Martyred for the Gospel
The burning of Tharchbishop of Cant. D. Tho. Cranmer in the town dich at Oxford, with his hand first thrust into the fyre, wherwith he subscribed before. [Click on the picture to see Cranmer's last words.]
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
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5 comments:
Much as I saw John Robbins as a personal friend and an insightful Christian thinker, I wince at this article.
There is no question that C.S. Lewis had a defective theology. So have many, many others who still had a love for Christ. But if God should mark iniquities--of thought and word (the kinds which Lewis exhibited) as well as deed--who could stand? So says Psalm 130. And, how much of the New Testament was written to correct people called by the Gospel and brought into the church, even in the days of the Apostles and persons who had seen Jesus himself?
I'd love to see everyone confess every jot and tittle of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms Larger and Smaller, but it was Jesus Christ who was crucified for us and who rose from the dead, not the Reverend Drs. Twisse, Manton, Rutherford, et al.
Peter, the real question is whether or not there is more than one gospel. IF there is only ONE Gospel, then obviously those who believe a DIFFERENT gospel are not saved. C.S. Lewis was an Anglo-Catholic, not a Christian. Anglo-Catholicism is Roman Catholic-lite. It is semi-pelagian and even pelagian to the core.
Arminianism is also semi-pelagian. Therefore those who advocate "free will" and Wesley's doctrine of "prevenient grace" are corrupting the 39 Articles and the Gospel. Total inability rules out common grace, Wesley's prevenient grace, and "free will". It is clearly semi-pelagian at best to advocate free will.
Calvinism is the most consistent exposition of Scripture and the Gospel. Calvinism is therefore THE Gospel.
The Gospel conists of information. To be ignorant of that information is to be lost. (Acts 4:10, 12; John 14:6; John 3:17; John 12:40)
"He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, Lest they should see with their eyes, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them." (John 12:40 NKJ)
Charlie
The idea that individuals can be saved through their ignorance of the Gospel or through natural light is liberalism, not biblical Christianity. Romans 10 clearly says that the appointed means is the preaching of the Gospel. (See also Galatians 1:6-10; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21).
Arminianism, Pentecostalism, and a host of other so-called "Evangelical" religions are really just pelagianism raising up its ugly head again. Salvation is all of God and He owes C. S. Lewis an eternity in hell. If Lewis were to be saved God would have granted him true faith, not a faith in a false religion. Faith in biblical terms consists of certain propositions and certain specific information and knowledge. It isn't some irrational faith in a nebulous, ineffable person or a cosmic Christ. Only the Christ of Scripture and what He said able to save anyone. (John 12:48-49).
Article IX
Of Original or Birth Sin
Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the nature of every man that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God's wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated, whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek phronema sarkos (which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire of the flesh), is not subject to the law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath itself the nature of sin.
De Peccato Originali
Peccatum originis non est (ut fabulantur Pelagiani) in imitatione Adami situm, sed est vitium et depravatio naturae eiuslibet hominis ex Adamo naturaliter propagati, qua fit ut ab originali iustitia quam longissime distet, ad malum sua natura propendeat, et caro semper adversus spiritum concupiscat; unde in unoquoque nascentium iram Dei atque damnationem meretur. Manet etiam in renatis haec naturae depravatio, qua fit ut affectus carnis, Graece phronema sarcos (quod alii sapientiam, alii sensum, alii affectum, alii studium carnis interpretantur), legi Dei non subiiciatur. Et quanquam renatis et credentibus, nulla propter Christum est condemnatio, peccati tamen in sese rationem habere concupiscentiam fatetur Apostolus.
Provenance
Composed in 1552/3 by the English reformers.
Article X
Of Free Will
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith and calling upon God. Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will, and working with us when we have that good will.
De Libero Arbitrio
Ea est hominis post lapsum Adae conditio, ut sese, naturalibus suis viribus et bonis operibus, ad fidem et invocationem Dei convertere ac praeparare non possit. Quare absque gratia Dei, quae per Christum est, nos praeveniente ut velimus, et cooperante dum volumus, ad pietatis opera facienda, quae Deo grata sint et accepta, nihil valemus.
Provenance
Originates from the Confession of Würtemberg.
Article XI
Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort; as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.
De Hominis Iustificatione
Tantum propter meritum Domini ac Servatoris nostri Jesu Christi, per fidem, non propter opera et merita nostra, iusti coram Deo reputamur. Quare sola fide nos iustificari, doctrina est saluberrima, ac consolationis plenissima; ut in Homilia de Iustificatione hominis Fusius explicatur.
Provenance
Based on the Confession of Würtemberg.
Articles 9-11
Article XVIII
Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ
They also are to be had accursed that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the law or sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that law and the light of nature. For Holy Scripture doth set out to us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.
De speranda aeterna salute tantum in nomine Christi
Sunt et illi anathematizandi qui dicere audent unumquemque in lege aut secta quam profitetur esse servandum, modo iuxta illam et lumen naturae accurate vixerit: eum sacrae literae tantum Iesu Christi nomen praedicent in quo salvos fieri homines oporteat.
Provenance
Composed in 1552/3 by the English reformers and unchanged since.
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