I have been grappling with a selection of church I should go to & found one that I assumed had their beliefs squared away. When I asked pointed questions however about theology, I was told that they hold to a "New Covenant Theology" so I asked this board and others about NCT because I never heard of it. I believe it boils down to "antinomianism" a word that was expressed but never explained.
Here is what Websters has to say....
Definition of ANTINOMIAN
1: one who holds that under the gospel dispensation of grace the moral law is of no use or obligation because faith alone is necessary to salvation
2: one who rejects a socially established morality
Still confused, I then pulled to someone who has been an INTERNET mentor, Sinclair Ferguson.....he cleared it up via this sermon on "The Marrow of Modern Divinity" ...a 3 parter. The 3rd part discusses Antinomianism. I warn you however that it is a sermon so over an hour is recommended for listening to it ....however it is extremely comprehensive & well done. They don't make them like Sinclair anymore.:thumbs::applause:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/playpopup.asp?SID=1121071131280
Antinomianism
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Earth Wind and Fire, Oct 16, 2012.
Page 1 of 5
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
I would make sure that what they mean by NCT is the same as the definitions you have found on the Internet...
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Sorry -
also , the term "anti" has been leveled against thsoe of us holding to "free Grace" of being lawless, but the truth is, that we are NOT saying that the Law moral aspects not binding on Christians for behaviour today, just that we obey God by walking in the Holy Spirit, and by doing that, our conduct will be what God demands!
As we see Justification by faith alone/Grace alone, but sanctification as walking in the Spirit and obeying God in order to mature more into like ness of jesus, while Reformed tend to blur the distinctiveness between those 2 concepts... -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Yes, the NCT is a problem. My brother, who believes classic covenant theology had some issues with people believing in NCT at a church plant that he was overseeing.
He was considered a legalist because he did not ignore the OT law. Funny thing is, fundamentalists would consider HIM to be antinomian or at least liberal for not adhering to the man made traditions of the 20th century. -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Im not convinced that NCT is scriptural... Matt 5: 18 ... I tell you the truth, until heaven & earth disappear, not the smallest letter (Jot) nor the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
It is my belief that not everything has been accomplished....and thats what I told this guy.
Whats you opinion? -
Christ did accomplish it all, as in all that was necessary for the sin debt of the elect to be paid in full. He was the final perfect sacrifice.
My take on NCT, is not that Jesus made the old more perfect, but the Law could not make anyone righteous. This is based largely on Hebrews 8 which ends with:
Heb 8:13 When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. (NASB)
In addition to Galations, Col 2, and Romans 14.
The reason that some, including myself, talk about 9 instead of 10 commandments is because only 9 are re-commanded in some form in the NT. The sabbath is not found as a commandment applicable under the NC. One thing to keep in mind is that we do not see the 9 as being applied as part of the Law and the OC, but as commandments given to the NT church. Again, this is because of the NC instituted by and through Jesus.
That does not mean the OT is obsolete or useless. We preach the whole counsel of God's Word. The OT is looking forward to the Cross and the wholly sufficient work of Christ. How can we even begin to appreciate what He did if we don't know what the OC entailed? -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Nope. I don't have a solid hour to spare today. I was just sharing my thoughts on the NC.
-
Covenant Theology or New Covenant Theology: It seems to me that the demands of Jesus Christ exceed the demands of the Ten Commandments!
Matthew 22:36-40
36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37. Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38. This is the first and great commandment.
39. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. -
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
-
This CT/NCT rift in the fledgling 'Reformed Baptist' movement developed several decades ago ostensibly over this sabbatarianism issue. But John Reisinger points out it was mostly a manufactured controversy by certain Reformed Baptist leaders to deflect attention from the growing criticism of their own extreme authoritarianism:
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Also, the Law in BOTH OT/NT still the same, as it would be the expression of the Moral rule/code of God, but that today under the new Covenat we have the means to live for Christ as ought to BY the person and powering of the Spirit! -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Get my point......dont think, KNOW! Your spiritual life might hang in the balance.
Page 1 of 5