tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post116882323995201333..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: General, Yet ParticularPhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1169035885139750372007-01-17T04:11:00.000-08:002007-01-17T04:11:00.000-08:00Stopping by for the first time. Like the design w...Stopping by for the first time. Like the design work. Cheers!Dan Moreheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08192472590372793072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168970720009252682007-01-16T10:05:00.000-08:002007-01-16T10:05:00.000-08:00mtr,How do you interpret Romans chapter nine, and ...mtr,<BR/><BR/>How do you interpret Romans chapter nine, and Ephesians chapter two?<BR/><BR/>Here's a quick interpretation of how I read these holy words of the Lord:<BR/><BR/>I see that God shows mercy to Jacob, and not Esau. I see God shows mercy and compassion to whom He will.<BR/>He owes not one of us anything but to judge us for our blasphemies, and rebllion.<BR/>Christ was, and is, the only Man whoever deserved to eneter into the presence of God.<BR/><BR/>God with His great love, came and sought out rebels, and quickened the dead hearts of these people who hated Him, and He opened our hard hearts, those who would have nothing to do with Him. <BR/>By His amazing grace we are saved through faith, and it's got absolutely nothing to do with us, otherwise we could all boast.<BR/><BR/>But instead we simply bow before a loving gracious Lord, and we praise and thank Him for His incomprehensile mercy!<BR/><BR/>Let me know how you see these portions of Scriptures. <BR/><BR/>It's not John Calvin, who BTW was a fine teacher, and a humble servant, but it has everything to do with the Holy Writ.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168967483938123202007-01-16T09:11:00.000-08:002007-01-16T09:11:00.000-08:00Thanks for the comments. I guess I'm ready to leav...Thanks for the comments. I guess I'm ready to leave the PCA because of all this Calvinism idolatry. Sorry.<BR/><BR/>Oh geez.<BR/><BR/>Sorry. Now you're all mad at me.<BR/><BR/>:-)MTRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883602824495013894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168965623175267262007-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:002007-01-16T08:40:00.000-08:00Thanks guys for the expounding on the love aspect....Thanks guys for the expounding on the love aspect.<BR/><BR/>I have trouble seperating the two.<BR/><BR/>I love God because He first loved me. <BR/>God tells me to evangelize because He loves the lost.<BR/>I evangelize and love the lost because my God tells me I should.<BR/><BR/>Now I know this seems a cold unemotional love to many, but it is not. <BR/><BR/>I love God, and His commands. If it were not for them I would be incapable of love at all in any real way beyond a selfish gratification.<BR/><BR/>I love that last paragraph Frank:<BR/><BR/>"Is it possible to tell your neighbor, "I love you, but I'm not so sure about God"? I wouldn't even try it. The greatest reason to evangelize is -not- duty: it is love of men as a result of the love of God."<BR/><BR/>I would equally not try to tell God that I love Him and yet do not love my neighbor.<BR/><BR/>A duty of love is no duty at all.LeeChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540608568274871363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168921043386000522007-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:002007-01-15T20:17:00.000-08:00Amen and Amen. Great choice of a sermon du jour. ...Amen and Amen. Great choice of a sermon du jour. I also recommend the John Piper sermon on this subject from the Reformission 2004 conference. It's the evening message on 11/10/04.<BR/><BR/>www.reformission.comisaiah543https://www.blogger.com/profile/07677722035176971126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168915036446675282007-01-15T18:37:00.000-08:002007-01-15T18:37:00.000-08:00"We love them by caring about them, and praying fo..."We love them by caring about them, and praying for them-- that God would have mercy on them, and that His mighty hand would open their heart and draw them to the Cross of our Savior for the forgiveness of sin."<BR/><BR/>Awesome, donsands. Christians of all stripes ought to be able to line up behind that sentiment.James Scott Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641370124346172648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168909766013310672007-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:002007-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00This was an excellent sermon. Full to the brim, an...This was an excellent sermon. Full to the brim, and over-running with truth and grace. <BR/><BR/>Amen to Frank's comment. I agree, we love God the most, by loving our neighbor, even the least lovable.<BR/><BR/>We love them by caring about them, and praying for them-- that God would have mercy on them, and that His mighty hand would open their heart and draw them to the Cross of our Savior for the forgiveness of sin.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168906637402397682007-01-15T16:17:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:17:00.000-08:00That last paragraph should read:Is it possible to ...That last paragraph should read:<BR/><BR/><I>Is it possible to tell your neighbor, "I love you, but I'm not so sure about God"? I wouldn't even try it. The greatest reason to evangelize is -not- duty: it is love of men as a result of the love of God.</I>FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168906316719911452007-01-15T16:11:00.000-08:002007-01-15T16:11:00.000-08:00Let me say clearly that what breaks my heart here ...Let me say clearly that what breaks my heart here is mtr who attends a PCA church withj a pastor who love Spurgeon <I>and cannot answer these basic questions of the faith.</I><BR/><BR/>mtr:<BR/><BR/>While the answer that we evangelize because we car commanded to is adequate, and the supplement that we are commanded to because God ordains the ends and the means is a very clear clarification, there is another reason we evangelize: we love our fellow men.