The argument of true Calvinism against Arminianism and Hyper-Calvinism IS the same argument Reformed establishmentarianism principle (as by choice and historic standard I don’t want to be called Reconstructionist) use to argue with the question of Civil magistracy. 1. As regards to sinners obligation to repent of his sin and accept the righteousness which is in Christ by faith by ALL MEN. Calvinist Position: “All men are sinners and incapable spiritually to repent of their sin and accept the righteousness which is in Christ by faith. You are such a depraved sinner and cannot repent and believe, but it does not excuse you from the responsibility of repenting and believing the Gospel. You c-a-n-n-o-t believe the Gospel by your own, but you o-u-g-h-t to believe the Gospel. Your incapacity to believe does not exonerate you from your responsibility to repent and believe the Gospel for your salvation. God’s requirement of repentance and faith as condition for salvation does not necessarily imply men’s capacity to believe. Therefore, men in their depraved condition are still commanded to repent and believe the Gospel.” Arminian Position: “All men are partly sinners and still capable to repent and believe the Gospel. You are such an able sinner, your ability to believe warrants you to repent and believe the Gospel. God’s requirement of repentance and faith as condition for salvation does necessarily imply men’s capacity to believe. As all men are capable to repent and believe the Gospel, so they are all commanded to do so.” Hyper-Calvinist Position: “All men are sinners and incapable spiritually to repent of their sin and accept the righteousness which is in Christ by faith. You are such a depraved sinner and cannot repent and believe, hence you do not have the responsibility to repent and believing the Gospel. You cannot believe by your own, so God can’t command you to believe the Gospel. God’s requirement of repentance and faith as condition for salvation does necessarily imply men’s capacity to believe. The non-elect are incapable to believe, therefore God cannot command all men to repent and believe the Gospel.” 2. As regards to Civil Magistrate’s obligation to obey personally, and implement publicly, the civil order of Biblical Government. Reformed Position: “By heart the unbelieving Civil Magistrates cannot obey personally, and implement publicly, the civil order of Biblical Government because of their spiritual condition. But their inability to obey Christ does NOT exonerate them from their responsibility to obey Christ and implement Biblical Laws in their own realms. Therefore the command to implement the civil order of Biblical Government is still given to them. They are incapable to obey, but they ought to do so.” Neo-Reformed Position: “By heart the unbelieving Civil Magistrates cannot obey personally, and implement publicly, the civil order of Biblical Government because of their spiritual condition. Their inability to obey Christ DOES exonerate them from their responsibility to obey Christ and implement Biblical Laws in their own realms. Therefore the command to implement the civil order of Biblical Government cannot be given to them. They are incapable to obey, therefore they may NOT do so.”
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 04:20:19 +0000