Criticism #5: Promise Keepers Compromises the Doctrines of Sovereign Grace
Criticism #5: Promise Keepers Compromises the Doctrines of Sovereign Grace
For a Reformed Christian one of the most serious objections against PK is that it compromises the doctrines of sovereign grace. The sovereignty of God in salvation, a salvation of totally depraved sinners who are dead in their trespasses and sins, a salvation accomplished by a death of Jesus Christ that was particular and not for all men--these doctrines are clearly rejected by PK.
There is inconsistency here, so typical in Evangelical circles today. In some places and at certain times, PK spokesmen emphasize that salvation is emphatically by grace alone and not at all by man's works. They can also speak in strong terms of man's sinfulness. Dr Rod Cooper writes:
Total depravity means that the corruption of the Fall has extended to every part of our being. Our minds, our wills, and our bodies are affected by evil. We speak sinful words, have ungodly thoughts, and do sinful deeds. Total depravity also means that because of that corruption, there is nothing man can do to merit saving favor with God. We are unable to save ourselves apart from the grace of God. Because of our depraved condition, Scripture says we are 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Eph. 2:1 NKJV).
We are 'sold under sin' (Rom. 7:14 NKJV), and we are 'by nature children of wrath' (Eph. 2:3 NKJV). (15) But this is double-talk. What it gives with the right hand, PK takes back with the left hand.
How can it be otherwise? PK coddles Roman Catholicism. But Rome is an enemy of sovereign grace! PK utilizes speakers like Bill Bright and Luis Palau. But Bright and Palau are blatant Arminians! PK is heavily influenced by the modern charismatic movement. But the charismatics deny the sovereignty of God in salvation and teach that faith is in the ability of every man! Some of the leading figures in PK are proponents of "Christian Psychology." But their teaching of self-love, self-esteem, and self-improvement inveighs against the Reformed conception of the grace of God and the sinfulness of man.
In his speech at the PK rally in the Pontiac Silverdome in April of 1995, Bill McCartney defined the work of the Holy Spirit this way: "The Holy Spirit calls out the best that is in us." When I heard that statement over the radio, I wondered how any in our churches who were attracted to PK could continue to support this movement. This statement is not only unReformed; it is blasphemous. But still some will say, Reformed ministers will say, that they can find nothing anti-Reformed in PK. Do they have scales over their eyes?
For a Reformed Christian one of the most serious objections against PK is that it compromises the doctrines of sovereign grace. The sovereignty of God in salvation, a salvation of totally depraved sinners who are dead in their trespasses and sins, a salvation accomplished by a death of Jesus Christ that was particular and not for all men--these doctrines are clearly rejected by PK.
There is inconsistency here, so typical in Evangelical circles today. In some places and at certain times, PK spokesmen emphasize that salvation is emphatically by grace alone and not at all by man's works. They can also speak in strong terms of man's sinfulness. Dr Rod Cooper writes:
Total depravity means that the corruption of the Fall has extended to every part of our being. Our minds, our wills, and our bodies are affected by evil. We speak sinful words, have ungodly thoughts, and do sinful deeds. Total depravity also means that because of that corruption, there is nothing man can do to merit saving favor with God. We are unable to save ourselves apart from the grace of God. Because of our depraved condition, Scripture says we are 'dead in trespasses and sins' (Eph. 2:1 NKJV).
We are 'sold under sin' (Rom. 7:14 NKJV), and we are 'by nature children of wrath' (Eph. 2:3 NKJV). (15) But this is double-talk. What it gives with the right hand, PK takes back with the left hand.
How can it be otherwise? PK coddles Roman Catholicism. But Rome is an enemy of sovereign grace! PK utilizes speakers like Bill Bright and Luis Palau. But Bright and Palau are blatant Arminians! PK is heavily influenced by the modern charismatic movement. But the charismatics deny the sovereignty of God in salvation and teach that faith is in the ability of every man! Some of the leading figures in PK are proponents of "Christian Psychology." But their teaching of self-love, self-esteem, and self-improvement inveighs against the Reformed conception of the grace of God and the sinfulness of man.
In his speech at the PK rally in the Pontiac Silverdome in April of 1995, Bill McCartney defined the work of the Holy Spirit this way: "The Holy Spirit calls out the best that is in us." When I heard that statement over the radio, I wondered how any in our churches who were attracted to PK could continue to support this movement. This statement is not only unReformed; it is blasphemous. But still some will say, Reformed ministers will say, that they can find nothing anti-Reformed in PK. Do they have scales over their eyes?
posted by Jim @ 7:07 PM
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