Posted on 02/16/2015 8:55:26 AM PST by redleghunter
Every verse of all four Gospels is meant by the authors to be read in the shadow of the cross. When we start reading one of the Gospels, we already know how it ends—the death and resurrection of Jesus as a substitute for our sins (Mark 10:45; Matthew 26:28)—and we should have that ending in mind with every verse that we read. And this is exactly what each of the Gospels intends. John Piper
Thank you!
I love the example of Abraham being justified by faith. It was not the works that saved him, but his faith. And the faith is what allowed the works.
I like to say that you can tell how much faith someone has in their brakes by how fast they drive.
Faith enables works. Works are proof of faith. Works don’t save. Faith saves. Faith is everything.
What an unnecessary, convoluted pretzel of a question.
It reminds me of these programs on A&E Network, where atheists posing as Christians ask questions like these:
"Well, did Jesus REALLY rise from the dead? The truth is we don't know."
"Did Jesus say anything against Homosexuality? Well, it is not in the Gospels anywhere. I think Jesus would have accepted Same Sex couples."
"Was Jesus married? I believe evidence points to the answer in the affirmative."
Nothing but garbage.
PING
Ping. Sorry for the delay in pinging you.
I am sorry I read this. Now I feel like I need a bath.
Not only did is Paul’s theology the same as Jesus’ theology but I’ve always been amazed that Paul wrote “Romans” having never read the book of John. The two are rock solid tight with regard to the Gospel preached. Luther himself noted that if none of the NT survived the ages but the books of “John” and “Romans” we would still have everything necessary for the complete theology of Jesus and Christianity.
I would rather that the following be asked of John Piper:
Define the agreed-to and defined “Gospel of Evangelicalism”. Where is it found and how is it defined.
Me thinks that John Piper might be adding to Scripture.
“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.
Nobody comes to the Father but by Me.”
I don’t know how much clearer anyone can make it.
Our problem is that people say to themselves, “That can’t be right. That’s just too easy.”
Salvation and justification are a gift. As a gift, you cannot earn them or they cease being a gift. Too many want to force people to work at earning the gift either by tithing, a rigid lifestyle or other works.
Jesus made it ridiculously simple. We complicate it by putting all these extra demands on them. The works that we should do are a *thankful response* to what Christ has done for us, not demands that all must do.
The truth is, we want to satisfy our egos by making our little club as exclusive as possible when Jesus calls us to do just the opposite. Paul had it more right than we know and his thoughts were so backwards from the mindset or fleshly and sinful man as to validate that they were divinely inspired.
>> ... in our default to Pauline categories we are selling Jesus short
There’s nothing wrong with the analysis (or conclusion) of the author. But pitting Paul against Jesus is a slippery slope that invites an “either/or” conclusion, the inevitable result of which is tearing pages out of one’s Bible.
Jesus vs. Paul is one of the tools with which the Evil One perverts sound Christian doctrine.
Dude, do you feel guilty that you have not provided the Church anough converts? Do you worry about whether your efforts in the name of Jesus the Christ are ineffective and not having the evangelical effort Scripture describes? Are your neighbors rejecting your exposition of the Gospel?
How do know?
I love Piper ..thanks
I love your statement that faith enables works and are proof of faith. Thus a person who receives Christ and dies one moment later, without the opportunity to do any good work, is saved. A person who receives Christ and lives many years in sin and pride will not be saved.
Short answer to question.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
It’s actually a good piece. Please read it. Piper is addressing many of the convoluted assumptions going around the internet.
When I read the sermon I came away with the notion Piper addresses the ‘red letter only’ theology. It is very present on the internet.
I believe that is what Piper addressed. He is not making the proposition, but addressing it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.