Lesson 9 Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is the historic RCC view of effectual calling? Contrast that with the Reformed view
Roman Catholic Soteriology
1. Nature of Grace according to RCC
* Uncreated grace - Direct influence and power of God
* Created grace - Substance of energy infused into the Believer from the Sacraments.
1. Arose in the theology of Thomas Aquinas
1. Baptism infuses the recipient with the created grace of God resulting in a created habit
If any says, that men are justified, either by the sole imputation of the justice of Christ, or by the sole remission of sins, to the exclusion of the grace and the charity which is poured forth in their hearts by the Holy Ghost, and is inherent in them; or even that the grace whereby we are justified, is only the favor of God: let him be anathema” (“Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent,” Canon 11, in Schaff, Creeds, 2.112-13).
- Grace is a created thing which enables people to improve upon their initial justification in baptism
Reformed Theology:
1. Reformed theologians have made the point that regeneration precedes faith
1. Faith is not native to fallen man
1. Must be born again to see the kingdom of God John 3
What are the calls which make up the one effectual calling?
Internal and External Call
Theological concepts
1. Internal call (vocation internum)
1. Work of the Holy Spirit who takes the call of God and applies it to the believer
1. Irresistible and always effectual
1. External call (vocation externum) -> Great commission
1. The presentation and offering of Christ to sinners (Preaching of the Word)
1. Ineffectual for salvation
1. Effectual for condemnation for those who reject the call
1. Elements of the external call
* Presentation of the Gospel
* Offering of Christ
* Promise of forgiveness of sins
1. Characteristics of the external call
* General and universal
* Genuine Call of Faith.
1. The Holy Spirit and internal call are necessary for the external call
1. Double-edged nature of revelation
* Always brings either blessings or curses
* Never comes back void
This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not from anything at all foreseen in man, who is altogether passive therein until, being quickened and renewed by the Holy Spirit, he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it.” (WCF X.ii)
How does the doctrine of effectual calling encourage the high view of preaching in Reformed theology?
**Brings a very high view of preaching **
1. Effectual calling is an act of grace in Christ to bring a sinner to repentance
1. The preaching of the word of God IS the word of God. (2nd Helv Confession)
WLC Q. 155. How is the word made effectual to salvation?
A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, convincing, and humbling sinners; of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; of conforming them to his image, and subduing them to his will.
Briefly trace the nature of faith through the Old and New Testaments
Tracing the Doctrine of Faith through Scripture
1. Old Testament
* Abraham (Rom 4:23-24)
Model believer for all christians.
* Believers are the sons of Abraham (Gal 3:7-9)
* Faith in OT and NT (Heb 11)
* No distinction between OT faith and NT faith
* Faith in the Gospel Promise
* From Gen 3 - the rest of Scripture, there is no salvation by works of the law
- New Testament: Christ is the object of faith
* Jn 1 - Jesus of Nazarath
* Jesus is the object of our faith Jn 14:6
What are the three parts of faith? Be able to briefly describe each
1. Notitia
* Knowledge of the facts of the gospel
* Christ’s saving work
1. Assensus
* Assenting / comprehending the facts and what they mean.
* Christ saves us by dying on the cross for our sins.
1. Fiducia
* Trusting in Christ.
* Trusting in the facts of the gospel
* Extraspective - looking out to Christ and trusting in His work.
What are the three types of faith?
1. Historical faith
* Pure intellectual assent to the truth with no moral existence
**1. Temporal faith **
* Persuasion of the truth of religion with a stirring of the conscience with not lasting change of the heart.
* parable of the sower and the seed
**1. True saving faith **
* Faith rooted in regeneration
* Good soil that hears the word and bears fruit
* Conviction in the heart of the promises of Christ
**WCF XIV.ii **The principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
How did the Westminster divines divide the parts of saving faith?
The grace of faith, which is the work of the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of the elect, is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word, and by the administration of the sacraments and prayer, it is increased and strengthened.
The principal acts of saving faith are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
Assurance of Faith
1. Objective
* Christ is all He claims to be
2. Subjective
* The the person has the assurance that he is saved and Christ has paid for his sins.
How are faith and repentance related?
Faith + Repentance = Conversion
Repentance is an act showing / responding to saving faith.
Repentance is not a cause of salvation.
But repentance is neccessary for conversion.
Although repentance be not to be rested in, as any satisfaction for sin, or any cause of the pardon thereof, which is the act of God’s free grace in Christ; yet it is of such necessity to all sinners, that none may expect pardon without it. (WCF XV.iii)
By [repentance], a sinner, out of the sight and sense not only of the danger, but also of the filthiness and odiousness of his sins, as contrary to the holy nature, and righteous law of God; and upon the apprehension of his mercy in Christ to such as are penitent, so grieves for, and hates his sins, as to turn from them all unto God, purposing and endeavoring to walk with him in all the ways of his commandments. (WCF XV.ii)