<BR/><BR/>The two great commandments in Scripture -- Christ tells us this -- is that we are to love God with everything we are, and our neighbor as ourselves. And when asked "Who is my neighbor?" Christ did not expound on the secret decrees of God or the community of faith: Christ made the point that out neighbor is the one we find in need.<BR/><BR/>"Love your neighbor as yourself" has an evangelical aspect which we cannot overlook. Let's be clear that it is possible to blow this matter out of its context and say (for example), "God loves everyone and would never send anyone to hell," but that is not what I am saying.<BR/><BR/>What I am saying is that <I>God's love is manifest in the offer to repent</I>. mtr's question -- "why pray? Why evangeliize? If God's got it all mapped out, why bother to participate?" -- is indicative of taking the <I>assurance that God's work cannot fail</I> out of the <I>fact</I> that <I>time happens in a specific order</I>. Normal temporal causality hasn't been pitched out of our thinking just because God is <I>operates in time</I> in order to <I>accomplish an eternal end.</I><BR/><BR/>But that said, God's work in time is not just a function of rugged stoicism and stick-to-it-iveness on the part of the church: it is a <I>function of God's love as we demonstrate it to others.</I><BR/><BR/>And God's love is not just stern! Gosh! It is 100% true that he whom He loves He chastises -- it is also true that God is patient, and seeks out the sinner, and shows the sinner intermediate mercy and long suffering, and shows love to His enemies -- and these are reasons <I>to love Him, and for Him to be glorified!</I><BR/><BR/>Is it possible to tell your neighbor, "I love, but I'm not so sure about God"? I wouldn't even try it. The greatest reason to evangelize is -not- duty: it is love of men as a result of the love of God.FX Turkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16798420127955373559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168904930604531812007-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:002007-01-15T15:48:00.000-08:00"Can prayer change things?"Amen it can change thin..."Can prayer change things?"<BR/><BR/>Amen it can change things. <BR/><BR/>"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:7-8<BR/><BR/>We need to be nourished by the Word, and have it fill our hearts and minds. <BR/><BR/>We then pray according to His will, because we are abiding in His word. <BR/><BR/>We then bear fruit, which glorifies the Lord, and reveals that we are genuine disciples.donsandshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03665794015011057098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168897492604999402007-01-15T13:44:00.001-08:002007-01-15T13:44:00.001-08:00Dr. Johnson: an excellent post; certainly timely. ...Dr. Johnson: an excellent post; certainly timely. :)<BR/><BR/>Another answer to mtr I suspect would be this: Yes, indeed we are commanded, and that is definitely enough. At the same time, it can be useful to point out that our God is the God of the means as well as the ends. That is to say, He has ordained all who will be saved (election), but also the means to get them saved (the preaching of the Gospel, see Romans 1:16, 10:14-17, not to mention prayer).<BR/><BR/>Hope that helps our friend mtr. May God be honored!<BR/><BR/>SDG,<BR/>dbhDavid B. Hewitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06278089758893077906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168897443592699702007-01-15T13:44:00.000-08:002007-01-15T13:44:00.000-08:00Stunningly apt and inspiring post, Phil. Thanks s...Stunningly apt and inspiring post, Phil. Thanks so much!Gryphonettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927200065426388315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168897261983748572007-01-15T13:41:00.000-08:002007-01-15T13:41:00.000-08:00Well I certainly can't believe this guy managed to...Well I certainly can't believe this guy managed to post all that, what with the moratorium on the subject and all... and who is this "Spurgeon" guy anyways... I can't find his blog anywhere! And such a long comment as well!! I would have thought the security around here would have been better.<BR/><BR/>Seriously though, I feel a bit bruised around the posterior region. I'm sure that it has absolutly nothing to do with the sound scolding from the prince of preachers... I'll let all those concerned know the details when I find the culprit.Learning Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00284923474496145600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168892891677564812007-01-15T12:28:00.000-08:002007-01-15T12:28:00.000-08:00"For someone who believes in election, why bother?..."For someone who believes in election, why bother? I guess this is my big stumbling block with the entire idea, and where Calvinism breaks down, at least a little, in my mind."<BR/><BR/>To put it simply, because we are commanded to. We are the means by which he excercises His will in that regard. <BR/><BR/>Do we need any other reason than His command?LeeChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540608568274871363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168888198925250782007-01-15T11:09:00.000-08:002007-01-15T11:09:00.000-08:00This is truly a beautiful sermon. Thanks.This is truly a beautiful sermon. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168887399350429092007-01-15T10:56:00.000-08:002007-01-15T10:56:00.000-08:00As a followup, I would like to ask:Can prayer chan...As a followup, I would like to ask:<BR/>Can prayer change things? If you believe in election, then how can you say that prayer is of use?<BR/><BR/>I know, it's been asked a zillion times, but I have yet to hear an answer.