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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

The Sin of Watered Down Faith

Radical Reformation, Radical Redeemer

In Mainstream Evangelical Churches of the 21st century there is a lack of understanding about who Christ and is as Redeemer and Savior. Many tout bad, liberal theology that looks like marketing any number of insurance companies, real estate agents and mega-malls would us to promote consumerism. In fact, many churches do promote consumerism, "come and buy" salvation or spiritual healing, "listen and give me money so that I may be glorified". This is embezzlement of God's Riches: Mercy, Grace, Glory. 
The Church must repent, we all must, in order to allow God's Grace to shine through. 

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Five Solas Of the Protestant Reformation

1. Sola Gratia

2.Sola Fide

3.Solus Christus

4.Sola Scriptura

5.Soli Deo Gloria

Biblical Backing for the Solas: An Introduction to The Doctrines of Grace.

1 & 2. " Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by into his grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1&2 [ESV](see also Romans ch. 3) By the gifts of God's faith and grace we are saved. Grace comes to us to allow us to understand, humble and submit to God's holy will. Faith is also a gift, not an action we do in order to gain or earn our salvation. It is a means of believing Christ and his word that God has bestowed on us, alongside grace, in order for us to work out our salvation according to His perfect will and sovereignty over all creation. 

3. "Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him" (John 6:44) [ESV]. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"(John 14:6) [ESV]. God sent Christ as our ransom for our sins. The only way to salvation is through him upon God's sovereign calling in our hearts, which is the gift of grace, and we believe because of the gift of faith.

4.  " All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (messenger) of God may be competent, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16) [ESV]. The bible is our sole means of discovering God's full plan through history and how we are to act as Christians. Without the Bible, there would be no understanding of God's direct involvement in history or mankind. We must study diligently with open eyes, hearts and humble minds as well. It keeps our attention on Christ and focuses on God's will over ours; as it should be. 

5. "For from him and through and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36) [ESV]. 

"...To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen (Romans 16: 27) [ESV]. Life and the sustaining of the universe comes only through Christ the sustainer and for God's glory alone does it survive.