christonlyexcepted,havederivedcorruptionfromtheiroriginalparent,notbylimitation,asthePelagiansofoldasserted,butbythepropagationofaviciousnature,inconsequenceofthejustjudgmentofGod.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE3.Thereforeallmenareconceivedinsin,andarebynaturechildrenofwrath, incapableof savinggood,prone toevil,dead in sin,andinbondagethereto;andwithouttheregeneratinggraceoftheHolySpirit,theyareneitherablenorwillingtoreturntoGod,toreformthedepravityoftheirnature,ortodisposethemselvestoreformation

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE4.Thereremain,however, inmansincethefall,theglimmeringsofnaturallight,wherebyheretainssomeknowledgeofGod,ornatural things,andof thedifferencebetweengoodandevil, and shows some regardforvirtueandforgoodoutwardbehavior.ButsofaristhislightofnaturefrombeginsufficienttobringhimtoasavingknowledgeofGodandtotrueconversionthatheisincapable of using it aright even in things natural and civil. Nay further, this light,such as it is , man in various ways renders wholly polluted, and hinders inunrighteousness,bydoingwhichhebecomesinexcusablebeforeGod.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE5. In the same lightarewe to consider thelawofthedecalogue,deliveredbyGodtoHispeculiarpeople,theJews,bythehandsofMoses. For though it reveals the greatness of sin, andmore andmore convincesmanthereof,yet,as itneitherpointsouta remedynor imparts strength toextricatehimfromhismisery,but,beingweakthroughtheflesh,leavesthetransgressorunderthecurse,mancannotbythislawobtainsavinggrace.

THIRD AND FOURTHHEAD: ARTICLE 6. What, therefore, neither the light ofnature nor the law could do, that God performs by the operation of theHolySpiritthroughthewordorministryofreconciliation;whichisthegladtidingsconcerningtheMessiah,bymeanswhereofithaspleasedGodtosavesuchasbelieve,aswellundertheOldasundertheNewTestament.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE7.ThismysteryofHiswillGodrevealstobutasmallnumberundertheOldTestament;undertheNewTestament(thedistinctionbetweenvariouspeopleshavingbeen removed)He reveals it tomany.The cause ofthis dispensation is not to be ascribed to the superior worth of one nation aboveanother, nor to their better use of the light of nature, but results wholly from the

sovereigngoodpleasureandunmeritedloveofGod.Hencetheytowhomsogreatandsograciousablessingiscommunicated,abovetheirdesert,orrathernotwithstandingtheirdemerits,areboundtoacknowledgeitwithhumbleandgratefulhearts,andwiththeapostle toadore,but innowise curiously topry into, the severityand justiceofGod'sjudgmentsdisplayedinotherstowhomthisgraceisnotgiven.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE8.Asmany as are called by the gospel areunfeignedlycalled.ForGodhasmostearnestlyandtrulydeclaredinHisWordwhatisacceptabletoHim,namely,thatthosewhoarecalledshouldcomeuntoHim.HealsoseriouslypromisesrestofsoulandeternallifetoallwhocometoHimandbelieve.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE9.Itisnotthefaultofthegospel,norofChristofferedtherein,norofGod,whocallsmenbythegospelandconfersupon themvariousgifts, that thosewhoarecalledby theministryof theWordrefusetocomeandbeconverted.Thefaultliesinthemselves;someofwhomwhencalled, regardlessof theirdanger, reject theWordof life;other, thoughthey receive it, suffer it not tomake a lasting impression on their heart; therefore,theirjoy,arisingonlyfromatemporaryfaith,soonvanishes,andtheyfallaway;whileotherschoketheseedoftheWordbyperplexingcaresandthepleasuresofthisworld,andproducenofruit.ThisourSaviorteachesintheparableofthesower(Matt13).

THIRD AND FOURTHHEAD: ARTICLE 10. But that others who are called by thegospelobeythecallandareconvertedisnottobeascribedtotheproperexerciseoffreewill,wherebyonedistinguisheshimselfaboveothersequallyfurnishedwithgracesufficientforfaithandconversion(astheproudheresyofPelagiusmaintains);butitmustbewhollyascribedtoGod,who,asHehaschosenHisownfrometernityinChrist,soHecallsthemeffectuallyintime,confersuponthemfaith and repentance, rescues them from the power of darkness, andtranslates theminto thekingdomofHisownSon; that theymay show forththepraisesofHimwhohascalledthemoutofdarknessintoHismarvelouslight,andmay glory not in themselves but in the Lord, according to the testimony of theapostlesinvariousplaces.

THIRD AND FOURTH HEAD: ARTICLE 11. But when God accomplishes Hisgoodpleasureintheelect,orworksinthemtrueconversion,Henotonlycause the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfullyilluminatestheirmindsbyHisHolySpirit,thattheymayrightlyunderanddiscern the things of the Spirit of God; but by the efficacy of the sameregeneratingSpiritHepervadestheinmostrecessesofman;Heopenstheclosed and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which wasuncircumcised; infuses new qualities into the will, which, thoughheretoforedead,Hequickens;frombeingevil,disobedient,andrefractory,Herendersitgood,obedient,andpliable;actuatesandstrengthensit,that

likeagoodtree,itmaybringforththefruitsofgoodactions.

