As already stated in the article on GRACE, the word grace is the hinge of three great theological controversies. One of these, on the nature of depravity and regeneration, between the orthodox doctrine of the Church and Pelagianism, comprehends the question of irresistible grace. Some of the followers of Augustine, in their attempt to oppose Pelagianism, says the Rev. O. Adolphus (Compendium Theologicum, p. 144, 3rd edit. Cambridge, England, 1865), of the Church of England, and himself a believer in predestination, carry their views of the absolute predestination of a limited number to the ultimate attainment of salvation, through the influence of the irresistible grace of God causing their final perseverance, to such an extreme in their logical deductions that there appeared persons who charged the Augustinian system with leading to the dangerous conclusions that human actions are immaterial, and human efforts for the conversion of the wicked unavailing, in the face of God's free gift of grace in accordance with his secret decrees, predetermined from everlasting. For the Arminian argument, on the other hand, (See ARMINIANISM); (See ELECTION); (See PREDESTINATION); (See WILL).
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More