Words About Dr. Lewis S. Chafer Regarding Scofield

Dr. Couch, I appreciate so many things you have said about Dr. C. I Scofield. You have revived an interest in the man but also have fired up the flames of us younger men who want to be solid Bible teachers of the Word by sharing facts about him. Would you repeat some of the things Dr. Lewis S. Chafer said of Scofield? 

 

    Dr. Scofield died in July 1921. Before his death he had taught with, and known, some of the greatest giants among the Bible teachers at the turn of the century. He mentored Chafer as a Bible teacher and Chafer took over for a period Scofield’s church in Dallas. Chafer was most profoundly influenced by Scofield and went on and founded “old” Dallas Seminary because of his clear explanation of the plan of the Bible. Chafer said of Scofield:

Until I had heard Scofield teach I had never heard a “real” teacher of God’s Word. Scofield was a friend to the giants: James M. Gray, William Eerdman, Arthur Pierson, A. C. Gaebelein, and William Pettingill. Scofield did not study simply for himself but in order to impart to others the Bible and the skills to teach it. He was patient and had the teacher’s gift which was enriched by the power of the Spirit of God. Scofield knew personally God as his heavenly Father with more reality than any other person I have ever known.

    Scofield’s little book Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth became a classic and was read over time by millions. For the first time people could understand the Word of God and were set free from the domination of the false teachings of the allegorists, the amillennialists, and the Covenant theologians of the day who “made up” their theology and did not let the Bible speak in its normal sense. Rightly so, Scofield pointed out that Israel and the Church must always remain distinct. Almost one hundred years before other great Bible teachers had already arrived at that conclusion. Scofield only punctuated this great biblical fact that made the plan of Scripture blossom before many who thirsted for the right meaning of God’s plan of the ages! 

    I hope this helps, and thanks for asking,

    Dr. Mal Couch

Were Spurgeon and Pink into Lordship Salvation?

Dr. Couch, why are so many saying now that “The Greats,” Spurgeon and Pink (both five point Calvinists) believed in Lordship Salvation? Are they reading something into their writings? Were they into Lordship Salvation? 

 

    ANSWER:  I have a collection of the old Calvinistic writings, including the ones you mentioned in your question. And you could not come up with Lordship Salvation from their writings. The term did not come along until John MacArthur published his book The Gospel According to Jesus. MacArthur admits why he came up with the saying and this teaching. He saw so much carnality in churches that he deduced many must not have claimed Christ as Lord when they made a “profession.” In fact he goes on and writes that one can not be saved unless he claims Christ as Lord! 

   His deduction is wrong! Christians can be carnal, and as Paul says, “walk like mere men.” What MacArthur did (though he would deny this) was to put an additional requirement upon simple and basic salvation faith. Over forty times “belief” is mentioned by itself for salvation in the book of John. What MacArthur was trying to do was screw the nut down tightly in order to “force” Christians to live a sanctified life! 

   I have been accused of not reading his “Gospel According to Jesus” but this is not so. I have over fifty dog-ears on the pages where he is intellectually and biblically misleading the reader. 

   In their doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints, the old Puritans and Calvinists wanted to add to the doctrine of Eternal Security the “near” perfect walk of the saints. For example the old giant Puritan Baptist John Gill writes in his theology volume: 

   "By Perseverance God keeps the believer from sin, not from the indwelling of it in the hearts of believers; nor from all acts of sin in their conduct; but from the dominion, power, and tyranny of it; and from a final and total falling away through it." 

 

   While there is absolute truth in this statement it could be interpreted that Christians will never sin “bad,” but only slightly bad! What Gill wrote is basically true but anyone in the pastorate knows that the sheep can sin and do terrible things. Paul of course teaches the same thing: “Brothers (Christian brothers), even if a man is caught in any trespass (bad, bad sin), you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Gal. 6:1). 

   Read what MacArthur writes: “Christ is Lord, and those who refuse him as Lord cannot use him as Savior. Everyone who receives him must surrender to his authority, for to say we receive Christ when in fact we reject his right to reign over us is utter absurdity.

   What MacArthur writes is absurd! I have been in the ministry almost fifty years and I have never seen a new believer in Christ “refuse, refuse to surrender to his authority, reject” Him as Lord! We all do that when we rebel and sin! That shows our carnality! I have never known anyone who consciously “refuses” Christ in the way MacArthur is claiming. 

   In his book MacArthur also takes to task Lewis S. Chafer for pointing out from 1 Corinthians 2-3 that Paul describes two types of Christians: those who walk spiritual and those who walk carnal. This is what Paul writes. MacArthur jumps on Chafer for simply quoting Paul! MacArthur must not believe Christians can walk carnal! 

   Lordship Salvation will fade away as all error finally does. It is an aberrant position and won’t last! 

   Thanks for asking,

   Dr. Mal Couch