Christ Cures the Dead -Thomas Watson-

"Christ never fails of success. Christ never undertakes to heal any but he makes a certain cure, 'Those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost,' (John 17:12). Other physicians can only cure them that are sick, but Christ cures them that are dead, 'And you that he quickened who were dead' (Eph 2:1). Christ is a physician for the dead, of every one whom Christ cures, it may be said, 'He was dead, and is alive again' (Luke 15:32)."

THOMAS WATSON

Saints and Sinners - Martin Luther

The saints are always sinners in their own sight, and therefore always justified outwardly. But the hypocrites are always righteous in their own sight, and thus always sinners outwardly. I use the term "inwardly" to show how we are in ourselves, in our own sight, in our own estimation; and the term "outwardly" to indicate how we are before God and in his reckoning. Therefore we are righteous outwardly when we are righteous solely by the imputation of God and not of ourselves or of our own works.

-Martin Luther- Comments on Romans 4:7

Homoousion

Just for fun I thought I would throw out a theological word and definition every once in a while.

The Theological word for today is...

Homoousion-

A Greek term, literally meaning "of the same substance," which came to be used extensively during the fourth century to designate the main-stream Christological belief that Jesus Christ was "of the same substance as God." The term was polemical, being directed against the Arian view that Christ was "of similar substance" (homoiousious) to God.

Guilty of Guilt - James Sire

James Sire, in a book called the Universe Next Door does and excellent job of explaining that people who hold to a naturalistic worldview can have no real foundation for ethics, but there still arises feelings of guilt. The problem is, in this type of world there is no solution to the guilt.

"In a universe where God is dead, people are not guilty of violating a moral law, they are only guilty of guilt, and that is a very serious, for nothing can be done about it. If one had sinned, there might be atonement. If one had broken a law, the lawmaker might forgive the criminal. But if one is only guilty of guilt, there is no way to solve the very personal problem.

And that's states the case of the nihilist, for no one can avoid acting as if moral values exist and as if there is some bar of justice that measures guilt by objective standards. But there is no bar of justice and we are left not in sin but in guilt. Very serious indeed."

-James Sire, The Universe Next Door-


Praise God for His moral law, and praise Him more for His atonement.

Doug

Faith Without Trouble.

"Faith, without trouble or fighting, is a suspicious faith; for true faith is a fighting, wrestling faith."

-RALPH ERSKINE-

Let Your Sins Be Strong!

Let Your Sins Be Strong!

God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' Luke 18:13

One of the tendencies we can often fall into is trying to minimize our sin. We look at wrongs we have done and do everything we can to try and justify our actions, but this is not taking full ownership of our sins. Many times, as Christians, we admit that we need to be forgiven, but we still don’t like to admit to the fact that our sins are utterly deplorable. We like to talk about our sin and forgiveness but we do not like to admit that we are really sinners. Deep down we think surely we are not like many other people who are real sinners. Thinking like this, however, makes us like the pharisee who scoffed at the tax collector--utterly in denial of the reality of our own sin.

Martin Luther once wrote a letter to Melanchthon entitled, "Let Your Sins Be Strong," addressing several different topics, including the tendency to downplay our sins. Luther says, "God does not save those who are only imaginary sinners. Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world."

We must stop trying to weaken the sin we commit in order to maintain dignity. We must let them be strong, and look at them in all their wretchedness. We must see our sins as they mock God and refuse to obey Him in all His Holiness. Taking ownership of our sins is the only way we can bring what is ours to Him and say, I need you to bear my punishment for these. There is nothing anyone can do to atone for these sins. Jesus, you are the only one. His response to this request is, "Though your sins be like scarlet, they shall be white as snow." Because of this, there is no sin that will be able to separate us from Him, for His sacrifice was fully sufficient.

Today let us consider the words of Martin Luther: "Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner." Let us not try to justify our sins, for self-justification warrants nothing but death, but against Christ’s justifying blood, no sin can prevail.

My sins are mine I know them well
They mock at God and damn to hell
But through His blood I am set free,
He paid my debt at Calvary.

