Duty-Faith preachers teach some or all of these points.
They will affirm: 1. That the Law commands faith in Christ unto salvation. 2. That Christ died sufficiently for everyone that ever lived and efficiently for some because they fulfilled their duty-faith. 3. That Christ offers an opportunity of eternal redemption for every one who hears the gospel. 4. That the self-righteous should be directed to the hope of the gospel and not the terrors of the law. 5. That the humbled sinner should be directed to the terrors of the law and not the hope of the gospel. 6. That it is man's fault if he is not eternally redeemed by the sacrifice of Christ. 7. That God commands everyone who hears the gospel to believe unto salvation, that it is a transgression of a new law, and that souls will be cursed by this new law. (This 7th point is historically called Neonomianism) 8. That souls will be damned because they did not believe on Christ unto salvation.
In short, Duty-faith is a false doctrine that teaches:
1. The law is of faith.
2. Christ died for those who shall be cursed in eternal hell.
3. Redemption is an offered opportunity, and not an effectual promise.
4. The self-righteous ought to believe on Christ.
5. The just shall live by his Law keeping.
6. It is man's fault if he is not eternally redeemed.
7. The gospel is a new law with the curse of the old law.
8. Souls are damned for not believing on Christ unto salvation.
Below are some quotes from duty-faith preachers:
Daniel Whitby (the great Arminian) says, "A FARTHER enforcement of this extent of the death of Christ ariseth from the obligation which is, and always was, upon all persons to whom the gospel is or was revealed, to believe in Christ: For if it be the duty, not only of some few of every sort, but even of all and singular to whom the gospel is revealed, to believe in Christ, that is, to own him as their Saviour, or as that Jesus who came to save them from their sins; it must be true that he came into the world to be the Saviour of all men, and to be the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world, as holy scripture doth expressly teach."
In a discussion letter to George Ella, David Engelsma (of Protestant Reformed Churches) wrote, "The specific issue that needs to be addressed is this, namely: Does “faith” as a condition of instrumentality and legal demand negates or compromises the Calvinistic doctrine of total depravity and sovereign particular and irresistible grace?” “The answer is no. The legal demand of God is made known in the Ten Commandments. The sum total of the Law as epitomised by the Ten Commandments is a) Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart and strength; and b) Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” “The sum total of the Law is the essence of the Covenant which is fellowship between persons who are in a relationship. Therefore, the Law is encompassed by the Covenant as it is part of the Covenant of Grace. Since by nature all men are Covenant-breakers, the human race are included in the Covenant of Grace and are legally bound to it with threats of punishments and curses for non-performance. And the standard is that of perfection."
John Brown writes in his Shorter Catechism, "Q. Doth God command every man that hears the gospel to take his gift Christ out of his hand ?—A. Yes ; under pain of his most dreadful wrath, 1 John iii. 23. Q. What mean you by Christ's offer of himself?—A. His holding forth himself as able and willing to save, and inviting sinners to receive salvation from him. Q. To whom doth Christ offer himself?—A. To every one that hears the gospel, without exception, Prov. viii. 4. Q. In what manner is Christ offered in the gospel ?—A. Fully, freely, earnestly, and indefinitely, Isa. lv..." "Q. How is Christ offered indefinitely ?—A. The gospeloffer of him suits every hearer's case as exactly as if he was named in it, Rev. iii. 17, 18. Q. What do you understand by embracing of Christ as offered in the gospel 1—A. A particular persuasion that Christ in the promise is mine; and made of God to me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; and trusting on his word, that he will act up to all his saving characters to me in order to promote my everlasting salvation..." "Q. How do we receive him in agreeableness to his being indefinitely offered?—A. By applying the offer as particularly to ourselves as if it had pointed us out by name, and were not to another, Gal. ii. 20."
Andrew Fuller wrote, "Faith In Jesus Christ, even that which is accompanied with salvation, is there (N.T.- ed.) constantly held up as the duty of all to whom the gospel is preached ... Though the Gospel, strictly speaking, is not a law, but a message of pure grace; yet virtually requires obedience and such an obedience as includes saving faith... If faith in Christ be the duty of the ungodly, It must of course follow that every sinner, whatever be his character, is completely warranted to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation on of his soul." (Works, vol. 2, pp. 345, 352)
Richard Baxter wrote, "Christ by his Law of Grace, hath made it every man's duty that hears it, to believe in him, and accept him, as our Saviour that hath made sacisfaction for their Sins, and so died for them, and is their Redeemer: And to be highly thankful to him for this his Mercy."
