Posted on 02/16/2015 8:55:26 AM PST by redleghunter
Sir, I have no clue what you are addressing nor to whom you are addressing it.
If there is some point from the article you would like to discuss please let me know and we can discuss it.
“Define the agreed-to and defined “Gospel of Evangelicalism”. Where is it found and how is it defined.”
Thanks for asking that. I’d really like to see the definition of “evangelicalism” that the article is based on.
I think that maybe the article probably could have been written without using a special code word. That, in turn, makes me suspicious of why the topic needs to be dressed up with big words.
But I’m not real smart, so maybe it’s just me.
A person who receives Christ and lives many years in sin and pride will not be saved.
It’s kinda like Jesus saying, “nobody gets in without orange juice.” But you don’t have any orange juice. However, you ask Jesus if you could have some orange juice and he gives you a gallon.
“not of works, lest any man should boast”.
A little background on the Gospel preached by the apostles/disciples. Piper addresses if the Gospel preached by the apostles can be found in the Gospels. You and I may be scratching our heads saying "well of course!" However, there is a skepticism in some churches on the matter. Much like there was at the end of the 19th Century. So we are on the same sheet of music see below and then read the article:
1 Corinthians 15:
15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
Me too.
"Ehyeh asher ehyeh."
Thanks for posting this excellent message of Piper. It is everything I believe on the subject written far more concisely than I ever could. It brought tears to my eyes, as it should when reminded of the magnificent, finished atonement of Christ.
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.
I do disagree with this point. I think Piper is falling into the mistake that most Reformed fall into of not recognizing who Jesus came and preached to and what He proclaimed. In addition to preaching salvation by Faith Alone in Christ Alone Jesus preached about the promised Messianic Kingdom. Jesus did not turn his attention to Gentiles until the Jews had rejected Him several times.
Piper like a lot of Reformed doesn't think much of Evangelical Christians. We agree with the Reformed on a lot of big points, the 5 Solas being the best example. However we recognize whom the audience was when the message was given and consider this significant, whereas most Reformed don't.
You bring up a good point. I think he was addressing what we see today with the “red letter only” theologies. Basically “Jesus did not say this or that, that was Paul.” I think he harmonizes this nicely for the audience.
I see your point.
It seems to me that the Christians who would diminish Paul's writings have lost so much of what God has revealed to us. I suspect that part of this is based on Paul being brought into Christianity separately and his criticism of and willingness to confront the Apostles that were with Jesus prior to the Crucifixion. Paul was always a thorn in the side of the Jerusalem church and the ministry to the Jews that Peter was responsible for.
Some “evangelicals” try to add to the Bible and try to Pharisaically declare this work or that work is required in addition to grace.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Grace=unmerited favor. Works, definitionally, are meritorious. Works are the proof of and result of salvation, not the cause of it.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The above really says it all. The underlying Greek declares that faith is absolutely not of or originating in ourselves, but is the gift of God. Verse 9 goes on to say that our faith is absolutely not of or originating in works, lest any should boast.
This sermon was fantastic! It is somewhat juxtaposed (in comparison) with something I have been saying for quite some time - That Paul has to be load-balanced with the other authors, as they necessarily need to be saying each and all the very same thing - To use Paul to nullify James or John (not to mention Messiah) cannot be right! But in that juxtaposition I have found something remarkable:
Piper leaves my focus on obedience aside (!), but focuses rather on Paul's distinction wrt justification and imputation through the Word of the Master. That is a facet of that load-balancing I had not considered - but one which fits perfectly in that sense of juxtaposition - in comparison, not opposition. The other side of the coin, as it were.
Thanks for the post. I am heading out for my walk with something good to ponder upon. : )
I’ve always been sort of mystified by all the different religious vocabulary terms; I think I would be considered an adherent to evangelicalism. I think this is an excellent description of salvation, which is, basically, Jesus is my salvation, and my works determine my reward. Maybe the more theologically developed can correct me.
I sure like the way John and James explains it myself.
See also Jesus last instructions recorded in each of the first 4 NT books: Matt, Mark, Luke, & John - aka the Gospel telling believer to go and tell others the good news.
Not evangelicalism.
Jesus preached the Gospel of evangelizaion.....always calling people to the faith.
Example: Nicodemus
telling believer to go and tell others the good news.
The pharisees had missed the point of the law; the law existed to show that we could not be good enough. Jesus came and said that if I cut off my hand and gouge out my eyes I still can't stop sinning. If I outwardly keep the law, but have been angry at my brother I'm worthy hell-fire.
Matthew 19 says you can't do everything the law says, but if you can't part with what God gave you and follow him you can't make it to heaven.
And then after showing us we couldn't do it, he did it; he fulfilled the law and died for us. He paid the price we never could! Only his grace can save Jesus himself said there is no good, but God are good works cannot earn us a spot in heaven; only the blood of Christ can do that!
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