Do Christians Need to Recall Their Moment of Salvation?

Many who were raised in a Christian home cannot remember a time when they did not love Jesus. Others were not raised Christian, but had a comparatively radical conversion experience. Must Christians pinpoint the exact moment of their salvation? Are you really born again if you don’t recall the precise moment it occurred? In the following excerpt, Herman Witsius explores how the fruit of regeneration can develop differently from person to person as they grow in grace. While actively and personally embracing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is urgently necessary even for covenant children, is it the case that they will always remember when that decision was initially made? Whether slow or spontaneous, early or late, the fruits of grace and a consistent pattern of walking in newness of life—not the timestamp—are the true evidence of being born again.… Read More Do Christians Need to Recall Their Moment of Salvation?

Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

God ordains all events freely and unchangeably, without authoring sin or impeding free will. God’s concurring power sustains and governs all actions without tainting His holiness. Actions are distinct from their sinfulness, and God’s concurrence with the substance of an action does not corrupt His nature. Actions have separate causes from their sinfulness, and God’s intention differs from man’s intention.… Read More Theodicy & The Concurrence of Primary & Secondary Causes

Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

God’s holiness is not tainted by his permitting of sin. Although God has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, he does not will or cause sin. God allows sin to occur for a greater purpose, namely the manifestation of his own glory through the triumph of grace over sin in Christ. God’s permission is not the cause of sin, but rather a means to demonstrate his wisdom and goodness.… Read More Theodicy & God’s Permission of Sin

The Preceptive and Decretive Will of God | Francis Turretin

May the will be properly distinguished into the will of decree and of precept, good purpose (eudokias) and good pleasure (euarestias), signified, secret and revealed? We affirm. I. Although the will in God is only one and most simple, by which he comprehends all things by a single and most simple act so that he… Read More The Preceptive and Decretive Will of God | Francis Turretin