Systematic Theology, A.A. Hodge, 3 vols. (Eerdmans)

(Doug: At the moment, I’m reading a chapter a day through Hodge’s Systematic Theology. It’s an epic read and I’ve just gotten into his discussion of salvation or soteriology. I selected this section primarily because it came up in the chapter for today on the Covenant of Grace, but also because I found this particular section quite interesting.

Hodge’s Systematic Theology was for many years the standard text for systematic theology classes at Old Princeton Seminary and a mainstay in Reformed thought. Click the picture on the side to get the three-volume set or for a gentler introduction – pick up the one-volume abridgement, edited by Dr. Edward Gross.

One more thing. Dr. Hodge uses a lot of original language work in the text and for some reason, the Hebrew and Greek fonts wouldn’t work, so I had to translate roughly what the words meant. In the case of the Greek, there may be a mistake, for which I apologise. And now, Dr. Hodge.)

The plan of salvation is presented under the form of a covenant. This is evident, —

First, from the constant use of the words berith and diatheke in reference to it. With regard to the former of these words, although it is sometimes used for a law, disposition, or arrangement in general, where the elements of a covenant strictly speaking are absent, yet there can be no doubt that according to its prevailing usage in the Old Testament, it means a mutual contract between two or more parties. It is very often used of compacts between individuals, and especially between kings and rulers. Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant. (Gen 21:27.) Joshua made a covenant with the people. (Josh 24:25.) Jonathan and David made a covenant. (1 Sam 28:3.) Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David. (1 Sam 20:16.) Ahab made a covenant with Benhadad. (1 Kings 20:34.) So we find it constantly. There is therefore no room to doubt that the word berith when used of transactions between man and man means a mutual compact. We have no right to give it any other sense when used of transactions between God and man. Repeated mention is made of the covenant of God with Abraham, as in Gen 15:18, 17:13 and afterwards with Isaac and Jacob. Then with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. The Old Testament is founded on this idea of a covenant relation between God and the theocratic people.

The meaning of the word diatheke in the Greek Scriptures is just as certain and uniform. It is derived from the verb diathekmi, to arrange, and, therefore, in ordinary Greek is used for any arrangement, or disposition. In the Scriptures it is almost uniformly used in the sense of a covenant. In the Septuagint it is the translation of berith in all the cases above referred to. It is the term always used in the New Testament to designate the covenant with Abraham, with the Israelites, and with believers. The old covenant and the new are presented in contrast. Both were covenants. If the word has this meaning when applied to the transaction with Abraham and with the Hebrews, it must have the same meaning when applied to the plan of salvation revealed in the gospel.

Secondly, that the plan of salvation is presented in the Bible under the form of a covenant is proved not only from the signification and usage of the words above mentioned, but also and more decisively from the fact that the elements of a covenant are included in this plan. There are parties, mutual promises or stipulations, and conditions. So that it is in fact a covenant, whatever it may be called. As this is the Scriptural mode of representation, it is of great importance that it should be retained in theology. Our only security for retaining the truths of the Bible, is to adhere to the Scriptures as closely as possible in our mode of presenting the doctrines therein revealed.

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Click here to view the embedded video.

Now you’ve watched it, please leave  your comments below. I only ask you to consider the following, before you do:

• Does this video even remotely communicate the Gospel?
• Is it me or does this video slyly glamorise that lifestyle?

With that, I leave you to watch the video. I won’t – it grieves me enough to even think about it without the torture of watching again…

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Rev. J.C. Ryle, Bishop of Liverpool

Erik Kowalker, who runs the site J.C. Ryle Quotes, is giving away a copy of Joel Beeke and Randall Petersen’s mammoth work Meet the Puritans. Visit his site for more information.

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It’s been generally public, and familial, expectation that I would enter the pastorate as well. Makes sense – “His Dad is a pastor, so he will be one as well.”When I adopted Reformed theology, I soon after made the choice that I wanted to enter the pastorate as a Reformed Baptist minister. Lately, however I’ve decided to can that dream, and here’s why.

It takes much more to be a preacher than just having the ability to teach. It requires the ability to actually talk to people – something I’ve never had. It requires the ability to listen – something I’ve never had. It requires the ability to be reliable – not particularly possible when I literally live on an emotional rollercoaster, sometimes up, sometimes now. It requires the ability to be patient – I’m woefully impatient.

Now I can hear folks already, “You’re only 19, you’re still maturing.” Maybe, but I can trace everyone of my failings from my childhood and they haven’t changed, bar one – my temper. A pessimistic outlook, I grant, but I don’t want to risk shepherding a flock, only to hurt them down the line. God’s people deserve better than that.

Do I still want to serve the Lord in some capacity? Yes. I just won’t risk the pastorate.

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MacArthur ESV Study Bible Promo from Crossway on Vimeo.

I encourage you – if you don’t have one, get this one (I plan to). Visit the official website and take a look at the preview pages. It’s gonna be cool – very cool..

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Regeneration aka The New Birth

It would seem 1 John 5:1 is following me.

First, T.C. Robinson took issue with Dr. Piper’s handling of that verse on his blog. Below is Dr. Piper’s take on this text (HT: T.C. Robinson and Dr. James White) -

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now, on T.C’s blog, I said I’d look into it since I’ve never really looked at 1 John 5:1 in considering the relationship between the new birth and believing in Christ. Having done the textual work, I would agree with Dr. Piper’s take on the passage, and so I shelved it in the “resolved” file in my mind and moved on.

