1 Jan 2002

Trying too hard to prove the point?

Submitted by theshovel
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Now, I agree that traditional Christianity has redefined the concept of faith ... and this whole concept needs to be trashed. So, are we to trash what faith and believing REALLY are at the same time we trash the counterfeit? Religion may have turned faith into some kind of mental work or decision but that doesn't change the miraculous reality that we who hated God now believe in Him. The logic that says that for God to justify those who believe means that Christ only died for believers is faulty because it is based upon the same religious viewpoint that we seek to trash. Based on that same logic I would have to conclude that Paul was also a conditionalist since I could read these quotes from the same perspective. (And these are just a few of many such quotes)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek Romans 1:16

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; Romans 3:22

for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus Romans 3:26

For what does the Scripture say? 'And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness' Romans 4:3

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. Romans 4:5

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes Romans 10:4

There are also many such quotes from Jesus, John & Peter, but those could be easily ruled out with a good dispensational structure, I suppose. ;) I understand much of the everybody is saved viewpoint, but I think you need to take care of being too eager in proving your point. It's too easy to label people into the neat little category of conditionalist or even legalist, etc. A good portion of my day is spent putting conditions upon myself and everybody else to label another as if I'm not.

Jim Minker

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