Irresistible Grace
Rev. Gise Van Baren defends the Reformed doctrine of irresistible grace against the common evangelical presentation of Christ as a powerless beggar pleading for sinners to accept Him. Using critiques of popular gospel hymns that portray salvation as dependent on human decision rather than God's sovereign efficacy, Van Baren argues that if Christ truly paid for sin on the cross, His grace must be effectually applied to accomplish salvation in the elect.
The idea that the death of Christ assuredly will save those for whom Christ died, is not a popular idea in our day. Christ is presented as a beggar. He makes promises; He pleads; He threatens. But He appears powerless to accomplish that which apparently He longs very much to do. One might be inclined to ask, “Who is this Christ who is compelled so to beg for the co-operation of the sinner?” Is He indeed the Son of God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit? Did He truly pay for...