Well, fast forward to a couple of days ago when, while I was hanging out in #prosapologian, an online hangout provided by Alpha and Omega Ministries, someone posted a link to Pastor Brian Brodersen and his wife Cheryl discussing – surprise – 1 John 5:1. Well, Dr. James White tackled the issue of 1 John 5:1 cogently and coherently, digging into the original Greek:

Click here to view the embedded video.

(By the way, click the picture at the top to a link to chapter 29 of A.A. Hodge’s Outlines of Theology on the subject of Regeneration)

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In the article, which I encourage you to read, as to make sure that I am not making any of this up, the aforementioned rapper goes into an explanation of why he removed any Calvinists from his Facebook friends list (I’ll come back to that at the end…) and how, in his own words:

I’ve seen these doctrines shipwreck the lives of believers who were once “on fire.” When I say fire, I’m not talking about zeal or passion, I’m talking about “Holy Ghost Fire!”…PENTECOST (yeah, I believe that Holy Ghost baptism, tongues, signs, miracles, and wonders are for today, and are ESSENTIAL to what God wills to do IN and THROUGH The Body of Christ TODAY).

Now therein is his first of many theological mistakes. Why does he equate “being on fire for God” with signs, wonders and miracles? Why must those things characterize a life possessed and controlled by the Holy Ghost? What of the kids who get together in a room in a hall of residence on campus to study the Word in-depth and pray? What of the pastor who’s laboured in the Lord’s work for 40 years (like say, my own pastor or Dr. John MacArthur) and hasn’t spoken in tongues or cast out a devil a day in their lives, but they’ve seen the ministry of God the Holy Spirit in bringing people to repentance and faith?

Note the subtle bias towards ministries with “demonstrations of power”:

(yeah, I believe that Holy Ghost baptism, tongues, signs, miracles, and wonders are for today, and are ESSENTIAL to what God wills to do IN and THROUGH The Body of Christ TODAY).

Now I’m a cessationist, so already I’m laughing, but putting that aside for a second – they’re WHAT??? Essential??? As in, “Without these, the Church’s mission is not going anywhere?” You are kidding me, right??? Where were the signs wondering during the Reformation, when God, with what can only be described as a mighty, mighty hand, shook the world with the truth? Where are the signs and wonders PRIOR to 1906 and Azusa Street? Sorry, dude, but that is simply empty rhetoric, devoid of the facts. If people are preferring to be in the Word of God, rather than following every huckster who does a little fake miracle, then good for them. It doesn’t mean, then, that they hate the Spirit – if anything, they are drawing closer to God through the words He inspired, and that is always GOOD.

Our friend goes on to mention the following things as “non-negotiable” (numbering mine):

I believe that man has a free will. Throughout the bible people are directed by God to make CHOICES. Starting with Adam and Eve.

Yes, I believe that God is sovereign, and I believe (according to His Word) that in His sovereignty He will not violate His Word…this is a partnership, not a dictatorship. It’s possible to grieve and quench The Holy Ghost.

I don’t believe that His grace is irresistible, Man CAN resist God’s grace.

I believe that Salvation is for ALL, and not only for an elect few. The elect & chosen are simply those who believe on Jesus (John 3:16). He chose to have mercy on ALL! The called are those who hear the Gospel period. Many ARE CALLED, few are chosen (believe).

I don’t believe that God sovereignly chooses who He is going to heal, and who He’s not going to heal, what kind of FATHER is that? Healing is in the Atonement, and divine healing, along with salvation is His divine will for ALL. God is a GOOD GOD!

Firstly (and this may shock our friend), Calvinists believe in a free will. Man makes choices all the time. We simply believe that man’s choices are contingent on his nature:

• Every thought of man’s heart is inclined to evil continually: Genesis 6:5, Genesis 8:21
  
• Man cannot by himself change that inward nature: Jeremiah 13:23
• Man is in slavery to sin: John 8:31-36
• Man is at enmity – at war – with God: Romans 8:7-8

Man is free to choose – within the confines of his nature. Allow me to explain with an illustration – if I put two bowls in front of a dog, one having fine cuts of beef, another having a bowl of sprouts – which one will the dog pick? Well, unless you have a dog which is slightly out of its senses, it’ll pick the fine cuts every time. Why? Because that is the nature of the dog. If man’s inclinations, pre-salvation, are evil continually, then all choices he makes will be, well, EVIL!

Secondly, our friend states:

Yes, I believe that God is sovereign, and I believe (according to His Word) that in His sovereignty He will not violate His Word…this is a partnership, not a dictatorship. It’s possible to grieve and quench The Holy Ghost.

My response: Be sure to ask Paul how he felt when Christ knocked him off his horse, didn’t let him get a word in edgewise and tells him his life’s work from that point on – you can read that in Acts 9:1-19.

Third:

I don’t believe that His grace is irresistible, Man CAN resist God’s grace.

