Pelagianism by Michael S. Horton

I was reading an article earlier I thought was pretty interesting. They have been talking about this on The White Horse Inn.

The article is Pelagianism by Michael S. Horton.

We possess neither the ability, free will, power, nor the righteousness to repair ourselves and escape the wrath of God. It must all be God’s work, Christ’s work, or there is no salvation.

Cicero observed of his own civilization that people thank the gods for their material prosperity, but never for their virtue, for this is their own doing. Princeton theologian B. B. Warfield considered Pelagianism “the rehabilitation of that heathen view of the world,” and concluded with characteristic clarity, “There are fundamentally only two doctrines of salvation: that salvation is from God, and that salvation is from ourselves. The former is the doctrine of common Christianity; the latter is the doctrine of universal heathenism.” (1)

But Warfield’s sharp criticisms are consistent with the witness of the church ever since Pelagius and his disciples championed the heresy. St. Jerome, the fourth century Latin father, called it “the heresy of Pythagoras and Zeno,” as in general paganism rested on the fundamental conviction that human beings have it within their power to save themselves. What, then, was Pelagianism and how did it get started?

More HERE.

My Sheep by J.C. Ryle

My sheep

(J. C. Ryle, “The Gospel of John”)

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and
they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they
shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of
My hand.” John 10:27,28

Christ calls His people, “My sheep.”

The word “sheep,” no doubt, points to something
in the character and ways of true Christians. It
would be easy to show that weakness, helplessness,
harmlessness, usefulness–are all points of resemblance
between the sheep and the believer. But the leading
idea in our Lord’s mind was the entire dependence
of the sheep upon its Shepherd.

Just as sheep hear the voice of their own shepherd,
and follow him–so do believers follow Christ. By faith
they listen to His call. By faith they submit themselves
to His guidance. By faith they lean on Him, and commit
their souls implicitly to His direction.

The expression, “My sheep,” also points to the close
connection which exists between Christ and believers.
They are His by gift from the Father, His by purchase,
His by election and effectual calling, and His by their
own consent and heart submission.

In the highest sense they are Christ’s property; and
just as a man feels a special interest in that which he
has bought at a great price and made his own–so does
the Lord Jesus feel a peculiar interest in His people.

We should notice the vast privileges which the Lord
Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians. He uses
words about them, of singular richness and strength.

Christ “knows” His people with a special knowledge of
interest and affection. By the world around them they
are comparatively unknown, uncared for, or despised.
But they are never forgotten or overlooked by Christ.

Christ “gives” His people “eternal life.” He freely bestows
on them–a right and title to heaven, pardoning their many
sins, and clothing them with a perfect righteousness.

Money, and health, and worldly prosperity He often
wisely withholds from them. But He never fails to
give them grace, peace, and glory.

Christ declares that His people “shall never perish.”
Weak as they are–they shall all be saved. Not one of
them shall be lost and cast away; not one of them shall
miss heaven. If they err–they shall be brought back; if
they fall–they shall be raised. The enemies of their souls
may be strong and mighty–but their Savior is mightier;
and none shall pluck them out of their Savior’s hands!
“My sheep shall never perish; no one can snatch them
out of My hand.”

Grace Gems (choice ELECTRONIC books, sermons & quotes)

Grace Audio Treasures (choice AUDIO sermons)

Sovereign Grace Treasures (choice PRINTED books)

The True Gospel

More at-

http://www.sermonaudio.com/go/pw/vcy

http://www.heartcrymissionary.com/

Spurgeon on Arminianism

“I believe that very much of current Arminianism is simply ignorance of gospel doctrine; and if people began to study their Bibles, and to take the Word of God as they find it, they must inevitably, if believers, rise up to rejoice in the doctrines of grace.”
- Charles H. Spurgeon

HT: Symphony of Scripture

You Might Be A Calvinist if…

Tominthebox has a post called You Might Be A Calvinist if…

haha pretty funny

Hell is Necessary

Hell is Necessary (Tim Conway)

Thanks to Matt Haney for posting these at Sermonaudio where you can download them: LINK

Revelation 14

9Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,

10he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

11“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night..

On Faith Alone by Robert Pierre

I saw this video over at DefCon. Wow It is beautiful!

On faith alone I stand.
There is no higher ground.
I give all I am.
for my soul will never doubt.
Though the storms they may be raging.
You have always held my hand.
To thy cross my heart will always cling.
On faith alone I stand.
On faith alone I live.
Not in what I say or do,
But the blood you freely give covers me and makes me new.
For your love is ever with me.
Lord Jehovah great I am.
O my trust grows stronger on my knees.
On faith alone I stand.
Hallelujah,
hallelujah,
hallelujah.
On faith alone I stand.
When I reach my final breath,
and I fall into your arms.
I’ll proclaim with no regret.
On faith alone,
sola fide,
sola fide,
sola fide.
On faith alone I stand.
Hallelujah,
hallelujah,
hallelujah.
On faith alone I stand.
On faith alone I stand.

Exposing the Word-Faith Movement; A Call For Discernment

Ingrid Schlueter interviewed Justin Peters on the Word-Faith Movement at Crosstalk.

“Justin reminds listeners that there will be those who will do signs and wonders in Jesus’ name, but that doesn’t mean the miracles are of God. Nonetheless, the Word-Faith movement, which Justin believes has its origins in the metaphysical cults, continues to place a heavy emphasis on the miraculous and supernatural, while twisting Scripture to buttress its case.”

Read more or listen HERE.

Good Free stuff

I was over at Reformed Voices and they posted some freebies. Check them out.

I just sent off for the book Justification & Regeneration by Charles Leiter.

Very nice of them all to offer these resources.

The god of this Century

The god of this century no more resembles the Sovereign of Holy Writ than does the dim flickering of a candle the glory of the midday sun. The god who is talked about in the average pulpit, spoken of in the ordinary Sunday school, mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day, and preached in most of the so-called Bible conferences, is a figment of human imagination, an invention of maudlin sentimentality.

- AW Pink (1886 - 1952)

HT: Defending.Contending