-Doug Eaton-

Peace on Earth

"And on earth peace": by which is meant, not external peace, though, at this time there was peace on earth all the world over; nor internal peace, as distinguished from that eternal peace which the saints enjoy in heaven; nor even peace made by Christ; for this, as yet, was not done on earth, but was to be made by the blood of his cross: rather Christ himself is here intended, who is called "the man, the peace" Mic_5:5 and "our peace", Eph_2:14 and was now on earth, being just born, in order to make peace with God, and reconciliation for the sins of the people. "

-John Gill-

The Benefits of Adversity

My Grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9

The Prayer

The daily battles never cease. Adversity is a companion I know too well. My strength is gone, and despair brings me low. I ask again for release from this, for I fear it will be the end of me. The enemy gathers to devour me. Their strength seems overwhelming. Lord, deliver me from this weakness. I see the wicked live in peace as I strive to do your will, and yet I suffer day by day. If it be your will end this suffering.

The Response

Then your word rings clear. "My Grace is sufficient for you". Three times you’ve cried for relief, because you believe this is holding you back. What you don’t see my child, is that this thorn you so much dread is one of my precious blessings which is not killing or holding you back, but spurring you on and giving you strength.

The death that you feel is the old nature dying and though you feel held back you’re actually moving more swiftly, because your focus is clear and your resolve is set on Me. Without this you would be easily distracted. Without this you would stumble in your own strength, and though Satan thinks he buffets, and your faith is being tested, I am crowning you with perseverance, character and hope.

Humility is another gift that is given though this and the broken and contrite I will never turn away. So walk on and know that I am sovereign and embrace the benefits of this adversity. For I alone am God and I know my children well, you will never be tested more than you can handle, and I will bring you home.

-Doug Eaton-

Study the Word -Jonathan Edwards-

"You all have by you a large treasure of divine knowledge, in that you have the Bible in your hands; therefore be not contented in possessing but little of this treasure. God hath spoken much to you in the Scripture; labor to understand as much of what he saith as you can. God hath made you all reasonable creatures; therefore let not the noble faculty of reason or understanding lie neglected. Content not yourselves with having so much knowledge as is thrown in your way, and as you receive in some sense unavoidably by the frequent inculcation of divine truth in the preaching of the word, of which you are obliged to be hearers, or as you accidentally gain in conversation; but let it be very much your business to search for it, and that with the same diligence and labor with which men are wont to dig in mines of silver and gold."

-JONATHAN EDWARDS -

A Famine of the Word! -Martin Luther-

With so many churches abandoning the Word of God and replacing it with pop psychology, I find the following quote by Martin Luther quite alarming.

"Again, there is no more cruel stroke of the wrath of God than when He sends a famine of hearing His words (Amo_8:11), just as there is no greater favour from Him than the sending forth of His word, as it is said, "He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" (Psa_107:20)."

-Martin Luther-

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2

God's Purposes in Suffering

Here is one of my favorite quotes by Spurgeon.


"One Sabbath morning, I preached from the text, `My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?' and though I did not say so, yet I preached my own experience. I heard my own chains clank while I tried to preach to my fellow-prisoners in the dark; but I could not tell why I was brought into such an awful horror of darkness, for which I condemned myself. On the following Monday evening, a man came to see me who bore all the marks of despair upon his countenance. His hair seemed to stand up right, and his eyes were ready to start from their sockets. He said to me, after a little parleying, "I never before, in my life, heard any man speak who seemed to know my heart. Mine is a terrible case; but on Sunday morning you painted me to the life, and preached as if you had been inside my soul." By God's grace I saved that man from suicide, and led him into gospel light and liberty; but I know I could not have done it if I had not myself been confined in the dungeon in which he lay. I tell you the story, brethren, because you sometimes may not understand your own experience, and the perfect people may condemn you for having it; but what know they of God's servants? You and I have to suffer much for the sake of the people of our charge....You may be in Egyptian darkness, and you may wonder why such a horror chills your marrow; but you may be altogether in the pursuit of your calling, and be led of the Spirit to a position of sympathy with desponding minds."

-C.H. Spurgeon-

A Word of Encouragement From Pilgrims Progress

(Picture of the jail where Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress)

Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.
Then said Christian, What means this?
The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it, to extinguish and put it out, is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire, notwithstanding, burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he had him about to the back side of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast (but secretly) into the fire.
Then said Christian, What means this?
The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still. 2 Cor. 12:9. And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul.

-John Bunyan-

A Serious Warning from Pilgrim's Progress

Now, said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the Interpreter, till I have showed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.

Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once.
CHRISTIAN: What wast thou once?
THE MAN: The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, Luke 8:13, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither.
CHRISTIAN: Well, but what art thou now?
THE MAN: I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; Oh now I cannot!
CHRISTIAN: But how camest thou into this condition?
THE MAN: I left off to watch and be sober: I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me: I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.
CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?
THE MAN: No, none at all.
CHRISTIAN: Why, the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
THE MAN: I have crucified him to myself afresh, Heb. 6:6; I have despised his person, Luke 19:14; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of grace, Heb. 10:29: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
CHRISTIAN: For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
THE MAN: For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.
CHRISTIAN: But canst thou not now repent and turn?
THE MAN: God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all the men in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
INTERPRETER: Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man’s misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.
CHRISTIAN: Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and to be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man’s misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?

-John Bunyan-

God's Rod of Discipline

But they will become his slaves so that they may learn the difference between my service and the service of the kingdoms of the countries. 2 Chronicles 12:8

Here we find the nation of Judah in a humbling position. King Rehoboam had only been king of Judah for five years, but in that five years he had forsaken the law of the Lord. Because of this unfaithfulness the Lord sends Shishak, King of Egypt to capture the fortified cities of Judah. The Lord then says to King Rehoboam, “You have forsaken me, so I have forsaken you to Shishak”, and what we see next is faith revived, for they humbled themselves and said, “the Lord is righteous”.

It is here that we find our text. Many times we take disobedience lightly, and most people would not like to talk about the times they have been under God’s rod of discipline. In fact, with so much theology pushing for the elusive mountain top experiences, and Christian pop psychology teaching us “How to manage our emotions” or “How to find the champion within” a Christian could feel like quite the failure in many of today churches to realize and admit that the rod of God is actually on them for disobedience.

But we must see this for what it really is. To be under the rod of God is a blessing, because the Lord only disciplines those He loves. In this text we see His discipline has a specific purpose; to teach. There are many things we must be taught by the hand of the Lord. For our hearts are deceitful and prone to wander, but our shepherd knows how to lead us. And when we learn the difference between His service and the service of the prince of this world, we find that His yoke is easy and His burden in light.

There is also the unfortunate fact that many people live their lives based on subjective feelings and do not live according to the Word of God. They feel that they are all right because they get goose bumps during their worship service, but they are living in sin and feel no remorse about it. This is a much worse place to be than under the rod of God’s discipline.

Today, if you find yourself under God’s Rod of discipline, humble yourself, and know that He is righteous. Don’t try to run, for it is God’s love that is dealing with you, and not His condemnation. Praise Him for He is righteous, and if world looks down upon you because you have been brought low, and if many in the church are too busy chasing affluence under the guise of Christianity to understand, remember victory is yours because He is your shepherd. It is God’s grace that teaches us these important lessons, and we know “the broken and contrite He will never turn away.” Praise God, for He disciplines those He loves, we are kept by the power of God, and we will never be lost.

-Doug Eaton-

Self-Acquaintance

Self-Acquaintance
by William Cowper

Dear Lord! accept a sinful heart,
Which of itself complains,
And mourns, with much and frequent smart,
The evil it contains.

There fiery seeds of anger lurk,
Which often hurt my frame;
And wait but for the tempter's work,
To fan them to a flame.

Legality holds out a bribe
To purchase life from thee;
And discontent would fain prescribe
How thou shalt deal with me.

While unbelief withstands thy grace,
And puts the mercy by;
Presumption, with a brow of brass,
Says, "Give me, or I die."

How eager are my thoughts to roam
In quest of what they love!
But, ah! when duty calls them home,
How heavily they move!

Oh, cleanse me in a Saviour's blood,
Transform me by thy pow'r,
And make me thy belov'd abode,
And let me rove no more.

Narnia Radio Show

http://www.apologetics.com

Here is a link to the latest radio show we did, and since it was on Friday we discussed Narnia. You probably won't want to listen to it if you have not yet seen the movie, because we discussed all of the things we liked and disliked. It was one of our less weighty shows, but in the second hour Dean McConnell gave us some great insight into C.S. Lewis' life.

Doug

Thought this was a great cover for the new EFCA Today magazine!

Christ and Culture

Christ and Culture

My good friend Ryan is getting his blog up and running. Should be pretty good once he gets it going. Check it out.