I take it our brother has Acts 7:51 in mind but this is where definitions make a world of difference. As Calvinists, when we say that the grace of God is irresistible, we do not mean that God’s grace cannot ever be rejected. Unregenerate man does it all day every day – but man’s resistance is no match for God, when God steps His game up. To paraphrase Dr. John Piper from his seminar on TULIP:

We are not saying that man cannot resist God – we are saying that the effectual power of God can crush man’s resistance when it wills, as the Gospel is preached.

Man can resist all he likes, but in the words of the old folks, “When God says yes, who can say no?” Now, in all this, let’s be clear – God doesn’t rape the will of his creatures. No one is saved who doesn’t want to be saved at this point in time – what the Spirit of God, in irresistible grace, is to change the disposition of the sinners’ heart to no longer desire his sin, but to desire the salvation that is set forth in Jesus Christ. To kind of tie in with the first point made in this discussion, man makes the decision to accept the gift of salvation presented – as Calvinists, we simply do not make his choice the decisive factor, rather it is a response to God’s work of grace, not the initiatory work.

Fourthly, our friend opines:

I believe that Salvation is for ALL, and not only for an elect few. The elect & chosen are simply those who believe on Jesus (John 3:16). He chose to have mercy on ALL! The called are those who hear the Gospel period. Many ARE CALLED, few are chosen (believe).

Well, I simply point our brother to the following Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-14, Romans 8:28-9:29, John 6:37-45 – would seem to me that election is a lot more than just those who believe, that election has its roots not in time but in eternity as an active choice of God.

Finally, we get on one subject which eventually caused me to leave Pentecostalism – whether healing is in the Atonement:

I don’t believe that God sovereignly chooses who He is going to heal, and who He’s not going to heal, what kind of FATHER is that? Healing is in the Atonement, and divine healing, along with salvation is His divine will for ALL. God is a GOOD GOD!

Now, I’m guessing (and our brother is feel free to comment on this post) he has Isaiah 53:6 in mind. My response to our brother is to write the NT’s inspired commentary of that verse in 1 Peter 2:21-25. Physical healing is not in mind, but rather spiritual healing – salvation. Allow me to explain the problem with saying that physical healing is guaranteed in the Atonement. If that is the case, which Biblically I don’t believe it is, then upon the application of the work of redemption, EVERY Christian ought to be automatically healed and never be sick again. Now that may sound like an absurd argument, but I trust it gets the point across.

To say what kind of a Father is that is simply parroting the same worn-out line used by Word-of-Faith adherents for years – but, and I know the backlash I am in line to receive – what if God actually used sickness as a means for us to draw closer to Him? Could God use sickness to discipline us? Hebrews 12:1-5 says that God disciplines and I have no qualms saying even physical illness could used as a form of discipline – after all the folks in Corinth felt that firsthand (see 1 Cor 11:29-30). God is indeed good – and ALL things work for the good of His elect, even getting ill (Romans 8:28-30)

In conclusion:

If you’re a Pastor of a Faith / Word / Full Gospel church, BE ON YOUR WATCH. Your kids / flock are being targeted by these artist. They don’t mind coming to your church to “minister.” I’ve personally seen them talking on message boards (and on songs) saying that they are trying to get your people out of “that teaching.” That’s wolfish in my book.

Minus the wolf language, oh yeah, Word of Faith pastor, be very afraid of me or any Reformed person. He’s right – your young people mean so much to me that I will gladly point them away from you and point them to the truth of Scripture. Your ministry means very little to me and frankly, if I have to empty your youth ministry one person at a time, believe me I’ll do it and be upfront about it. I agree – if you’re being sneaky and subversive, you’re a coward. The “faith” movement is nothing to be afraid of. It’s a theology much akin to a glass house – it can shout and scream all it likes, but one smooth stone called the Word of God sends it crashing down every time.

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A word of introduction is in order. I came across what you are about to read through a website called That I May Know Him, run by a local man here in Uxbridge where I’m studying at the moment. He posted this article on his website and I am more than glad to share this article in the hope of provoking some discussion and debate regarding these things. If I recall, that’s how the original 95 theses spread

SermonIndex

“I have been writing this volume while residing in Germany for a teaching trip. I am humbled by penning these 95 theses in the same country as Martin Luther did many years ago. I submit these to the evangelical church of our day and pray that God would allow anything of truth in these pages to bend and change men’s hearts back to God.” – Greg Gordon – http://www.sermonindex.net

**

“It is useless for large companies of believers to spend long hours begging God to send revival. Unless we intend to reform we may as well not pray. Unless praying men have the insight and faith to amend their whole way of life to conform to the New Testament pattern there can be no true revival.” – A.W. Tozer

**

Thesis 1 – The evangelical church at large has forgotten that the chief end of man is to glorify God.
(Romans 16:27, 1 Corinthians 6:20, Mathew 6:9).

Thesis 2 – Evangelicals ignore most of the methods, practices and principles found in Acts chapter 2.
(Acts 2:42,44, Acts 2:46, Acts 2:38).

Thesis 3 – We meet for one hour a week and consider that apostolic church. Many evangelicals treat church like any other social club or sports event that they attend.
(Acts 2:46, Hebrews 10:25, Acts 1:14).

Thesis 4 – We have made Christianity about the individual rather then a community of believers.
(1 John 2:19, 2 Timothy 4:16, Jude 19).

Thesis 5 – In evangelical churches the priesthood of all believers is not acknowledged and the role of pastor is abused. The biblical view of a plurality of elders is practiced by very few.
(1 Peter 2:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12, Ephesians 4:11-13).

