by Theodore VanderGroe
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Theodore VanderGroe’s The Pathway to Salvation is a deeply pastoral and theologically rich exploration of the true nature of salvation and faith. In this work, VanderGroe warns against the common misunderstanding that mere conviction of sin is sufficient for salvation. He distinguishes between general conviction—which many experience yet remain unconverted—and saving conviction, which leads to true faith in Christ. With careful exposition, he dismantles the dangerous self-deception that can arise when people assume they are saved simply because they feel sorrow for sin, yet never come to a sincere, soul-renouncing faith in Christ alone. This book serves as both a guide for seekers and a corrective for those trapped in false assurance, directing them toward the only sure foundation—Christ and His promises in the Gospel.
VanderGroe’s pastoral heart shines through as he exhorts readers to self-examination, ensuring that their faith is not merely intellectual assent or emotional conviction, but a Spirit-wrought embracing of Christ in the Gospel. He provides biblical and practical instruction on how to discern true faith, emphasizing the necessity of God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing sinners to a genuine knowledge of Christ. This book is especially relevant today, as many mistake religious experience for true regeneration. VanderGroe’s insights offer a much-needed wake-up call to those who assume they are Christians but lack the inward transformation that true faith produces. This is not just a theological treatise—it is a plea for souls to come to Christ in genuine faith, renouncing all self-reliance and resting fully in Him.
About the Author
Theodore VanderGroe (1705–1784) was a Dutch Reformed minister and theologian, well-known for his contributions to the Further Reformation (Nadere Reformatie), a movement that sought to apply Reformed doctrine to personal piety and practical godliness. He was deeply influenced by the theology of the Reformation and sought to guard the church against self-deception and legalism, always pointing people to the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and the necessity of true, saving faith. His writings remain powerful tools for those seeking biblical clarity on salvation and spiritual life.
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Table of Contents
1. The damaging misuse of a general conviction of sin as a false ground for the soul
2. A description of sincere and saving faith
3. A letter from Rev. by Theodore VanderGroe written to a friend