tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041509706154090534.post6088468838933556623..comments2023-10-10T09:31:36.354-05:00Comments on By Grace Alone: Declaring the Whole GospelScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17620657390402998257noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041509706154090534.post-25690534580109499382010-01-25T11:35:06.747-06:002010-01-25T11:35:06.747-06:00Rene -
I certainly don't know you well enoug...Rene - <br />I certainly don't know you well enough to call you a heretic, and I don't use the term lightly. But it is very clear that the example our Lord gave was of boldly confronting those whose "interpretation" of Scripture was clearly wrong, and this was the practice of His disciples as well.<br /><br />You cannot read Scripture without seeing the clear call to "earnestly contend for the faith" to devote ourselves to "sound doctrine" and to "test the spirits." We are called to examine the faith claims of others, compare them with God's revealed truth, and call those who have run astray to repentance.<br /><br />I understand your desire to be careful in that examination, to not not rush headlong into declaring anyone who disagrees on the smallest point a "heretic." But again, there are clear doctrines in Scripture regarding salvation, etc. and JW's and others are clearly at odds with that. It's not a matter of interpretation: Jesus is God, Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, etc.; all things your JW example would disagree with. In that case, we're not the one's consigning them to hell, Scripture is.<br /><br />Furthermore, your reference to Phil 2:12 has nothing to do with each person finding their own salvation, which would contradict the rest of the entirety of Scripture. It's an admonition from Paul to see the process of sanctification continue in those who truly believe. All Scripture must be taken into context with the rest of Scripture; which never anywhere suggests that we can each have a "unique relationship" apart from clearly revealed truth.<br /><br />Thank you for your gracious and honest response. I pray God will reveal Himself to you through faith in Christ as you continue to seek Him through His perfect Word.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17620657390402998257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2041509706154090534.post-89627734309159432862010-01-24T15:49:12.839-06:002010-01-24T15:49:12.839-06:00Hi,
I feel the need to comment on this on behalf ...Hi,<br /><br />I feel the need to comment on this on behalf of all us "heretics". I say heretic because I am assuming you would consider me one because I know Mr. MacArthur would.<br /><br />I will also admit that I am commenting out of ignorance because I have never read one of his books. However I would expect the grace that I extend to you and Mr. MacArthur to be returned to me.<br /><br />In order for Philippians 2:12 to be a reality in each of our lives we ought to have each drawn our own unique conclusions based on our study of scripture and our unique experiences. Therefore we have no right to be calling each other heretics, this was particularly drilled home for me about a year ago when I realised how incredibly arrogant it is of me to call the Jehovah's Witness who has been martyred a hell bound heretic when the worst persecution I have ever received is being teased at work.<br /><br />It is foolishness to argue over whose interpretation of scripture is correct when we are each supposed to have a unique relationship to both God and the Bible.Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02902455200310006506noreply@blogger.com