During the last twenty
years I have read the Bible from front to back hundreds of times (no
exaggeration and those that know and or have one of my color-coded
Bibles can testify of the fact). I have attended many churches and
listened to countless sermons, teaching, and studied more doctrines than
I care to try and remember. I have read tons of commentary, quotes
from men, books, and blogs. Running a great risk of sounding grossly
arrogant... most of them are just simply wrong.
I have debated and discussed doctrinal issues with many laymen, pastors, theological professors and many that are professed scholars and legends in their own minds. What has become apparent to me is that most of these people understand much about Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Finney, etc... or they understand the Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Methodist, or Charismatic denominational stands... but few really have true biblical doctrine. Most of the theological giants of our time or even many of the old dead guys are simply students of other men and few actually students of the Word.
We all dogmatically defend our doctrine which is taught to us by man. So few spend the majority of their time studying Scripture and in prayer as Peter describes in Acts. The lessons of the Apostle's has been lost and today we have pastor's, and teachers that more resemble King Saul... great in stature but they are man-pleaser's. Most spend their time doing the job that a biblical deacon would do and all the while we consider that so "pastoral."
Doctrines such as freewill, eternal security or eternal insecurity are so divisive now. I think those are the two major issues in Christendom where the majority of our advice, teaching, and doctrinal leanings hinge on and because we differ we have created an unbridgeable gulf. It doesn't have to be this way but because of the "ULTRA's" in both groups... it leaves us with little choice.
I recently ran across an article which led me to a blog where I saw an old friend was still causing grief among folks that lean towards his belief. A.B. Caneday is a man that I have a tremendous respect for. After my time at Crosswalk, following a brief rest, I began a message board and Ardel worked with me as a moderator of the site. I don't even recall the amount of time we stayed open but it was a fairly long season of time. Over that time, he and I engaged in much discussion and even debate. Ardel is one of those Reformed fellows and with my Pentecostal belief... we disagreed on many things. The difference is that both he and I were grown up enough to understand that we can disagree on points without, a) killing each other with our tongue; b) hating each other with our heart; c) listening, and not assuming, to each other with our ears; d) love each other as brothers in Christ regardless of disagreement on points. In doing this, we came to a clear understanding. We disagreed. So what... that happens and will continue to happen until the Lord comes back and shows Ardel that I was in fact correct (humor intended)! Yet, both of us loved the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Both of us wanted nothing more than to advance the Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world that seemed hell-bent on going to hell. Both of us were at a place where God had us in our understanding and knowledge and both of us were strong enough in our belief that we weren't going to sway much. That being said... both of us found the areas where we totally agreed on and we worked together, arm in arm, hand in hand, to proclaim Christ to everyone that came across our path. We fought tirelessly to defend the gospel and both of us were very much in agreement that the "ultra" folks in both camps were the enemy to the gospel. There is security in Christ and while I am far from one that believes that once a person is saved, then they are always saved... I shun the idea that we live in eternal insecurity. This is just as dangerous a doctrine as is the doctrine of greasy (sleazy) grace.
To all of my Pentecostal brothers and sisters who tend to get a bit aggravated at the Reform brothers and sisters... I want you to remember. "Ultra" is where things get a bit odd. When you have folks that follow and quote the "person" more than the Bible then you have an issue worth being aggravated on. That being said I would recommend to all of you that you read Ardel's (co-author is Thomas R. Schreiner) book, "The Race Set Before Us" which can be purchased through Amazon and likely other places. I have and I have recommended it to many over the years. There are things that I'd debate Ardel on and he'd know those things. But forget the points and GET THE POINT. If you do that then you will be incredibly blessed in reading the book. Don't always look to the points but listen for the point. I have many Calvinist friends that I have debated with many times and over many discussions. When I need prayer for something specific in my life... these will be some of the people that I KNOW will lift my request up in prayer. They are faithful men and women of God who are just a wee bit wrong! Other than that... they're okay (you know I love you guys)!
