138。加尔文主义五要点是圣经所教导的

作者：约翰.麦克阿瑟， 译者：小草

（注：2004年，美国出版了一本书《加尔文主义的五要点：定义，辩护，记载》，这本书的后记是约翰麦克亚瑟牧师写的，本文就是他这篇后记的翻译）

我很感谢这次对这本精彩经典之作的及时修订，这本经典书籍对难以计数的数千人来说，已经是一个巨大的祝福。尽管多年来取得了成功，有关“加尔文主义五点”，唯一值要紧的问题是，这些教义是否符合圣经。这本书已经证明（得出结论，据我的判断）这“五点”正是圣经所教导的。恩典和神的主权的教义正是福音所应许的全备和白白的救恩的精髓。

当今，加尔文主义正遭受不断的攻击。一些最近流行的，已发表的批评，试图诋毁约翰·加尔文这个人，或者不公正地将宗教改革时期一些看似政治的事情归咎于加尔文主义。但是，加尔文主义的救恩论教义的对错必须是以圣经来检验。

在这些至关重要的问题上，圣经是以绝对的、准确无误的清晰方式说话：（1）在救赎上，罪人完全无助，也不能做什么有助于自己的得救。（罗马书8：7-8）（2）在神的拯救旨意里，神有至高的主权。（弗1：4-5）（3）基督之死是为了替代祂的百姓承受了神的忿怒，祂的赎罪之工对祂的百姓是有效的。（以赛亚书53：5）（4）神拯救的目的不会被挫败（约6:37），这意味着基督的羊都不会丢失（约10：27-29）。那是因为（5）上帝确保他的选民忍耐到底。（犹24：腓1：6;彼书1：5）

这是加尔文主义的五要点。我相信这五点，不是因为它们的历史传统，而是因为这就是圣经所教导的。

—— 约翰.麦克亚瑟

The Five Points of Calvinism

Defined, Defended and Documented

Afterward by John MacArthur

I am thankful for this timely revision of wonderful classic that has already been an immense blessing to countless thousands. Notwithstanding its success over the years, the only question that ultimately matters about the "five points of Calvinism" is whether these doctrines are biblical. This book has demonstrated (conclusively, in my judgment) that the "five points" are nothing more or less than what the Bible teaches. The doctrines of grace and divine sovereignty are the very lifeblood of the full and free salvation promised in the gospel.

Today Calvinism is being subjected to constant attack. Several recent, popular, published critiques have tried to discredit John Calvin the man, or they have unfairly blamed Calvinism for the dubious politics of the Reformation era. But the doctrines of Calvinistic soteriology must stand or fall by the test of Scripture, period.

Scripture speaks with absolute, unmistakable clarity on these vital issues: (1) Sinners are utterly helpless to redeem themselves or to contribute anything meritorious toward their own salvation (Rom 8:7-8). (2) God is sovereign in the exercise of His saving Will (Eph 1:4-5). (3) Christ died as a substitute who bore the full weight of God's wrath on behalf of His people, and his atoning work is efficacious for their salvation (Isa. 53:5). (4) God's saving purpose cannot be thwarted (John 6:37), meaning none of Christ's true sheep will ever be lost (John 10:27-29). That is because (5) God assures the perseverance of His elect (Jude 24; Phil 1:6; 1 Peter 1:5).

Those are the five points of Calvinism. I believe them not because of their historical pedigree, but because that is what Scripture teaches.

John F. MacArthur Jr.