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God Saves Sinners – Questions About Calvinism

Selected Scriptures
2007.02.11
one28 Sunday worship

Quotes from the message:

It is no novelty, then, that I am preaching; no new doctrine. I love to proclaim these strong old doctrines, that are by nickname CALVINISM, but which are surely and verily the revealed truth of God as it is in Christ Jesus. By this truth I make a pilgrimage into [the] past, and as I go, I see father after father, confessor after confessor, martyr after martyr, standing up to shake hands with me…taking these things to be the standard of my faith, I see the land of the ancients peopled with my brethren; I behold multitudes who confess the same as I do, and acknowledge that this is the religion of God’s own church. ~Charles Spurgeon

I have my own private opinion that there is no such thing as preaching Christ and Him crucified, unless we preach what is nowadays called Calvinism. It is a nickname to call it Calvinism; Calvinism is the gospel, and nothing else. ~C.H. Spurgeon

Someone says, “But I do not understand this doctrine.” Perhaps not, but remember that, while we are bound to tell you the truth, we are not bound to give you the power to understand it; and besides, this is not a subject for understanding, it is a matter for believing because it is revealed in the Word of God. It is one of the axioms of theology that, if man be lost, God must not be blamed for it; and it is also an axiom of theology that, if man is saved, God must have all the glory of it. ~C.H. Spurgeon

For to Calvinism there is really only one point to be made in the field of soteriology: the point that God saves sinners. ~J.I. Packer

Areas of Impact:

• One’s view of self
• One’s view of God
• One’s view of the cross
• One’s view of ministry

Ground Rules for Discussion:

• Remember there is one right answer.
• Honor God in how you theologize, not just what.
• Go the the Bible.
• Remember the aim: the glory of God.

Questions:

• What exactly does it mean that men are “dead in sin”? Are they able or unable to respond to the gospel? If they are unable to respond, how can they be held responsible?
• Does God choose men because He sees their faith, or does His choice of them lead to their faith? Is faith something we do or something God does in us?
• Did Christ die for each and every person, including those who are now in hell? If yes, why are they paying for the same sin again? If no, how can we offer the gospel to everyone?
• Can men reject the Holy Spirit’s work? If yes, who is sovereign? If not, doesn’t that just make men into robots?
• Can a person lose his salvation?
• How does Arminianism glorify God? How does Calvinism glorify God? Which is man-centered and which is God-centered?

Sean I really enjoyed how you approached this with Students. I think the “cud of calvinism” was my favorite line. Did you come up with those questions? Also, can I get a copy of those letters from Liberty days? Why don’t I remember that? Greg

GP, I did come up with the questions and look forward to launching some answers this coming Sunday. As for the letters of old, you may have a copy but it will probably be a while before I am able to send those to you. I was even thinking of blogging through the history on the void.