Dialogue with Robert Prater: What Is “Faith”? Part 1 (Toward a Definition)

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Jay F Guin

dialogueRobert Prater posed an important question —

If you take such position that a person is saved/justifed/forgiven of sins on the basis of faith alone/only without its inclusion of further acts of obedience which demonstrate/define, etc. true “faith/belief” (i.e., confess, repentance, baptism), then I fear we debating the wrong topic/issue/question and need to immediately shift focus to how a person, according to the N.T., is saved.

By the way, I think I might know what you are saying (maybe). I agree with the proposition and every one of the passages you sited concerning this point and have no problem with the proposition that we are justified/saved by faith in Christ Jesus. We are saved by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8) And if a person properly understand the nature of true, saving faith, then I guess we might be able to say and undersand “faith alone.” But I completely oppose such terminogly due to such the large scale accetpance of the otherwise false doctrine known as “faith alone.” I reject completley this denomintional view of “faith alone/only.” Continue reading →

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More Missionaries and Taxes Regarding Housing

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Jay F Guin

collection.jpgI’ve posted on this subject before. This is just a supplement to U.S. Income and Employment Taxes for Missionaries which gives much of the background for the tax rules and a broader overview. However, some questions have come up regarding deducting housing and travel expenses, and I thought I share my conclusions with the readers.

Please note that these rules are absurdly complex, and anyone affected by them needs to be guided by a qualified tax professional. I’m not by any means giving an exhaustive explanation. Continue reading →

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Mark Driscoll on Jehovah’s Witnesses and Evangelism

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Jay F Guin
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Dialogue with Robert Prater: Robert’s Doctrine of Apostasy, Part 3 (God’s Patience)

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Jay F Guin

dialogueRobert next argues,

Jay, what should be our posture toward those who, by their anti-biblical ideas, promote, encourage, or, at the very least condone, immoral acts or doctrinal errors? Should the blanket of “toleration” be thrown over them indefinitely? In his letter to the church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18ff), Christ, though commending these brethren for some things, nonetheless said of them, that they were clearly “tolerating” immorality and doctrinal errors. There was, within the church of Thyatira, an influential woman who is called Jezebel. (would suggest that she was similar in character and teaching to that ancient queen who corrupted Israel (1 Kings 16:29ff; 2 Kings 9:30ff). As wicked as she was, the Lord had given her time to repent, but his patience had been ignored by this evil woman, hence, judgment was imminent. But here is another matter: Christ had a strong rebuke for the brethren in Thyatira because they continued to tolerate (apheis-present tense) her false teaching (v. 20). Surely, we ought to learn something from this inspired narrative. Continue reading →

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GraceConversation.com

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Jay F Guin

grace7Todd Deaver has posted a response to Phil Sander’s first post.

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Too True

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Funny at more levels than I can count 😀
From http://xkcd.com/ thanks to a link in a PC Magazine article about software designed to argue for you. If only …

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Dialogue with Robert Prater: Robert’s Doctrine of Apostasy, Part 2 (Discipline)

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Jay F Guin

dialogueDiscipline issues

Robert then asks, “How does one determine which teachings are significantly erroneous to warrant disciplinary action?” I would like to suggest that we already have the answer, except we need to add some important wrinkles.

Obviously, the church may expel those who are not Christians anymore. A person claiming to be a Christian without faith or who is in rebellion to the Lordship of Jesus may not remain a member. Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: More on the Law and Circumcised Hearts

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

parakeetAgain, when discussing this topic with the teachers, it occurred to me that there are many passages in the Old Testament that contradict the old saw that the Law was about an external, superficial worship, and New Testament Christians worship better because we worship with the heart.

(Isa 1:10-18)  Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! Continue reading →

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The Blue Parakeet: Community, Part 2 (Salvation)

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

parakeetWhile covering this week’s material with the teachers Wednesday night, I remembered an old post that might add some interesting depth to the subject. Here it is re-edited for our present purposes.

Most commentaries, heavily influenced by Luther and Calvin, speak of “salvation” as getting to go to heaven when we die. Modern churches often speak of making “Jesus your personal Savior,” as though Jesus could be owned personally.

But, of course, this isn’t quite right. And part of the inadequacy of this perspective is that it completely ignores the Old Testament’s use of “salvation.” And we really can’t understand the Old Testament idea until we understand the long-standing promise of a new heaven and new earth.

The NIV speaks of “salvation” 80 times in the Old Testament. “Save” and its variants are used 246 times! I’m guessing we can gain some depth of understanding by tracing “salvation” through the Old Testament. Continue reading →

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Dialogue with Robert Prater: Robert’s Doctrine of Apostasy, Part 1

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Jay F Guin

dialogueA few days ago, Robert Prater, pulpit minister in Shawnee, Oklahoma, wrote an extensive reply to my earlier post to him. At long last, Robert explains which doctrines are salvation issues and which are not (this is the question that began this discussion) —

Quickly, let me attempt to try to finally outline the fellowship issue when it comes to error. Fellowship may be restricted, to one degree or another, from the following general classes.

(1) The rebelliously immoral — In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul clearly states that impenitent, immoral persons, e.g., fornicators, drunkards, and extortionists, are worthy of church discipline. Such characters are to be “delivered unto Satan” (5:5), or “put away” (5:13), for their own soul’s sake (5:5), and for the protection of the church (5:6-7). The church of today is woefully remiss in this duty. Continue reading →

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