<BR/><BR/>(For the record, I attend a PCA church where the pastor is ga ga over this Spurgeon guy...)MTRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883602824495013894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168887028965729662007-01-15T10:50:00.000-08:002007-01-15T10:50:00.000-08:00"So then, I say to you individually, talk about Ch..."So then, I say to you individually, talk about Christ everywhere: preach Jesus Christ to every creature."<BR/><BR/>For someone who believes in election, why bother? I guess this is my big stumbling block with the entire idea, and where Calvinism breaks down, at least a little, in my mind.MTRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02883602824495013894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168883894993622372007-01-15T09:58:00.000-08:002007-01-15T09:58:00.000-08:00Thanks, Phil. This is a much needed balance. I am ...Thanks, Phil. This is a much needed balance. I am a lover of the doctrines of grace, but also a lover of evangelism. <BR/><BR/>Good balance. Very biblical. I am going to give this to one of my more rabid Calvin-only friends.<BR/><BR/>In Christ,<BR/>Phil PerkinsPhil Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02171222033284405914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168876966699787572007-01-15T08:02:00.000-08:002007-01-15T08:02:00.000-08:00Hmmm, the word "balance" once again leaps to my mi...Hmmm, the word "balance" once again leaps to my mind.<BR/><BR/>I greatly appreciated this post--so much in it that I will be chewing on for some time.<BR/><BR/>Well chosen!Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388126339087271102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168876538110489202007-01-15T07:55:00.000-08:002007-01-15T07:55:00.000-08:00I was going to pull out a few selected qoutes as b...I was going to pull out a few selected qoutes as being particularly appropriate, but everytime I did, more and more would jump out and demand my attention.<BR/><BR/>A strong message, one that everyone should meditate on (perhaps even contemplate)David A. Carlsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00465387359523299616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168875595624814722007-01-15T07:39:00.000-08:002007-01-15T07:39:00.000-08:00Leave it once again to an ancient from the 18th or...Leave it once again to an ancient from the 18th or 19th century to say it better than anyone today. Far better. A verbal symphony.<BR/><BR/>The King's red wine flowing from the fountains of Cheapside, just so his subjects can enjoy wine, and just so he could receive the glory as king. Simply Fantastic.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01222531021998951486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168869460936455832007-01-15T05:57:00.000-08:002007-01-15T05:57:00.000-08:00Phil,what a great post! In countless discussions ...Phil,<BR/><BR/>what a great post! In countless discussions I've had over the years with those of the non-reformed flavor, this very topic comes up ALL the time, and I've always made an effort to say what Spurgeon said! Now, I will just save this link to THIS post, and point them back to it, when it comes up again. And it will. :-)Carla Rolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09395062089776262435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168865966334186202007-01-15T04:59:00.000-08:002007-01-15T04:59:00.000-08:00"I am not to make God's decrees the rule of my wal..."I am not to make God's decrees the rule of my walk. I am to make God's revealed will my rule of action. Christ tells me to "Preach the gospel to every creature;" and if I were absolutely certain there was not one elect man upon earth, I would obey and preach the gospel for all that; because if there were not a single soul saved by it, we are unto God a sweet-smelling savor."<BR/><BR/>What a great quote and passage from Spurgeon. If there were more of this, and less infighting, the spread of the Gospel would be great indeed. Thanks, Phil. You seem to be able to find a Spurgeon passage for every situation! Anything on global warming?James Scott Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07641370124346172648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168860323233475042007-01-15T03:25:00.000-08:002007-01-15T03:25:00.000-08:00Spurgeon said:"I am not to make God's decrees the ...Spurgeon said:<BR/><BR/><I>"I am not to make God's decrees the rule of my walk. I am to make God's revealed will my rule of action."</I><BR/><BR/>Me:<BR/>These words are crucial. As Spurgeon emphasizes the need for universal and free proclamations in this post, he's saying the gospel concerns the revealed will of God. People are called or "invited" (as Spurgeon says) to believe in/obey the revealed will, not God's secret decrees. In other words, the lost are to hear and believe in the fact that God stands mercifully ready and prepared to forgive all mankind, and not how he has secretly purposed to ultimately save his elect alone. The later doctrine of election is certainly true and biblical, just as Spurgeon says, but it's distinct from God's revealed will and it's focus.<BR/><BR/>Again, the gospel is calling men to obey or believe in God's revealed will, not the secret will. I am glad Spurgeon's words bring that out, for some in his day (and just prior to it) erred in thinking that lost people are called through the gospel to believe in God's decretal will.<BR/><BR/>I wish Spurgeon would have also called the gospel an "offer" here and followed <I>Keach's Catechism</I> on Question 94, which was worded after the Westminster <I>Shorter Catechism</I>. See Robert W. Oliver's <I>History of the English Calvinistic Baptists</I> (Banner of Truth, 2006), p. 190.<BR/><BR/>Spurgeon clearly underlines God's universal love in this post as well. Give that man a cigar! lolTony Byrnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02102293843397809802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-1168844408993804172007-01-14T23:00:00.000-08:002007-01-14T23:00:00.000-08:00What a great way to start a Monday morning in an e...What a great way to start a Monday morning in an evangelistic ministry! Thanks!Colin Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02632698769785766168noreply@blogger.com