If Jesus made the Gospel hard...why did He say we need the faith of a child?
JM is questioned about LS
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by ReformedBaptist, Aug 6, 2008.
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I own and have read all three works of Dr. MacArthur on the Lordship issue, but I cannot come to his defense, even as a fellow calvinist.
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I went to a military school in HS and they had most of the pastors from churches near and around Chatham and Danville, Va. come and speak. Most seem to build the others up rather than rip them apart. All knew where they disagreed but out in public were more into getting the Gospel out than fighting over theology. -
This Lordship Controversy issue has been interesting. I think its been good to the degree that it is bringing attention to an important doctrine: the nature of faith. What is still a question in my mind is why those who oppose JM in this think he is teaching a works-based salvation message/gospel. While I am still exploring the answer to that, I am beginning to think its because those in that camp have an unbiblical understanding of the nature of faith. Consider:
Question: Does the lordship view teach salvation by works?
No, absolutely not. God grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:25) when He changes the heart at the moment of regeneration (Titus 3:5-7), and makes the sinner into a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). We are not saved by works (Eph. 2:8-9), but we are saved unto good works (Eph. 2:10). We are freed from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2) and made slaves to righteousness (Rom. 6:22). Works (meaning "acts of obedience") are not a precondition for salvation. But they do characterize the lives of those who have been genuinely saved (Rom. 8:5-9).
http://www.gty.org/Resources/Issues&Answers/2545
The accusation, so it seems, is that Mac is teaching salvation by works. He emphatically states that acts of obedience are not a precondition for salvation but that they characterize the lives of those who have been truly saved. Let me be on record as saying..AMEN!
In another place it was taught that the thief on the cross proves Mac's position wrong. But listen to how Mac explains this because of someone who posed the question to him:
One last snipet from JM.
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