THIRD AND FOURTH HEAD: ARTICLE 12. And this is that regeneration sohighlyextolledinScripture,thatrenewal,newcreation,resurrectionfromthedead,makingalive,whichGodworksinuswithoutoutaid.Butthisisinnowiseeffectedmerelybytheexternalpreachingofthegospel,bymoralsuasion, or such amode of operation that, afterGod has performedHispart, it still remains in thepowerofman tobe regeneratedornot, to beconverted or to continue unconverted; but it is evidently a supernaturalwork,mostpowerful, and at the same timemost delightful, astonishing,mysterious, and ineffable; not inferior in efficacy to creation or theresurrectionfromthedead,astheScriptureinspiredbytheAuthorofthiswork declares; so that all in whose heart God works in this marvelousmanner are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and doactuallybelieve.Whereuponthewillthusrenewedisnotonlyactuatedandinfluenced by God, but in consequence of this influence becomes itselfactive.Whereforealsomanhimselfisrightlysaidtobelieveandrepentbyvirtueofthatgracereceived.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE13.Themannerof thisoperationcannotbefullycomprehendedbybelievers inthis life.Nevertheless, theyaresatisfiedtoknowandexperiencethatbythisgraceofGodtheyareenabledtobelievewiththeheartandtolovetheirSavior.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE14.Faithisthereforetobeconsideredasthegift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted orrejected at his pleasure, but because it is in reality conferred upon him, breathedandinfusedintohim;norevenbecauseGodbestowsthepowerorabilitytobelieve,andthenexpects thatmanshouldby theexerciseofhisownfreewill consent to the terms of salvation and actually believe in Christ, butbecauseHe whoworks inman both to will and to work, and indeed allthingsinall,producesboththewilltobelieveandtheactofbelievingalso.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE15.Godisundernoobligationtoconfer thisgrace upon any; for how can He be indebted to one who had no previous gifts tobestow as a foundation for such recompense?Nay, how canHe be indebted to onewhohasnothingofhisownbutsinand falsehood?He, therefore,whobecomes thesubject of this grace owes eternal gratitude to God, and gives Him thanks forever.Whoeverisnotmadepartakerthereofiseitheraltogetherregardlessofthesespiritualgifts and satisfied with his own condition, or is in no apprehension of danger, andvainlyboaststhepossessionofthatwhichhehasnot.Further,withrespecttothosewho outwardly profess their faith and amend their lives, we are bound, after theexampleoftheapostle,tojudgeandspeakoftheminthemostfavorablemanner;for

thesecretrecessesoftheheartareunknowntous.Andastootherswhohavenotyetbeencalled,itisourdutytoprayforthemtoGod,whocallsthethingsthatarenotasif they were. But we are in no wise to conduct ourselves towards them withhaughtiness,asifwehadmadeourselvestodiffer.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE16.Butasmanbythefalldidnotceasetobea creature endowed with understanding and will, nor did sin which pervaded thewhole race of mankind deprive him of the human nature, but brought upon himdepravityandspiritualdeath;soalsothisgraceofregenerationdoesnottreatmenassenselessstocksandblocks,nortakeawaytheirwillanditproperties,ordoviolencethereto;butisspirituallyquickens,heals,corrects,andatthesametimesweetlyandpowerfullybends it, thatwherecarnal rebellionand resistance formerly prevailed, areadyandsincerespiritualobediencebeginstoreign; inwhichthetrueandspiritualrestorationandfreedomofourwillconsist.Wherefore,unless theadmirableAuthorofeverygoodworksodealwithus,mancanhavenohopeofbeingabletorisefromhisfallbyhisownfreewill,bywhich,inastateofinnocence,heplungedhimselfintoruin.

THIRDANDFOURTHHEAD:ARTICLE17.AsthealmightyoperationofGodwherebyHebringsforthandsupportsthisournaturallifedoesnotexcludebutrequiretheuseofmeansbywhichGod,ofHisinfinitemercyandgoodness,haschosentoexertHisinfluence,soalsotheaforementionedsupernaturaloperationofGodbywhichweareregeneratedinnowiseexcludesorsubvertstheuseofthegospel,whichthemostwiseGodhasordainedtobetheseedofregenerationandfoodofthesoul.Wherefore,asthe apostles and the teachers who succeeded them piously instructed the peopleconcerningthisgraceofGod,toHisgloryandtotheabasementofallpride,andinthemeantime, however, neglected not to keep them, by the holy admonitions of thegospel,undertheinfluenceoftheWord,thesacraments,andecclesiasticaldiscipline;soevennowitshouldbefarfromthosewhogiveorreceiveinstructionintheChurchto presume to tempt God by separating what He of His good pleasure has mostintimately joinedtogether.Forgrace isconferredbymeansof admonitions; and themorereadilyweperformourduty,themoreclearlythisfavorofGod,workinginus,usuallymanifestitself,andthemoredirectlyHisworkisadvanced;towhomaloneallthe glory, both for themeans and for their saving fruit and efficacy, is forever due.Amen.

ReadtheTheCanonsofDordtinfull.

ABriefandUntechnicalStatementoftheReformedFaith

byBenjaminB.Warfield

1.IbelievethatmyoneaiminlifeanddeathshouldbetoglorifyGodandenjoyhimforever; and thatGod teachesme how to glorify him in his holyWord, that is, theBible,whichhehadgivenbytheinfallibleinspirationofthisHolySpiritinorderthatImaycertainlyknowwhatIamtobelieveconcerninghimandwhatdutyherequiresofme.

