Loveall Notes:

Note 1

DRURY'S "WESLEYAN ARMINIAN APPROACH"

So if you are a former Calvinist who has drifted into Arminianism with little thought and for mostly pragmatic reasons, be careful as you navigate in this territory. You probably knew the dangers of your former theology, especially of "hyper-Calvinism." But you may not be aware of the dangers over here. Many of us Arminians have learned to stay out of the humanist end of the spectrum. We've learned that the best place to sail is on the Arminian end, but just over the line from Calvinism.

Our five points would look something like this:

1. Total Depravity: Mankind is totally depraved, but God has extended His common grace to all so that every man or woman can search and find God.

2. Unconditional Election: Before the foundation of the world God elected all men to salvation but most refuse His offer.

3. Limited Atonement: The atonement of Christ is open to all men everywhere and is limited only by our refusal to be saved.

4. Irresistible Grace: The "common grace" [prevenient grace] of God is given to all men everywhere and it is irresistible, but saving grace can be refused by a stubborn heart.

5. Perseverance of the Saints: Once saved, a person will always be saved unless by defiant, continual, purposeful, rebellion he or she refuses God's grace and chooses apostasy. Though relatively rare for a truly saved person, apostasy is possible.

If you are recently coming from the Calvinistic end, be careful not to pass right by the middle ground and run off to extreme Arminianism: man-centered humanism. Instead, if you stay on the Arminian side, but at the end near the Calvinist line, you'll be safe in these waters. If you want a name for that area-the area on the Arminian end, but just "a hair's breadth from Calvinism," some call this the "Wesleyan-Arminian" approach. -Keith Drury. This article is used here and edited by permission. Keith Drury teaches courses in practical ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University. See an Index of other articles by Keith Drury, including his "Tuesday Column"

Note 2

1659 First historical record of an entity entitled "Baltimore County."

1661 Maryland Governor meets with residents to discuss fighting between settlers and the local Susquehannough tribe County seat established at Old Baltimore on Bush River. Failed to flourish.

1663 Baltimore County residents sign peace accord with Susquehannoughs while under attack by Senecas.

1674 First mention of Baltimore County boundaries. Cecil County created from Baltimore County land.

1683 Thomas Lyfoot appointed chief of rangers to protect County residents.

1691 County seat set up at Gunpowder Town on east bank of Gunpowder River near present Jones Road. Failed to flourish.

1692 Slaves owned by 19 of 196 households (roughly 10%) counted in Baltimore County.

1693 Fort Garrison, oldest fort in Maryland, built near modern day Stevenson, MD. St Johns Church of England (modern day Episcopal) Parish established near Elk Neck.

1712 Joppa made County seat.

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