The teaching of the perseverance of the saints is somewhat controversial, as some claim that it leads to people professing their faith but then continuing to live however they want because they believe their salvation is guaranteed. This objection is one the writers of the Canons of Dort heard...
One implication of the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints is that we can live with confidence and assurance of our salvation. Just as there was nothing that we did to save ourselves,there is nothing that we can do to unsave ourselves. This idea of assurance is an issue explained in the...
During my freshman year in college I served as a youth director, teaching youth Bible studies and Sunday School and organizing monthly activities. When I met with the pastor at the church to discuss the position, we soon realized that we stood in different places related to Dort -- my views...
Unfortunately, we often hear stories of Christian leaders committing sins that lead to them losing their leadership position. While those stories make headlines, there are also situations in every church and Christian community where individual fall into sin. We need to have a proper...
People sometimes profess their faith and join a church but later fall away from the church (and their faith!) either in thought or actions. Does this mean that God’s grace has somehow failed that person? Was this person saved and then lost their salvation? The Fifth (and final) Main Point...
Points 3 and 4 of the Canons of Dort describe God’s grace as irresistible and effective in saving sinners; the will of humans cannot thwart or stop it. However, this image of irresistible grace sometimes leads people to believe that Reformed theology leaves people as robots and/or that God...
The last post looked at how the Canons of Dort indicate that God regenerates people - makes them alive - with the result that they turn to Christ in faith. How do we know if it happens in us, and how can we be used by God in the process of regenerating sinners? This section of the Canons of Dort...