2.IbelievethatGodisaSpirit,infinite,eternalandincomparableinallthatheis;oneGod but three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, my Creator, myRedeemer,andmySanctifier; inwhosepowerandwisdom, righteousness, goodnessandtruthImaysafelyputmytrust.

3.Ibelievethattheheavensandtheearth,andallthatisinthem,aretheworkofGodhands;andthatallthathehasmadehedirectsandgovernsinalltheiractions;sothatthey fulfill theend forwhich theywerecreated,andIwhotrust inhimshallnotbeputtoshamebutmayrestsecurelyintheprotectionofhisalmightylove.

4. I believe thatGod createdmanafterhis own image, in knowledge, righteousnessandholiness,andenteredintoacovenantoflifewithhimuponthesoleconditionofthe obedience thatwashis due; so that itwas bywillfully sinning againstGod thatmanfellintothesinandmiseryinwhichIhavebeenborn.

5.Ibelieve,that,beingfalleninAdam,myfirstfather,Iambynatureachildofwrath,under the condemnation of God and corrupted in body and soul, prone to evil andliabletoeternaldeath;fromwhichdreadfulstateIcannotbedeliveredsavethroughtheunmeritedgraceofGodmySavior.

6.IbelievethatGodhasnotlefttheworldtoperishinitssin,butoutofthegreatlovewherewith he has loved it, has from all eternity graciously chosen unto himself amultitudewhichnomancannumber,todeliverthemoutoftheirsinandmisery,andof them to build up again in the world his kingdom of righteousness; in whichkingdomImaybeassuredIhavemypart,ifIholdfasttoChristtheLord.

7.IbelievethatGodhasredeemedhispeopleuntohimselfthroughJesusChristourLord;who, thoughhewasandevercontinues tobe theeternalSonofGod, yetwasbornofawoman,bornunderthelaw,thathemightredeemthemthatareunderthelaw:Ibelievethatheborethepenaltyduetomysinsinhisownbodyonthetree,andfulfilledinhisownpersontheobedienceIowetotherighteousnessofGod,andnowpresentsmetohisFatherashispurchasedpossession,tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgraceforever;whereforerenouncingallmeritofmyown,IputallmytrustonlyinthebloodandrighteousnessofJesusChristmyredeemer.

8.IbelievethatJesusChristmyredeemer,whodiedformyoffenceswasraisedagainformyjustification,andascendedintotheheavens,wherehesitsattherighthandofthe Father Almighty, continuallymaking intercession for his people, and governingthewholeworldasheadoverallthingsforhisChurch;sothatIneedfearnoevilandmay surely know that nothing can snatch me out of his hands and nothing canseparatemefromhislove.

9.IbelievethattheredemptionwroughtbytheLordJesusChristiseffectuallyappliedtoallhispeoplebytheHolySpirit,whoworks faith inmeandtherebyunitesmetoChrist,renewsmeinthewholemanaftertheimageofGod,andenablesmemoreandmoretodieuntosinandtoliveuntorighteousness;until,thisgraciousworkhavingbeen completed inme, I shall be received into glory; inwhich greathope abiding, ImusteverstrivetoperfectholinessinthefearofGod.

10.IbelievethatGodrequiresofme,underthegospel,firstofall,that,outofatruesenseofmy sin andmisery and apprehension of hismercy inChrist, I should turnwithgriefandhatredawayfromsinandreceiveandrestuponJesusChristaloneforsalvation; that, so being united to him, I may receive pardon for my sins and beacceptedas righteous inGod's sightonly for the righteousnessofChrist imputed tomeandreceivedbyfaithalone;andthusandthusonlydoIbelieveImaybereceivedintothenumberandhavearighttoalltheprivilegesofthesonsofGod.

11. Ibelieve that,havingbeenpardonedandaccepted forChrist's sake , it is furtherrequiredofmethatIwalkintheSpiritwhomhehaspurchasedforme,andbywhomlove is shed abroad inmy heart; fulfilling the obedience I owe to Christ my King;faithfullyperformingallthedutieslaiduponmebytheholylawofGodmyheavenlyFather;andeverreflectinginmylifeandconduct,theperfectexamplethathasbeensetmebyChristJesusmyLeader,whohasdied formeandgranted tomehisHolySpirit justthatImaydothegoodworkswhichGodhasaforepreparedthatIshouldwalkinthem.

12.IbelievethatGodhasestablishedhisChurchintheworldandendoweditwiththeministry of the Word and the holy ordinances of Baptism, the Lord's Supper andPrayer;inorderthatthroughtheseasmeans,therichesofhisgraceinthegospelmaybemade known to theworld, and, by the blessing of Christ and theworking of hisSpirit in them that by faith receive them, the benefits of redemption may becommunicatedtohispeople;whereforealsoitisrequiredofmethatIattendonthesemeansofgracewithdiligence,preparation,andprayer,sothatthroughthemImaybeinstructedandstrengthenedinfaith,andinholinessoflifeandinlove;andthatIusemybestendeavorstocarrythisgospelandconveythesemeansofgracetothewholeworld.

