Henry Mahan’s letter addresses the theological doctrine of sovereign grace, emphasizing the clash between true gospel preaching and the opposition from unregenerate church members. He argues that the anger and resistance faced by ministers like the recipient signals that the work of God is at hand, as it indicates that the true gospel is stirring the affections of God's elect. Scriptural references are implicit throughout the text, alluding to the necessity of preaching grace alone as seen in passages that highlight salvation apart from works (e.g., Ephesians 2:8-9). Mahan emphasizes the doctrinal significance of remaining steadfast in preaching the gospel, which he asserts is essential for glorifying God and calling sinners to repentance, while also cautioning against succumbing to cultural expectations or false hopes presented by religious institutions.
Key Quotes
“The conflict is over Who is God? How does God save sinners? And Is salvation by grace alone or by grace and works?”
“Preach the Word as it is to men as they are and depend on the Holy Spirit to call out God's elect.”
“When we destroy the false hopes of religious men [...] unsaved religionists will rise up in arms and try to silence us.”
“Every man God has ever used was hated while he lived and praised after he is dead.”
Dear Brother:
In a way I am sorry that you are exposed so early in your ministry to the hatred of unregenerate church members for the sovereign grace of God. In another way, I rejoice that this anger and opposition has risen, for it clearly declares that you have invaded the territory of Satan and you have stirred up his wrath. It also reveals that God has a people in your area whom he will call out through the preaching of the true gospel.
When we destroy the false hopes of religious men; when we expose their false refuges and their foundations of sand; when we attempt to give God all the glory for saving sinners; unsaved religionists will rise up in arms and try to silence us or persuade us to lay down the sword of the Lord and let them sleep on in peace. But the servant of the Lord knows that his gospel is the savour of life to some and the savour of death to others and men cannot remain neutral to the gospel of God's glory.
A group of religious people have no right to call themselves a church if they do not bow to Christ the head of the church, faithfully receive the whole counsel of God, and submit to the overseer of the church, God's faithful preacher. The issue is not Calvinism, and never has it been the issue. The conflict is over "Who is God?" "How does God save sinners?" And "Is salvation by grace alone or by grace and works?"
Stay where you are and preach the gospel of God's free grace. Study and spend much time in prayer. Ask God to give you a message every time you stand to preach that will glorify Christ, convict men of sin and bring sinners to the feet of King Jesus. Adopt a spirit of love toward all men, even your enemies; remember that except for the grace of God we, too, would cry "Crucify him" instead of "Crown him."
Too long church members have called preachers to run their pagan programs, and preach to them what they want to hear. Is there not a prophet who will call Herod "a fox," the Pharisees "whited sepulchers,"—and call on men to bow to the claims of Christ? I believe you are one and by God's grace I intend to be a prophet of God. If I don't have the courage to tell men the truth about God, about themselves and about salvation; I will turn in my papers and go fishing! God's preachers please no one but God! It is tough to stand alone, to be hated by people you're trying to help, to preach a message despised and discarded; but every man God has ever used was hated while he lived and praised after he is dead!
We might try to disguise the message and slip up on their blind side but we are fooling no one, not even ourselves. When the enemies of grace find out what you are saying, you'll discover that they don't have a blind side; they hate the God of the Bible on every side. Preach the Word as it is to men as they are, and depend on the Holy Spirit to call out God's elect.
I pray for you,
Henry Mahan
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