Hello all!
The last few days have been pretty uneventful. Today I woke up late, met a mate of mine that I met in college and we grabbed some food and chatted for a while. Now I am studying for an exam tomorrow and reading for my Arthurian Legend tute on Friday.
Through studying for my Theology exam I have found I have a couple of questions - the likes of which you may have some thoughts on.
The most pressing question I have is on the consistency of religion:
Must religion be consistent?
I understand and agree that it must be reliable, but there is so much debate in the church over theological matters, in fact very vital aspects of Christian faith, and they can't seem to be answered.
For example, election and eternal security. There seems to be much on both sides to say that you can BOTH gain and lose your salvation depending on the circumstances. But it seems like that is far too inconsistent. I want to know whether or not I need to guard myself in order to maintain salvation instead of being surprised when I see God face-to-face with him saying "you know, I know you tried your best, but it just wasn't good enough. Those habitual sins that continually crept into your life cost you."
The bible says that salvation is founded on God not on the works of man (Jude 1:24). But it also says that a lifetime of on-going unrepentant sin may lead to a loss of salvation (Heb. 10:26-31). Which is it? Is it both? If it is both how do they work together?
Ultimately my question is, Does religion need to be consistent and for those who follows Christ, does Christianity need to be consistent?
I know how I will remain until my questioning is appeased - in the grace of God, training myself to be like Christ so that God will transform me into his likeness - but the question still remains.
What do you think?
Anyways, love you all. Only four more days and I will be in France!! So excited, I will be sure to actually post pictures, I know i've been slacking off a lot so I will make much more of an effort that you will be able to share the experience with me.
May the peace of God be with you.
Alex
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Salvation is to know the way and to walk in it. What does it mean to abide in Christ? I think there is a difference between being a sinner and the act of sinning. The difference lies in the idea of the fear of the Lord. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". (Psalm 111:10)
ReplyDeleteChristians are still human and are thereby falible, they are not free from sin. But if they respect God, they will be humble enough to recognize it and return to Him. But to knowingly flaunt the Holy Spirit, which dwells in all beleivers, and to embark on a path, not just one action, that will take us far from the presence of God while even attempting to justify this folly is where I beleive the line is drawn. We live by Grace, that does not mean we should abuse it.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)
Maybe the discipline you are taling about is not one of striving but of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in the path of Christ. It is aasupernatural process the Lord works in us only through the blood of Jesus, by grace, all we can do is humble ourselves, ask, and give Him glory when we see Him manifested in our lives.
Wednesday Mar 10, 2010
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Alex, at least it is morning for me. Oh yes, this is Gma speaking. ☺
I read your blog last night and I have it on my screen before me as I type so I can refer to it easily.
Your first question: Must religion be consistent? Do you mean a religion being consistent within its own “belief system” (what I thought you meant) ?
If you mean a single “religion” in and of itself, -- There would be no sense, to any “belief system” if there were no consistency within it. There would be nothing to rely upon - no rock bottom truth. Of course I believe that Christianity is the one and only true, life giving “religion”. That is why we must be careful in giving time to any group (of which there are many today) that takes the stance that “whatever you want to believe about anything is valid for you” . They have a false message. They may quote Scripture verses, but the message is not Biblical.
Now Gpa has a statement for you to answer the question if it refers to all religions relating to each other.
This question assumes a false premise. It is a false premise to put Christianity into the same category with the countless religions of the world. There can be no consistency. Even comparing Christianity with the major eastern religions - Buddhism, Hinduism. Shinto, Islam - is comparing man-made religions to Divine Revelation. Jesus sets Himself apart from any other founder of a religion. John 14:6 You can disagree with the clear teaching of the Bible, but that does not change it’s spiritual teaching.
This is Gma again.
ReplyDeleteAnother question you pose is: For those who follow Christ, does Christianity need to be consistent? Answer: YES! If our Scriptures are not consistent we have no certainty of anything. . .no truth and ultimately no salvation. When we look in the Bible for answers to doctrinal questions we always must compare Scripture with Scripture to find consistency before espousing it.
Let’s look at your example of election and eternal security. You have discovered two ways of understanding these doctrinal positions. Let me explain a little. During the reformation when the common people were finally able to examine the Scripture there were those who set forth the teachings of the Scripture in orderly form. One of these men was John Calvin and another was Jacob Arminius. They each came up with a different interpretation of Scripture and two theological viewpoints came into being as the result. . .Calvinism and Arminianism.
Do I remember you telling me at Christmas time ’08 that Azuza takes an Arminian position? Gpa and I also studied at an interdenominational Arminian college where it was required to take their basic theology course. (That was after we had finished our course at Multnomah, a Calvinistic teaching school.) As a result we are able to see the same scriptures through the lenses of each persuasion. If Azuza is Arminian you are receiving that interpretation. You grew up learning of the gospel message from more of a Calvinistic perspective. Of course you have questions. The two views are not the same, but that does not mean that Scripture is inconsistent. It means that with a Calvinistic background you have questions when you hear passages Arminians like to use being explained the way they do. I could go on and on with verses and experiences, but unfortunately there is more to be explained than we have space here.
Here is a quote from the devotional book I am following this year. The author is John MacAurthur. He is pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California and president of Master’s College and Seminary. -- “Salvation is totally the work of God, but endurance provides part of the proof that a person is a child of God.” He refers to the Hebrews 10 passage you mentioned. The key to understanding it is verse 26. It says “sinning willfully” and “after receiving the knowledge of the truth”. The person heard and understood the truth about sin, and salvation, but kept on in his own way of life even to the point of waring against God. If one keeps up this attitude and dies without repenting he is subject to the consequences spelled out in the passage.
Read Hebrews 6:16-20 and 7:25. Talk about security! Here it is and Jesus making intercession for us all the time, too.
(Verse 29 is one verse that some take as indicating that there are degrees of suffering in hell. This would have been addressed in you question the other day.)
Gma and Gpa, thank you both for your insight and response, I greatly appreciate your input :)
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