13. I believe that as Jesus Christ has once come in grace, so also is he to come a

second time in glory, to judge the world in righteousness and assign to each hiseternal award; an I believe that if I die in Christ, my soul shall be at death madeperfectinholinessandgohometotheLord;andwhenheshallreturntohismajestyIshallberaisedingloryandmadeperfectlyblessesinthefullenjoymentofGodtoalleternity:encouragedbywhichblessedhope it isrequiredofmewillingly to takemypartinsufferinghardshiphereasagoodsoldierofChristJesus,beingassuredthatifIdiewithhimIshallalsolivewithhim,ifIendure,Ishallalsoreignwithhim.AndtoHim,myRedeemer,withtheFather,andtheHolySpirit,ThreePersons,oneGod,begloryforever,worldwithoutend,Amen,andAmen.

TheReformers'Hermeneutic:

Grammatical,Historical,andChrist-Centered

byNathanPitchford

It is widely recognized that the formal principle underlying the Reformation wasnothing other than sola scriptura: the reformers' diehard commitment to the othergreatsolaswasaneffectarisingfromtheirdesiretobeguidedbyscripturesalone.Theexegesis and interpretation of the biblewas the one greatmeans bywhich thewaragainstRomancorruptionwaswaged;whichisalmostthesamethingassayingthatthebattlewasbasicallyahermeneutical struggle. In lightof theseobservations,onecouldsaythatthekeyeventmarkingthebeginningoftheReformationoccurred,notin1517,whenMartinLuthernailedhisthesestothechurchdoorinWittenberg;buttwoyearspriortothat,whenherejectedOrigin'sfour-layeredhermeneuticinfavorofwhat he called the grammatical-historical sense. This one interpretive decision wasthe seed-idea from which would soon spring up all the fruits of the most massiverecoveryofdoctrinalpurity in thehistoryof theChurch.Wewoulddowell to learnfrom this: our ongoing struggle to be always reforming, always contending for thefaithwhichwasoncedeliveredtothesaints,isessentiallyaprocessofbringingeverydoctrineunderthescrutinyofscripture.Andinordertohavetheconfidencethatwearedoingso legitimately,wemustgivemucheffort tobeinghermeneuticallysound.Hermeneuticsisthebattlefieldonwhichthewariswonorlost.

Ifitisindeedthecasethattherecoveryofagrammatical-historicalhermeneuticwasthe formal principle underlying the Reformation, then we ought to be highlyinterested in what exactly Luther (and the other Reformers) intended by theexpression. If Luther's hermeneuticwas so effective in preserving the purity of the

gospelinhisday,thenwemay,withsomereason,assumethatitwouldbenefitusinthegospel-battlesofourday.Most,ifnotall,evangelicalstodaywouldcertainlyaffirmthat they are laboring with the grammatical-historical hermeneutic of theReformation–butdotheymeanbythistermeverythingthatLuthermeantbyit?Inmanycases,onewouldhavetoassumethattheydonot;becauseit isoftenthecasethat a basically un-Christian reading ofmuch of theOld Testament in particular issupported bymeans of a "literal," grammatical, historical hermeneutic. For Luther,the grammatical-historical hermeneutic was simply the interpretation of scripturethat"driveshomeChrist."Asheonceexpressedit,"HewhowouldreadtheBiblemustsimply take heed that he does not err, for the Scripture may permit itself to bestretchedandled,butletnooneleaditaccordingtohisowninclinationsbutlethimleadittoitssource,thatis,thecrossofChrist.Thenhewillsurelystrikethecenter."To read the scriptures with a grammatical-historical sense is nothing other than toreadthemwithChristatthecenter.

Whatexactlydo ImeanwhenI say thatmanyevangelicalsdemonstrate "abasicallyun-ChristianreadingofmuchoftheOldTestament"?Simplyput,Imeantheyemploya hermeneutic that does not have as its goal to trace every verse to its ultimatereferencepoint: thecrossofChrist.Allofcreation,history,andrealitywasdesignedforthepurposeoftheunveilingandglorificationofthetriuneGod,bymeansofthework of redemption accomplished by the Lamb slain from the foundation of theworld.ThebibleissimplythebookthattellsushowtoseeChristandhiscrossatthecenter of everything. It tells us who God is by showing us the person andwork ofChrist,whoalonerevealsthe invisibleGod.Ifwedonot intentionallyaskourselves,"HowmayIseeChristmoreclearlybythispassage,"inourreadingofeveryverseofscripture, then we are not operating under the guidance of Luther's grammatical-historical hermeneutic. If we would follow in the steps of the reformers, we mustrealize that a literal reading of scriptures does not mean a naturalistic reading. Anaturalistic reading says that the full extent of meaning in the account of Moses'striking the rock is apprehended in understanding the historical event. The literalreading, in the Christ-centered sense of the Reformation, recognizes that thishistorical account ismeaningless tousuntilweunderstandhow theGodofhistorywas using it to reveal Christ to his people. The naturalistic reading of the Song ofSolomoniscontentwiththeobservationthatitspeaksofthemarital-blissofSolomonandhiswife;theliteralreadingofthereformersrecognizesthatithasultimatelytodowith the marital bliss between Christ and his bride, the Church. And so we couldcontinue,citingexampleafterexamplefromtheOldTestament.

