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| Titre : | The Sovereignty of Grace |
| Auteurs : | Arthur C. Custance, Auteur |
| Type de document : | texte imprimé |
| Mention d'édition : | Reprint |
| Editeur : | Brockville [USA] : Doorway Publications, 1987 |
| ISBN/ISSN/EAN : | 978-0-919857-03-2 |
| Format : | xvi + 398 p. / Bibliographie; index |
| Langues: | Anglais |
| Index. décimale : | DO (Election, prédestination) |
| Résumé : |
This straightforward and clearly written book dispels the notion that election and predestination are cold, austere doctrines originated by John Calvin. Arthur Custance conclusively shows that these doctrines are alive, vital, the very heart of the gospel.
The Sovereignty of Grace provides a lucid discussion that gets at the heart of the matter and never loses sight of the essence of the profound doctrine at issue. The author begins by tracing the historical development of the doctrine of election and demonstrates that it is explicitly taught in both the Old and New Testament (especially by John and Paul). Beginning with Scripture and extending through Augustine up to the Reformers, there is an unbroken chain in the teaching of predestination. Custance gives clear, solid definitions of the five points of Calvinism. With compelling logic he points out the inconsistencies in the Arminian position (among others) and the undeniable necessity of the Calvinistic view. The author adds a welcome new dimension to what might seem to be a purely theological study by discussing the practical implications of Calvinism. For example, he examines the comfort there is in exploring how the sovereignty of God is worked out in the daily relationships of life. He has fresh insights into the questions of divine sovereignty and human responsibility, of punishment and rewards. He is not afraid to tackle knotty problems such as, "Why evangelize if election guarantees the salvation of all who are predestined?" The Sovereignty of Grace provides a good addition to the library of that person who wants a straightforward presentation of election, one that avoids the extremes of oversimplification on one hand and obscure theological jargon on the other. |
| Note de contenu : |
- Introduction
PART ONE - FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT TO THE REFORMATION: A HISTORICAL SURVEY - 1. The Biblical Background: The fundamental importance of the doctrine of Election / Evidences of it in the Old Testament / Evidences of it in the New Testament / The theology of it expounded by Paul / The adulteration of it in the first centuries - 2. Augustine: A sketch of his life and conversion / The emergence of pre-Arminius Arminianism / Augustine's stand against it / The significance of his Retractions / Summary - 3. From Augustine to the Reformation: The development of two opposing theologies / Augustine vs. Pelagius: conversion vs. education / Prosper vs. Cassian: Semi-Pelagianism and precedent grace / Gottschalk: double predestination / Anselm: freedom of the will / Thomas Aquinas: the grace of good works / Wycliffe: against the grace of good works / Summary - 4. Luther: The political, social, and religious background of his time / His confrontation with Erasmus / The Congress of Augsburg / The Roman Catholic Confutation and Melancthon's reply / The Smalcald Articles and the Book of Concord / The seeds of synergism re-appear / The dilemma of sovereignty and human responsibility - 5. Calvin and Calvinism: Predestination to Election: the issues at stake / Calvin's life and contribution / The challenge of Arminius and the Five Points of the Remonstrants / Summary: the two opposing theologies PART TWO - THE CRYSTALLIZATION OF THE THEOLOGY OF GRACE - Introduction: The Five Points and the rationale of their re-arrangement beginning with Total Depravity - 6. Total Depravity: The fact of Depravity demonstrated by history / In question are the degree and mechanism * Section One Definition of Total: The apparent goodness of man: inspired activity in man and animals as evidence of Common Grace / The apparent failure of the Church: natural and supernatural goodness / The constitution of man as a body/spirit entity, and the origin of the soul's defect / How is the corruption of spirit transmitted? / How early in life does this occur? / The meaning of the word flesh / Inherited corruption and inherited guilt * Section Two Definition of Depravity: Sin vs. Sins, i.e., defect vs. fruits / Original Sin, the cause of Total Depravity / The extent of human freedom and responsibility / How the will is set free / The stages of conversion / Life before faith, and the source of that faith / Why eternal life must be the reward of perfection / The Confessions on Depravity - 7. Unconditional Election: The several kinds of Election / Foreknowledge: special meaning of the word / Double predestination / Why does God not elect all men / Unconditional Election is a direct corollary of Total Depravity - 8. Limited Atonement: Evidence for Limited Atonement from Scripture / Some arguments for the universalistic view briefly considered / Sufficiency vs. efficacy: the nature of God's intention / Unlimited