jayce475
Puritan Board Freshman
The doctrines of grace are the gospel properly expounded. The five points can be preached in a passionate manner which is strongly evangelistic and without undermining the free offer of the gospel. Yes, this is sometimes not done and it seems almost as though Calvinism is meant to be relegated to bible study classes for believers only. But this ought not to be. Unless someone is claiming that John 10 is "purely doctrinal" and cannot be preached in a call to the lost, there is no good reason why a message over the pulpit (which is meant to be the main means of evangelism) should not be evangelistic and proclaim the doctrines of grace at the same time. I got saved by a good message expounding total depravity. A gospel proclamation can do without the doctrines of grace no doubt, but it can have them as well.
Pergy, my contention remains and I think you are giving pragmatism too much respect. I did not say that one ought to be covering all 5 points of the doctrines of grace in 1 message, so please don't misrepresent what I am saying, thanks.
Stephen, this doesn't come across as being particularly fair. Being willing to preach the doctrines of grace while preaching Christ and Christ crucified is not trying to please man, not blindly following tradition, and definitely not a total absence of dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
Pergy, my contention remains and I think you are giving pragmatism too much respect. I did not say that one ought to be covering all 5 points of the doctrines of grace in 1 message, so please don't misrepresent what I am saying, thanks.
I think I might point out a few possible reasons why we feel led to outdo the Apostles and Prophets who's examples we are taught to follow. 1.) No real concern for the lost in the assembly only a desire to impress others with our imagined great minds and abillities. 2.) A total absence of dependance upon the Holy Spirits enablement so we do it our way and in our strength. 3.) An over dependance upon how men say it has to be done,a tradition gets started so we do it because it's the traditional way to do it. In other words pride not passion or burden for the hearer. The mind needs to be spoken to but the affections must be moved as well.
The Milk not the Meat of the Word is needed for the Spiritual New Born why would we want to present things difficult to understand to infants in the Faith?
Stephen, this doesn't come across as being particularly fair. Being willing to preach the doctrines of grace while preaching Christ and Christ crucified is not trying to please man, not blindly following tradition, and definitely not a total absence of dependence upon the Holy Spirit.