Martin Luther wrote, "...Christ did not effectively give His ransom for Judas and the Jews, He certainly gave it sufficiently. It is rather that they did not accept it. Therefore it should not be denied that it was given, but rather it should be denied that the benefit of the propitiation was accepted." Martin Luther, “First Lectures on the Psalms,” in Luther’s Works 10:228.
John Calvin wrote, "That, then, is how our Lord Jesus bore the sins and iniquities of many. But in fact, this word “many” is often as good as equivalent to “all“. And indeed, our Lord Jesus was offered to all the world. For it is not speaking of three or four when it says: ‘For God so loved the world, that he spared not His only Son.” But yet we must notice that the Evangelist adds in this passage: “That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but obtain eternal life.” Our Lord Jesus suffered for all, and there is neither great nor small who is not inexcusable today, for we can obtain salvation through him. Unbelievers who turn away from Him and who deprive themselves of him by their malice are today doubly culpable. (guilty, blameworthy) For how will they excuse their ingratitude in not receiving the blessing in which they could share by faith?" (John Calvin, Sermons on Isaiah’s Prophecy of the Death and Passion of Christ, 52:12, p., 140-1) "“To bear,” or, “take away sins”, is to free from guilt by his satisfaction those who have sinned. He says the sins of many, that is, of all, as in Romans 5:15. It is yet certain that not all receive benefit from the death of Christ; but this happens, because their unbelief prevents them." (John Calvin, Hebrews 9:28) "Last of all, David confesses that it was entirely owing to the pure grace of God that he had come to possess so great a good, and that he had been made a partaker of it by faith. It would be of no advantage to us for God to offer himself freely and graciously to us, if we did not receive him by faith, seeing he invites to himself both the reprobate and the elect in common; but the former, by their ingratitude, defraud themselves of this inestimatable blessing." (Calvin, Psalms 16:7)
D.L. moody wrote, ""My friend, is it not the height of madness to put off salvation so long? Undoubtedly I am speaking to some who will be in eternity a week from now. In a large audience like this, during the next week death will surely come and snatch some away; it may be the speaker, or it may be someone who is listening. Why put off the question another day? Why say to the Lord Jesus again tonight, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for Thee?” Why not let him come in tonight? Why not open your heart, and say, “King of Glory, come in?” Will there ever be a better opportunity? Did not you promise ten, fifteen, twenty, thirty years ago that you would serve God? Some of you said you would do it when you got married and settled down; some of you said you would serve Him when you were your own master. Have you attended to it?" -D.L. Moody "There is a man in the middle of life. Is this not the best time for him to seek the kingdom of God! Will he ever have a better opportunity? Will Christ ever be more willing to save than now?" -D.L. Moody "That was his seeking opportunity, his day. My friends, this is your day now. I believe that every man has his day. You have it just now; why not call upon Him just now? Say, as the poor thief did, “Lord remember me.” That was his golden opportunity, and the Lord heard and answered and saved him." - D.L. Moody
John Wesley wrote, ""I had a long conversation with Mr. Ingham. We both agreed, 1. That none shall finally be saved, who have not, as they had opportunity, done all good works; and, 2. That if a justified person does not do good, as he has opportunity, he will lose the grace he has received; and if he “repent” not, “and do the former works,” will perish eternally. But with regard to the unjustified, (if I understand him,) we wholly disagreed. He believed it is not the will of God, that they should wait for faith in doing good. I believe, this is the will of God; and that they will never find him, unless they seek him in this way." - John Wesley
Charles Finney wrote, "If you neglect but for one moment too long, it will be fatal. There is a moment beyond which if you neglect seeking the kingdom of God, you can never attend to it with success thereafter. If you wait beyond that point, no mercy remains; the door of heaven is shut against you; your damnation is certain. We cannot know where this point is. It may be this hour, this moment. This sinner, may be your last opportunity. If so, how important that Christ should require you to seek salvation now! And how vital that you should heed and obey the call!" - Charles Finney
