"...if anyone makes the assistance of grace depend on the humility or obedience of man and does not agree that it is a gift of grace itself that we are obedient and humble, he contradicts the Apostle who says, "What have you that you did not receive?" (1 Cor. 4:7), and, "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). (Council of Orange: Canon 6)
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"Irresistible grace presupposes particular redemption. There is no such grace apart from Christ and His work. (Eph 1:3, 1 Pet. 1:3) Therefore, so-called four-point Calvinism is untenable."
Comments
True Amyraldism is tenable only because of its hypothetical nature and existence outside of time. While I do agree with Dorcht, I do recognize that it is not the only tenable system. Moses Amyraut's system preserves irresistible grace with a pre temporal hypothetical unlimited atonement which all of mankind would reject and thus only those who were then called accept it.
The Synods of Synods at Alencon (1637), Charenton (1645), and Loudun (1659) all accepted the orthodoxy of Amyraut's teaching.
I will however state that most (meaning every one I have ever met) who claim to be a 4 point Calvinist or Amyraldian do not believe what Amyraut actually taught and what passes as 4 Point Calvinism today is certainly untenable.
Posted by: R. K. Brumbelow | May 24, 2011 09:08 PM
R.K.
The very fact that Jesus purchases irresistible grace (regeneration) on the cross for the elect and not the non-elect means, by definition, that Christ died for the elect in a way (a redemptive way) that he did not for the non-elect. Therefore, particular redemption is proven and Amyraldism and four-point Calvinism is shown false.
Furthermore, Amyraldianism removes Christ from the doctrines of grace thereby makes it into an abstraction as well as makes the Trinity work in disharmony to bring about the redemption of the elect.
Did Jesus purchase irresistible grace with his blood for the elect or does the source of irresistible grace come from some generic grace, apart from Jesus Christ?
Posted by: John H | May 25, 2011 12:28 PM
I don't think I'm a four point Calvinist unless someone reads my comment and tells me I am.
the comment I wish to make is this: we should not confuse the sacrifice of Christ with the atoning work of the Father, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Atonement is Christ's blood applied by the Holy Spirit to those whom the Father has given to the Son. Christ's sacrifice had benefit for all people. By it, many benefits were secured for the entire world. Election is God's choice of some for eternal life achieved by the work of Christ on the Cross PLUS the blood of Christ effectively sprinkled on some. The sacrifices of the OT were only effective for those upon whom the blood was applied. All believers should believe in limited atonement. The only distinction is to whom the blood is meant to be applied and what ( and who ) is the cause of the blood being applied.
The sufficiency of Christ's blood sacrifice is inarguable, the real question is not for whom did He die ( He died for God ) but rather for whom did God intend for His blood to be applied to.
Posted by: scott price | May 26, 2011 10:08 AM