Posted on 04/07/2021 9:29:19 PM PDT by 11th_VA
So, he needs someone to prove to him that murder is wrong? Stealing? Lying? That “do unto others as you would want them to do unto you” is illogical?
I read the story. It doesn’t quote anything that Keller specifically says, so it’s a bit disingenuous and cowardly to accuse him without relaying the words In which the criticism is based.
Is "Reformed Christianity" just more of the "I'm OK, you're OK"watered down BS that has been taking over churches for decades?
Keller is an eclectic who does a lot of broad base reading and reasoning. It works in Manhattan where narrow doctrinal certainty is despised. His mistake through the years has been that he begins with reason as his source and then reaches for scripture as a secondary reference.
Yes, and I would NOT consider him to be Reformed. He’s always been a self-promoting liberal. His book, The Prodigal God, was quite popular, but it’s the same old liberal crap about people who believe in doctrine being big meanies and hypocrites. He accepts the slander against Christians living in the hinterlands and reports it as truth. I can’t stand these holier-than-thou guys who love to condemn people they consider to be lesser Christians.
I repeat... He is NOT Reformed. The PCA is definitely going down the wrong path.
See the link at #17. Keller is not Reformed and never has been. His book, The Prodigal God, was quite popular and was all a slander of Christians who live out in the boonies. To Keller, anyone who believes in doctrine is a big ol’ hypocritical meanie.
The PCA is going down the wrong path. The OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) is still holding to biblical principles I pray that it stands firm.
That helps a great deal, thank you. Which denominations are considered “reformed” besides Lutheran?
Any church which claims the central authority is the Holy Scriptures really. Besides Lutheran, which hails back to Luther, Presbyterian, Baptists, Methodist, Episcopal, Anglican, Charismatic, to name a few.
These should acknowledge Luther's three: Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus (By Grace Alone, By Faith Alone, By Christ Alone).
There are cults as well, but can be identified through Sola Christus; they incorporate another beside Christ as Savior alone or replace Him outright. They also have extra sacred writings to them in which they may claim override the Holy Scriptures or claim it defective in part or the whole.
However, to become a member of a Reformed church, one has to profess Faith that Christ has paid their sins and have Faith in Him and many have them do this at the same time of their Baptism.
It is over Baptism/Membership and when it is required or not that many of the reformed denominations occurred sadly.
However if, a profession of Faith that Christ paid for their sins, is not required, I would say that church is not Reformed.
Hope that Helps.
Thank you again, that is extremely clear and helpful. So, is an evil person who commits hideous acts saved nonetheless by Grace if he has Faith in Jesus Christ?
Great Question!
Let's take Adolph Hitler, and say, after shooting himself in the head is still alive but dying. And he says to God from his heart, Please save me, Christ died for me on the cross and I believe he paid for all my sins. After this he dies.
Then would we see him in heaven? I believe so.
We say, the Christ's blood can make the foulest clean.
To check on this, consider the Apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus. He persecuted the new Christians, putting them into prison and putting many to death. I believe he held nothing back while doing this and indeed he was among those who Stoned Stephen as recorded in Acts chapter 7.
Certainly these are heinous acts, one would say and unforgivable by God. But that would make God less than God, and Christ's forgiveness less than unconditional. But He says "and the one that comes to me, I will by no means cast out" (Gospel of John chapter 6).
Do I believe I will see Adolph Hitler in heaven? I doubt it. But I think we will be surprised at some we never would think of will be there... Trophies of His Grace.
The real question, though, is this: How many sins can I have upon me and still go to heaven? And who pays for them after my death? The answer is NONE! Not one sin even forgotten over many years after they were done!
Who pays for the forgotten sin? Christ paid for all the sins of all mankind on the Cross. Christ did.
Therefore, there it really comes down to one sin that keeps one out of Heaven just as Christ said "not believing upon the one whom He has sent" - Christ himself. And in not believing, they have no Good works unto God as He says "as you did not do this unto the least of these you did it not unto Me".
Thus one believes Christ paid for it all, past, present and future or one really does not have true Faith in Him at all.
Where do you stand? If I might ask?
I am a seeker of answers. Grew up Catholic, was Methodist for 17 years raising my children, Lutheran for a while, studied Judaism extensively and it pulls me to say I have a Jewish soul; I struggle with the Pascal mystery; had a Russian grandmother who was Easter Orthodox, so I have attended that church also.
That's great.
One of the features of the Reformed Faith is that it concentrates on what Christ has done for us and how we live that out. His love motivates us because He has loved us beyond our comprehension and paid for everything needed for life here and in heaven. "We Love because He first Loved Us" as it says in 1st John. The Good Works come because He has planned them out and we "walk" in them as Paul said in Ephesians.
The non-reformed faiths usually concentrates on what must be done to earn and/or get into heaven, usually with lots of rules and regulations. Extra things may be required to get rid of sins and/or attain perfection first. Such as purgatory, reincarnation, destruction of self, etc.
In the Reformed Faith, we say He has paid for everything needed for our Salvation, entry and life in Heaven. We can add more rewards by walking in more good works which He has already prepared beforehand, for us to do. But they do not earn us Salvation or entry into heaven or anything like that. And our motivation is not fear of punishment but out of gratitude for His boundless Love which He lavishes upon us, the undeserving.
Many Answers to you from Above,
Best Regards, CO
Thank you for your patience.
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