One thing I really like about the Way of the Master Tracts is that they convict the conscience and do so in a loving manor. Sadly most tracts these days outside of Living Waters fail to do this. Many are "easy-believism" oriented and want to get one to say a prayer without fully realizing what sin really is. Most from Good News Publishers, The Bridge Tracts, Pocket Testament League, and others are written this way. Or another error that tract ministries make is that they use guilt with a turn or burn style to get one to say a prayer. Some from Fundamentalist type tract ministries are written this way, and ones from Chic Tracts and Fellowship Tract League are prime examples. The problem with this style is that the sinner will read the tract and say a prayer and think he is saved, yet is probably a false convert because he has not repented of his sin and does not intend too. The sinner will boast about his prayer he said and not have a changed or transformed life as a result of the prayer. This person is a false convert! A certain book by Paul Washer I plan to buy when the time is right.
The Gospel Call and True Conversion
This does not mean that God cannot use tracts from these ministries, but in general God prefers using the Law to convict the conscience so that one will not become a false convert. Ray Comfort, John MacArthur, Paul Washer, and such are the best at preaching a gospel that uses the LAW to bring about conviction. This is not to say that others do not have their place. David Jeremiah for example in his latest book as a chapter on the 10 commandments and uses it to bring about conviction to the sinner. No he may not hit on sin as hard as others, but God still has used this book.
I generally like and prefer Reformed evangelists, however one weakness is that they may not hit on grace as much as they can, and for that books by David Jeremiah, Erwin Lutzer and other non Reformed types would be good. Remember that Jesus also preached grace and we are in that dispensation. I think a good balance would be to read books by Washer, Comfort, MacArthur, and Jeremiah, Lutzer, Stanley, and such.
Easy-Believism and False Converts...
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by evangelist6589, Jul 16, 2013.
Page 1 of 3
-
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
The Biblicist Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Tracts are only as good as what they contain of actual scripture truth. If they omit the problem of sin then their solution they offer ("salvation") is really empty of meaning and application. -
evangelist6589 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
-
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
How would you like it if I came to your church and Challenged your pastor during a class or sermon? Then you claim they are easy believers well that could not be more true of the Calvinist who doesn't even have to listen to the gospel first or for that matter even believe. Why they're just Zapped with Salvation and made to believe. -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
And if God has not chosen to regenerate you at this time, or if you do not happen to be one of the fortunate elect, no matter what the tract says you are not going to get saved.
So what difference does a tract make, or for that matter, a preacher or a sermon? If God has chosen to regenerate you at this time, that is what will happen, and if God has not chosen to regenerate you at this time, even the best written tract will not help you. -
Tracts are only as good as the person who wrote them. There is no such thing as a sinner's prayer. Invitations have lost their usefulness when one hears the phrase "Lets have another round of verses, ONE MORE TIME." -
-
And if God has not NOW chosen to regenerate a person because it is not the proper time for this person, or because they are not one of the elect, it doesn't matter how well a tract is written, or how powerful or convincing a sermon is, they cannot possibly repent and believe.
You can deny this all you want, but if Irresistible Grace and Total Depravity are true (they aren't) this would be exactly the case.
If Calvinism is true and God has chosen to regenerate a person at this time, you could give them a Watchtower and they would believe on Jesus. -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Page 1 of 3