On a related note, here's an e-mail exchange between John Hendryx and I about a month ago:

Hello Mr. Hendryx,

I just wanted to write you and tell you how much I have enjoyed your articles. Particularly those which deal with Prevenient Grace. In my opinion the idea of preveninet grace is what separates Reformed theology from all other sects of Christianity.

Unfortunately, when I witness to others the doctrine of free & sovereign grace the response I receive is usually disgust or disbelief. Why can't we accept that the reason we choose God is because He first chose us? I guess it goes against our carnal nature to do so.

I used to agree with you that Arminians could be saved, but when I experience such negative feedback regarding the doctrine of election I begin to question whether one can be a true child of God without coming to the realization that all the praise and all the glory must go to God for bestowing His grace and mercy upon a
spiritually dead sinner.

I know you've spent much time defending the doctrines of grace alone but I would like you to explain how an Arminian who does not truly believe in grace alone can benefit from such a doctrine and thus be saved? And if they can be saved why do we spend so much time debating Reformed theology to begin with? Why don't we just let the Arminian be?

Thank You!








Anthony

Thanks for your kind words....We do not "let the Arminian be" because we glorify God when we do not misprepresent God and His revelation to us. There are
many, many, many, in the Arminian/Semi Pelagian camp that do not even know what the word "Arminian" means. Those who teach it and promote it may or may
not be beyond help, but the millions of persons within the sphere of Arminain teaching can benefit from hearing the biblical view. Many write me each week telling
me that they used to be Arminians until they came accross this site. That is why we don't leave them be,.

John





Anthony

Your question, "And if they can be saved why do we spend so
much time debating Reformed theology to begin with?"

Answer: For the same reason we preach and teach the gospel to our people in church each Sunday. They are saved already so why bother, if we were to follow
the logic of your argument to its logical end, no? We are called to spur one another on to good teaching because it glorifies God. It is not a matter of simply
whether someone is saved or not. Bad theology is harmful to the church. As John Piper says, "Bad theology will eventually hurt people and
dishonor God in proportion to its badness." - John Piper (A Godward Life Volume Two, pg. 377)

But if we must have perfect theology and a perfect understanding of God before we are saved, then no one will be
saved. Grace would not be grace.

The Arminian heart is often better than his head.

But to the degree that we mispreresent God, to the same degree we commit idolatry and all of us are guilty of this at some level. That is why we need grace.

John

The mercy of God is necessary not only when a person repents, but even to lead him to repent, Augustine