ON THEOLOGY "The sovereignty of God is his absolute, independent right of disposing of all creatures according to his own pleasure."So says Jonathan Edwards in his sermon, God's Sovereignty In The Salvation Of Men. But in this modern time, it is difficult to understand the reality of a sovereign being with absolute authority in action over every living creature. A king, queen or dictator comes the closest, but even they cannot touch the lives of every single individual under their authority. They must deal with individuals on an exception basis. Their authority is limited, since they themselves are subject to being deposed, assassinated, incapacitated or death by other causes. It is asserted that the sovereignty of God is quite different, in that He not only has the right to be a sovereign being, He is, in fact, sovereign over every human being and exerts, directly, that sovereign rule in the life of every single individual. Not subject to the limitations of human rulers, He directly affects the lives of His subjects. This being a very unpopular view in the world of today, most people would reject such a teaching as archaic and unacceptable. The claim in society today would be that people are free to choose their own destiny and are not subject to the decrees or actions of authorities of which they do not approve. But, perhaps the freedom that is professed and the independence that is asserted, is not so free and independent as claimed. All people are subject to their own stupidity, the stupidity of others, disease, the frailties of the human body and the events of the natural world. Are the actions of a sovereign God to be considered more undesirable or perverse than actions of deviant human beings or the cataclysms of the natural world? READ ABOUT WHAT THIS DOCTRINE MEANS ON THIS WEBSITE The Sole Consideration That God Is God, Sufficient To Still All Objections To His Sovereignty Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758 God's Sovereignty In The Salvation Of Men Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758 The Sovereignty Of God In Salvation John F. MacArthur 1939 ON JESUS CHRIST "Sirs, what shall I do to be saved?" was the question asked of Paul and Silas by the Philippian jailer. Their reply was, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." It is not stated in that passage just what "Believe in the Lord Jesus..." actually meant. There are many ideas as to the meaning, each one introducing another assembly of those who claim their opinion is the true belief. Currently, Carlton Pearson is stirring the controversy in the charismatic world with his Gospel of Inclusion definition of the means of salvation. Seemingly, those who wish to define the salvation granted through the work of Jesus Christ, do so on their own terms, and almost always those definitions maintain that mankind is worthy to stand before God because of some inherent goodness in its character, or become acceptable through some means of accomplishment. However, it is the apostle Paul, quoted in the verse, who gives the definitive answer. The method of salvation is much more specific than many would like to admit and much more exclusive than is commonly believed. VIEW JOHN F MacARTHUR'S SERMON SERIES ON SALVATION True Belief The Lordship of Christ - 1 of 4 The Nature of Saving Faith - 2 of 4 The Call To Repentance - 3 of 4 The Call to Discipleship - 4 of 4 ON HISTORICAL REFLECTION Consequences, always the result of decisions and actions of human beings, are universally the most difficult aspects of life to face. When the consequences result in what is considered the positive, there is a rush to take credit, but when they result in the negative, there is an opposite reaction, effecting a shift of blame to others or to circumstances that are claimed to be out of the control of the individual. This tendency is no more apparent than that expressed in the religious affections of the majority of the population of the world. In most major religions, consequences are not attributed to humanity as a result of human responsibility, but, strangely enough, as a result of the actions of God. God is seen as the oppressor and he must be appeased, by the righteous acts of human beings. This is accomplished in a myriad of ways, all of them being attributed to the claims of exemplary actions implicit in human merit. It is a singular hallmark of Christianity, that consequences are admitted to be the result of personal action when they result in the negative. Without an understanding of the importance of admitting to consequences, it is not possible to understand the Biblical world view, and it is not possible to understand the Christian concept of salvation and the requirement that it be obtained. Serious consequences result when human beings attempt to appropriate, for themselves, sovereignty over their own lives and over the lives of others. It is action taken with impunity