Thesis 6 – The evangelical church as a whole has lost the concept of their being engrafted into the promises given to Israel.
(Romans 11:17-18,20, Romans 11:25, Romans 11:15).

Thesis 7 – There needs to be a recovery back to teaching through the whole counsel of God expositionally.
(Acts 20:27, 1 Timothy 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:15).

Thesis 8 – We take it too lightly, the blessing and honor of having God’s Scriptures in our possession.
(Psalm 119:16, Acts 13:44, Nehemiah 8:9).

Thesis 9 – There has never been more access to the word of God yet so little reading of it.
(1 Timothy 4:13, Nehemiah 8:1-3, Psalm 119:59).

Thesis 10 – Some read the Scriptures to attain knowledge and do not practice what they read.
(James 1:22, Matthew 7:21, 3 John 4).

Thesis 11 – Worship has become an idol in many churches. The music resembles the world more than anything else.
(Amos 5:23, Philippians 4:8, 1 John 5:21).

Thesis 12 – The world is shaping the views of the evangelical church more than the church shaping the views of the world.
(Romans 12:2, Matthew 5:13, 1 Corinthians 1:22-23).

Thesis 13 – The evangelical church spends more money on dog food then missions.
(2 Corinthians 9:6, Luke 21:2, Acts 4:34-35).

Thesis 14 – We take lightly the cost of discipleship laid out by Jesus Christ and consider following Him a sort of jovial thing rather then it truly costing us our actual entire lives.
(Luke 14:33, Luke 14:26-27, Matthew 8:19-20).

Thesis 15 – There is a lack of true discipleship and making others to be obedient disciples.
(Matthew 28:20, 2 Timothy 2:2, 2 Timothy 2:14).

Thesis 16 – The modern day evangelical believes the error that parts of life are to be spiritual while other parts are to be worldly and secular. Rather than our entire life’s being spiritual and our walk with God.
(1 Peter 4:2, Colossians 3:3, 1 John 2:6).

Thesis 17 – The modern day evangelical finds Jesus’ command to sacrifice and serve abhorrent.
(Philippians 2:21, James 3:16, Romans 12:1-2).

Thesis 18 – Self disciplines in the Christian life such as fasting, praying, suffering are considered legalistic.
(2 Timothy 2:21, 2 Timothy 1:8, Matthew 6:17).

Thesis 19 – Little thought and contemplation is put towards the lostness of men, the seriousness of the gospel, and the sacrifice of the call of Christ.
(Philippians 3:8, Galatians 2:20, Hebrews 10:34).

Thesis 20 – We are living with an epidemic of cheap grace in the Church. Flippant confession, shallow consecration, superficial surrender.
(Luke 14:28-30, Luke 14:26, James 4:8).

Thesis 21 – Since the inception of the Church, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached with the requirements of repentance and discipleship.
(Acts 2:38, Luke 14:26, John 8:31).

Thesis 22 – Presently, the “High-Calling in Christ Jesus,” has never been offered at such a low level. Forgiveness without repentance, discipleship without obedience, salvation without sanctity, confession without consecration.
(Hebrews 10:29, Hebrews 4:11, Luke 13:24).

Thesis 23 – Such terms as: Introspection, counting the cost, godly sorrow over sin, repentance from dead works, are all foreign to this church age of cheap grace.
(Acts 2:37, Psalm 119:9, Hebrews 6:1-2).

Thesis 24 – The modern evangelical church loves itself more than its neighbor.
(1 Corinthians 3:3, Galatians 5:13, Philippians 2:3).

Thesis 25 – The church must repent of its idolization of personality and business principles.
(2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 12:23).

Thesis 26 – The elders and pastors of the church, as ministers of the gospel, are charged by Jesus to feed the sheep. But sadly many are fleecing the flock to supply their wants.
(John 10:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, Revelation 2:15).

Thesis 27 – The qualities most in demand in today’s pastorate are frequently foreign to the qualities which are made most important in Scripture.
(1 Timothy 3:2-3, 1 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 1:5-7).

Thesis 28 – The professionalization of the pastorate is a sin and needs to be repented of.
(2 Corinthians 11:13, Galatians 3:1, Galatians 2:6).

Thesis 29 – There must be repentance for the ambitious desire and idolization of the celebrity pastorate.
(3 John 9, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 12:22).

Thesis 30 – The evangelical pastor must trust the Spirit, not statistics.
(2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Corinthians 1:25, Romans 8:14).

Thesis 31 – Modern day prophets are being stoned by criticism and neglect.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, Jeremiah 1:7-8).

Thesis 32 – God’s prophets are ill treated and shunned by most evangelicals and considered too extreme or harsh.
(Jeremiah 6:10, Isaiah 6:9-10, Galatians 4:16).

Thesis 33 – An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?
(Matthew 24:4,11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:19, Jude 8).

Thesis 34 – There are many false gospels being preached from pulpits. God has no interest and is not required to honor a gospel that is false.
(2 Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8-9, Jude 16).

Thesis 35 – There is an epidemic of a sort of “mock” salvation being preached from many pulpits today. It is a gospel message that is not authentic. It is correct in doctrine but false in reality.
(2 Corinthians 3:6, 1 John 5:11-12, Romans 8:9).

