Posted on 12/28/2005 9:56:34 AM PST by topcat54
The death of Pope John Paul II and the election of Pope Benedict XVI have drawn great attention to the papacy in recent months. Such intense interest is remarkable. Much of it relates to the personality and accomplishments of John Paul II. He was a man of great courage and contributed significantly to the collapse of communism in eastern Europe.
Part of the interest also results from the powerful images that Rome can offer television cameras. Some of the greatest art and architecture of western civilization serve as a backdrop for elaborate rituals performed by gloriously clad clerics.
Part of the appeal for many—including non-Roman Catholics—is the sense of continuity and certainty provided by the institution of the papacy. The office of the pope connects us with the past, with a time of greater Christian presence and influence at all levels of society and culture in the west. It also speaks of certain moral standards defended against the relativism of our times.
(Excerpt) Read more at 69.59.173.95 ...
He may be as surprised as I!
We would amend that to not *always* choose but *is inclined* to choose. A subtle but important distinction.
This [i.e. Pelagianism] is altogether a most erroneous opinion; not, indeed, because there is no desert, good in pious persons, or evil in impious ones (for how else shall God judge the world?), but because a man is converted by that mercy and grace of God, of which the Psalmist says, "As for my God, His mercy shall prevent me;" so that the unrighteous man is justified, that is, becomes just instead of impious, and begins to possess that good desert which God will crown when the world shall be judged.Believe that both man's will is free and that it can do nothing apart from God's grace.Take good heed, then, to these fearful words of the great apostle; and when you feel that you do not understand, put your faith in the meanwhile in the inspired word of God, and believe both that man's will is free, and that there is also God's grace, without whose help man's free will can neither be turned towards God, nor make any progress in God. And what you piously believe, that pray that you may have a wise understanding of.
According to God's, the only standard that counts. When a pagan commits an act of charity, it is a real good; a relative good compared to God's absolute good, but a good nonetheless. It does not merit him salvation on that account, but it may well be an operation of grace working within him. Who are you or I to say?
If he is allowing you to teach modern pre-mil dispensationalism, contrary to the constitutional standards of the church, it is probably something that needs to be addressed. I'd say the same if you told me he was allowing you to teach 'believer's baptism' instead of 'covenant baptisim'.
While members are not required to subscribe to the constitutional standards, officers are (certain limited exceptions may be taken). If the pastor and session are not properly supervising the teaching, they need to be reminded of their responsibility.
Freepmail me the church name (the only PCA church listed in your city is Korean, and you look more like an Anglo church type), and I'll be happy to raise the issue with him. It would help if you gave specifics as to who and when the teaching occurred.
"Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." -- Romans 3:21-24 "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" -- Jeremiah 17:9 "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." -- Isaiah 64:6"As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." -- Romans 3:10, 11, 12
Neither the Jews nor the Gentiles could not keep the law perfectly. But God by His mercy sent a Savior to suffer and die for the sins of the elect, the only payment equal to the error.
For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." -- 1 Corinthians 1:21-24"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
The law written on the hearts of the Gentiles is able to save them exactly as the law the Jews strove to keep -- not at all.
Only God's grace saves anyone. To those who hear the Gospel, faith in Christ is the only salvation.
I am surprised the Roman Catholic view of Original Sin has been so watered down as for you to say it is merely a "wound." This wasn't always the case with Rome. They used to get that one right. 8~)
Oh, don't be surprised! It's right there in Augustine, the "Doctor of Grace"..see post 104. There was never any watering down, and in fact, the Orthodox are even more adamant on that point than we are.
Again, I repeat. We are in 100%, complete, total, unambiguous, undiluted agreement that God's grace is the only thing that saves. Anyone who says otherwise is a Pelagian and a heretic. And yes, neither the Jews nor the Gentiles were able to keep the law.
I will respond to the much-abused quote from Romans as soon as I get a chance.
God does indeed have free will. God freely made man. He was not obliged to do so.
"For you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created." Rev., 4: 11.
"Free will" is not synonymous with "freedom to sin", when used with reference to God. Why? Because God does not possess a "fallen" nature.
God's will is both free and perfect. Untainted and uncorrupted. Note that this does not mean it isn't truly free. It is "free" in the truest sense; i.e. not imprisoned by sin. True freedom is in God. This is the key point. The human use of the word "free" means having the option of visiting the local whorehouse. This is not true freedom. It is slavery.
Nevertheless, God offers us the choice of accepting his gift of salvation. His descent among us depended on Mary's voluntary cooperation; "May it be done unto me according to thy word.".
This is precisley the mystery of our salvation. That an all powerful God chose a plan of redemption which required human cooperation. And still does.
Good point, however can you establish that Christ=scriptures.
Christ said, “I and my Father are one,” that is not the same as saying “I am my father.” Be careful not to open loopholes.
I my last post I said that scripture was added much later. I point out that Christ also came much later.
Seven
Every word of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, signifies Jesus Christ.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." -- John 1:9-14"That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
The Trinity is the greatest truth in Scriptures. It would be so much easier to embrace a duality of God. But the Trinitarian mystery alone proclaims the strength of Christianity.
I originally commented on this statement, mainly on the part “but so far, He hasn’t.”
Every word of Scripture, both Old and New Testaments, signifies Jesus Christ.
Amen! But I don’t believe that scripture is the only means we have to develop doctrine. Here I will resort to typology to support my argument. Judge it if you can because I am not settled completely on my interpretation.
I believe that by looking at men, we can understand some things about mankind. As we get older, many things happen, including one that I think is significant here. Our vision. The lenses in the eye do not shrink as much in older people when the muscles relax. This makes it so that we cannot focus on the small print. When the iris is largest, focusing is the most important. When the iris is smallest, focusing is less important, but it requires more light. This is why I can read a book in the bright sunlight, without my glasses.
Isn’t this what God have been doing all along? Increasing the light. We like to think that we understand so much more than our ancestors. I wonder. Adam’s understanding of one sacrifice was all he needed to fully understand grace. God incrementally added scripture and knowledge until we have reached the point that we have more information at our disposal than ever. But where is wisdom? Do we see more clearly?
The leaven inexorably does its work until the whole is leavened. As sin increases, our vision is clouded.
Seven.
All I have to add is that this: God the Father has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit, in Scripture and in the Creation (spiritual and physical, heaven and earth).
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