Buthowwasitthatthisshiftcameaboutinthecommonlyperceivedmeaningoftheterm"historical-grammatical sense" fromthe reformers'day toourown? Inaword,the rise of academic liberalism. The reformers were contending for the truth in asociety in which the supernatural world was as definitely accepted as the naturalworld.TheyhadnoneedtodemonstratethattheBiblewasaspiritualbook,givenby

Godtoteachusspiritualtruths,thatis,truthsaboutChristandthecross–everyoneacceptedthatmuch.Theywerecontendinginsteadwithahermeneuticthatessentiallyallowedonetodrawfromanytextwhateverspiritualsignificanceheliked–ifhehadtheauthorityoftheChurchbehindhim.ButtheEnlightenmentsoradicallychangedthe face of society, that it was soon thereafter no longer sufficient to speak of a"literal"hermeneutic:onealsohadtomakeclearthatthisliteralhermeneutichadasits object a thoroughly spiritual and Christ-centered corpus of writings. The basicintent of the liberal theologians subsequent to the Enlightenmentwas to downplaythe supernatural; hence, their reading of the scriptures emphasized the humanauthorsandhumanhistoricalsettingsentirelyapartfromtheGodwhowasgoverningall.And,althoughthethoroughgoingnaturalismoftheliberalswassoundlydefeatedbymanyevangelicalscholars,someofitsemphasesseemtohaveseepedintotheveryidea of a grammatical-historical hermeneutic, where they continue to exert adeadening influence on much of evangelical scholarship even today. Three specificwaysinwhich,Iwouldcontend,themodernconceptionofa literalhermeneutichasbeencoloredbytheEnlightenment,are,first,themaximizedemphasisonthehumanauthors of scriptures (together with the corresponding de-emphasis of the divineauthor); second, the naturalizing of the hermeneutic, so that it intends to discoverwhat a natural man, upon an acquaintance with the natural setting, wouldimmediately understand about a text; and third, the resultant fragmentation of thebible,sothatitreadslesslikeoneunified,coherentstoryaboutapromisedRedeemerandhowheactuallycame inhumanhistoryandaccomplishedhiswork–andmorelikeahandfuloflooselyrelatedsacreddocuments,withvariouspurposes,intentions,andthemes.

Our task as modern reformers has much to do with the recovery of the Christ-centeredelementofthegrammatical-historicalhermeneutic.Ifwewouldletoursolascriptura lead us to solus christus, then we must be willing to battle against themodern corruption of one of the reformers' most precious legacies – a literalhermeneutic. To that end, I would submit the following six reasons why anyhermeneuticwhichdoesnotseeChristat thecenterofeveryverseofscripturedoesnotdojusticetotheReformedworldview.

1.AnaturalistichermeneuticeffectivelydeniesGod'sultimateauthorshipofthebible,bygivingpracticalprecedencetohumanauthorialintent.

2. A naturalistic hermeneutic undercuts the typological significance which ofteninheres in the one story that God is telling in the bible (see Galatians 4:21-31, forexample).

3.Anaturalistichermeneuticdoesnot allow forPaul's assertion that anaturalmancannotknowthespiritualthingswhichtheHolySpiritteachesinthebible–thatis,thethingsaboutJesusChristandhimcrucified(ICorinthians2).

4.AnaturalistichermeneuticisatoddswiththeclearexampleoftheNewTestamentauthorsandapostlesastheyinterprettheOldTestament(cf.Peter'ssermoninActs2,Paul's interpretations inRomans4 andGalatians4, James' citing ofAmos9duringtheJerusalemcouncilofActs15,thevariousOldTestamentusagesinHebrews,etc.).

5.Anaturalistichermeneuticdisallowsa full-orbedoperationof theanalogyof faithprincipleoftheReformation,byits insistencethateverytextdemandsareading"onitsownterms".

6. A naturalistic hermeneutic does not allow for everything to have its ultimatereference point in Christ, and is in direct opposition to Ephesians 1:10, Colossians1:16-18,andChrist'sownteachingsinJohn5:39,Luke24:25-27.

TheReformedFaith

byLoraineBoettner

TableofContents

1.TheSovereigntyofGod2.Man'sTotallyHelplessCondition3.Christ'sAtonement4.TheForeknowledgeofGod5.TheUniversalisticPassages6.TheTwoSystemsContrasted

TheSovereigntyofGod

The purpose of this article is to set forth, in plain language and in terms easilyunderstood,thebasicdifferencesbetweentheCalvinisticandtheArminiansystemtotheology,andtoshowwhattheBibleteachesconcerningthesesubjects.Theharmonythat existsbetween the variousdoctrinesof theChristian faith is such that error inregardtoanyoneofthemproducesmoreorlessdistortioninalloftheothers.

Thereareinrealityonlytwotypesofreligiousthought.Thereisthereligionoffaith,

and there is the religionofworks.Webelieve thatwhathasbeenknown inChurchHistoryasCalvinismisthepurestandmostconsistentembodimentofthereligionoffaith, while that which has been known as Arminianism has been diluted to adangerousdegreebythereligionofworksandthatitisthereforeaninconsistentandunstableformofChristianity.Inotherwords,webelievethatChristianitycomestoitsfullestandpurestexpressioninReformedFaith.