Doug

The Fear of Death

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

The fear of death is a most potent fear. Through fear of death many will consent to do things that nothing else could compel them to do. Some braver souls, it is true, will accept death sooner than dishonor; but for the majority the fear of death can be a tyrannous instrument of coercion. And death is indeed the king of terrors to those who recognize in it the penalty of sin. But by the death of their Sanctifier, Christ’s brothers and sisters are sanctified; His death has transformed the meaning of death for them. To them his death means not judgment, but blessing; not bondage, but liberation. And their own death, when it comes, takes its character from His death. If, then, death itself cannot separate the people of Christ from God’s love which has been revealed in him, it can no longer be held over their heads by the devil or any other malign power as a means of intimidation.

-F.F. Bruce, Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews-

The Love of the World

Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matt. 19:24

The passage this verse comes from, speaks volumes about the falleness of man and the grace of God. Jesus is speaking privately with His disciples about the rich young ruler who walked away because his love for worldly treasures was greater than his love for the things of God. Jesus proceeds by stating that it is easier for a camel to pass through and eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew Henry makes some interesting observations when he says, “The way to heaven is fitly compared to the needle’s eye, which is hard to hit and hard to get through. Secondly, a rich man is filty compared to a camel, a beast of burden, for he has riches, as the camel has his load.”

Jesus tells us that the road to heaven is difficult by calling it narrow, and He reiterates it by relating it to the eye of a needle. But we must be careful what we call difficult, because we know we cannot work our way to heaven and our striving cannot add anything to our salvation. So what is the difficulty that is being revealed here? The difficulty stems from our fallen nature. Our nature at birth is at enmity with God and loves the world. We know “if any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 Jn. 2:15) We also know if the love of the Father is in a person, then He has faith and therefore is saved. The difficulty is changing from a person who loves the world to one who loves the Father.

The rich man has twice the difficulty, because he not only has to contend with his fallen nature, but, like the camel, has heaped upon his back the burden of his riches, which his fallen nature clings to with iron clad shackles. The poor do not escape easily either, because the world is full of charms, which our nature is bound to, but with wealth, we have greater means to pursue them.

The disciples are astonished at this teaching and respond with a serious question, “then who can be saved?” Jesus’ response is important because it is the key to salvation. He states, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” The difficulty of turning away from the world and breaking the fetters that bind us, cannot be done by anything we do. In fact, because we are bound to the world with such a strong love for it, we do not desire to alter our affections away from it. The love of the world is in us and will never be removed without divine intervention. But, praise God, all things are possible with Him. For He is the one who breaks the chains and places in us a love for the Father, and He never fails. Even if this work is being done in a rich man’s life, the love of the world, even with his love for riches, will be overpower by the work of grace.

Salvation is the gift of God; no man in his fallen nature will ever turn his own heart to faith without God working it in Him. If you find yourself desiring God over the riches of this world, praise Him! Because we could have never come to that point had God not wrought it in us. Riches, though not evil in themselves, are bindings that hold many out of the kingdom of God. May God do for us what is impossible for us to do ourselves.

-Doug Eaton-

I Asked the Lord, That I Might Grow

I asked the Lord, that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

I hoped that in some favoured hour
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this, he made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with his own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

'Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried,
'Wilt thou pursue Thy worm to death?'
'Tis in this way,' the Lord replied,
'I answer prayer for grace and faith.

'These inward trials I employ
'From self and pride to set thee free;
'And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
'That thou may'st seek thy all in me.'

-John Newton-

Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays, Lets Fight!

Hungry for Holiness

Here is a link to a very thought provoking blog entry.

Doug

Concern for Our Souls

13These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
Heb 11:13-14

During the Great awakening, one description given to many of the people during this time was that they were deeply concerned for their souls. This is significant because this is not what we could say of many in the church today.

Would people describe us in this way? That our one true desire is to be in right relationship with the Lord? Is everything that you do designed to bring glory to God? If you are not accomplishing this goal, does it cause such a deep dissatisfaction, which, until it is resolved, makes you willing to sacrifice your most precious worldly treasures?

When we read of men like Martin Luther, John Bunyon, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and Charles Wesley. It was this kind of concern for the things of God that caused them to accomplish the great works they did, regardless of the adversities they faced. Christians were who they were. It wasn't merely one aspect of their lives, but every fabric of their being was encompassed by their relationship with Christ. It drove them to study, write, understand and most importantly live the Christian life.

How do we line up with this? Is our Christianity one aspect of who we are or is it our entire life’s focus? One way to examine ourselves in this matter is to look at how often we think about this world not being our home. How often do we speak about our true home? For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

Today may you examine yourself to see what you truly seeking. Everyone is seeking something and there are only two possible destinations. Is it something in this world or is it the Homeland, for few are those who find the road. For many who bear the name Christian resemble little of those whose most important goal is to be with the Father in Heaven.

