Alan Dale Gross
Active Member
"At their heart, The Eternal Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism are Theology, True Religion; and this means Sound Bible Doctrine.
This is how we will be viewing The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, here.
"We limit ourselves to the consideration that The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism are the Pure Bible Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is the Gospel. Its outstanding Doctrines are simply the Truths that make up the Pure Bible Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Departure from The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, therefore, is Apostasy from The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism in Christ.
Our defense of The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, then, will proceed as follows:
“First, we will show that The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is the Gospel.
This is necessary because of its detractors, who criticize it as a perversion of the Gospel.
“Second, we will defend it as the Gospel. In doing this, we carry out the calling that every believer has from God.
Paul wrote that he was "set for the defense of the Gospel" (Philippians 1:17).
“Then, I Peter 3:15 calls every believer to give an answer, an "apology," or defense, to everyone who asks us a reason for the Hope that is in us;
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the Hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
"The Bible is the only Authority in and over the Churches of The Lord Jesus Christ.
It is this because it is the Inspired Word of God, as II Timothy 3:16 claims:
"All Scripture is Given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in Righteousness."
As such, Scripture is the "infallible rule" (Belgic Confession, Article VII).
It may not be ignored, questioned, or subjected to criticism, but must be received, believed, and obeyed.
This is vital for The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism because The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism teaches many things
about which man complains, "These are hard sayings, who can hear them?"
"For The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, the question is not, "will men in the 21th century like these things?"
But the question is, "Does the Word of God Teach them?"
"The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is concerned in Proclaiming the Scriptures.
"The Preaching of Scripture, both within the Church and outside the Church,
is the central interest of all those who Profess and Preach The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism."
This is how we will be viewing The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, here.
"We limit ourselves to the consideration that The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism are the Pure Bible Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is the Gospel. Its outstanding Doctrines are simply the Truths that make up the Pure Bible Gospel of Jesus Christ.
"Departure from The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, therefore, is Apostasy from The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism in Christ.
Our defense of The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, then, will proceed as follows:
“First, we will show that The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is the Gospel.
This is necessary because of its detractors, who criticize it as a perversion of the Gospel.
“Second, we will defend it as the Gospel. In doing this, we carry out the calling that every believer has from God.
Paul wrote that he was "set for the defense of the Gospel" (Philippians 1:17).
“Then, I Peter 3:15 calls every believer to give an answer, an "apology," or defense, to everyone who asks us a reason for the Hope that is in us;
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer
to every man that asketh you a reason of the Hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
"The Bible is the only Authority in and over the Churches of The Lord Jesus Christ.
It is this because it is the Inspired Word of God, as II Timothy 3:16 claims:
"All Scripture is Given by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in Righteousness."
As such, Scripture is the "infallible rule" (Belgic Confession, Article VII).
It may not be ignored, questioned, or subjected to criticism, but must be received, believed, and obeyed.
This is vital for The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism because The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism teaches many things
about which man complains, "These are hard sayings, who can hear them?"
"For The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism, the question is not, "will men in the 21th century like these things?"
But the question is, "Does the Word of God Teach them?"
"The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism is concerned in Proclaiming the Scriptures.
"The Preaching of Scripture, both within the Church and outside the Church,
is the central interest of all those who Profess and Preach The Doctrines of Grace/ Calvinism."