Thesis 36 – What is this “mock” salvation that is being spoken of? Simply de?ned it is a salvation that does not make men holy.
(Jude 4, Romans 8:1, Romans 6:17-18).

Thesis 37 – No other evangelical phraseology has caused more damage to true gospel preaching then this simple coined phrase: “we are all just sinners saved by grace.”
(Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 6:11-12, Hebrews 10:26-27).

Thesis 38 – There is a gospel message that keeps men sinners and never allows them to change and become saints in actual experience.
(1 John 2:29, Colossians 3:5-8, Titus 3:8).

Thesis 39 – The warning of Christ is against this gospel where professors of religion are forbidding people to be a part of the holy body of Christ.
(Matthew 23:13, Psalm 119:1-2, 2 Peter 1:3-4).

Thesis 40 – Preaching has become all about the happiness of man and not the glory of God.
(John 6:26, Romans 4:20, 1 Peter 4:11).

Thesis 41 – Preachers give smooth words to entice men, yet very few give any words of correction or rebuke.
(Jeremiah 6:14, Proverbs 1:23, 1 Timothy 5:20).

Thesis 42 – Run from gospels that focus on your success and prosperity. From those that use the name of Jesus Christ only for personal gain.
(John 2:16, Acts 20:33, Jeremiah 6:13).

Thesis 43 – Run from gospels that focus only on self-improvement.
(1 Timothy 6:5, Hebrews 12:14, James 4:14).

Thesis 44 – Run from churches where men and not Christ are glori?ed.
(Colossians 1:18, Jude 25, John 16:14).

Thesis 45 – Run from churches where there is no Bible, no cross, no searching Word, no repentance from sin, no mention of the blood of Christ.
(1 Peter 1:18-19, Ephesians 3:13, Revelation 1:5).

Thesis 46 – Run from churches where the worship leaves you cold, where there’s no sense of God’s presence.
(1 Corinthians 5:4, Psalm 80:14-15, Jeremiah 12:11).

Thesis 47 – Run from churches where you’re comfortable in your sin.
(1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 10:30-31, Hebrews 4:13).

Thesis 48 – Run from churches that use the pulpit of God for a personal agenda.
(Jude 10-11, Jude 19, 3 John 9).

Thesis 49 – Run from those who preach division between races and cultures.
(James 2:4, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 5:9).

Thesis 50 – Run from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless empty prophesying.
(Jeremiah 5:13, 1 Corinthians 14:33, 1 John 2:16).

Thesis 51 – Run from preachers who tell only stories and jokes.
(Ephesians 5:4, Titus 1:8, Titus 2:12).

Thesis 52 – Run from those that are only after money and they use one gimmick after another to get your money.
(2 Peter 2:3, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Corinthians 9:18).

Thesis 53 – The phrase “accept Jesus as your personal Saviour.” Is not found in the Scriptures.
(Romans 10:9-10, Colossians 1:13, Acts 26:20).

Thesis 54 – Evidence of true conversion is something that does not seem important to modern day evangelicals.
(1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:17, Matthew 7:20).

Thesis 55 – In result thousands of sinners think of God having only one attribute, love! which has allowed multitudes to sit at ease with their sins.
(Romans 1:18, Acts 5:11, Psalm 2:12).

Thesis 56 – God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life has caused much confusion in evangelism to the lost.
(Romans 3:19, Acts 26:18, Philippians 3:18-21).

Thesis 57 – A Gospel of love and grace only without the law of God is being preached. Martin Luther called this gospel a doctrine of Satan.
(2 Timothy 4:3-4, Romans 2:4-5, Romans 3:19).

Thesis 58 – We have inherited a system of evangelistic preaching which is unbiblical. This has clearly arisen from the careless mixture of 20th century reasoning with God’s revelation.
(Colossians 2:8, Romans 1:25, Galatians 1:6).

Thesis 59 – Decisionism and the sinners prayer has been the major cause of false conversions in the evangelical church.
(2 Peter 2:1-2, Ephesians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

Thesis 60 – Evangelicals are swelling the ranks of the deluded with a perverted gospel! Many who have made decisions in churches have been told in the inquiry rooms their sins have been forgiven will be surprised to hear “I never knew you depart from me.”
(Matthew 7:22-23, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21).

Thesis 61 – Men have taken the place of the Holy Spirit of God in confirming men in their supposed salvation.
(1 John 2:3-5, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Galatians 6:12-15).

Thesis 62 – The doctrine of hell and eternal suffering is something little grasped by most evangelicals.
(Matthew 13:42, James 5:1, Psalms 9:17).

Thesis 63 – The judgment seat of Christ is perhaps one of the most neglected topics in the modern evangelical pulpit.
(2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, 1 Corinthians 3:13).

Thesis 64 – The second coming of Jesus Christ needs to be re-instated as the general thrust and burden of the church.
(1 John 3:2-3, Colossians 3:4-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17).

Thesis 65 – The evangelical church has lost the fear of God and has over emphasized the love of God.
(Hebrews 12:28-29, Luke 12:5, Hebrews 10:31).

Thesis 66 – The church has left evangelism to a few trained professionals rather than simply obeying the Scriptures call to personally evangelize themselves.
(Acts 8:1,4, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:14).

Thesis 67 – Repentance is considered a one-time act in modern evangelism rather than a way of life.
(Revelation 3:19, Hebrews 12:17, 2 Peter 3:9).

Thesis 68 – The Lordship of Jesus Christ is something that is not imposed on sinners initially and creates half-saved people who have a Saviour but not a Lord.
(Acts 2:36, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Romans 6:18).

Thesis 69 – We are not open to correction, discipline or rebuke. And most would rather just move to another evangelical church somewhere down the road.
(1 Corinthians 5:5, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Hebrews 12:7-9).

Thesis 70 – There is a great deal of preaching that amounts to a mere believing of the different theories about salvation, instead of persuading men to come to Christ and be saved.
(John 5:40, Colossians 1:28, 2 Corinthians 4:5).

Thesis 71 – There has been a loss of the fullness and majesty of the gospel.
(1 Timothy 1:11, Jude 25, Romans 15:29).

Thesis 72 – There is little mention of sin or the depravity of man from evangelical pulpits.
(John 3:20, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5).

Thesis 73 – Covetousness, consumerism, and coddling the world’s goods is something that does not appear wrong to evangelicals.
(Jeremiah 22:17, 1 John 2:15-16, 1 Timothy 3:3).

Thesis 74 – Little is made of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in churches or in evangelism. Yet it was one of the major themes and glories of the apostolic church.
(1 Corinthians 15:14-15, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33).

Thesis 75 – The evangelical church has relied more on technology then God.
(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 2:4).

Thesis 76 – The prayer meeting is considered in the evangelical church one of the least important meetings. The idea of meeting for an entire day together seems ridiculous and a waste of time.
(1 Timothy 2:1, Acts 4:31, Philippians 4:6).

Thesis 77 – Pastors have never prayed less than they do in the evangelical church in our day.
(Jeremiah 10:21, Philippians 2:21, Ephesians 6:18-19).

Thesis 78 – Very few are waiting on God for His direction and purpose for the church.
(Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 40:31).

Thesis 79 – The evangelical church has many organizers but few agonizers.
(Philippians 3:18-19, Romans 9:1-3, Jeremiah 9:1).

Thesis 80 – We need to have the gifts of the Spirit restored again to the Church. The one gift we need the most is the gift of prophecy.
(2 Timothy 4:2, 1 Corinthians 14:39, 1 Corinthians 12:31).

Thesis 81 – The evangelical church at large has never been more frivolous about the things of God. A serious, sober, self-controlled Christianity is very seldom found or preached.
(2 Peter 3: 11, 1 Peter 4:7, Jude 3).

Thesis 82 – The evangelical church at large has forgotten how to pray.
(1 John 3:22, Acts 6:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Thesis 83 – Churches are more dependent on tradition rather than on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
(Mark 7:13, Acts 16:6, Acts 13:2).

Thesis 84 – It might seem strange to say that ministers of religion are “pleading for impurity and sin.” Yet this is exactly what multitudes of professors preach and teach that you cannot be free from sin. That you must sin!
(Romans 16:18, Romans 6:1-2, 2 Peter 2:1).

Thesis 85 – The Apostles and Christ always preached from the vantage point of the possibility to walk holy and free from sin.
(Titus 2:11-12, 1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 6:19).

Thesis 86 – Sinners are not saved to sin but rather saved to holiness and good works.
(Romans 6:13, Ephesians 2:10, 2 Peter 3:14).

Thesis 87 – Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the church.
(2 Timothy 2:19, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Timothy 3:12).

Thesis 88 – A baptism of holiness, a demonstration of godly living is the crying need of our day.
(1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Thesis 89 – Most in the Church are utterly confused about the practical godliness, obedience, and good works which the Scriptures readily mentions.
(Titus 3:8, John 10:32, Revelation 3:15).

Thesis 90 – Little or no emphasis is put in evangelical churches on the plan of God to make us like Jesus Christ, conforming us to His image.
(1 Peter 1:14-16, 1 John 2:6, 1 Peter 4:1).

Thesis 91 – Christ did not die on the cross to obtain a worldly Church or for worldly Saints but for a “glorious Church.”
(Ephesians 5:27, Titus 2:14, Colossians 4:12).

Thesis 92 – Christ does not come into our unregenerate, sickly, impure hearts as many contemporary theologians say. He gives us a new heart to dwell in wherein is found holiness and righteousness.
(2 Corinthians 5:17, Matthew 5:8, Ezekiel 18:31).

Thesis 93 – A holy Church is God’s blessing to the world; an unholy Church is God’s judgment upon the world.
(Matthew 5:14,16, Ephesians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

Thesis 94 – If Christianity is to make any headway in the present time, it must be proved to be more then a theory.
(2 Thessalonians 3:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12).

Thesis 95 – Unbelief has us captive; the evangelical church is gagged and bound as risen Lazarus, it needs release in this final hour!
(Hebrews 3:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, Hebrews 11:6).

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Revelation TV

In a way, I’m not surprised by the story I’m about to tell you, but in a way, I am. Let’s start at the top.

Justin Peters is staff evangelist as First Baptist Church Vicksburg, MS. Justin, as well as being an evangelist and expository preacher, is known for a seminar he does around the globe called “A Call for Discernment”. Now you’d imagine that a seminar innocently called “A Call for Discernment” wouldn’t harm anyone, right? Well, this little seminar tackles some pretty hefty names – names which are close to God-like status in the Christian world of today. Y’know, the usual characters – Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar and co.

