Introduction

Discussion in 'The Commons' started by Thomist Anglican, Jul 1, 2020.

  1. Thomist Anglican

    Thomist Anglican Member Anglican

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    Is God's grace that is available to all effectual? Can it fail? Where in Scripture does it say that He supplies grace readily to all?
    Here is the 17th Article on Predestination and its effect on the predestined:

    "Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God's purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God's mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.

    As the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God's Predestination, is a most dangerous downfal, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.

    Furthermore, we must receive God's promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God."

    I think this is a good summary of Thomism as well
     
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  2. bwallac2335

    bwallac2335 Well-Known Member

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    I don't claim to be a theologian or well read up on this point but that is the Armenian, Weslyian, and Eastern Orthodox understanding. It makes the most sense to me. John Wesley died and always was an Anglican priest so I do believe it fits article 17 well
     
  3. bwallac2335

    bwallac2335 Well-Known Member

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    Also the Romans agree with my point.
     
  4. Thomist Anglican

    Thomist Anglican Member Anglican

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    And this is one of the beauties of the Anglican Communion. We can have these difference in view on this topic and yet still be united as brothers and sisters. I can lean in the Thomist direction while others can lean in the Arminian or Wesleyian direction and that's okay. As long as we believe we are saved by grace through faith and not of ourselves, we are correct.

    God's Blessings
     
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