Charles Finney and the Heresy of American Pelagianism (White Horse Inn)

From WhiteHorseInn.org:
"Why have the doctrines of grace been so difficult to take root in the American soil? What is it about the way we think and act as a people that makes Pelagianism so common, if not our very "default setting?" On this edition of the White Horse Inn, the hosts will continue their discussion of Pelagianism, with a particular focus on its influence in American religion and practice."

For the first video in this series that gives more of a history and defines Pelagianism, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpdUGdqOLCw

For an article written by Michael Horton further documenting Finney's errors, click here:
http://www.mtio.com/articles/aissar81.htm

What is Pelagianism? According to Philip Schaff:

"There is, therefore, according to this system, no original sin, and no hereditary guilt. Pelagius merely conceded, that Adam, by his disobedience, set a bad example, which exerts a more or less injurious influence upon his posterity. He was also inclined to admit an increasing corruption of mankind, though he ascribed it solely to the habit of evil, which grows in power the longer it works and the farther it spreads. Sin, however, is not born with man; it is not a product of nature, but of the will. Man is born both without virtue and without vice, but with the capacity for either. The universality of sin must be ascribed to the power of evil example and evil custom." (Schaff, op. cit., p. 806)

In other words, man in his nature is basically a good person from birth. Even though the Bible says, "There is none good, no not one", Pelagius says in so many words, "There are some good, yes some." This along with various other teachings including a denial of penal substitutionary atonement makes the theology of Pelagianism heresy.

Here are some links to more information from this show:

Show Commentary:
http://www.whitehorseinn.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&am...

More Resources for the Show (Scroll down to the July 13, 2008 show):
http://www.whitehorseinn.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&am...

Category:

Education

Tags:

• charles
• grandison
• finney
• american
• pelagianism
• white
• horse
• inn
• michael
• horton
• pelagius
• original
• sin
• denial

[johntwfhm]

Hey Lane, I'm diggin the new graphics... aren't you in law school? How are you finding the time?

BTW, have you listened to the May 31st show, "Smooth Talk and Flattery"? Probably the best show this year, imho.

[LaneCh]

Hey John... Thanks!

I am in law school now, but classes don't begin until next week so I have plenty of time to do videos in the meantime. The new HQ WHI graphics are thanks to Mark Vander Pol at WHI who sent them to me a while back to incorporate in the videos here. Also, yes, I hope to get STandF up here soon. It was a great show. I have a template to work with now so it won't take me as long to make these WHI videos and I hope to get many more up.

[atoam]

Thanks for this great information, it makes sense looking back in history and seeing where we are now. how sad this state of evangelicalism is in America today

[ghostnoteus]

Back in his day, it was the so called Christians who burned effigies of Charles Finney and Daniel Nash to try to stop the revival. That same type of attitude was evident even during the Brownsville revival in the 1990's. Do you know what revivals produce? People get saved and stay saved. That is true faith. How is what Charles G. Finney did anathema, while there are those that teach that if they say a prayer they are eternally secure? We want what cost Christ everything for nothing!

[BeholdTheSonOfGod]

It figures you'd go to be a lawyer, you snake. The school will kick you out if you try to do in your research papers the same garbage you pulled on your hate-Finney videos. You committed repeated serious academic offenses that you won't get away with. You wanna see how a real lawyer deals with truth and facts?

Go watch my updated videos defending Finney.

You and your 'paraphrase'.  This isn't over by a long shot. You can't revise Church history and get away with it.

[MRKetter81]

@Fgsltw316 Those are the most obvious ad hominem arguments I ever heard. Calvin was againt the religion the jews practiced not jews as a race. As for Luther, most of his early writing were reasonible; it was only later in his old age that even his wife understood he was bickering.

You've said nothing about reformed theology.

[Fgsltw316]

@Fgsltw316 Those who are dogmatic about Calvin and Luther are like those who follow Joseph Smith. Calvin and Luther left a mess behind them.

[Fgsltw316]

Calvin and Luther, the two greatest heroes of Reformed Theology.

Hitler stated, "Martin Luther has been the greatest encouragement of my life."

Nazi leader Striker at his Nuremberg trial stated, "I have never said anything that Martin Luther did not say". Calvin was also extremely anti semitic. How can any rational bible reading person claim the leaders of Reformed theology have theology identical to the Holy Bible?

[frmdeath2life]

@Fgsltw316 - We can't pick and choose the Scriptures we like and ignore the ones we don't like or cannot understand the way Finney did to create his own theology. Since Calvinists believe in the Whole counsel of God's word they also know that......Faith is a GIFT not of works... For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus FOR GOOD WORKS, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:8-10 SO then........I will show you my faith BY my works James 2:18

[frmdeath2life]

@Fgsltw316 Reformed Th. was taken from Scripture not equal to it. Was it unfair that God chose the the Nation Israel for Himself too? But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? Rom. 9:20-21 All who were APPOINTED to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48

[Fgsltw316]

@frmdeath2life Defining Reformed theology as equal to the bible is both arrogant and erroneous. Speaking the truth is not slander, I agree. The problem is the truth is not being spoken. There is a lost and dying world around us. Throwing mud on Finney does not make your theology biblical! Jesus died for all who will repent and believe on him. He does not pick and choose like deformed theology teaches. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD" - James, Brother of Jesus Christ - was James a false prophet?

[lpbl2004]

Hey Lane, its funny you have posted this. I am reading Ian Murray's Revival and Revivalism, and it especially addresses Charles Finney's rise as a new age revivalist. Anyone interested in learning about revivalism in the U.S., pick this book up, its well written and highly detailed, God Bless.....