Category Archives: Fork in the Road

The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Hank: Answering Questions

Hank asked, 1. Believe that Mary the mother of Jesus was sinless, equating her to that of Jesus. They pray directly to her. 2. They believe in another mediator other than Jesus, that a person’s sins are forgiven when a … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: The Rules, Part 2

Love didn’t disappear from 20th Century Church of Christ theology. It was certainly taught. But it was never taught the way Paul taught it– (Gal 5:6b)  The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. To preach a … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: The Rules, Part 1

Hank wrote in a comment (edited for typos and to expand abbreviations), As you know, Jay, many of the articles here have been written in an attempt to point out the inconsistencies of “conservative” brethren who do “draw lines” (set … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: The Pattern Et Cetera

This is in response to Cougan’s comment from Tuesday. The answers are too long for the comment box (and writing as a post is much easier on my bifocaled eyes). <snipped> I wish you would email me when you decide … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Cougan: The Plan of Salvation, Part 4 of 4 (Acceptance)

Accept one another (Rom 15:7)  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Paul discussion of how to live as Christ’s congregation culminates in one of the most important commands in the … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Cougan: The Plan of Salvation, Part 3 of 4 (Ethics)

Ethics We considered the boundaries of Christianity. We now consider the “rules.” And there are rules. Now, rather than approaching the scriptures asking our own questions, we need to let the scriptures tell us both the questions and the answers. … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Cougan: The Plan of Salvation, Part 2 of 4

Grace Another critical mistake of 20th Century Church of Christ teaching is the false assumption that we receive more grace at baptism than is available to us afterwards. I’m sure many churches have members who’ve committed some horrible sin who … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Cougan: The Plan of Salvation, Part 1 of 4

Cougan, I quoted from your earlier comment, As [I] run the race of Christianity realizing that one infraction against the pattern/law of the N.T. is a sin and that it is possible for me to break one of those laws … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: Dialogue with Cougan: Answers to Questions

Cougan, The role of women is a difficult place to start because there are several predicates we have to cover before you can see where I’m coming from. For example, I don’t think you can properly interpret 1 Tim 2:11-15 … Continue reading

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The Fork in the Road: The Perfectibility of the Intellect

There are many unstated assumptions that divide the progressive and conservative camps in the Churches of Christ. One of these is the conservative assumption that while our moral nature is fallen and so not capable of perfection, our intellect is … Continue reading

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