Reformed doctrine of predestination - Boettner - IX - Chapter 13

Required reading
Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example).  Read Chapter 13 (Efficacious grace).

My summary
Today we learn of the fourth point in Calvinism, efficacious/irresistible grace.

After we are given the Westminster Confession definition, Boettener defends the need for the grace of God as man is totally depraved.  The change that grace effects is like the raising of the dead, the transforming of water into wine, the healing of the leper and the blind man - all these changes come from outside the objects themselves. 

Then we note that efficacious grace produces holiness in the person - although there is an ongoing process of sanctification.

Next we are taught to understand that through the active and passive obedience of Christ there is nothing further to be accomplished by man for his salvation.

Boettner's next point makes clear that if the Arminian is correct that 'the salvation of men does not actually save anybody, but that it only opens up a way of salvation so that men can save themselves,- and then for all practical purposes we are back on the plane of pure naturalism!'

Then it is pointed out that efficacious grace does not violate the free agency of man: 'Man is not dealt with as if he were a stone or a log.  Neither is he treated as a slave, and driven against his own will to seek salvation.'

Finally there is a discussion of common grace.  Although common grace brings many common blessings on sinful man, 'It does not lead to salvation, but it keeps this earth from becoming hell.'

What grabbed me
Boettner gave a good answer to the objection that if God give commands to men, then this implies an ability to fulfil those commands: 'But some may ask, Do not the many passages in the Bible such as, "If thou shalt obey," "If thou turn unto Jehovah," "If thou do that which is evil," and so forth, at least imply that man has free will and ability? It does not follow, however, that merely because God commands man is able to obey. Oftentimes parents play with their children in telling them to do this or that when their very purpose is to show them their inability and to induce them to ask for the parents' help. When men of the world hear such language they assume that they have sufficient power in themselves, and, like the self-conceited lawyer to whom Jesus said, "This do, and thou shalt live," they go away believing that they are able to earn salvation by good works. But when the truly spiritual man hears such language he is led to see that he cannot fulfill the commandment, and so cries out to the Father to do the work for him.'

God's commands make us cry out to him for help - not inflate our pride by making us believe we can keep them.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 14 (Perseverance of the saints).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.