tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post9222995738742234690..comments2023-05-17T01:09:54.656-07:00Comments on The Evangelical Calvinist In Plain Language: Doing EC Evangelism in Contrast to the 'Lordship' Style of Ray ComfortBobby Growhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-36111565906410335462013-12-05T15:46:48.310-08:002013-12-05T15:46:48.310-08:00The Evangelical's Rosary:
(Arminian) Evangeli...The Evangelical's Rosary:<br /><br />(Arminian) Evangelical Christianity teaches that my salvation is dependent on MY decision to accept Christ, and my assurance of salvation is dependent on MY feelings of his continued presence in my heart.<br /><br />But what happens during times of hardship and trial when I don't feel saved? Answer: I repeat my born again experience again and again until I finally feel absolutely certain that I am saved!<br /><br />Thousands, maybe millions, of Evangelical Christians struggle with doubts and fears regarding their salvation and eternal destiny due to this faulty theology. They have no sure assurance of salvation! They are praying the Sinner's Prayer again and again as if it were a Rosary. <br /><br />The Sinner's Prayer:<br /><br />"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for<br />Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen."<br /><br /> http://www.lutherwasnotbornagain.com/2013/12/arminian-evangelicalisms-dirty-little.html<br />Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02519721717265344702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-16379734382760238162013-03-09T16:11:31.662-08:002013-03-09T16:11:31.662-08:00So I am trying to understand, I am not to worry ab...So I am trying to understand, I am not to worry about how it is received just how I present it? stevezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11138766250820193250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-80217875522732582202013-03-09T13:43:31.973-08:002013-03-09T13:43:31.973-08:00Hi Steve,
A properly understood notion (versus cu...Hi Steve,<br /><br />A properly understood notion (versus culturally) concept of love won't given in to the fears that fear you. I'm not going to do theology based upon its reception or manipulation by society at large; instead it is better to engage the questions that are presented by the Revelation of God Himself, and the categories and emphases therein.<br /><br />As far as the Law, it is interesting how so often we emphasize it as some sort of moral boundary-markers. I think biblically, the Law (or Torah) has more to do with an emphasis upon God's Instruction (which is what Torah means) in general. Certainly there is this "legal" aspect, but I think that orientation has been fulfilled in Christ. So the Law of Christ is love, which is the ground of the Old Covenant as well (Mt. 22).<br /><br />I would see Paul's method the same as I would Jesus' in Luke 24; that the TaNaKh was all about Him. <br /><br />I have personally heard Comfort do street preaching on 3rd Street at the Santa Monica promenade. I was not impressed with his method; he was more of a spectacle than anything else. Although I do get impressed when anybody tries to share the faith of Christ with a lost world. But what they are sharing is definitely of import; not all Gospel presentations are equal. Bobby Growhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-71573699327139376492013-03-08T19:48:07.510-08:002013-03-08T19:48:07.510-08:00We did Comforts "Way of the Master" last...We did Comforts "Way of the Master" last year and I thought it was okay, not necessarily the “best” (or only) way to do evangelism but a potentially effective way. <br /><br />How would you see Paul’s method in Acts 28:23 "When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." ?<br /><br />I know you would say God being Love comes first, but He did give us the Law (which I see as something that informs us about the nature of God) And in Jesus we have the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. So although the Law comes forth from God’s love – isn't it still an important revelation of (about?) Him? <br /><br />My issue with Torrance’s statement, and I think you could say my “fear” is that simply preaching a God of love, with no law, no foundation other than love, (which in this relativistic world can mean anything) you end up with Free Grace. (and yes I know you don’t subscribe to this) <br />stevezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11138766250820193250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-9149039630019528212013-03-06T12:57:43.900-08:002013-03-06T12:57:43.900-08:00Jerome,
Thank you for sharing this story! I don&#...Jerome,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this story! I don't think some people really realize the impact that all of this has on real life people some times ... so thank you for sharing this! And I'm glad you still have contact with these folk; hopefully they will see the light on this, soon!Bobby Growhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06831009618873548948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2934219918554432299.post-23314137799650583692013-03-06T08:32:41.053-08:002013-03-06T08:32:41.053-08:00Hey, Bobby, amazing that you would bring up Ray Co...Hey, Bobby, amazing that you would bring up Ray Comfort and the challenges that way of evangelizing has for incarnational, Trinitarian theology! This same story played out in our congregation. A couple of good friends of mine, whom I have known since they were kids, latched onto Comfort's premises and when GCI started down the road to a greater understanding of who God is and what that implies, they, and a group that they mentored, became very antagonistic - shaking their heads "no" during sermons, pulling off to themselves after services and talking among themselves, etc. This occurred 4-5 years ago. After meeting with the church leadership, they decided to part, amicably. I still stay in touch with them, but there never seems to be any movement toward seeing God through the lens of the Triune God who has lived in love for eternity and wants to share that kind of life with us. Instead, it is always about "repent and believe" to basically save yourself. When I've tried to speak to them about the relationship God desires to have with us, I was provided with the astounding response of "all that relationship stuff is for down here," meaning that God doesn't relate to us in the ways we understand love and compassion humanly. They basically believe most are in hell, and most are going there too. I have to leave their hearts to God. I occasionally reach out as a brother to encourage them in general terms. If I go too deep, I always get pushback. Jerome Ellardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704612304677053794noreply@blogger.com