“ No argument with John Knox. ” I agree that 1 Tim 2:4 refers to the elect, since vs.1 & 2 indicate all kinds of men are in view. Otherwise v.6 would have to teach universal atonement, contrary to Scripture. But why does Sean think this relevant, if not because he continues to assume that the free offer cannot be consistent with absolute predestination? I have never based the free offer on 1 Tim 2:4, or indeed 2 Pet 3:9. The Reformed free offer is not based on any idea that God has determined to save any but the elect, but on the freeness of God to show mercy as he pleases, including non-saving mercies to the reprobate in this life, of which the gracious offer of the Gospel is one.
"Nor doth God miscarry in this love. He sends the Gospel to many reprobates and invites them to repentance and with longanimity and forebearance suffereth pieces of froward dust to fill the measure of their iniquity yet doth not the Lord's general love fall short of what he willeth them" (Samuel Rutherford, Christ Dying & Drawing Sinners To Himself p.441 section on 'No Love of God Ineffectual')
“ John Knox on the 'Free Offer' of the Gospel ” Rev. Silversides,
Prehaps these quotes from John Knox would be helpful for the discussion:
Anabaptist assertion 2: 'God wills all men to be saved' Knox Replies: `The Apostle in these words: `God willeth all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth' speaketh not of every man, and of every particular person, but of all men in general, that is to say, of men of all estates, all conditions, all realms, and all ages.'
Anabaptist assertion 4: `God will be entreated of all, He biddeth all men everywhere to repent, and offers faith to all men' Knox replies: `True it is that God is merciful, gentle, liberal, Protector, Refuge, and Life to all. But to which all? To such as hate iniquity, love virtue, lament for their sins past, call upon his name in verity, and do unfeignedly seek for his help in the day of their trouble. Of these no doubt, he will be entreated, how wicked and unthankful so ever they have been before. But by the contrary, he will destroy all that speak lies. He hateth all that work iniquity:..And thus I say, you shall never be able to prove that God will be entreated of all, except you can confute the Holy Ghost, and make Him recant these and other innumerable places.' `On Predestination' Knox Works Vol. 5 SWRB Edmonton N.D. p.403-410
“ Divine Sovereignty in the Free Offer ” The line of reasoning Sean and others use is:
1.Assume absolute predestination and the free offer are incompatible.
2. Quote Scripture and Reformers teaching absolute predestination.
3. Conclude that Scripture and Reformers are opposed to the free offer.
The falsehood lies in point 1. The free offer is an expression of God's common grace (ie. those blessings he bestows in this life on elect and reprobate). That they result in greater guilt does not alter their nature as blessings. Sean needs to submit to God's sovereignty in common as well as saving grace. Then he will be a real Calvinist.
"The Holy Ghost maketh a plain difference betwixt the graces and mercies which are common to all and that sovereign mercy reserved to the chosen children" (Knox/Predestination p.87)
"The invitation to the wedding...teaches that the king wills(ie commands and desires) the invited to come...but not that the king intends or has decreed that they should really come" (Turretin Vol 2 p509)
"None shall drink so deep of the cup of God's indignation as those who have refused Christ in the Gospel...He that abuseth the choicest of mercies shall have judgement without mercy. What can help those who have refused the counsel of God for their good?" (Owen Vol.8 p39 see also vol.12 p552).
“ John Knox `On Predestination' ” Calvin makes it clear in His Commentary on Ezekiel 18:23 that ‘God does not wish the conversion of the reprobate. Calvin writes… ‘Since, therefore, repentance is a kind of second creation, it follows that it is not in man’s power; and if it is equally in God’s power to convert men as well as to create them, it follows that the reprobate are not converted, because God does not wish their conversion; for if he wished it he could do it: and hence it appears that he does not wish it.’ Turretin supports this conclusion by saying ‘Although God declares that he ‘does not will the death of the wicked, but that he turn from his way and live,’ it does not follow that he has willed and planned from eternity the conversion and life of everyone, [even] subject to any condition, for ... it is certain that this refers to God’s will as commanding, not to the will of his good pleasure....’ With regards to II Peter 3:9, Turretin follows Augustine in seeing God’s desire for the salvation of the elect alone when he points out ‘The will of God here spoken of should not be extended further than to the elect and believers, for whose sake God puts off the consummation of ages, until their number shall be completed.' Rev. Silversides could you comment on John Knox and the idea of a gracious offer?
“ Calvin teaches the Free Offer ” Sean may have noticed that I have not used the word 'will' in connection with the Free Offer. That Calvin saw no contradiction between absolute predestination and a gracious free offer is clear from the sample quotations below.
