Of the predestination of God and the election of the saints (Second Helvetic Confession, 10b)
This article by Ronald Cammenga examines Heinrich Bullinger's treatment of predestination from the Second Helvetic Confession, focusing on the practical pastoral balance required when preaching election and reprobation. Cammenga argues that while predestination is central to the gospel and must not be ignored in preaching, Christians are warned against presuming to judge who is elect or reprobate, a temptation that threatens Reformed orthodoxy from both directions of silence and presumption.
Previous article in this series: July 2021, p. 427. We Are to Have a Good Hope For All. And although God knows who are His, and here and there [in Scripture] mention is made of the small number of elect, yet we must hope well of all, and not rashly judge any man to be reprobate. For Paul says to the Philippians, "I thank my God for you all" (now he speaks of the whole church in Philippi), "because of your fellowship in the Gospel, being persuaded that he who began a good work in you will...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org
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