Replies

My point is the elect are never lost nor can they lose their salvation whether they respond to a call, come to an understanding over a period of time, or have a “Damascus Road” experience or think they made the decision of their own free will. God calls them where they are and in the circumstances they are in according to the understanding the Holy Spirit gives them at the time.

The same could be said of the disciples of the Pharisees. No doubt some of them might have come into the kingdom by the tortured route of Pharisaism. God is, indeed, sovereign and can use all the poor attempts of men to preach His gospel.

That does not absolve the teacher to teach truth, or to present the gospel in a biblical fashion. Decisionalism is not a biblical gospel method. Humanly speaking we might have warm affecions for Graham, et al, but their methods leave much to be desired. I think this is the allusion to "twice the sons of hell".

At least that is how I read this author.

"..but their methods leave much to be desired. I think this is the allusion to "twice the sons of hell"."

I read his diatribe differently. He specifically states the message of Evangelists like Billy Graham, Luis Palau and Franklin Graham or missionaries under C&MA, AIM or CIM or student ministries like Inter Varsity or Campus Crusade creates "children that are TWICE the children of hell". they create nothing, it is the Holy Spirit that creates new life in whomever the Father has drawn. No where in the scriptures are children of God called "children of hell" and to do so, even for shock value, demeans and devalues the grace of God in the lives of those who have responded to the message by making them some sort of second class citizens in the family of God.

Paul covers the different methods of presenting the Gospel and as acerbic as he is at times with those who disagree with his methods or technique, he has only praise that the message is going out. Paul recognizes that the method of presentation is tailored to the audience, the situation, the place and the circumstance; all as the Holy Spirit leads. The message does not change but the method of delivery will.

1 Cor. 9:19-23, "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."

Phil.14-18, "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice."