Faith Follows Regeneration (Phillips)

Here's a brief but biblical explanation of the truth that faith follows regeneration: "...It is clear from the Bible that the Spirit's regenerating work always precedes and causes faith.  Jesus stated this to Nicodemus: 'Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).  This is reflected more or less clearly …

Arminians, Calvinists, and Limited Atonement

Here’s a great insight from a great book: What’s So Great About The Doctrines of Grace? by Richard Phillips.“…It is helpful to note that both Arminians and Calvinists believe in limited atonement.  The question is with regard to what is limited.  Arminians believe that the atonement is limited in terms of its efficacy.  Calvinists believe …

Unconditional Election and Assurance

If you want a short, biblical, and edifying explanation of the doctrines of grace (aka TULIP), you’ll want to start with Richard Phillips’ What’s So Great About The Doctrines Of Grace?  At the end of each doctrine, he gives several points of application.  For example, here’s one way that unconditional election is great: “Because it …

I Would Have Fallen Away…

  One of my favorite phrases in the Canons of Dort is found in the last section which deals with the perseverance/preservation of the saints.  I'll quote the entire article here (V.8).  Notice the bold phrase. ...It is not in consequence of their [the saints'] own merits or strength, but of God's free mercy, that they neither totally fall from faith …

What’s So Great About the Doctrines of Grace?

 If the Reformed tradition is a like a handful of jewels, as I believe it is, one of those jewels is Calvinism, or TULIP.   Certainly there is a lot more to the Reformed tradition than just Calvinism (i.e. the Three Forms of Unity, covenant theology, liturgical worship, polity, piety, etc.), but the "five points" are a fundamental …