In the earlypart of the fifth century these two typesof religious thought came intodirect conflict in a remarkably clear contrast as embodied in two fifth-centurytheologians,AugustineandPelagius.AugustinepointedmentoGodasthesourceofalltruespiritualwisdomandstrength,whilePelagiusthrewmenbackonthemselvesand said that they were able in their own strength to do all that God commanded,otherwise God would not command it. We believe that Arminianism represents acompromisebetweenthesetwosystems,butthatwhileinitsmoreevangelicalform,as in early Wesleyanism, it approaches the religion of faith, it nevertheless doescontainseriouselementsoferror.

We are living in a day in which practically all of the historic churches are beingattackedfromwithinbyunbelief.Manyofthemhavealreadysuccumbed.Andalmostinvariably the line of descent has been from Calvinism to Arminianism, fromArminianismtoLiberalism,andthentoUnitarianism.AndthehistoryofLiberalismandUnitarianismshowsthattheydeteriorateintoasocialgospelthat istooweaktosustainitself.WeareconvincedthatthefutureofChristianityisboundupwith thatsystemoftheologyhistoricallycalled"Calvinism.'WheretheGodcenteredprinciplesofCalvinismhavebeenabandoned,therehasbeenastrongtendencydownwardintothedepthsofmancenterednaturalismorsecularism.Somehavedeclared-rightly,webelieve-thatthereisnoconsistentstoppingplacebetweenCalvinismandatheism.

ThebasicprincipleofCalvinismisthesovereigntyofGod.Thisrepresentsthepurposeof the Triune God as absolute and unconditional, independent of the whole finitecreation, and originating solely in the eternal counsel of His will. He appoints thecourseofnatureanddirects the courseofhistorydown to theminutestdetails.Hisdecrees therefore are eternal, unchangeable, holy, wise and sovereign. They arerepresented in theBibleasbeing thebasisof thedivine foreknowledgeof all futureevents,andnot conditionedby that foreknowledgeorbyanythingoriginating in theeventsthemselves.

Every thinking person readily sees that some sovereignty rules his life.Hewas notaskedwhetherornothewouldhaveexistence,whenorwhatorwherehewouldbeborn,whetherinthetwentiethcenturyorbeforetheFlood,whethermaleorfemale,whetherwhiteorblack,whetherintheUnitedStates,orChina,orAfrica.Allofthosethings were sovereignly decided for him before he had any existence. It has beenrecognizedbyChristiansinallagesthatGodistheCreatorandRuleroftheworld,and

thatassuchHeistheultimatesourceofallpowerthatisfoundintheworld.Hencenothingcancometopassapart fromHissovereignwill.OtherwiseHewouldnotbetrulyGOD.Andwhenwedwell on this truthwe find that it involves considerationswhichestablishtheCalvinisticanddisprovetheArminianposition.

By virtue of the fact thatGodhas created everything that exists,He is the absoluteOwner and final Disposer of all thatHe hasmade.He exerts not merely a generalinfluence,butactuallyrulesintheaffairsofmen(Acts4:24-28).Eventhenationsareas the small dust of the balance when compared with His greatness (Is. 40:12-17).Amidalltheapparentdefeatsandinconsistenciesofourhumanlives,Godisactuallycontrollingallthingsinundisturbedmajesty.EventhesinfulactionsofmencanoccuronlybyHispermissionandwiththestrengththathegivesthecreature.AndsinceHepermitsnotunwillinglybutwillingly,thenallthatcomestopass-includingeventhesinful actionsandultimate destiny ofmen -must be, in some sense, in accordancewithwhatHehaseternallypurposedanddecreed.Justinproportionasthisisdenied,God is excluded from the government of theworld, andwe have only a finite God.Naturally, someproblemsarisewhich in ourpresent state of knowledgewe arenotable fully to explain. But that is not a sufficient reason for rejecting what theScripturesandtheplaindictatesofreasonaffirmtobetrue.

AndshallwenotbelievethatGodcanconvertasinnerwhenHepleases?CannottheAlmighty, the omnipotent Ruler of heaven and earth, change the character of thecreaturesHehasmade?HechangedthewaterintowineatCanaandconvertedSaulon the road to Damascus. The leper said, "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make meclean"(Matt.8:2).Andatawordhisleprosywascleansed.Letusnotbelieve,asdotheArminians, thatGod cannot control thehumanwill, or thatHe cannot regenerate asoulwhenHepleases.He isasable tocleanse thesoulas thebody. IfHechoseHecouldraiseupsuchafloodofChristianministers,missionariesandworkersofvariouskinds, and could so work through His Holy Spirit, that the entire world would beconvertedinaveryshorttime.IfHehadpurposedtosaveallmenHecouldhavesenthostsofangelstoinstructthemandtodosupernaturalworksontheearth.Hecouldhaveworkedmarvelouslyintheheartofeverypersonsothatnoonewouldhavebeenlost.

SinceevilexistsonlybyHispermission,Hecould,ifHechose,blotitoutofexistence.Hispowerinthisrespectwasshown,forinstance,intheworkofthedestroyingangelwhoinonenightslewallofthefirst-bornoftheEgyptians(Ex.12:29),andinanothernight slew 185,000 of the Assyrian army (II Kings 19:35). It was shown when theearth opened and swallowed Korah and his rebellious allies (Nu. 16.31-35). KingHerodwassmittenanddiedahorribledeath(Acts12:23).InDaniel4:34-35wereadthat the Most High God's "dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdomfrom generation to generation; and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed asnothing;andhedoethaccording tohiswill in thearmiesofheaven,andamong the

inhabitantsof theearth;andnoonecanstayhishand,orsayuntohim,Whatdoestthou?"

