Heterodoxy Hall of Shame
(From Outside the Camp Vol. 3, No. 3)
"Born, as all of us are by nature, an Arminian, I still believed the old things I had heard continually from
the pulpit, and did not see the grace of God. When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all
myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the
young convert is at first aware of this. ... I recollect an Arminian brother telling me that he had read the
Scriptures through a score or more times, and he could never find the doctrine of election in them. ... There
is no soul living who holds more firmly to the doctrines of grace than I do, and if any man asks me whether
I am ashamed to be called a Calvinist, I answer - I wish to be called nothing but a Christian; but if you ask
me, do I hold the doctrinal views which were held by John Calvin, I reply, I do in the main hold them, and
rejoice to avow it. But far be it from me to imagine that Zion contains none but Calvinistic Christians within
her walls, or that there are none saved who do not hold our views. Most atrocious things have been spoken
about the character and spiritual condition of John Wesley, the modern prince of Arminians. I can only say
concerning him that, while I detest many of the doctrines which he preached, yet for the man himself I
have a reverence second to no Wesleyan; and if there were wanted two apostles to be added to the number
of the twelve, I do not believe that there could be found two men more fit to be so added than George
Whitefield and John Wesley. The character of John Wesley stands beyond all imputation for self-sacrifice,
zeal, holiness, and communion with God; he lived far above the ordinary level of common Christians, and
was one of whom the world was not worthy. I believe there are multitudes of men who cannot see the
truths, or at least, cannot see them in the way in which we put them, who nevertheless have received
Christ as their Saviour, and are as dear to the heart of the God of grace as the soundest Calvinists in or out
of heaven."
[unregenerate "Calvinist" Charles H. Spurgeon, from "A Defense of Calvinism" (ironically enough)]
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Heterodoxy Hall of Shame