Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

The truth defended in this book is sovereign, particular grace in the preaching of the gospel. The book contends that this truth is fundamental to the theology of the Reformed faith in its entirety, that is, to scripture's gospel of salvation by grace alone and to the authoritative confession of the gospel by the Reformed Creed, the Canons of Dordt.

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel refutes the charge against the truth that is hyper-calvinism. This is the charge that the doctrine of particular grace in the preaching of the gospel is, or necessarily leads to, the error of preaching only to the elect, including calling only the elect to repent and believe.

The book exposes and condemns the heresy that the promiscuous preaching of the gospel with its unrestricted call to all hearers to repent and believe is, in fact, the saving grace of God to all who hear the preaching, reprobate ungodly as well as elect. This error teaches that the saving grace of God in the preaching depends on the acceptance of an offered salvation by the sinner himself.

John H. Gerstner writes in the foreword, "This is certainly an interesting, informative, lively, learned discussion of the essence of the gospel call to all mankind. In my opinion Professor Engelsma carefully defines and convincingly avoids hyper-Calvinism himself and clears his denomination, the Protestant Reformed Churches, of so teaching."

1137239614
Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

The truth defended in this book is sovereign, particular grace in the preaching of the gospel. The book contends that this truth is fundamental to the theology of the Reformed faith in its entirety, that is, to scripture's gospel of salvation by grace alone and to the authoritative confession of the gospel by the Reformed Creed, the Canons of Dordt.

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel refutes the charge against the truth that is hyper-calvinism. This is the charge that the doctrine of particular grace in the preaching of the gospel is, or necessarily leads to, the error of preaching only to the elect, including calling only the elect to repent and believe.

The book exposes and condemns the heresy that the promiscuous preaching of the gospel with its unrestricted call to all hearers to repent and believe is, in fact, the saving grace of God to all who hear the preaching, reprobate ungodly as well as elect. This error teaches that the saving grace of God in the preaching depends on the acceptance of an offered salvation by the sinner himself.

John H. Gerstner writes in the foreword, "This is certainly an interesting, informative, lively, learned discussion of the essence of the gospel call to all mankind. In my opinion Professor Engelsma carefully defines and convincingly avoids hyper-Calvinism himself and clears his denomination, the Protestant Reformed Churches, of so teaching."

14.95 In Stock
Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel: An Examination of the Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel

Paperback(3rd ed.)

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Overview

The truth defended in this book is sovereign, particular grace in the preaching of the gospel. The book contends that this truth is fundamental to the theology of the Reformed faith in its entirety, that is, to scripture's gospel of salvation by grace alone and to the authoritative confession of the gospel by the Reformed Creed, the Canons of Dordt.

Hyper-Calvinism and the Call of the Gospel refutes the charge against the truth that is hyper-calvinism. This is the charge that the doctrine of particular grace in the preaching of the gospel is, or necessarily leads to, the error of preaching only to the elect, including calling only the elect to repent and believe.

The book exposes and condemns the heresy that the promiscuous preaching of the gospel with its unrestricted call to all hearers to repent and believe is, in fact, the saving grace of God to all who hear the preaching, reprobate ungodly as well as elect. This error teaches that the saving grace of God in the preaching depends on the acceptance of an offered salvation by the sinner himself.

John H. Gerstner writes in the foreword, "This is certainly an interesting, informative, lively, learned discussion of the essence of the gospel call to all mankind. In my opinion Professor Engelsma carefully defines and convincingly avoids hyper-Calvinism himself and clears his denomination, the Protestant Reformed Churches, of so teaching."


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781936054350
Publisher: Reformed Free Publishing Association
Publication date: 01/07/2014
Edition description: 3rd ed.
Pages: 226
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.48(d)

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Preface to the Third Edition xv

Preface to the Second Edition xvii

Preface to the First Edition xix



Introduction 1

Inexcusable Misrepresentation 1

Correction of the Misrepresentation 5



Chapter 1 Hyper-Calvinism 9

Treacherous Attack on Calvinism 9

Compromise of Calvinism 13

Genuine Hyper-Calvinism 14

Serious External Call to All Who Hear 18

The Errors of Genuine Hyper-Calvinism 20



Chapter 2 The Well-Meant Offer of the Gospel 25

Criticism of Denial of the Offer 25

The Real Issue in the Well-Meant Offer Controversy 30

Grace for All in the Preaching 32

Caricature 36

Universal, Resistible, Saving Grace 37

Implicit Conditionality or Free Will 48

Harold Dekker and “Mystery” 51

Necessary Denial of Reprobation 53

Inevitable Embrace of Universal Atonement 59

Exposure to Arminian Evangelicalism 63



Chapter 3 The Reformed Doctrine of the Call of the Gospel 65

A Defense of the Reformed Doctrine of Preaching 65

Preaching and Predestination 67

Gathering the Elect 72

The Content of Reformed Preaching 75

The Call to Believe 77

What Reformed Preaching Will Not Say 83



Chapter 4 Is Denial of the Well-Meant Offer Hyper-Calvinism? 85

Historical Background 85

Contemporary Development of the Doctrine of the Offer 87

Defense of the Rejection of the Well-Meant Offer 92

The Reformed Tradition: Calvin and the Secession 97

The Reformed Confessions 101

The Arminian Doctrine of Preaching 104

Illogical and Illicit Paradox 106

The Well-Meant Offer and Missions 111

The Doctrine of Jesus in Matthew 22 113



Chapter 5 The Historical Question 117

“Ill-Begotten Progeny of Pelagius” and Company 118

Scripture, the Ultimate Authority 121

Development of the Truth 123

Preaching as an Offer and the Doctrine of a Conditional Covenant 124



Chapter 6 Calvin’s Doctrine of the Call 131

The Twofold Purpose of the Gospel 131

Refutation of the Explanation of Selected Texts 135

The Fiction That Grace is Offered Equally to All 136

No Will of God to Save All 138

The Original Hyper-Calvinist 139



Chapter 7 Turretin’s Doctrine of the Will of God 141

No Will of Universal Grace 143

Response to the Appeal to the Familiar Texts: John 3:16 146

Response to the Appeal to the Familiar Texts: Ezekiel 33:11 146

Response to the Appeal to the Familiar Texts: 1 Timothy 2:4 147

Response to the Appeal to the Familiar Texts: 2 Peter 3:9 148

Decretive Will and Preceptive Will 148

Turretin on the Call of the Gospel 151

Serious Call 153

Creedal Condemnation of Universal Grace in the Preaching of the Gospel 156



Chapter 8 Kuyper’s Doctrine of Particular Grace 163

Common Grace Distinguished from the Universal (Saving) Grace of the Offer 164

Kuyper: That Saving Grace is Particular 168

Once Again: The Favorite Texts of the Defenders of Universal, Resistible Grace 170

Universal Grace Opposed by Total Depravity 171

Kuyper against a Desire of God to Save All 172

All Scripture Teaching Particular Grace 174

Why Then Preaching to All? 175



Chapter 9 The Threat of Hyper-Calvinism 181

No Theology of Reaction 181

The Real Threat of Hyper-Calvinism 183

Antinomianism 185

Preaching Only to the Elect 190

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