For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
The above is quoted most effectively by Protestants as they defend the salvation by faith alone. (They also quote many other passages, but this is one where "saved" is not in the future tense; likewise Romans 8:24, 11:5, 1 Corinthinas 1:18, 15:2, Ephesians 2:5, Titus 3:5).
Well, is "are saved" referring to a completed event or continuing process? Likewise, is "Jake sent him to Christ" referring to a completed event or continuing process? The quotes alone do not say (checking with the original Greek of the Epistles, "este sesosmenoi" is no help, as the same dilemma exists in Greek). We need to look elsewhere for the answer, and we find it:
But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13)
Likewise, Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13, and dosens others where "save" is also in the future tense or conditional mood, point to salvation being a lifelong process. That view is also consistent with multiple excoriations to do works of charity for the sake of the salvation (most explicitly in Matthew 25, Phillipians 2:12).
Going back to Jake, my meaning becomes clearer if we observe that it is possible to be sending one to Christ without the poor devil arriving there. Still, Jake spoke the truth, did he not?
I would respectfully disagree that Protestantism is all about coming up with one's own theology and then finding validation in one of a million different Protestant churches.
It is less true of the Baptists than of doctrinaire Protestants, I admit. This is why I like them; after all my own wife is a Baptist. Of course most Protestants of every description today simply go to church they know and love in a positive experience of Christian faith, and could care less about protesting anything or developing their own doctrine. Still historically, all branches of Protestantism developed as I describe: someone reads the Bible, feels dissatisfied with the religious practice he finds around him, protests them, convinces others, and voila, a new denomination is born. Also, when one discovers religion as an adult and seeks to join a church, the Protestant denominations would all, typically, try to convince him by describing their doctrine, when the Orthodox or the Catholic would say simply, this is the Church Christ founded, come and we'll tell you what you need to know in the fullness of time. No marketplace of ideas where I come from.
But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13)
Likewise, Matthew 10:22, Mark 13:13, and dozens others where "save" is also in the future tense or conditional mood, point to salvation being a lifelong process.
I do see your point in these verses. They are perfect examples of why "Perseverance of the Saints" is so superior to OSAS. We might disagree on the beginning part, but I think we see eye to eye at the end. :)
It is less true of the Baptists than of doctrinaire Protestants, I admit. This is why I like them; after all my own wife is a Baptist.
Please tell her a fellow Baptist tips his hat and says "Hello". :)
Of course most Protestants of every description today simply go to church they know and love in a positive experience of Christian faith, and could care less about protesting anything or developing their own doctrine.
Yes, I agree completely.
Also, when one discovers religion as an adult and seeks to join a church, the Protestant denominations would all, typically, try to convince him by describing their doctrine, when the Orthodox or the Catholic would say simply, this is the Church Christ founded, come and we'll tell you what you need to know in the fullness of time. No marketplace of ideas where I come from.
I don't understand the difference. Even in a cynical sense, aren't we all "selling something" from our POV? :) You would also try to convince a seeker of your doctrine, just as we would, right? Are we not all in a marketplace of ideas? :)