Well, Justin was in London this week, and his time on our sceptred isle included a visit to Revelation TV. Now, longtime readers of the blog will bear witness with me that I’m not the greatest fan of Christian TV in general. Revelation TV, however, tends to get a bit of a free pass from me, considering they have some good guys on their flagship show Live@Nine, formerly known as World in Focus. One of my all-time favourites will be the memorable debates between Rev. Angus Stewart, minister of Covenant Protestant Reformed Church and Pastor Timothy Ramsay on the doctrines of grace, which I discussed in a very “point-blank” article not long after it happened.

Well, one supposes that history never repeats itself. WRONG!!!!! In fact, to introduce some much-needed levity to the proceedings, let’s break and enjoy a personal favourite of mine revolving around the word “wrong”:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Having laughed sufficiently, let’s proceed in the story. Now, Justin was invited to the studios of Revelation TV to do an interview. Well, another favourite of mine, The Washer Man aka Paul Washer, was on there not too long ago and it was on the subject of “decisional regeneration” and it was quite the interesting episode, especially on a topic which many Christians disagree. Considering that went down well, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of brouhaha considering that Mr Peters has been on there before discussing the same issue (Bear THAT in mind…)

Well, at this point, I interject, since in all honesty, I didn’t get to see Mr. Peters’ interview. It aired on a Wednesday evening – around which time I’d be on the train home back from church. Usually, there would be a repeat on at 1.30pm the following afternoon, but I forgot. And that is where this story gets pear-shaped.

I came across this earlier on Friday evening:

Click here to view the embedded video.

That’s right, the station decided to apologise for Justin Peters actually naming names. Now, I’m sorry but I’m highly tempted to test the sanity of some folks right now. A few questions run through my mind at the present:

• Justin Peters has been on Revelation TV before, so surely they knew the nature of his ministry, so why did they get upset the second time round (And before anyone feels the name to ask, yes I saw the first time TWICE)
• Assuming that they forgot who they were inviting, could they not have researched a little as to who they were letting on to discuss the Word-Faith Movement before they let him on?
• In that clip, Doug Harris of Reachout Trust is mentioned as being the host of the interview,and it is said that he was not pleased. Isn’t that a tad hypocritical considering he is critical of the Emergent Church and names their big names..BY NAME! Don’t believe me? You should know better than to expect me to say something like that without corroborating evidence. (It’s OK – I forgive you. Now support my wishlist on Amazon LOL – no I’m just kidding a little)

Here’s MY theory as to what happened. In the video above, it is said by Lesley Conder, wife of the owner of Revelation TV, that she was horrified by the proceedings of the night before. Call it the pessimist in me, but I get the feeling that someone high up realised, “Oh snap, most of our viewers like these cats. Heck, even some of them appear on our stations! Folks are emailing in and they are veeeeeeexed! I know, let’s cover ourselves by disassociating entirely from this nutter before more folks turn us off.”

Revelation TV weren’t worried names were being named – they were worried that viewers were switching them off because someone had the intestinal fortitude to name names and name them without fear. Folks were sitting at home hearing their favourite name preacher getting slaughtered and they turned up the heat, crying out,

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee. - Jeremiah 44:16

Listen to what Mrs Conder said, “Some complained, This is not an uplifting program.” Methinks Paul the Apostle would have something to say to that:

 …The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. – 2 Tim 4:3-4

Who gives ten shekels and a shirt (to use the fantastic sermon by Paris Reidhead) whether it’s uplifting or not? This is truth – we don’t wrap paracetamol tablets in mounds of sugar, do we? Then why must we sugarcoat the nonsense which the Word-Faithers are doing by not mentioning names???? Think of the logic here: we name and shame child sex offenders, we name and shame dodgy bankers, we name and shame celebrities who have affairs, but it’s only in the Church of Jesus Christ where spiritual rapists and pimps are allowed to be covered in the name of keeping a “pristine” image before a world which already thinks we are a bleeding joke! Why not name these names so that unbelievers can see that we at least mean a little business out here?

In short, I’m unimpressed with Revelation TV and am taking this opportunity to publicly voice my disapproval. I considered putting my viewpoint as a journalist-in-training across, but we’ll shelf that for now. Revelation TV had an opportunity to live up to their name and they chose not to – so I leave it with you. Are they indeed Revelation TV or Covering TV. I let their actions speak for themselves.

Postscript: My brothers Alan Higgins over at Real Christianity and Nathan W. Bingham over at his microblog have weighed in on this as well. Further, if anyone has a copy of the “offending” interview, please do get in contact with me. I’d like to see this in person…

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Dr. R.C. Sproul

Declared Righteous: Rome vs. the Reformation

by R.C. Sproul, with comments

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R.C. Sproul quote:

Rome set forth their doctrine — and still does — that God will never declare a person just until that person actually, under divine scrutiny, is found to be just…when God looks at us, he will not say that we are just until he sees that we really are just.Rome teaches that we cannot be just without grace, that we will never become just without faith, and that we will never become just without the assistance of Christ. We need faith, we need grace, and we need Jesus. We need the righteousness of Christ infused or poured into our soul, but you must cooperate with that grace to such a degree that we will in fact become righteous. If we die with any impurity in our soul, thereby lacking complete righteousness, we will not go to heaven. If no mortal sin is present in our life, we will go to purgatory, which is the place of purging. The point of the purging is to get rid of the dross so that we become completely pure. It may take three years or three million years, but the object of purgatory is to make us righteous so that we can be admitted into God’s heaven.

