Journal: Reformed Presbyterian Theological Journal
Volume: RPTJ 06:1 (Fall 2019)
Article: The Fifth Heading: The Perseverance Of The Saints
Author: Barry J. York

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RPTJ 6:1 (Fall 2019) p. 47

The Fifth Heading:
The Perseverance Of The Saints

Barry J. York

President and Professor of Pastoral Theology

Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Introduction

The end result of the other canons of Dort is the doctrine of perseverance. The other doctrines of grace work themselves out ultimately in the life of believers as they persevere as saints. The first canon on predestination says of the elect, “God decreed to grant them true faith in Christ, to justify them, to sanctify them, and finally, after powerfully preserving them in the fellowship of the Son, to glorify them” (I.7). The next canon regarding Christ’s atonement states, “It was also God’s will that Christ should cleanse them by his blood from all their sins, both original and actual, whether committed before or after their coming to faith; that he should faithfully preserve them to the very end; and that he should finally present them to himself, a glorious people, without spot or wrinkle” (II.8). In the third and fourth canons on human depravity and conversion, Dort affirms, “As a result (of God sovereignly regenerating the will), a ready and sincere obedience of the Spirit now begins to prevail where before the rebellion and resistance of the flesh were completely dominant” (III.16). So we need to address perseverance, the outcome of the other doctrines of grace.

As we address this topic, we need to be clear as to what the doctrine of perseverance is. For clarity’s sake, we will use the definition of the Westminster Confession after which this conference is named. “They, whom God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called, and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved” (WCF 17.1). We might think that given the heaviness and controversies of other doctrines such as election or limited atonement, perseverance of the saints may be disagreeable to some but lack the canyon-like divide of the other canons. However, it is worthy to note that Robert Bellarmine, a well-known Jesuit theologian at the time of Dort, when speaking of perseverance, “declared that this was the worst heresy of the Reformed,” believing the promotion of eternal security would lead to disobedience. So, this paper will provide a brief history of this doctrine’s1 controversy, then Dort’s treatment of it, before considering its needed application today.

The Historical Resistance Against The Doctrine Of Perseverance

The doctrine of perseverance was a significant battle point of the gospel throughout history, as a brief survey demonstrates...

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