May we use this time, to see the importance of the eternal, because we do not want to find out one day that we were the seed that fell among the thorns only to be choked out by the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of wealth.

When people look at who I am,
Let them see my one desire.
To bring glory to the lamb,
And purge my soul from the mire.

On my own I'd surely fail
Therefore strengthen by your grace
make my life to then entail
the desire to see your face.

-Doug Eaton-

So Long Moses

"Behold the Lamb of God"
Words and music by Andrew Peterson
Lyrics:

So long, Moses
Hello, Promised Land
It was a long, long road
But your people are home
So long, Moses

Hello, Joshua
Goodbye, Canaanites
We're coming to town
Twelve tribes and no crown
No crown, Oh Lord

We want a king on a throne
Full of power, with a sword in his fist
Will there ever be, ever be a king like this?

Hello, Saul
First king of Israel
You were foolish and strong
So you didn't last long
Goodbye, Saul

Hail, King David
Shepherd from Bethlehem
Set the temple of God
In mighty Jerusalem

You were a king on a throne
Full of power, with a sword in his fist
Has there ever been, ever been a king like this?
Full of wisdom, full of strength, the hearts of the people are his
Hear, O Israel, was ever there a king like this?

Hello, prophets
The kingdom is broken now
The people of God
Have been scattered abroad
How long, O Lord?

So speak, Isaiah
Prophet of Judah
Can you tell of the One
This king who's going to come

Will he be a king on a throne
Full of power with a sword in his fist?
Prophet, tell us will there be another king like this?
Full of wisdom, full of strength,
The hearts of the people are his
Prophet, tell us will there be
another king like this?

"He'll bear no beauty or glory
Rejected, despised
A man of such sorrow
We'll cover our eyes

He'll take up our sickness
Carry our tears
For his people
He will be pierced

He'll be crushed for our evils
Our punishment feel
By his wounds
We will be healed."

"From you, O Bethlehem
Small among Judah
A ruler will come
Ancient and strong."


©2004 Andrew Peterson

andrew peterson - music

Here is a link to one of my favorite artist's albums. For those of you interested in real Christmas Music, check out the lyrics to the album, "Behold the Lamb of God."

http://www.andrew-peterson.com/music.php

Doug

Hope Shown Forth From an Infant Child

Hope shone forth from an infant child.
In the manger that cold dark night
In humility God himself appeared mild.
Yet His plan moved forward in all its might.

Salvation to humanity was born
The angels could not help but sing
This Infant Child would bear our scorn
This newborn Sovereign King.

Helpless was mankind in sin
Until the star shone forth its light
Our salvation to begin
Bringing hope to the contrite

The sin we bear has shown us guilty
Under the righteousness of God
Our defense is proven faulty
As He sees through our façade

But this Child would fulfill
This law that we could not
And by our sin, His blood we’d spill
to pay our debt and take our lot

There is no guilt, which can’t be cleansed
The darkest stains can be removed
When His Grace has been dispensed
By Jesus Christ, in Him approved

Let us worship the infant child
Born, a life, to set us free
By His grace we are beguiled
Infant born of sovereign decree
-Doug Eaton-

I'm back

Recently my job has had me traveling quite a bit which limits my computer time. But needless to say the traveling is over and will get back to bloging more regularly.

Doug

Gordon Clark on Limited Atonement

"According to the Arminians, Christ never actually procured the reconciliation of anyone: He merely removed the obstacle of divine justice so as to make all mankind salvable. The Atonement has no efficacy in itself so far as application goes. For that matter, on their words, Christ did not intend to save anybody, nor did his death insure the salvation of anybody. Salvation is an additional work of man’s free will. One man is more spiritual than another, or more clever, or more determined; and so of his own natural ability he takes advantage of the chance that Christ offered equally to all. If any person wishes to be reconciled to God, the man himself must do something of his own free will to produce the reconciliation. He must apply redemption to himself. Arminianism, as noted above, contradicts Calvinism at every point; and here we see it contradicting the obviously Biblical teaching that man is dead in sin. His will is not totally depraved; without regeneration he can exercise faith. Though no one accuses the Arminian of being Roman Catholics, the two agree on one point at least, a fatal point, namely, that while Christ’s sacrifice was necessary for salvation, it is not Sufficient: Man must add some meritorious work of his own."

Gordon Clark, The Atonement - page139