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 The
tract, "Way of Salvation," by Robert U. Brinsmead, is
typical of material published in PRESENT TRUTH-a Calvinistic
paper that has done a snow job on some of our brethren. It is
also typical of faulty exegesis of scripture that accompanies
Calvinism. We give examples from the tract.
From
p.6, the preaching of the gospel "is always accompanied by
the Holy Spirit." That is a universal premise. But the
proof offered is, "Peter says that those who 'preached the
gospel' did so 'with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven' 1
Pet. 1:12." That refers to inspired men, to the initial
presentation of the gospel, and NOT to preaching in general.
He
then says the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to "show us the
meaning" of the cross. "He comes to direct the minds
of sinners to our Lord" — and cites Jno. 16:13-14; but
that has to do with the inspiration of the apostles and NOT with
present day preaching. The writer is working toward a key
Calvinistic error, i.e., that gospel preaching can produce fruit
only in those affected by the accompanying Spirit. He
thinks the gospel, apart from the distinct and continuing
influence of the Spirit, is a dead letter. He can not conceive
of a gospel whose message motivates, for that would recognize
man's role in hearing and believing; and Calvinism wants no
"human implementation" involved.
So,
the writer discusses ROOT and FRUIT: the root being that which
Jesus has done for us, and the fruit is that which the
Holy Spirit does in us (p.9). Here, he cites
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do. 14:166-17, which has to do with the
inspiration of the apostles; and v.23, which has nothing to do
with converting an alien, but with in-dwelling deity for the
saints. Rom. 8:9-11 is also cited, and the writer digresses from
alien conversion to "fruits of the Spirit" in a
Christian, emphasizing: "Since these fruits are attributes
of the divine nature, they cannot be produced by human
effort." He is greatly confused about "deity"
indwelling, and the persons of the Godhead, but we will not
discuss that here.
Now,
on p.14, "Who shall receive the Holy Spirit? Believers.
" Then, p.17, "How do we receive faith?" Saying
the Bible speaks of faith as a gift, He cites Phil. 1:29 where
"it is given" refers to the privilege of
believing AND suffering for Christ — NOT to the means of
receiving faith. Then he cites Eph. 2:8 where "it is the
gift of God" refers to salvation, NOT to faith. He
concludes, "faith, then, is brought to us by the Holy
Spirit."
Recognizing
his "reason in a circle" (i.e., faith brings the H.S.,
but the H.S. brings faith) he simply cites Martin Luther who
said, "I cannot of mine own reason or strength come to God
or believe on Jesus Christ." The premise for all Calvinism
is that God's sovereignty would not permit "free will"
on man's part; hence, "no human implementation."
Instead, certain ones are elected to be saved, and on these
elect ones God must operate directly. This is the heart
of the matter; and the basic error which calls forth such
specious "reasoning" and misuse of scriptures as we
have seen.
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