I see what you did there

Granted, this is only one tiny denomination within a wider association of presbyterian and reformed churches (NAPARC), and we are--admittedly--on the fringe of "mainstream protestantism" at least in the U.S.

But we're still here, holding the line, by God's grace alone.

Just an FYI, but we Protestants also have a form of government (presbyterianism--i.e., rule by a plurality of elders, as Paul commanded):

https://opc.org/BCO/FG.html

...and we also execute a measure of authority (though as undershepherds). Have a look at this document rooted in the Book of Discipline of 500+ years ago--which reforms the church practice of discipline back to what Paul explicitly commanded:

https://opc.org/BCO/BD.html

"Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda est secundum verbum Dei"

Be that as it may, fallible men can neither add to nor take from all that Christ has accomplished for his elect. Election is, as we say, "unconditional" (See John 1 and Romans 9 and Ephesians 1-2). No need to rehash the Reformation here--just clarifying what we actually believe.

Not to start an argument about whether these things are true, but only to clarify what (Reformed/Protestant) believers actually confess:

First, this is not even a question for us, because we 'protest' the idea that justification is--in any sense whatsoever--based on our works. Hence the by grace 'alone' and by faith 'alone' in the finished work of Christ 'alone' of the 'five solas.'

WLC Q. 70. What is justification?
A. Justification is an act of God’s free grace unto sinners, in which he pardoneth all their sins, accepteth and accounteth their persons righteous in his sight; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but only for the perfect obedience and full satisfaction of Christ, by God imputed to them, and received by faith alone.

WLC Q. 75. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God; having the seeds of repentance unto life, and all other saving graces, put into their hearts, and those graces so stirred up, increased, and strengthened, as that they more and more die unto sin, and rise unto newness of life.

WLC Q. 77. Wherein do justification and sanctification differ?
A. Although sanctification be inseparably joined with justification, yet they differ, in that God in justification imputeth the righteousness of Christ; in sanctification his Spirit infuseth grace, and enableth to the exercise thereof; in the former, sin is pardoned; in the other, it is subdued: the one doth equally free all believers from the revenging wrath of God, and that perfectly in this life, that they never fall into condemnation; the other is neither equal in all, nor in this life perfect in any, but growing up to perfection.

Second, we protest the distinction (only necessitated by the first thing above) between 'mortal sins' and 'venial sins' -- all sin deserves the wrath and curse of God.

Third, the keys of the kingdom--by which we open/welcome or close/exclude individuals (and/or families) into the visible church--does not mean we are granting (or withholding) some eternal status certainly to be upheld in the courts of heaven. It's a judgment of charity from fallible men. Only God can judge the heart in that final day--but for those justified in Christ, our judgment day is past, fully accomplished on Calvary, since we receive the full benefit of Christ's merit the moment we are declared righteous by faith alone (it is an 'act' not a 'work'). Further, we can no more grant than we can withhold the full benefits of election--the Father elected some to redemption before time, the Son, in the person of Christ accomplished their full redemption (once and for all), and the Holy Spirit applies that redemption "to such as that grace belongs, and in the Father's appointed time."

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14, ESV)

Again--not to rehash the Reformation here, only to clarify why this is not a question for us. Our keys are for the church 'visible' (covenantal; historical; church as institution); God alone knows who belongs to the church 'invisible' (elect from eternity; church as organism).

I look forward to your writing getting published on mises.org... 🤙🏻

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