Calvin writing on Ezekiel 18:23 not long before his death (he was unable to complete his commentary on Ezekiel) says:
"The prophet does not here speak of God’s secret counsel but only recalls miserable men from despair that they may apprehend the hope of pardon and repent and embrace the offered salvation."
On Matt. 3:3:
"But the very sight of a visible wilderness must have had a powerful effect on stupid and hardened men, leading them to perceive that they were in a state of death, and to accept the promise of salvation, which had been held out to them."
On Acts 13:46:
"He accuseth them (the Jews) of unthankfulness, because, whereas they were chosen by God out of all people, that Christ might offer himself unto them, they refuse so great a benefit maliciously…because they do so willingly cast from them so great a grace."
See also Calvin's commentaries on Genesis 17:7; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 12:44; Hebrews 2:12 and 3:13 and prayer before 123rd lecture on Jeremiah etc.
“ Calvin Vs. Pighius 'Does God desire the salvation of the reprobate?' ” It seems that the central issue of the Free Offer controversy is whether God wills the salvation of those He has reprobated to hell. I think John Calvin put it best when he wrote in his treatise on the Eternal Predestination of God 'But Paul teaches us (continues Georgius) that God "would have all men to be saved." It follows therefore, according to his understanding of that passage, either that God is disappointed in His wishes, or that all men without exception must be saved. If he should reply that God wills all men to be saved on His part, or as far as He is concerned, seeing that Salvation is, nevertheless, left to the free will of each individual, I, in return, ask him why, if such be the case, God did not command the Gospel to be preached to all men indiscriminately from the beginning of the world? why He suffered so many generations of men to wander for so many ages in all the darkness of death?' (A Treatise on the Eternal Predestination of God, RFPA, p. 166)
“ Great Sermon! ” Of the few sermons regarding the "(British)Identity Movement" on sermonaudio.com, this is the best one. Rev. Silversides quickly dispelled any idea that the "lost tribes" where wholly lost by a pointing to the sizeable number of references to these tribes in both the Old and New Testaments after their dispersion. However, his conclusion that today's current Jews comprise the whole of the remaining tribes appears to be not easily supported scriptually.
“ Great Sermon! ” Another awesome sermon by Pastor Silversides. When we lose the knowledge of God we lose everything else along with it. Not until the church begins to again recognize the sovereignty of God will we see His blessings poured out on His people. This makes all the difference in our life, our worship our church government and our civil government. May God grant us greater understanding of who He is and what we are!
“ Great Sermon! ” Another wonderful example of faithful preaching on a topic that is much ignored in our day! Without a God who is righteous we are lost! Without a God who is Holy we are left in our sin and depravity! Our deepest longing should be to know this Righteous God in all of His glory and righteousness and ourselves in our sin and wickedness! May the Lord continue to bring us sermons of this caliber and may He richly bless Pastor Silversides.
“ Great Sermon! ” This is yet another excellent sermon by a man mighty in the Word of God!! Holiness? What is that in our Christian world today? Instead of striving for holiness we strive for worldliness. Instead of doing our best to Exhalt the holiness of God we do our best to bring God down to our level. May the Lord continue to bless us with sermons of this caliber and bring us more men of God like Rev. Silversides!
“ Great Truth Greatly Expounded! ” This is yet another example of deep, probing Scriptural exposition. Rev. Silversides details the truth of our relationship with God! Man is put in his place and thrust off his pedastal by this sermon.
"God is not answerable to man." and "God doesn't owe us anything." These are two quotes that jump right out and put everything in a biblical perspective! Preach on Rev. Silversides and may God bless us with more laborers such as you!
“ Must Listening ” This sermon is an excellent exposition of the Reformed Faith! A must listen to sermon for anyone curious in the Reformed and Biblical Faith or those who are in the Reformed church and want to be reminded of what and why they believe what they do!
“ Great Sermon! ” Rev. Silversides and his knowledge and exposition of the Word of God is greatly needed in the church today! If every pastor would pour his heart into his sermons like this we would surely see revival again! This truth is also vital to our experiencing an outpouring of God's Spirit listen and learn people of God! Thank you Pastor Silversides!
“ Great Sermon! ” Praise God for this sermon! It puts matters back into perspective especially when isolated and the only community one sees is of a worldly nature. I faced a lot of pressure to conform by others. They never outrightly said so but it was subtle and I almost lost my way because I did not commune with God daily. May I always be reminded that I cannot do anything without our Lord. Thank you to the broadcasters and the Rev for making the sermons available. It is extremely difficult to get fellowship in this place and having the opportunity to listen to a sermon over internet is like a gem. Keep up the Lord's work and bless you.
“ A truly revealing sermon ” What is an idolator? The answer may surprise you. Be prepared to find conviction for your heart in this excellent biblical sermon.
10/9/04 6:55 AM