Just a reminder... we need to STOP running in our dogmatic little circles. It is fun to debate (I really do love it) but remember that it isn't always the points but THE POINT. Never lose focus of that because when we do... we're simply running in a religious circle... going nowhere.
I have debated and discussed doctrinal issues with many laymen, pastors, theological professors and many that are professed scholars and legends in their own minds. What has become apparent to me is that most of these people understand much about Calvin, Luther, Wesley, Finney, etc... or they understand the Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Methodist, or Charismatic denominational stands... but few really have true biblical doctrine. Most of the theological giants of our time or even many of the old dead guys are simply students of other men and few actually students of the Word.
We all dogmatically defend our doctrine which is taught to us by man. So few spend the majority of their time studying Scripture and in prayer as Peter describes in Acts. The lessons of the Apostle's has been lost and today we have pastor's, and teachers that more resemble King Saul... great in stature but they are man-pleaser's. Most spend their time doing the job that a biblical deacon would do and all the while we consider that so "pastoral."
Doctrines such as freewill, eternal security or eternal insecurity are so divisive now. I think those are the two major issues in Christendom where the majority of our advice, teaching, and doctrinal leanings hinge on and because we differ we have created an unbridgeable gulf. It doesn't have to be this way but because of the "ULTRA's" in both groups... it leaves us with little choice.
I recently ran across an article which led me to a blog where I saw an old friend was still causing grief among folks that lean towards his belief. A.B. Caneday is a man that I have a tremendous respect for. After my time at Crosswalk, following a brief rest, I began a message board and Ardel worked with me as a moderator of the site. I don't even recall the amount of time we stayed open but it was a fairly long season of time. Over that time, he and I engaged in much discussion and even debate. Ardel is one of those Reformed fellows and with my Pentecostal belief... we disagreed on many things. The difference is that both he and I were grown up enough to understand that we can disagree on points without, a) killing each other with our tongue; b) hating each other with our heart; c) listening, and not assuming, to each other with our ears; d) love each other as brothers in Christ regardless of disagreement on points. In doing this, we came to a clear understanding. We disagreed. So what... that happens and will continue to happen until the Lord comes back and shows Ardel that I was in fact correct (humor intended)! Yet, both of us loved the Lord with all of our hearts, souls, and minds. Both of us wanted nothing more than to advance the Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world that seemed hell-bent on going to hell. Both of us were at a place where God had us in our understanding and knowledge and both of us were strong enough in our belief that we weren't going to sway much. That being said... both of us found the areas where we totally agreed on and we worked together, arm in arm, hand in hand, to proclaim Christ to everyone that came across our path. We fought tirelessly to defend the gospel and both of us were very much in agreement that the "ultra" folks in both camps were the enemy to the gospel. There is security in Christ and while I am far from one that believes that once a person is saved, then they are always saved... I shun the idea that we live in eternal insecurity. This is just as dangerous a doctrine as is the doctrine of greasy (sleazy) grace.
To all of my Pentecostal brothers and sisters who tend to get a bit aggravated at the Reform brothers and sisters... I want you to remember. "Ultra" is where things get a bit odd. When you have folks that follow and quote the "person" more than the Bible then you have an issue worth being aggravated on. That being said I would recommend to all of you that you read Ardel's (co-author is Thomas R. Schreiner) book, "The Race Set Before Us" which can be purchased through Amazon and likely other places. I have and I have recommended it to many over the years. There are things that I'd debate Ardel on and he'd know those things. But forget the points and GET THE POINT. If you do that then you will be incredibly blessed in reading the book. Don't always look to the points but listen for the point. I have many Calvinist friends that I have debated with many times and over many discussions. When I need prayer for something specific in my life... these will be some of the people that I KNOW will lift my request up in prayer. They are faithful men and women of God who are just a wee bit wrong! Other than that... they're okay (you know I love you guys)!
Just a reminder... we need to STOP running in our dogmatic little circles. It is fun to debate (I really do love it) but remember that it isn't always the points but THE POINT. Never lose focus of that because when we do... we're simply running in a religious circle... going nowhere.
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