Perseverance is tied to Election in the mind of the Calvinist, and is essentially about Eternal Life.
Here is an excerpt from Millard Erickson’s Christian Theology (Vol. III, 983-987). Erickson clearly understands the essence of the matter:
The Calvinist position is both clear and forthright on this matter: “They whom God hath accepted in His Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by His Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the and, and be eternally saved.” [Westminster Confession] This point is consistent with the remainder of the Calvinist theological system. Since God has elected certain individuals out of the mass of fallen humanity to receive eternal life, and those so chosen will necessarily come to receive eternal life, it follows that there must be a permanence to their salvation. If the elect could at some point lose their salvation, God’s election of them to eternal life would not be truly effectual.
Hi Fred, some calvinists like to use the analogy of the drowning man who even when the life preserver is thrown is incapable of grabbing it. In effect the rescue or salvation is 100% due to the rescuer or in our case God the Father.So with perserverence if after rescuing us and applying the “breath” of life would God allow us to jump back in the water?
Kevin,
I’m not sure what you are getting at, but it sounds like you are asking…is jumping back in the water ‘losing salvation’ or ‘sinning like we aren’t saved?’
Thanks,
Fred
Sorry Fred i was looking at it from a logical point of view, that is if we believe that salvation is 100% God, his gift, his mercy, would it make sense for him dragged us out of the water to then allow us to jump back in. By logic election has to entail eternal security.
Kevin,
Exactly. This is why my friends who are dumping the doctrine of Election will see there disciples (or their grand-disciples) bail out on Eternal Security.
Makes me sad,
Fred