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If Church History Is Contrary to Focused Free Grace, Then Why Believe It?

If Church History Is Contrary to Focused Free Grace, Then Why Believe It?

April 10, 2024 by Bob Wilkin in Blog - The Majority Is Rarely Right

There is no question. Church history does not agree with Focused Free Grace (FFG).

The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches reject FFG.

It may be true that, at least for a time, both Luther and Calvin held to FFG. However, Calvinism and Lutheranism quickly diverged from the early views of the Reformers. Neither Calvinism nor Lutheranism has agreed with FFG.

Arminians have not and do not agree with FFG.

I could provide lots of quotes, but there’s no need. Everyone agrees that church history is contrary to FFG.

The question is whether that matters.

The answer may surprise you.

No. It does not matter that FFG has never enjoyed widespread support.

What matters is what the Bible teaches.

We must not determine doctrine by church history.

The majority is rarely right. There are lots of online articles agreeing with me on this point. See this article by a Plymouth Brethren pastor, this one on a Church of Christ website, and this article by Pastor Steve Lawson.

When we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ–whether as believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ or as unbelievers at the Great White Throne–we will be judged based on Scripture, not church history.

Paul said, “Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Cor 4:2). He was speaking of faithfulness to God and His Word. Paul was certainly not considered faithful by the Jewish leadership.

Elijah faced off against four hundred prophets of Baal. Who was right?

Caleb and Joshua were opposed by ten of the twelve spies. Who had the correct opinion?

The Lord Jesus “came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).

The majority is rarely correct. But God’s Word always is:

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isa 40:8).

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (Matt 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33).”

Keep grace in focus.

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by Bob Wilkin

Bob Wilkin (ThM, PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is the Founder and Executive Director of Grace Evangelical Society and co-host of Grace in Focus Radio. He lives in Highland Village, TX with his wife, Sharon. His latest books are Faith Alone in One Hundred Verses and Turn and Live: The Power of Repentance.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

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