All of this brings out the basic principle of theReformedFaith - the sovereignty ofGod.Godcreatedthisworldinwhichwefindourselves,Heownsit,andHeisrunningitaccordingtoHisownsovereigngoodpleasure.GodhaslostnoneofHispower,anditishighlydishonoringtoHimtosupposethatHeisstrugglingalongwiththehumanrace,doingthebestHecantopersuadementodoright,butunabletoaccomplishHiseternal,unchangeable,holy,wise,andsovereignpurpose.

Any systemwhich teaches that the serious intentions ofGod can in some cases bedefeated,andthatman,whoisnotonlyacreaturebutasinfulcreature,canexercisevetopowerovertheplansofAlmightyGod,isinstrikingcontrasttothebiblicalideaof his immeasurable exaltation by which He is removed from all weaknesses ofhumanity.Thattheplansofmenarenotalwaysexecutedisduetoalackofpower,ora lack of wisdom, or both. But since God is unlimited in these and in all otherresources,nounforeseenemergenciescanarise.ToHimthecauses forchangehavenoexistence.ToassumethatHisplanfailsandthathestrivestonoeffectistoreduceHimtothelevelofHiscreaturesandmakeHimnoGodatall.

Man'sTotallyHelplessCondition

AswereadtheworksofvariousArminianwriters,itseemsthattheirfirstandperhapsmostseriouserroristhattheydonotgivesufficientimportancetothesinfulrebellionandspiritualseparationofthehumanracefromGodthatoccurredinthefallofAdam.Someneglect italtogether,while forothers it seemstobea farawayevent that haslittleinfluenceinthelivesofpeopletoday.Butunlessweinsistontherealityofthatspiritual separation from God, and the totally disastrous effect that it had on theentirehumanrace,weshallneverbeableproperlytoappreciateourrealconditionorourdesperateneedofaRedeemer.

Perhapsitwillhelpustorealizemoreclearlywhatfallenman'sconditionreallyis ifwecompareitwiththatofthefallenangels.Angelswerecreatedbeforeman,andeachangelwasplacedontestasanindividual,personal,moralbeing.Thisapparentlywasapuretestofobedience,aswas thatofAdam.Someof theanglesstoodtheir test, forreasonsonly fullyknowntoGod,and,asaresult,were thenconfirmed ina stateofperfect angelic holiness, and are now the elect angels in heaven (I Tim. 5:21). Butothers fell and are now the demons that we read of in the Scriptures, the devilapparentlybeingtheoneofhighestrankamongthosewhofell.

InJudewe readof "angels that keptnot their ownprincipalitybut left their properhabitation,he[God]hathkeptineverlastingbondsunderdarknessuntothejudgmentofthegreatday"(v.6).AndinIIPeterwereadthat"Godsparednotangelswhentheysinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to bereservedunto judgment" (2:4).Thedevil and thedemonsare totally alienated fromGod, totally given offer to sin, and without any hope of redemption. Their fate isdescribedbyChristasthatofbeingcastinto"theeternalfirewhichispreparedforthedevilandhisangels:(Matt.25:41).

There is no redemption for fallen angles. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrewssays, "For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed ofAbraham" (2:16). Their fate is fixed and certain. For men and for angels endlesspunishment is thepenaltyforendlesssinningagainstGod.Somewould try tomakeGodappearunjustasthoughHeinflictsendlesspunishmentforsinscommittedonlyinthislife.ButlostmenandlostangelsordemonsareendlesslyinrebellionagainstGod,andtheyendlesslyreceivepunishmentforthatrebellion.

ButwhenGodcreatedmanamoralcreature,Heproceededonadifferentplan thanHe did with the angelic order. Instead of creating all men at one time and placingthemontestindividually,Hecreatedoneman,withaphysicalbody,fromwhomtheentire human racewould descend, andwho, because of his unionwith all of thosewho would come after him, could be appointed as the legal or federal head andrepresentative of the entire human race. If he stood the test, he and all of hisdescendants,hischildren,wouldbeconfirmedinholinessandestablishedinastateofperpetual creaturely bliss as were the holy angels. But if he fell, as did the otherangels,he andallhisposteritywouldbe subject to eternalpunishment. Itwas as ifGodsaid,"Thistime,ifsinistoenter,letitenterbyoneman,sothatredemptionalsocanbeprovidedbyoneman."

Therefore Adam in his representative capacity was placed on a test of pure humanobedience.Thepenaltyofdisobediencewasclearlysetbeforehim:"AndJehovahGodcommandedtheman,saying,Ofeverytreeofthegardenthoumayestfreelyeat;butofthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevilthoushaltnoteatofit:forinthedaythatthoueatestthereofthoushaltsurelydie"(Gen.2:16-17).

Hence, theclearlydeclaredpenalty forsinwasdeath-exactly thesamepenalty thathad been inflicted on the angels who fell. As with angels, it was purely a test ofwhetherornotmanwouldbeanobedientandappreciativesubjectinthekingdomofheaven. It was a perfectly fair, simple test, clearly set forth, very much in Adam'sfavor,forwhichhewouldhavenoexcuseifhedisobeyed.

