Here’s a quote from the subtitle, “An outward profession of righteousness not always a proof that the person is a true Christian”:
“Since Satan can so alter his appearance that he is mistaken for an angel of light (II Cor. 11:14), it is no marvel that sometimes his ministers also fashion themselves as doers of righteousness, with the most deceptive appearances of holiness, devotion, piety and zeal” (p. 190).
But is it really “no marvel” that Boettner and the popular Calvinists of the present day cannot name EVEN ONE of Satan’s ministers who attempt to “fashion themselves as doers of righteousness, with the most deceptive appearance of holiness, devotion, piety and zeal”? Can ANY professing Calvinist or Reformed person name ONE professing Christian who is an unregenerate minister of Satan masquerading as a true minister of righteousness? If they cannot name even ONE such “minister,” then does that relegate 2 Corinthians 11:14 to the dustbin of irrelevance?
If tolerant Calvinists CAN name “EVEN ONE,” then EXACTLY WHAT did these professors of righteousness and orthodoxy confess that breached the apparently orthodox wrapping, thus exposing the heterodox contents of the parcel?
Could this Satanic breach in the superficially orthodox wrapping ever be called a “felicitous” or “blessed inconsistency”? If said “breach” cannot honestly be called a “happy inconsistency,” then is this unorthodox breach that exposes the true contents of the parcel akin to not abiding in the doctrine of Christ per 2 John 9? If it IS akin to 2 John 9 then are these Calvinists guilty of what they falsely accuse us of, namely, advocating some form of “doctrinal perfectionism”?
“Certainly an outward profession is not always a guarantee that the soul is saved. Like the Pharisees of old, they may only desire to “make a fair show in the flesh,” and deceive many. Jesus warned His disciples, “there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect,” Matt. 24:24; and He quoted the prophet Isaiah to the effect that, “This people honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men,” Mark 7:6, 7. Paul warned against those who were “false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ,” II Cor. 11:13″ (p. 190).
In reading this Boettner quote I am reminded of how responsible The Westminster Confession of Faith is for blanketing much of the theological landscape in the darkness of ignorance, and how those individuals, churches, and denominations who applaud and adhere to it have been enveloped by a pernicious python. And yet, even in the grimmest and darkest of times God has always preserved His gospel by reserving for Himself a remnant according to the election of grace who will never bow the knee to Baal (Romans 11:5-6).
The framers of the WCF (along with those who profess adherence to its heretical contents) have bowed the knee to Baal. They are those who desire to make a fair show in the flesh. They are those who honor God with their mouths, but their darkened hearts are far from Him. The true gospel is NOT taught and embraced in the “churches” that consider the WCF a bastion of orthodoxy.
The Westminster Confession of Faith denies that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone believing (Romans 1:16) by making exceptions for elect persons who are (allegedly) “uncapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the Word” (X. 3). Making exceptions to the Mark 16:16 and Romans 1:16 rule is only ONE example — there are MANY more:
More from Boettner:
“And to the Romans he wrote, “They are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham’s seed are they all children,” Rom. 9:6, 7. John mentions those who “call themselves apostles, and they are not,” Rev. 2:2; and a little later he adds, “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead,” Rev. 3:1″ (p. 190).
I think the following verse is relevant for Christians today:
“I know your works, and the affliction, and the poverty; but you are rich. And I know the evil speaking of those saying themselves to be Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9).
Loraine Boettner, the framers of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and those similarly-minded with them say that they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Next Page (31)
Agrammatos 