What do you think?
Rate this book
Sanctification
Book by Clark, Gordon H.
- GenresTheologyChristian Living
126 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1992
20 people want to read
About the author
Gordon H. Clark
93 books54 followersGordon Haddon Clark was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian. He was a primary advocate for the idea of presuppositional apologetics and was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years. He was an expert in pre-Socratic and ancient philosophy and was noted for his rigor in defending propositional revelation against all forms of empiricism and rationalism, in arguing that all truth is propositional and in applying the laws of logic. His system of philosophy is sometimes called Scripturalism.
The Trinty Foundation continues to publish his writings.
The Trinty Foundation continues to publish his writings.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
July 17, 2024
A FAMED CALVINIST PHILOSOPHER/APOLOGIST CRITIQUES ARMINIANISM, ETC.
Gordon Haddon Clark (1902-1985) was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian, who was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years. He wrote many books, such as 'The Incarnation,' 'The Holy Spirit,' 'The Atonement,' The Trinity,' etc.
Concerning John Wesley, Clark asserts that he "was neither a profound nor precise theologian," and "not a very profound thinker." (Pg. 18, 27)
After recounting a conversation he had with an Arminian professor who stated that he had assurance of his salvation, but admitted that "if I should live until tomorrow or next week, I do not know whether I shall be saved or not." Clark comments dryly, "This raises the question of the value of assurance. Assurance of salvation does not mean that you will get to heaven." (Pg. 36)
He quotes the Westminster Confession in opposition to "the Arminian doctrine that a man may be regenerate at breakfast, lost at lunch, and re-regenerated at dinner, or what is much worse, never regenerated again and finally lost." (Pg. 39) He argues that the Arminians "must deny that God is omnipotent, assert that he changes his mind, or that he did not purpose to save anyone in particular. They must also deny omniscience, for if he really knew that Peter would be saved and that Judas would be lost, free will could never alter their destinies." (Pg. 45)
He criticizes adult baptism on the grounds that it is impossible to assure that "all (baptized adult) church members are regenerate," and defends infant baptism thusly: "The problem is solved by insisting that the New Testament gospel is the same as that given to Abraham. Baptism is the circumcision of Christ. The terms of the Abrahamic covenant provide the rules for the administration of baptism. The New Testament application of the covenant cannot be more restricted than that of the Old. In fact, it is wider, for girls are now baptized... since infants were then included in the covenant, they must not be excluded now." (Pg. 69)
Clark's arguments will be of great interest to those studying this complex doctrine.
Gordon Haddon Clark (1902-1985) was an American philosopher and Calvinist theologian, who was chairman of the Philosophy Department at Butler University for 28 years. He wrote many books, such as 'The Incarnation,' 'The Holy Spirit,' 'The Atonement,' The Trinity,' etc.
Concerning John Wesley, Clark asserts that he "was neither a profound nor precise theologian," and "not a very profound thinker." (Pg. 18, 27)
After recounting a conversation he had with an Arminian professor who stated that he had assurance of his salvation, but admitted that "if I should live until tomorrow or next week, I do not know whether I shall be saved or not." Clark comments dryly, "This raises the question of the value of assurance. Assurance of salvation does not mean that you will get to heaven." (Pg. 36)
He quotes the Westminster Confession in opposition to "the Arminian doctrine that a man may be regenerate at breakfast, lost at lunch, and re-regenerated at dinner, or what is much worse, never regenerated again and finally lost." (Pg. 39) He argues that the Arminians "must deny that God is omnipotent, assert that he changes his mind, or that he did not purpose to save anyone in particular. They must also deny omniscience, for if he really knew that Peter would be saved and that Judas would be lost, free will could never alter their destinies." (Pg. 45)
He criticizes adult baptism on the grounds that it is impossible to assure that "all (baptized adult) church members are regenerate," and defends infant baptism thusly: "The problem is solved by insisting that the New Testament gospel is the same as that given to Abraham. Baptism is the circumcision of Christ. The terms of the Abrahamic covenant provide the rules for the administration of baptism. The New Testament application of the covenant cannot be more restricted than that of the Old. In fact, it is wider, for girls are now baptized... since infants were then included in the covenant, they must not be excluded now." (Pg. 69)
Clark's arguments will be of great interest to those studying this complex doctrine.
Displaying 1 of 1 review