But,tragedyoftragedies,Adamfell.Andtheentirehumanracefellrepresentativelyinhim.Theconsequencesofhissinareallcomprehendedunder the termdeath, in its

widestsense.Itwasprimarilyspiritualdeath,orseparationfromGod,thathadbeenthreatened. Adam did not die physically until 930 years after he fell. But he wasspiritually estranged fromGod and died spiritually the very instant that he sinned.And fromthat instanthis lifebecameanunceasingmarch to thegrave.Man in thislifehasnotgoneasfarinthewaysofsinashavethedevilandthedemons,forhestillreceivesmany blessings through common grace, such as health, wealth, family andfriends, the beauties of nature, and he still is surrounded with many restraininginfluences.Butheisonhisway.Andifnotchecked,manwouldeventuallybecomeastotallyevilasarethedemons.InhisfallenstatehefearsGod,triestofleefromHim,andliterallyhatesHim,asdothedemons.Iflefttohimselfhewouldremainforeverinthatcondition,becauseasitiswritten,"Thereisnonerighteous,no,notone;Thereis none that understandeth, There is none that seeketh after God" (Rom. 3:10-11).Nothing, absolutely nothing, but amighty supernatural act on the part of God canrescue him from that condition. Hence if he is to be rescued, God must take theinitiative, must pay the penalty for him, must cleanse him from his guilt, and soreinstatehiminholinessandrighteousness.

And that is precisely what God does. He sovereignly picks a man up out of thekingdomofSatan,andplaceshiminthekingdomofheaven.Thosearetheelectthatare referred to some 25 times in the Scriptures:Matt. 24:22: "For the elect's sake,whomhechose,heshortenedthosedays"(atthedestructionofJerusalem).IThess.1:4: "Knowing, brethren, beloved of God, your election." Rom. 11:7: "The electionobtainedit,andtherestwerehardened."Rom.8:33:"WhoshalllayanythingtochargeofGod'select";andmanymore.

The Bible tells us that God has rescued a multitude of the human race from thepenaltyoftheirsins.Inordertoperformthatwork,Christ,thesecondPersonoftheTrinity,tookuponHimselfhumannaturethroughthemiracleofthevirginbirth,andwas born into the human race as any normal child is born. God thus becameincarnate,becameoneofus.JesusthenlivedaperfectlysinlesslifeamongmenastherepresentativeofHispeople,placedHimselfbeforeHisownlaw,andsufferedinHisownPerson thepenalty thatGodhadprescribed for sin. InHis sinless lifeHe keptperfectlythe lawofGodthatAdamhadbroken,andsoearnedperfectrighteousnessfor His people and thereby earned for them the right to enter heaven. What Hesuffered,asaPersonof infinitevalueanddignity,wasa justequivalentofwhatHispeoplewouldhavesufferedinaneternityinhell.InthismannerHefreedHispeoplefromthelawofsinanddeath.AndasthefruitsofthatredemptiveworkareappliedtothosewhohavebeengiventotheSonbytheFather,theyaresaidtoberegeneratedbytheHolySpirit,thatis,tobemadealivespiritually,tobebornagain.

PaulexpressesthisbroadtruthwhenintheEpistletotheRomanshesays:

"Therefore, as through oneman sin entered into theworld, and death through

sin,andsodeathpasseduntoallmen,forthatallsinned...Butnoasthetrespass,soalsoisthefreegift.Forifbythetrespassoftheonemanydied,muchmoredidthegraceofGod,andthegiftoftheoneman,JesusChrist,abounduntothemany... so then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men tocondemnation, even so through the one act of righteousness the free gift cameunto allmen to justification to life. For as through the one's disobedience themanywere made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall themanybemaderighteous"(Rom.5:12-19).

Unlessone sees that contrastbetween the first and the secondAdam,hewill neverunderstandtheChristiansystem.AndwritingtothesaintsthatwereatEphesus,Paulsaid, "And you did hemake alive, when ye were dead through your trespasses andsins."Andhegoesontosaythatwe:

"...werebynaturechildrenofwrath,evenastherest,butGod,beingrichinmercyforhisgreat lovewherewithhe lovedus, evenwhenweweredead throughourtrespasses,madeusalivetogetherwithChrist(bygracehaveyebeensaved),andraised us upwith him, andmade us to sit with him in the heavenly places, inChristJesus:thatintheagestocomehemightshowtheexceedingrichesofhisgrace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus: for by grace have ye been savedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves, it isthegiftofGod,notofworks,thatnoman should glory. Forwe are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus forgoodworks,whichGodaforepreparedthatweshouldwalk in them." (Eph.2:1-10)

InChristiantheologytherearethreeseparateanddistinctactsof imputation. In thefirstplaceAdam'ssinisimputedtoallofus,hischildren,thatis,judiciallysettoouraccountsothatweareheldresponsibleforitandsuffertheconsequencesofit.ThisiscommonlyknownasthedoctrineofOriginalSin.Inthesecondplace,andinpreciselythesamemanner,oursinisimputedtoChristsothatHesufferstheconsequencesofit.And in the thirdplace,Christ's righteousness is imputed tousandsecures forusentranceintoheaven.Weare,ofcourse,nomorepersonallyguiltyofAdam'ssinthanChristispersonallyguiltyofoursin,orthanwearepersonallymeritoriousbecauseofHisrighteousness.Ineachcaseitisaj