Posted on 11/03/2011 7:39:32 AM PDT by fishtank
Is the Reformation Over?
by R.C. Sproul
Is the Reformation over? There have been several observations rendered on this subject by those I would call “erstwhile evangelicals.” One of them wrote, “Luther was right in the sixteenth century, but the question of justification is not an issue now.” A second self-confessed evangelical made a comment in a press conference I attended that “the sixteenth-century Reformation debate over justification by faith alone was a tempest in a teapot.” Still another noted European theologian has argued in print that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is no longer a significant issue in the church. We are faced with a host of people who are defined as Protestants but who have evidently forgotten altogether what it is they are protesting....
...excerpt
(Excerpt) Read more at ligonier.org ...
No, the one that confirmed it.
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
“Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” John 6:28-29
I will ask them. The next door neighbors are coming over for dinner tonight. I was wondering what we could do for entertainment. I think I’ll just pull up your posts. BTW: you may want to look for “noobies” in the future.
Sort of like when Christ stated that he "hated" the works of the Nicolations.
I mean you no ill will. In my family these kind of witty barbs are a sign of affection and an indication that someone has been accepted into the pack. You seem to be able to give as good as you receive and have scored a number of direct hits, but if it bothers you I will stand down.
God Bless.
Do we not sound like we come from the same family? Different religion, to be sure, but the same way of delivering zingers. As long as we both agree on the WHY of why we’re letting them fly, I say fire away! I mean that, seriously. Just ask my family...:)
Try reading Sproul! His book “Not a Chance” is a wonderful indictment on the humanistic thought that is so widespread today.
Another must read is “The Holiness of God.”
With respect to my comment a few days ago ...
when interpreting the church fathers individual comments that contradict their position, Catholics appeal to the broad context of all that fathers' works ...
when interpreting an individual passage of the Bible, they support their position by ignoring the broad context.
i will check them out thanks
melissa
Typically when debating with Catholics you will find that whatever they are saying can be found in Catholic doctrine rather than scripture. It seems they don’t put scripture first, they put the RCC first and make scripture fit what the RCC teaches.
A stiff challenge from a reinvigorated Rome may be what we need to jump-start the Reformation. God knows we need some fire in our bellies again.
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,(1Thess 1:3)
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,(1Thess 1:11)
“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1John 2:4)
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”(John 14:21)
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”(John 15:10)
“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters”.(1 Cor. 7:19)
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.”(1 John 2:3)
(1John 5:3)”For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
I can talk about this later, but “Once Saved Always Saved” by RT Kendall is an excellent explanation of these issues.
James does not contradict justification by faith. See James 2 in Context.
The entire Bible makes it clear that we are saved by faith, without the works of the law.
What saith the scripture? Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of righteousness of the faith which he had being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. (Romans 4:3-12)
Abraham was justified before he was circumcised. He was also justified before Isaac was born. He was justified many decades before he ascended the mountain to off Isaac on the alter.
"If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God." (Romans 4:3) Works will justify one before men, but not before God.
Thanks for the link - great example of sola scriptura
What works did the criminal who died next to Christ do to earn his way into paradise?
“Works of Grace are not the same as works of the law. Not sure why this has been such a difficult concept to grasp. Faith is a gift, it’s not something we gain on our own, the works we do, under grace are the works Christ spoke of in the Gospel, specifically in the Lords payer. When we pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven”, we are asking for the grace to do his will. By faith we believe, by works we do His will, it’s not an “either or” it’s an “and” relationship. The way some Protestants explain faith, it seems to be more of a work than actual works, as if it’s something we produce rather than receive.”
(Romans 10:17)17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Are you saying that Paul preached that faith was a work? Something we grasped at? No, in context Paul's message is clear: go preach if sent but don't expect everyone to receive what is freely given. Faith is a gift of grace, don't believe me or Scripture? Look at all the people who have heard the word preached and still have no faith. By grace you are given the ability to have faith, by Grace your are given the ability to do His will, neither is a "work" in the sense of the law but an act of free will, or actually the act of submitting your will to that of God.
“Are you saying that Paul preached that faith was a work?”
“remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,(1Thess 1:3)
Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,(1Thess 1:11)
“By grace you are given the ability to have faith, by Grace your are given the ability to do His will, neither is a “work” in the sense of the law but an act of free will, or actually the act of submitting your will to that of God.
“By grace you are given the ability to have faith, by Grace your are given the ability to do His will, neither is a “work” in the sense of the law but an act of free will, or actually the act of submitting your will to that of God.”
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.(Matt. 7:21)
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