A certain German duke was accustomed to call upon his servant to read a chapter of the Bible to him every morning. When anything did not square with his judgment he would sternly cry, "Hans, strike that out." At length Hans was a long time before he began to read. He fumbled over the Book, till his master called out, "Hans, why do you not read?" Then Hans answered, "Sir, there is hardly anything left. It is all struck out!" One day his master's objections had run one way, and another day they had taken another turn, and another set of passages had been blotted, till nothing was left to instruct or comfort him. Let us not, by carping criticism, destroy our own mercies. We may yet need those promises which appear needless; and those portions of Holy Writ which have been most assailed by skeptics may yet prove essential to our very life: wherefore let us guard the priceless treasure of the Bible, and determine never to resign a single line of it.

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

Pactum Salutis
Recently while studying the Reformed doctrine of the Trinity, I came across some words I don’t remember hearing before; “pactum salutis”. It is very possible, that I may have seen these words used, but just don’t remember. However, the reason I bring this issue up is it brought a memory from a frustrating discussion I had years ago regarding the heretical novel called ‘The Shack’. In defence of the book an Arminian theologian from the SBC, told me that the only reason I disagree with the portrayal of the Trinity in the book, was because I am a Calvinist and Calvinists are not Trinitarians, they are Tritheists.
I was quite shocked that he said this at the time, mainly because I had never heard an accusation like that before. I was also taken back a bit, because I had not even told him or anyone else I was a Calvinist. Even before I became a Calvinist, although my knowledge of such matters has grown, my understanding of the Trinity was basically the same as it is now. I bowed out of that conversation; but I did make enquiries about this accusation with fellow Reformed Christians. If memory serves me properly, everybody said the accusation was silly. However nobody brought up the words “pactum salutis”.
From what I am reading now; it appears that the particular Arminian theologian, may have made that claim because in his view “pactum salutis” amounted to the belief in “Tritheism”?
I plan on studying more on this matter; however I found that John Owen spoke a fair amount about this issue in his book ‘The Gospel Defended’. Which I don’t have, but I have read quotes out of it.
Any thoughts on this issue would be appreciated. I need to admit this stuff stretches the grey matter between my ears. lol
Thanks
Tom

For those who might be interested I am providing a link concerning the clash of world views that is happening in our world today, as it pertains to the law.
This particular link is pertaining to the law in Canada, however from what I am reading/hearing from the USA, is not much different.

http://www.christianlegalfellowship.org/blog

It is meant for information purposes, however I thought it might spark some discussion.

Tom

I'm interested in reading a good history of Presbyterianism and.or one on Christian history since the Reformation. I'm open for suggestions.

Alpha and other programs like it.
I believe it is fairly safe to say that Alpha and others programs like it are against Reformed theology, in a number of areas.
Over the years, I have even seen a few Reformed Churches offer Alpha; though in a modified way.

Is there a program that is Reformed, that sticks with the Scripture itself that doesn't fall prey to the "seeker sensitive" mentality?
I mention this mainly because of an enquiry I heard concerning Alpha. I want to try if I can not only to say why Alpha is unbiblical; but provide an alternative; if there is such an animal. If you get my meaning?

Tom