The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "We sometimes allow children to die unbaptized. ."

Paul_S said:
Pilgrim,

Methinks there is a strong odor of equivocation emanating from Speratus' usages of the term "efficacious".

While you and JE et al (had to use Joe's favorite phrase!) have clearly and consistently used efficacious solely in reference to the work of grace on the elect, as in "invariably, infallibly, without possibility of recall, effecting and securing the salvation of each of the elect"--which efficacy can in no way apply to the reprobate--your adversary Dr. S. has also been using the term in a broader sense in reference to the glory of God in all things, as in "Word and Sacrament, regardless of their effect on the individual, invariably bring glory to God as the gospel is preached through them".

By itself, that is a true enough statement. But his equivocation of the broader and narrower usages allows him to errantly argue that since:

1) all that God does is efficacious (broad)
2) Calvinists claim that grace is always efficacious for the elect and never for the reprobate (actually narrow, but he equivocates it as broad)
Thererfore, Calvinists deny (1), which is universally affirmed,
Consequently, (2) must be false.

This logical error--whatever its motivation--allows him to proceed along his thoroughly unbiblical lines in which man--just as in all other false gospels--can override the will of God.

speratus said:
Secondly, Pilgrim and JE, if I read their previous posts correctly, would deny there is any efficacy (in the narrow sense) through Word and Sacrament for either elect or reprobate.

Pilgrim said:
I am more than confident to respond to this statement in behalf of JE as well as myself, knowing perfectly well what JE believes on this matter. First, you didn't read either of our posts correctly.

Pilgrim opinesSecond, you evidently didn't read my next to last reply to you here, where I wrote:

For in the Sacraments God alone properly acts; men bring nothing of their own, but approach to receive the grace offered to them. Thus, in Baptism, God washed us by the blood of his Son and regenerated us by his Spirit; in the Supper he feeds us with the flesh and blood of Christ. What part of the work can man claim, without blasphemy, since the whole appears to be of grace?

Pilgrim opinesHowever, what God has purposed through the Gospel and in the sacraments are not necessarily identical. Further, what God has purposed through these means in regard to the elect most often differs; e.g., the Gospel invariably is the means through which the Holy Spirit regenerates the elect and calls them to faith immediately. Baptism differs in that regeneration is most often not accomplished in baptism but later through the Gospel. And the Lord's Table differs yet even more so, in regard to the elect, in that it serves to strengthen, console, etc., the elect and thus its focus is upon sanctification rather than justification.