
Randolph S. Foster
- Sermons
- Books
- Bio
Objections to Calvinism - 5. Effectual Calling
0JHN 6:44ACT 17:30ROM 8:30ROM 9:16ROM 10:17EPH 1:4EPH 2:82TI 1:9JAS 4:81JN 1:9Randolph S. Foster preaches about the Calvinist doctrine of effectual calling, emphasizing that only the predestined elect are called by God's grace to salvation, with their wills being renewed and irresistibly drawn to Jesus Christ. The doctrine asserts that regeneration is an invincible work of God, infallibly securing salvation for the elect. However, the sermon raises objections to this doctrine, arguing that it is anti-scriptural, removes accountability, and undermines the necessity of repentance and faith. It challenges the idea that man is entirely passive in salvation and questions the implications of a belief system that renders individuals blameless for their actions and choices.
Objections to Calvinism - 6. Perseverance
0Randolph S. Foster preaches about the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, emphasizing the Calvinistic belief that those who are truly saved by God's grace will persevere to the end and be eternally saved. The sermon delves into the concept that the perseverance of the saints is not dependent on their own free will but on the unchangeable love of God, the efficacy of Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It also addresses the possibility of believers falling into grievous sins due to temptations and neglect, but ultimately asserts that true believers cannot totally or finally fall away from grace.
Objections to Calvinism - 7. the Heathen World
0PSA 92:15PSA 145:17ISA 45:9ROM 2:8ROM 4:15ROM 5:13JAS 1:13Randolph S. Foster passionately denounces the Calvinistic view of the heathen world, particularly focusing on the doctrine of reprobation and infant damnation. He argues against the belief that God predestines certain individuals to damnation, emphasizing the revolting nature of such a doctrine and its implications on God's justice and goodness. Foster highlights the inconsistency of this belief with Scripture, reason, and common sense, pointing out the lack of evidence to support it. He challenges the notion that God's sovereignty can be used to justify teachings that contradict His righteous and merciful nature.
Preliminary Reflections
0ISA 55:1MAT 13:46EPH 3:20PHP 3:13HEB 11:6Randolph Sinks Foster preaches about the utmost privilege offered to faith in spiritual healing and holy experience, emphasizing the correlation between privilege and duty. He highlights the importance of understanding the value and extent of blessings in Christ to stimulate pursuit and guide in the acquisition of spiritual treasures. Foster urges Christians to rise to a higher, purer experience of Christianity, emphasizing the need for deeper piety, stronger faith, and larger views to advance the Church's mission. He encourages believers to seek divine spiritual perfection and spread Scriptural holiness over all lands, promoting the great cause of holiness in the earth.
Discrimination of Theories
0ROM 6:62CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 4:221TH 5:23Randolph Sinks Foster delves into the different theories surrounding the subject of entire sanctification, highlighting the varying beliefs among Christians regarding moral character, regeneration, and spiritual progress. While all evangelical Christians agree on the importance of reformation, justification, and regeneration, there are divergent views on the specific degree of attainment implied in these processes. Some believe in immediate sanctification upon regeneration, while others see sanctification as a gradual process that may culminate before or after death. Despite the disagreements, all theories acknowledge the possibility and necessity of entire sanctification for believers.
Christian Privilege or Entire Holiness Defined
0MAT 5:482CO 7:1PHP 3:121TH 5:23HEB 6:1Randolph Sinks Foster preaches on the concept of entire holiness, sanctification, perfection, purity, and freedom from sin, distinct from regeneration and justification, emphasizing the need for a clear understanding of these terms and experiences. He clarifies that this state of holiness does not imply infallibility of intellectual processes, physical perfection, impeccability, freedom from temptation, exemption from liability to sin, freedom from sorrow, or perfection of degree. Instead, he asserts that entire holiness involves being entirely free from sin, both inward and outward, and includes the perfection of spiritual graces like love, meekness, and humility.
Entire Holiness Distinct in Degree From Regeneration
0ROM 7:18Randolph Sinks Foster preaches about the new birth and justification, emphasizing that while the new birth is a sublime and holy change of nature, it does not signify complete freedom from sin. He highlights the common experience of believers in acknowledging the presence of sinful tendencies even after being born again. Foster discusses the distinction between sin removed in regeneration and the sin that remains, pointing towards the importance of striving for entire sanctification. He challenges Christians, especially ministers, to reflect on their own sanctification and the need for a clear understanding of the sin that lingers within believers.
Entire Holiness Attainable
0MAT 5:6LUK 10:27ROM 6:22ROM 8:3EPH 3:141TH 5:23HEB 12:14HEB 13:201PE 1:16REV 14:5Randolph Sinks Foster delves into the attainability of the high state of moral and spiritual excellence described in the preceding chapter of Isaiah. He emphasizes the importance of seeking proof from the Bible as the foundation of religious tenets, highlighting that holiness is not only a present duty and privilege but also an achievable state in this life. Through numerous direct and inferential proofs from various passages, Foster argues that holiness is not only taught but also experienced, making it a central truth of the Christian faith. He challenges believers to embrace the possibility of attaining holiness, as rejecting this doctrine would lead to dire consequences and render God's requirements meaningless.