Atonement and double jeopardy / Double Predestination and the question of intent or extent of the Atonement (Supralapsarianism and Infralapsarianism) / Universalistic Passages: 1 Timothy 2:1-6 examined; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15 examined / A universal aspect of the Atonement: 1 John 2:1, 2 examined - 9. Irresistible Grace: The circumstances of irresistibility / New Birth: process or event? / Spiritual conception precedes the new birth / The spiritual gestation period / Repentance the result of the new life conceived but not yet brought to birth / The moment of new birth / Monergism and Synergism in new birth / The necessity of irresistible grace - 10. The Perseverance of the Saints: The issues; perseverance or preservation; liberty or license; incentives for a godly life / The Calvinist position, the only logical one / The believer's responsibility to preserve fellowship or salvation—Calvinist, Arminian, and Lutheran views / The Roman Catholic conception of baptism as a form of eternal security; (Venial and mortal sins) The Scriptural basis for preservation: the Father's covenant with the Son; preservation based on faith of Christ, not ours........ Scripture used against preservation: the problem of disobedience in sinner vs. saint (punishment vs. chastening; relationship vs. fellowship); meaning sudden death / Hebrew Christians a special case (Heb. 6:1-6) / The Prodigal Son PART THREE - THE IMPLICATIONS FOR DAILY LIFE - Introduction - 11. The Comfort of Calvinism: Sovereignty and the fact of sin and failure / Disobedience: ordained or allowed? / The master plan of God like a river in history / Sovereignty as reflected in Israel's history: Jacob and Esau, Joseph, the Exodus, possession of the Promised Land, Samson, division of the kingdom; the coming of the Messiah / "Failure" and "success" from God's point of view - 12. The Gifts and Calling of God: The believer as an individual and as a member of the Body / Sovereignty in the shaping of the saint-to-be / Sovereignty after salvation: ordination of life work (gifts and calling); meaning of "fruit"; purpose of the calling and gifts / Sovereignty and the responsibility of the believer - 13. Punishment or Chastening: The perfecting of a saint / The meaning of the word mature / Agents of chastening / Response to chastening / Friend vs. servant; ways vs. acts / Sovereignty and daily disappointments / The maturing process; the crucifixion of self - 14. Sovereignty and Responsibility: Evil vs. sin: goodness vs. righteousness / Sovereignty and accountability / God ordains evil but not sin / The separation of deed and motive as a basis of reward and punishment PART FOUR - ELECTION AND EVANGELISM - Introduction - 15. Why Preach?: It is commanded / The "tool," the Word of God, and the "agents" / The target is elect and non-elect alike - 16. What to Preach: A problem: impropriety of "Christ died for you" / Message to declare Christ: a warning to the non-elect and an invitation to the elect / God's command, not man's ability, is the measure of man's duty: but the Gospel is often rightly presented rather as an invitation than a command Is / God's love exclusive? "Another" gospel now often presented - 17. When to Preach Election: The "offence" of the doctrine of election / Augustine's argument for preaching election / Luther's argument for preaching election / Bucer's argument for preaching election / The arguments of Melancthon and Calvin / The "error" of modern evangelism (Packer) / Calvinism is the Gospel (Spurgeon and Warfield) PART FIVE - THE FUTURE OF THE NON-ELECT - Introduction: My personal introduction to the subject / Some certainties and some uncertainties / Bibliography - 18. The Nature of the Problem: The two basic issues / The dignity of the offended determines the magnitude of the offence / Intensive vs. extensive punishment: quality vs. quantity / Problem of eternal vs. everlasting / The few saved vs. the many lost - 19. Four Alternative Solutions: The denial of any future existence for saved or unsaved: 1. Annihilation of the unsaved: Scripture and arguments for; 2. Universalism: two classes of universalists; basic false assumptions; the necessary sanctions of law; reward inconceivable without punishment; Pros and cons of alternatives 1 and 2; 3. Limited Punishment: Scripture for and against; if punishment is corrective, it is limited; Origen's view; 4. Everlasting punishment: the meaning of everlasting, eternal, etc.; Greek and Hebrew words; time and eternity - 20. The Continuing Dilemma: A summary of the four alternatives / The basic issue: not punishment, but length of punishment PART SIX - SUMMING UP - 21. The Leaven of Synergism: God only or God and: the constant threat / The "little" as fatal as the "much"—Luther / The legacy of Arminius / There is but one way of salvation: God only - Bibliography - Indexes |
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| Code-barres | Cote | Support | Localisation | Section | Disponibilité |
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| DO 003 | DO 003 | Livre | Bibliothèque principale | Livres empruntables | Prêt possible Disponible |
