Posted on 05/17/2004 1:19:49 PM PDT by fishtank
"As a Catholic, we believe that our works (inspired by grace) allow us to participate with Christ in the act of propitiation: Quite the opposite of dispensationalism!"
Yes, quite different.
It's called salvation by works, which the Word steered me out of (I'm former RCC myself).
Participation in propitiation is no more salvation by works than is evangelization or charity: You are not doing so for your own salvation, but rather drawing closer to God by participating (through his grace) in the work of redeeming others. Propitiation is NOT necessary for your own salvation, so it is not salvation by works.
>>I'm not sure you're familiar with him, so maybe this is Greek for now.<<
No, I wasn't familiar with him... I was just having a little fun :).
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus.
Are those the 4 + 1?
I guess I don't get out of my bubble often enough - I thought most everyone agreed that God had different relationships - different covenants, or promises and requirements, with man at these points. That all share great similarities, for God is always the same God. Is that what some people consider heresy?
From what I've gathered, John MacArthur teaches the perseverance of the saints - that a Christian will persevere in good works all his life.
Based mostly on two books: "Once Saved Always Saved" by R.T. Kendall and "Reign of the Servant Kings" by Joseph (Jody) Dillow, I've started to realize that a person can fall into serious sin and still be saved (by the grace of God). That person might forfeit any inheritance or reward, but still have eternal life, although suffering loss in the judgment. Dillow boldly says that his work is a bridge between Calvinism and Arminianism.
Like the Calvinist, he teaches eternal security, but not perseverance. Like the Arminian, he teaches that one can suffer a loss of inheritance or reward, but NOT that one can lose their salvation.
I like Dillow's book because he refuses to allow a Christian to be comfortable or complacent in being carnal - something that unfortunately can come across with some teachers.
I am starting to hear why some consider dispy-ism to be heresy, but I honestly struggle why the different dispensations of grace as you mentioned with Adam, Noah, Abe, Moses and Jesus are even a point of discussion. It seems crystal to me.
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