Objections Considered
0ROM 6:141CO 2:5GAL 5:16EPH 2:8PHP 4:132TI 3:16HEB 12:14JAS 4:61JN 1:8Randolph Sinks Foster addresses objections to the doctrine of holiness, emphasizing the importance of addressing and answering these objections to arrive at the truth. He discusses objections related to the acceptance of the doctrine by Christians, the experience of the Church, the alignment with the word of God, the accusation of promoting pride, and the belief in the possibility of living without sin. Foster highlights the need to rely on the word of God as the ultimate authority in determining the validity of the doctrine of holiness.
Means for the Attainment of Entire Holiness
0EPH 4:15HEB 6:11PE 2:12PE 1:5Randolph Sinks Foster delves into the topic of entire sanctification, exploring whether it is instantaneous, progressive, or both, and if it is distinct from regeneration. He emphasizes that while entire sanctification is not a different kind of holiness from that received at conversion, it is a consummate holiness that differs in degree. Foster illustrates this by comparing the growth in holiness to the stages of a seed growing into full corn, highlighting the importance of recognizing the distinction between the two stages. He stresses the necessity of specific effort, distinct faith, and complete consecration in the pursuit of holiness, cautioning against the misconception that sanctification depends on a profession of sanctification.
Evidence by Which One May Know That He Is Entirely Sanctified
0MAT 7:20ROM 8:161CO 2:12GAL 5:221TH 5:232TI 1:7HEB 12:141JN 3:241JN 5:10Randolph Sinks Foster delves into the question of how one can know if they have truly attained holiness after following the prescribed means, emphasizing the importance of seeking a reasonable certainty in matters of personal holiness. He discusses the distinctive marks of each stage of religious progress, from conviction for sin to entire sanctification, highlighting the necessity of inward and outward authentication of religious experiences. Foster also explores the direct and indirect evidences of sanctification, including the joint witness of the Divine Spirit, the fruits of the Spirit, and the absence of sin as proof of sanctification.
How Entire Holiness May Be Retained
0PSA 1:2PRO 13:201CO 10:121TH 5:17HEB 4:12HEB 10:25HEB 11:6JAS 4:71PE 5:8Randolph Sinks Foster preaches about the importance of maintaining a sanctified soul amidst the temptations and frailties of life. He emphasizes the need for constant vigilance against sin, absolute refusal to comply with temptation, and the use of all means of grace to sustain spiritual growth. Foster also highlights the significance of consecration, faith, living by the minute, and the possibility of regaining sanctification if lost through sincere repentance and returning to God.
Hindrances to the Present Attainment and Permanent Retention of Holiness
0MAT 16:24LUK 9:23ROM 12:12CO 7:1GAL 2:20PHP 3:121TH 5:23HEB 12:14JAS 4:71PE 1:16Randolph Sinks Foster delves into the reasons why many Christians do not attain the high and desirable experience of entire sanctification. He highlights the failure to fully grasp the privilege and the resulting insensitivity to obligation as key factors. Foster emphasizes that the hindrances to achieving holiness do not stem from lack of privilege, effort, ordained means, necessity, God's will, Jesus' sacrifice, the Holy Spirit's power, or duty. Rather, hindrances arise from a lack of clear teaching, extravagant behaviors of some professing holiness, prejudices against the doctrine, and most significantly, Christians' unwillingness to fully surrender to God, allowing self to reign alongside Christ.
Advice to Christians Professing This High Attainment
0PRO 12:11CO 1:30PHP 2:121TH 5:21JAS 4:61PE 1:15Randolph Sinks Foster emphasizes the importance of Christians being open to admonishment and counsel, regardless of their level of spiritual maturity, as even the most advanced believers may still need guidance. He encourages believers to live out their faith with humility and self-distrust, understanding the responsibilities, trials, and privileges that come with being sanctified children of God. Foster urges Christians to be cautious in their profession of faith, advising against overemphasis on verbal declarations and instead emphasizing a life that reflects their beliefs. He also highlights the significance of justification and sanctification, reminding believers of the security and blessings that come with each stage of spiritual growth.
Motives to Entire Holiness
0MAT 5:16EPH 5:271TI 4:12HEB 12:141PE 1:15Randolph Sinks Foster preaches about the beauty and necessity of holiness, emphasizing that motives to holiness can be found everywhere, from the heavens to the earth, and within ourselves. The sermon highlights the intrinsic excellence and glory of holiness, the requirement of holiness by God, the importance of holiness for glorifying God and advancing His cause, the urgency for Christians to be fully committed in these significant times, and the eternal consequences of holiness in contrast to eternal darkness without it.