Some Further Objections to the Free Offer of the Gospel
Ronald Hanko defends the Reformed objection to the "free offer" of the gospel as commonly taught, distinguishing between the proper Reformed use of "offer" (to present Christ) and the erroneous Arminian sense (God's well-meant desire for all to be saved). This pamphlet clarifies why the free offer doctrine is incompatible with Reformed teaching on limited atonement and God's sovereign grace, positioning itself against both Arminianism and modern evangelical theology.
Introduction and Clarification Many today believe that on God’s part the gospel is a free or well-meaning offer of salvation, by which they mean that God expresses in the preaching a passionate or earnest desire or want or wish that all who hear it be saved. We strenuously object to this teaching. We do not, however, object to the word “offer.” Scripture does not use the word “offer” to describe the gospel but the Reformed creeds do. We have no objection to the creeds. Rightly understood,...