This upcoming Saturday, January 7th, the women’s Bible study will continue our study of the doctrines of grace. I will be teaching on the doctrine of “Irresistible Grace.” Lord willing, I will post my notes late Friday, or early Saturday morning. In the meantime, I wanted to share this quote from Boice and Ryken’s, The Doctrines of Grace. If anyone is looking for a solid resource, I can’t tell you how helpful this book has been to me.
In this chapter, the discussion involves the two kinds of calls. There is the general call or the outward call. This is the call that flows from every true Christian pulpit, and every Christian who shares the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the invitation to repent of sin, turn to the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved. Then, there is the effectual call or the inward call. This call involves the general call or the outward call, but also the sovereign grace of God who supernaturally provides the willingness and ability to respond. It is God bringing to spiritual life what would otherwise remain spiritually dead. Listen as Donald Grey Barnhouse, who served as minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church from 1927-1960 explains the differences between the two calls.
“If men heed no more than the outward call, they become members of the visible church. If the inward call is heard in our hearts, we become members of the invisible church. The first call unites us merely to a group of professing members; but the inward call unites us to Christ himself, and to all that have been born again. The outward call may bring with it a certain intellectual knowledge of the truth; the inward call brings us the faith of the heart, the hope which anchors us forever to Christ and the love which must ever draw us back to him who first loved us. The one can end in formalism, the other in true life. The outward call may curb the tendencies of the old nature and keep a soul in outward morality; the inward call will cure the plague that is in us and bring us on to triumph in Christ.”
James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken, The Doctrines of Grace: Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel, Illinois:Crossway, 2009, page 141.
Great quote! Looks like another book to add to my list. 🙂 Also thanks for sharing your notes with us, Christina!
So many books, so little time. Though this has become my primary resource as I study the doctrines of grace.
“So many books, so little time.” My thoughts exactly!
My mantra is more along the lines of, “So many books, so little capacity.”
Grateful for your posts to consolidate and summarize for me…
Josh, if I made a commitment to buy a book only once a year, even THAT would be too much when measured against all of the unread books that remain in our library.
Oh, and Al, make no mistake about it … the term “limited capacity” applies nicely to me, too! 🙂
Hi Christina,
I am looking forward to reading your notes; thanks for sharing them. How wonderful it would be to attend the Bible study. Ha!
Happy New Year to you,
christina
Thank you Christina!
You say how wonderful it would be to attend but I say, “How wonderful it would be to have you there!” 🙂
This look really great Christina. Our message today touched on those who believe they are Christians but are not – those who would say “Lord, Lord” at the judgment. They would be those who heard the only the outward call – like those of Hebrews 6 who “have tasted” – Your women will be so blessed by this study!
And how providential is this? I spoke with someone today on the same verse that you just mentioned. Matthew 7:23. Jesus said, “I NEVER knew you; depart from me” — meaning they were never saved. I know your hubby’s preaching was amazing today! Thank you so much for your encouragement…please pray. I’ve got one more full day to prepare, and then my time is very limited.
I was so blessed to read this today Christina….and God’s blessings on you as you faithfully teach the truths of the reformation!!! Our Sunday School Class is studying the DVD series “Amazing Grace: The History and Theology of Calvinism”. It has been such a wonderful series and the discussions that follow are tremendous. My husband and I have found that many even in our Reformed church do not understand what Calvin taught and the difference with Arminianism. It has really served to open hearts. Blessings to you my friend!!!!
Thank you, Barbara! I love the DVD series “Amazing Grace” — it’s been one of the most helpful tools to introduce me to Reformed/Calvinistic theology. Incidentally, I picked up another series that I have yet to watch. It’s called “The Spreading Flame” — it is a 5 part series that chronicles 1000 years of Church History. I’ve yet to watch it but I will let you know how it is, if you are interested.
Well, back to studying — took a little break and peeked at the blog to see your comment. 🙂
Much love!