This document discusses the history and development of decisionism in evangelical Christianity. It traces the shift from a focus on spirituality and liberty to an emphasis on conservatism and abstinence. Key figures mentioned include Martin Luther, Charles Finney, Dwight L. Moody, and Billy Graham. The document also compares different theological views on free will and divine grace, such as Pelagianism, semi-Pelagianism, Arminianism, and Calvinism. It analyzes the differences between biblical evangelism and decisionistic evangelism, noting that the latter relies on shortened formulas, dictated prayers, and assurances of salvation rather than true conversion brought about by the Holy Spirit.

1. Decisionism

2. Martin Luther nailing his 95 thesis

3. The Canons of Dort

4. Friedrich Scheleiermacher

6. Liberal vs. Evangelical

7. The Fundamentals

8. Errors
Unchallenge
d
Truths
Defended
Evangelical
Fundamentalis
m
Evangelism becomes Decisionism
Spirituality becomes Conservatism
Liberty becomes Abstinence

9. “To this he called you
through our gospel, so that
you may obtain the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2Thessalonians 2:14

10. Charles Finney

11. Pelagianism
Semi Pelagianism
Arminianism
Calvinism/
Reformed Theology
Human will alone
Human will needs divine
grace
Divine grace precedes Human
will
Divine grace alone
Comparison:Pelagianism/Semi/Arminianism/Calvinism

12. Dwight L. Moody

13. Billy Graham

14. Saving
Gospel
Response
●
Faith and
Repentan
ce
Decisionism
External/
Physical
Acts
●
●
Raising of
hands
Coming
forward to
the
“altar”
Formula
Presentatio
n
●
●
●
Abbreviat
ed gospel
Dictated
prayer
Giving of
assurance

16. Invite the person to by faith accept
the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal
Saviour…say something like this:
‘Tom, will you kneel with me in prayer
of acceptance… Now ask him to pray
after you the prayer of acceptance…
Continue in this manner until you
have led him through the prayer.
●
●
Now when you have finished leading
him through prayer, stand up and say,
‘Tom, did you by faith accept the Lord
Jesus as you prayed…?’ When he
answers yes, take him up by the hand
and say, ‘UPON THE AUTHORITY OF
GOD’S WORD, YOU ARE NOW A CHILD
OF GOD!”
●
● Note of the Open Bible on Rev. 22:17
●
●

17. Holy
Spirit
External Call
Regenerati
on
CONVERSIO Gospel
N Faith &
Repentance
Effectu
al Call
SINNER
God
Conversion

18. Gospe
l
Teaching
Content
Mind
Gospel & Mind
Understandi
ng
Will
Decisio
n

19. Biblical
Evangelis
m
Law and
Gospel
Decisionisti
c
Evangelism
Shortened Formula
Shortened
Formula
Conviction
and
Persuasion
Assent and
Decision

20. Biblical
Spirit Convicts &
Evangelis
Regenerates
m
Decisionisti
c
Evangelism
Dictated Prayer
Prayer of Assurance
Sinner calls
without
dictation
Man gives
assurance

21. Decisionist
ic
Evangelis
m
God Sovereignly blesses
gospel truths
Because reduced to
Formula decision
Biblical
Evangelis
m
False Conversion
Maximum teaching of
Gospel truths
Not reduced to
Formula decision
True
conversion
More false
conversion
More True
conversion
Less false
conversion

22. “So those who
received his word
were baptized, and
there were added
that day about three
thousand souls.”
Acts 2:41

23. Baptism