Important Theological Controversies - Edwards - XI - Conclude Chapter IV

Required reading

Remarks on Important Theological Controversies in Vol 2 of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter IV 'Concerning Efficacious Grace'.

My summary

Today we finish the chapter on efficacious grace.

Edwards continues to refute Arminianism by teaching us that:

(i) Arminians take God's glory;

(ii) Arminians differ among themselves;

(iii) Arminians are not as meek as they claim;

(iv) there are differences between common grace and saving grace.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed Edwards' discussion of what we learn from the fact that natural man is spiritually dead: 'Natural men are said to be dead: but when they are converted, they are by God’s mighty and effectual power raised from the dead. Now, there is no medium between being dead and alive. He that is dead, has no degree of life. He that has the least degree of life in him, is alive. When a man is raised from the dead, life is not only in a greater degree, but it is all new. And this is further evident by “that representation that is made of Christ’s converting sinners, in John v. 25. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and they that hear shall live.” This shows conversion to be an immediate and instantaneous work, like to the change made in Lazarus when Christ called him from the grave: there went life with the call, and Lazarus was immediately alive. That immediately before the call they are dead, and therefore wholly destitute of any life, is evident by that expression, John 5:25 “the dead shall hear the voice;” and immediately after the call they are alive; yea, there goes life with the voice, as is evident not only because it is said they shall lire, but also because it is said, they shall hear his voice. It is evident that the first moment they have any life is the moment when Christ calls; and when Christ calls, or as soon as they are called, they are converted; as is evident from what is said in the first argument, wherein it is shown, that to be called and converted, is the same thing.'

When God gives life, it is truly life.  Not half dead and half alive.

Next week's reading

Commence Chapter V 'Of satisfaction for sin' by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'Of satisfaction for sin' by reading up to the paragraph commencing '3. The apostle when he would express his willingness to be a made a sacrifice for his brethren...'

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.