Three and a half miles: Crowns and Rewards (Part 1)

Three and a half miles: Crowns and Rewards (Part 1)

Three and a half miles: Crowns and Rewards (Part 2)

Three and a half miles: Crowns and Rewards (Part 2)

The Gospel According To Jesus

I was talking with a free grace sister in Christ on another blog and found that she had read, and did not like, MacArthur's "The Gospel According To Jesus". During the discussion I asked her what theological system she subscribed to while reading that book. She gave her response and I noted: Interesting what you said..."I went to a Bible College for 2 years that was dispensational in it's teaching...I then attended a very good grace oriented Bible Church at that time.... Also,"Then he (MacArthur, during a radio broadcast) named some men who were wrong on the gospel. Two of those men were Charles Ryrie and Lewis Sperry Chafer."

And I went on: that gives me a feel for what brand of dispensationalism you were involved in. Whatever system we subscribe to puts us on a trajectory that determines what books and authors will either resonate with us or repulse us.

MacArthur came upon the basis for "TGATJ" while studying for an exegetical presentation in the Gospel of Matthew to present to the congregation. He determined not to follow dispensational presuppositions or any other presuppositions in the course of that study. Just a plain reading of the Word. This is why his "Lordship" findings rub classic dispensationalist's the wrong way; because they DO approach these things through presuppostional readings of the Word.

Hmmm.

A Come Back Of Sorts

Well, as I watch the sitemeter dwindle to nothing I figure it's time to post a little something. I simply hate watching the sitemeter do that. O well. It is time to rebuild. Some readers will come back, some won't. That's reality.

These past several days I've toyed with the idea of deleting this blog. Then I thought that I would grow to regret such a move in a very short while, so I canned that idea.

So now what?

Thinking back over these nearly three years I guess I must conclude that there truely is nothing new under the sun. I've been involved in discussions about LS/Calvinism on both this my blog as well as on many other blogs. The Free Gracers have seen all of my arguments as I have seen all of theirs. What new ground is there to cover.

Does that mean that I will no longer go into that subject again?

Well, let's consider some things: Though I am actively collecting the works of Ryrie ( I have his study Bible as well as "So Great Salvation" - which I have read cover to cover - I am going to used book shops to see what of his works I can find there - I now have two kids in college so my finances are limited ) Yet I still hate classic, or "normative" dispensationalism, and its evil little daughter, Free Grace Theology.

Again, Does that mean that I will no longer go into that subject again?

FAT CHANCE!!!

A system that separates the Promises from the Person of Christ simply MUST be opposed, and vigorously so.

Christ is Prophet, Priest and King. We must present Him to the world as such. His offices must not be broken up. There simply is no scriptural warrant for that. His kingdom is within each believer, and that with God the Holy Spirit, indwelling the believer. This relationship between God the Holy Spirit and the believer is what the kingdom is all about in its present form. Later, at Christ's coming, the kingdom will be in power and judgement. In the mean time the Christian, being a subject of that kingdom, is the outward manifestation of God's rule to a lost and rebellious world; a world that has broken God's bonds, and cast away His cords; a world that loves sin, and hates its Maker.

In placing so very much emphasis on a future millenial kingdom the dispy has changed the whole Biblical character of the Christian. Old line dispy's present the Gospel as a ticket to Heaven while the Bible presents a much more comprehensive picture than that. The Gospel results in the indwelling of the Spirit, death to sin, slavery to Christ, conformity to Christ - sanctification - and on to glorification. Ryrie, as does Kendall, who is not a dispy, btw, says that since practical sanctification is not listed in the unbreakable chain in Romans 8:29-30 that it must not be vital to the salvation experience. What a terrible mistake. I guess that is what happens when one's system thrives by fragmenting the Word of God.

Well, enough for now.
Mark

Lordship

10The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Genesis 49:10 KJV.

6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV.

1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
4He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. Isaiah 42:1-4 KJV.

"a lawgiver "
"unto him shall the gathering of the people be. "
"the government shall be upon his shoulder: "
"upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,"
"and the isles shall wait for his law. Isaiah 42:1-4 KJV."

So says the Old Testament.

Now onto the New Testament -

13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: Colossians 1:13 KJV.

9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV.

Questions:
Do we preach a divided Christ to the world when we preach His Saviorhood without His Lordship?

What scriptural right do we have to do that?

Is Carnal Christianity A Static State?

Carnal - sarkikos; fleshly, carnal, pertaining to flesh or body.(11) As implying weakness, frailty, imperfection; e.g., of persons being carnal, worldly... From THE COMPLETE WORDSTUDY DICTIONARY - NEW TESTAMENT, Spiros Zodhiates Th.D.

If we look at 1 Cor.3:1 we see that Paul is using the word "carnal" as the opposite of spiritual, yes, then he shows us that he looked at these Corintians as "babes in Christ". We cannot see 1 Cor.3:1-4 as teaching a static state; for look at how he addresses them in chapter 1:4-9, "4I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Note he says here in verse 7, "7so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Zero in on this:"awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

These Corinthians were "eagerly awaiting the revelation of Jesus Christ". The context sets up the definition of "carnal". These people were zealous for Jesus but were still babes. They were immature even at age 5 years in the Lord, yes. But their state was not static. As you'll also note that Paul speaks to this very church in 2 Cor. 3:3, calling them "epistle[s] of Christ...written by the Spirit of God". You'll also see that in 2 Cor.7:9 that this very church repented. Again, an indication that their state was not static. They were alive spiritually, and it showed. See also in 2 Cor. 13:5 where Paul asks them to examine themselves, to see if they be in the faith. He did this as a way to vindicate his apostolic calling. He was confident that they, after examination, would conclude themselves in the faith, thereby vindicating him as an apostle.

The Carnal Christian Heresy

Hebrews 12:14 (New American Standard Bible)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
14(A)Pursue peace with all men, and the (B)sanctification without which no one will (C)see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 (English Standard Version)
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
14(A) Strive for peace with everyone, and for the(B) holiness(C) without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Question: Where would the so called "carnal Christian" stand here?