I think that you have misunderstood Christian Burkholder, if you concluded that he believed in "perseverance of the saints" in a way similar to a Calvinist or Reformed perspective. Perhaps you should read more carefully the whole of the conclusion of Burkholder's Address, "Warning Against Backsliding." I do not think it allows the construction you have placed on it. Here it is:Paul wrote:Funny, I was reading a sermon by Christian Burkholder from another topic, and I have to say I really enjoyed reading it.
On the topic of faith he said something interesting: "Yet, whoever you are, let us think for a moment, what can be done in the kingdom of this world with gold and silver, and what men do and suffer for the sake of it. Yet as already said, true faith is much more precious than these. For according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, not a soul will be lost that has this faith. He says: He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36)."
He then goes on how this true faith can be obtained and what the fruit of this faith looks like, but it seems like this outstanding (according to GAMEO) Mennonite Bishop did believe in perseverance of the saints.
On the topic of backsliding he did also say the following: "Think also what a heavy accountability will follow thereon if you make a covenant with God, pledging yourself to be faithful to Him, and then again becoming unfaithful. I have alas! seen many such in whom I observed a true conviction of sin, a true awakening from the sleep of the same; yea, a proper knowledge of themselves; yet, who, alas! by degrees declined from this state." But notice how he doesn't say he believes that these people were born again, though they were convinced of sin by the Spirit, and they were led to make a pledge, it did not lead them to saving faith but they "fell away from the faith" - so to speak.
This is the PDF if you're interested: http://thecommonlife.com.au/rainham/wp- ... -Youth.pdf
Perhaps you misunderstood Burkholder's meaning, because he sees salvation not so much as an event, but as a process (see the bolded sections above).Now if you have ever bent your knees before God and united with the church, and made a vow unto the Lord; then give all diligence to be faithful unto Him. Watch and pray daily and hourly, and resist the enemy in faith. After Christ was baptised, He was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matt. 4:1).
Now if Christ was thus tempted, how much more will the enemy assail us with manifold temptations, and the more so as we bear a sinful nature in our flesh and blood', and the “sin which doth so easily beset us,” is so apt to make us slothful. Again, after you have, by the internal light of your soul, learned to know your sins and the depravity of your heart and entered on the narrow way of self-denial, in order to become a true follower of Jesus, then give all diligence thus to continue. For the crown is not at the beginning, but “he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Again, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Nor do, like Lot’s wife, look back towards Sodom, nor with the children of Israel towards Egypt. But run with patience the race that is before you. Nor do again yield to the lusts and sins in which you formerly walked, but put off more and more, day to day, the “old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and pray that he may more and more enlighten and renew your heart; yea as you "have received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk in him." Think also what a heavy accountability will follow thereon if you make a covenant with God, pledging yourself to be faithful to Him, and then again becoming unfaithful. I have alas! seen many such in whom I observed a true conviction of sin, a true awakening from the sleep of the same; yea, a proper knowledge of themselves; yet, who, alas! by degrees declined from this state.
Some even fell into a life of notorious sin and vice; some again into quarrels, brawls, and disputes; other into adultery and fornication, pomp and haughtiness, gluttony and intemperance, and other outbreaking sins; while nevertheless the Lord says: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die” (Ezek. 18:24). The first drawings of grace are the best. Keep therefore that which is committed to your trust. “Occupy well thy pound, that thou mayest not be found unprofitable servant, and even that be taken away from thee which thou hast, and thou be cast into outer darkness, into the lake of fire, burning with brimstone, which is the “second death.” May the Lord in mercy lead us through this world of tribulation, strengthen our faith, and increase our knowledge, and preserve us unto a happy end.