Reading the Classics with Challies - Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Wayne Grudem defines effective calling as "an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith."

This effective calling is the topic of the current chapter under consideration as I am "Reading the Classics with Challies." The chapter comes from John Murray's timeless piece entitled Redemption Accomplished and Applied.

In this chapter Murray discusses the following:

• the universal call
• the effectual call
• the author of the call
• the nature of the call
• the pattern of the call
• the priority of the call

In discussing the authorship of the call, Murray declares: "We do not call ourselves, we do not set ourselves apart by sovereign volition any more than we regenerate, justify, or adopt ourselves. Calling is an act of God and God alone." (89)

There are some things in the "golden chain of salvation" that we do participate in; repentance and faith, sanctification. But the sovereign grace of God is the only cause of our effectual calling, regeneration, justification, adoption, and glorification. This truth was one of the issues that I struggled with most when considering reformed theology. I wanted to play a role in my own redemption, even if it was a small part. And yet, this sounds so ridiculous to me now. Nevertheless, I held on to that belief far too long.

Murray concludes the chapter strongly:

...there is good warrant for the conclusion that the application of redemption begins with the sovereign and efficacious summons by which the people of God are ushered into the fellowship of Christ and union with him to the end that they may become partakers of all the grace and virtue which reside in him as Redeemer, Saviour, and Lord. (94)