and it results in consequences that are deeply profound, fundamental to human existence and it is imperative that it be understood that such action results in consequences that must be dealt with in relation to God. What are those actions and their consequences that concern Christianity to such a great extent and to which such a high level of value is assigned? They are very real, concern the question of the sovereignty of God or sovereignty of man, determine the course of humanity and are historical in nature. VIEW ARTICLES ABOUT ORIGINS ON THIS WEBSITE GENESIS: ORIGINS SERIES - 7 sermons by John F. MacArthur, Jr. 1939 The Fall Of Man - Part 1 of 2 - Genesis 3:1-5 The Fall Of Man - Part 2 of 2 - Genesis 3:6-7 Confrontation In Eden - Genesis 3:8-13 The Curse On The Woman - Part 1 of 2 - Genesis 3:16 The Curse On The Woman - Part 2 of 2 - Genesis 3:16 The Curse On The Man - Part 1 of 2 - Genesis 3:17-19 The Curse On The Man - Part 2 of 2 - Genesis 3:17-19 ON TELEVANGELISM In the world of Christian television, there are many messengers to be found. There are those who claim to be apostles, prophets, dispensers of words of wisdom and receivers of direct revelation from God, There are those who claim to have direct conversations with God on a daily basis. There are those who claim to have received special anointings from God, possess unique spiritual power, can impart special blessings to others and claim authority over cities, states and countries. There are those who claim power to cast out demons and say they can bind the devil. There are those who claim to be able to call down and direct the Holy Spirit at will. There are those who claim to have been transported to heaven and hell where they received exclusive messages from God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and angels, giving them instructions about the importance of their ministry and what they should tell the world. There are those who claim extraordinary powers in which they can heal diseases and raise the dead. These are just a few of the legions who prey on the lack of discernment prevalent in Christian society today. Their messages are almost universally based on the gospel of greed. Either greed for money or for health, prosperity and status. The greed is revealed at both ends of the spectrum. The messengers are in it for what they can get from adherents, and adherents are in it for what they believe they can get from God through the teachings of the messengers. The greater majority of these messengers operate on a give and take system; they will give a person their message if they can take money from the adherent. This is the standard means of operation. A person is encouraged to partner with them, (to give a monthly pledge of money), in order to receive the benefits that are said to be available uniquely through that ministry. It is claimed that a person can receive the same power of God that is available to that unique ministry, by pledging a monthly gift of money. It is a form of the old Catholic system of selling indulgences, but instead of selling the promise of a shorter time in purgatory, they are attempting to sell what they claim is the power and anointing of God, for money. These messengers preach a message in which they wish to convince a person that they have something that the person is lacking. Those messengers are dangerous, because what they claim is mostly false. But there is a message that is equally as false, because it claims that a person already has what they actually do not. This is the message of those who claim the "Wider Mercy Doctrine" or the "Doctrine of Universal Reconciliation" or the "Doctrine of Universal Restoration" or, recently, Carlton Pearson's "Gospel of Inclusion." Carlton Pearson, who frequents the airways of TBN, (the Trinity Broadcasting System), represents not only the most recent incarnation of this message, but reveals the lack of doctrinal integrity found on the broadcast network of Paul Crouch, the self-proclaimed representative of Christianity. Even Billy Graham has seemingly bought into this doctrine as revealed in a discussion that he had with Robert Schuller on the subject. But it is Carlton Pearson's spin on the doctrine that has recently caused a controversy. There is really nothing new about the doctrine, since it is the basis of all Universalist belief. But what is unique, is that the belief has begun to find its way into traditional orthodox teaching. What is this "new" doctrine? It is the claim that all men are going to heaven, regardless of religious belief or affiliation, and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not necessary to obtain salvation. It is asserted that God simply grants salvation based on His mercy, perhaps also based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The assumption is that all men are going to heaven, even if they do not know about the fact. The presumption in Carlton Pearson's version is that all men are going to heaven even though they may not know it. Those who have a personal relationship with Christ or, have "tasted the fruits" of a real relationship with Him, are in the process of being sanctified. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ does not grant salvation, but brings about sanctification. Faith in Jesus Christ does not save, it sanctifies. In orthodox teaching, the majority of people are unsaved and going to hell, while a minority have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, have obtained salvation and are going to heaven. In Carlton Pearson's doctrine, the majority of people, if not all, are going to heaven while the minority of people have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and are being sanctified. A still smaller majority have rejected a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and come under some type of judgment by God. Strangely enough, the road to separation from God is not through sin or rejection of the gospel of repentance, but through knowledge of Jesus Christ. Those who become aware of Jesus Christ, realize and understand the benefits of a relationship with Him and then fall away, are destined for a judgment of separation from God. To remain ignorant of Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him will guarantee that a person will spend eternity in heaven. It becomes clear, especially in the doctrine of Carlton Pearson, that ignorance is bliss, but knowledge can lead to disaster. Carlton Pearson claims that the Christian church has gotten the salvation message wrong; that the early church believed in his Gospel of Inclusion, but that apostate belief has replaced the true gospel message that he has discovered. To preach a doctrine that men have a salvation that, in reality, they do not, is not to preach a doctrine of hope and triumph, but a message of judgment and damnation. READ ABOUT WHAT THIS DOCTRINE MEANS ON THIS WEBSITE The Wider Mercy Doctrine A discussion between Billy Graham and Robert Schuller Jesus: The Savior of the World A discussion of Carlton Pearson's Gospel of Inclusion. Deliverance and Salvation 6 sermon series on the meaning of salvation and deliverance by John F. MacArthur, Jr. 1939 The Nature Of Saving Faith John F. MacArthur, Jr. 1939 Was Anyone Saved At The Cross? Dr. James White 1963 What Is Christianity? J. Gresham Machen 1881-1937 Marks Of A True Conversion George Whitefield 1714-1770 What Is A Christian? On Doctrine ON CHRISTIAN SOCIETY How Christian is American society and of those who claim to be Christian, what is the nature of their faith? How sovereign do Christians believe their God to be and do their beliefs affect the content and conduct of their lives? READ THE CURRENT FINDINGS OF BARNA RESEARCH - Off Site - www.barna.org Beliefs: General Religious Evangelical Christians Beliefs: Theological Beliefs: Salvation American Faith is Diverse, as Shown Among Five Faith-Based Segments Americans Are More Likely to Base Truth on Feelings READ ABOUT WHAT CONSTITUTES A CHRISTIAN ON THIS WEBSITE Gospel Grounds And Evidences Of The Faith Of God's Elect John Owen 1616-1683 Christianity Without Christ Charles Hodge 1797-1878 Marks Of A True Conversion George Whitefield 1714-1770 The Nature Of Saving Faith John F. MacArthur, Jr. 1939 What Is Christianity? J. Gresham Machen 1881-1937 What Is A Christian? On Doctrine ON JOURNALS "This you are aware is not only an item in my creed, but enters into the very ground-work of the hope of immortality and glory, that has become established in my bosom; and constitutes the basis of the submission and joyfulness found in my religious experience....Why should it not be the very joy of our bosoms, that he 'has foreordained whatsoever come to pass?' What can real benevolence desire, but that every thing should 'come to pass,' in the wisest and best manner, to the wisest and best ultimate end? Could not an infinitely wise and good God ordain everything to come to pass in this very way, and to this very end? Such, too, being the fact, is it not evidently the duty and happiness of every one to give up himself in absolute submission to the will of God; and to be pleased that all things are at the disposal and under the control of this infinitely wise and good Being." ---- Luther Rice ARTICLES ON THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD FROM JOURNALS - Off Site Luther Rice on God's Sovereignty and Man's Responsibility From The Founders Journal - www.founders.org/journal.html The Sovereignty of God Lorraine Boettner From Sola Scriptura - www.mbrem.com The Sovereignty of God Prof. John Murray From Orthodox Presbyterian Church - www.opc.org/cce/sovereignty.html The Sovereignty of God Rev. Gise J. Van Baren From The Protestant Reformed Churches in America - www.prca.org or E-MAIL ON DOCTRINE AT: ondoctrine@ondoctrine.com
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