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Some Critical Observations on the Theology of Evangelism |
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Some Critical Observations on the Theology of Evangelism
A Critique of a book written by Dr. Ernest Pickering
Pres. Baptist Bible College
Clarks Summit, Pa.
I have recently (back in the 70’s) read Dr. Pickering’s book, The Theology of Evangelism. In his book he sets forth the standard Calvinistic doctrines which are Unscriptural and therefore harmful to saved and lost alike. I have made the following observations and feel that it is necessary to point them out to fellow believers.
In the first page of the Introduction he tells us that God loves sinners and then misquotes John 3:16 when he says He “so loved that He gave...” We know that God loved ‘‘the world” which includes all men. The omission here gives us cause for concern since one of the Five-Points of Calvinism is LIMITED ATONEMENT.
On page 13 he tells us “even the faith by which the sinner believes is bestowed upon him by divine grace as is indicated in this text” (referring to Eph. 2:8). This is the standard interpretation of this verse by a Calvinist who believes in UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION, another one of the Five-Points of Calvinism. Anyone familiar with the Greek knows that the gift referred to here is not the faith by which the sinner is saved but the salvation which he received. I assume Dr. Pickering is familiar with the Greek but apparently he would distort the truth to make it agree with his doctrine. All of our present day Cults do the same thing.
On page 28 he tells us that “God will see to it that those whom He intend¬ed to save are saved” and then on page 15 he tells us “God, however, has a strong desire, a yearning for lost men, that they might receive His grace in Christ.” It shatters the mind to see the President of a Bible College telling us that God yearns for lost men to be saved when He did not intend to save them anyhow.
On page 24 he says, “We must preach the gospel as though every man has the power to respond. We must also preach the gospel with full understanding that no man has the power to respond.” Thus the preacher is to preach, “Whosoever will” while he firmly believes that “whosoever cannot.” Such hypocrisy is not supported by the Word of God (Rev. 22:17; John 7:17). This false teaching is based on TOTAL INABILITY, which is another one of the Five-Points of Calvinism. Calvin said that man does not have a free will and is totally unable to come to Christ.
On page 30 he refers to those who believe that Election is based on Foreknowledge as having a “scheme.” According to Dr. Pickering, Election is not based on Foreknowledge, even though the Word of God says it is (Rom. 8:29; I Peter 1:2).
On page 39 he says, “we are not pleading with men, hoping that we can persuade some of them to turn from their sin to Christ.” The Apostle Paul believed somewhat different, “knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Co. 5:11). King Agrippa thought Paul was trying to persuade him because he said, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28). I suppose Dr. Pickering would profess to believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures. It is difficult to see how he can make such a statement, which is so obviously contrary to the Word.
The most startling thing in the whole book is found on page 36. Through¬out the whole book Dr. Pickering has labored to show us that those whom God has UNCONDITIONALLY ELECTED are effectively called into salvation by the Holy Spirit, and that they cannot resist that call. This he refers to as the EFFICACIOUS (IRRESISTIBLE) WORK of the Holy Spirit. Then on page 36 he tells us that the Holy Spirit convicts men whom he has no intention to save. This gives us the distorted picture of a God who teases men concerning their need of Salvation and then leaves them in their lost condition. The following quotation amounts to blasphemy against the holy character of God. “There is a general conviction of sin which may attend the preaching of the Word but which may not result in salvation. We have witnessed many who have been convicted of the spirit, but who have refused the gospel despite the fact that they may have been deeply moved.” Thus we have the Holy Spirit convicting men whom He has no intention of saving. Such is not the plain and clear teaching of the Word of God.
Due to the false teachings of the President of Baptist Bible College we certainly cannot recommend his school to young people who desire to obtain a Christian Education. We would prefer to see young people attend a school which takes a clear stand against Calvinism as a truly “Bible School” preparing young people to serve the Lord.
By Paul L. Freeman, Evangelist
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