Part of the reason for this belief, that justification is rooted in an inherent righteousness in the sinner, comes from something unfortunate in church history. In the early centuries, when the Greek language passed away from the central attention of the church fathers and Latin became the dominant language, many scholars read only the Latin Bible, not the Greek bible, and they borrowed the Roman or Latin word for justification, iustificare, from which we get the English work justification. The Latin verb ficare means “to make” or “to shape” or “to do.” Isutus means “righteousness” or “justice,” so iustificare literally means “to make righteous,” which we believe is what happens in sanctification, not in justification.

The Greek word that we are dealing with here in the Romans text is the word dikaioo, dikaiosune, which does not mean “to make righteous” but rather “to declare righteous.” In the Roman Catholic view, God will never pronounce a person just or righteous until, by the help of God’s grace and Christ, that person actually becomes righteous. [But] If God were to judge us tonight, what would he find? Would he find sin in our lives? Could he possibly declare us just if he considers only the righteousness that he finds in us today? Remember what the Apostle Paul said: “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” (3:20). That is precisely why the ground for our justification cannot be found in us or in any righteousness inherent in our souls. That is why we need so desperately what Luther called a iustia alienum, an alien righteousness, a righteousness that comes from outside ourselves. Luther called this righteousness extranos, outside or apart from us.

In simple terms, this means that the only righteousness sufficient for us to stand before the judgment of God is the righteousness of Christ.

Excerpt from Romans (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary) by R.C. Sproul

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Response from visitor considering Roman Cathoicism:

I love R.C Sproul, even though I am now going Catholic. I love how he always gives the proper Catholic teaching. The sad part about it though, is that he is discounting the Catholic form of justification for a legal argument made my Luther and Calvin, and he is presupposing that when Paul says “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” that Paul is talking about the moral natural law of God, and not the Jewish ceremonial laws that he is combating in the early Church.

Sungenis a former Westminster graduate who is now a Catholic, wrote a very detailed book on “Not by faith alone” and he has tried to get Sproul to have a genuine and honest open conversation about it, and Sproul does not want to do it. I am not saying it is because Sproul isn’t right, but I believe that for someone like me, who is leaning Catholic, it would be very helpful to hear one of my heroes R.C Sproul address this book that is pretty in depth.

—————-

My Response:

_____, if you don’t mind I would like to comment on something you posted: You said, “…he [Sproul] is presupposing that when Paul says “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight” that Paul is talking about the moral natural law of God, and not the Jewish ceremonial laws that he is combating in the early Church.”

If we look at the context of the whole epistle as to how Paul is using the term Law, it becomes immediately apparent that his warning not to circumcise also encompasses a much broader warning not to trust in anything other than Christ alone, whether it be circumcision or anything else. The specific context of Romans 1-3 (out of which you quote), however, focuses in on a list of humanity’s sins which constitute the breaking of the moral law of God, and Paul finishes his argument that all men are under sin by saying, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.” SO the law does not show our moral ability but our moral inability. And Christ came to set us free from such bondage (Gal 4: 1-7; 21-31). to ceremonial laws like circumcision precisely because practicing it would then require us to obey the entire moral law perfectly. Consider what Paul says about this in Galatians: “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.” Gal 5:1,2

Notice, Paul tells the Galatians that if they trust in circumsicion, they will also have to obey the whole law (which includes the moral law) perfectly, if the want to save themselves. Likewise Later in Gal 6 he says, “even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

So Paul makes it plain here that those who keep the ceremonial law cannot keep the whole law so it is useless. So we cannot make obedience to the law into a Savior. His only boast is Christ alone. They were also boasting in their converts. Rememeber Paul attached an anathema at the beginning of the epistle to those who reject this understanding, so I would encourage you to consider VERY seriously your next step. I pray the Lord bless you and open your heart and eyes to the true Gospel.

It is true that many Protestants may misrepresent RCC by saying that they believe in a salvation apart from grace. We understand that both Roman Catholics (and Arminians for that matter) would denounce any belief which says you can be saved without the grace of God. However, it is important to note that the Reformers never claimed Rome believed you can be saved apart from grace. That wasn’t the debate. The debate at the time of the Reformation was never, even for a moment, about the NECESSITY of grace, it was always about the sufficiency of grace. And frankly that remains the issue today – and is the central debate in the church. Is Christ sufficient to save us to the uttermost? Is Christ’s work enough? In RCC theology, if you either have to attain or maintain your own just standing before God, then what Christ did for us (in his life and death) was not sufficient in itself to redeem us…it was not enough. It may have been necessary, but it was not sufficient. Christ, in this case, is no longer a Savior, but simply one who helps us save ourselves. Such is the position RCC has placed themselves in.

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Response from visitor considering Roman Cathoicism:

I agree. This is clearly where the debate should be. I am tired of talking to people who claim that grace is not taught in the RCC, so thanks for honestly defining the RCC.

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