Post your assignments below. All further comments and discussions should be posted under the thread entitled: "Comments on Assigments in (class)."
128 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Reflection by Jimmy Munoz Steps to Christ chaps. 1 & 2. and Romans 1 In my initial reading three overarching themes have been evident, first of all that nature shows that there must be a God, a Creator. Second of all that God is love, and lastly that humans must recognize their sinfulness in order to seek the Savior. That nature shows that there is a God: Romans 1 Verses 18-20 contain an argument for the existence of God based on the amazing things of nature. Ellen White in the first chapter of her book Steps to Christ makes a similar argument, she does not however referrer to this text. Instead she appeals to Psalm 145:15l, 16. “The eyes are upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou upenest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” That God is love: This seems to be a favorite theme of Ellen White’s. Even when commenting on such a disturbing passage as 2 Samuel 12:15 (“…and the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.”) where it seems so opposed to justice that an innocent person would be "struck" with sickness and eventually die when guilty David had been the transgressor. She takes the readers’ interest off the “unjust” death of the baby to how this was actually a greater, fairer consequence of the king’s sins. In explaining God’s justice mingled with redemptive love in this case White wrote: “…while to him (David) the suffering and death of the child, as a part of his punishment, was far more bitter than his own death could have been." PP 722
That I must recognize that I am a sinner in order to be saved is also illustrated well in David’s story.
I like how you began with God's love as the basis for understanding the dynamics of redemption. The revelation of God is the proper basis for a revelation of ourselves.
I also think the reference to Psalm 145:15 of God giving meat in due season speaks of the conditionedness of life. How life has consequences, which might be a bitter winter. However, it shows that God is faithful in bringing spring to break of the fallow groudn of a winter past.
Reading Romans 1, my mind is filled with everything from legislating morality and moralizing to the redemption of the unsuspecting. Paul states in vv.18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. I hear this passage being echoed from the lips of the moral majority judging all who do not know Christ in the world. They speak of an ontological necessity and an epistemological necessity of Jesus Christ. Ontological necessity is the belief that Jesus’ being and identity as the Son of God and the Sin Bearer is necessary for salvation. In essence Jesus is the only means of salvation. They also put an epistemological necessity on it saying that one must hear and believe in order to be saved. While I agree with both points, I think there is a stretch in saying that only those who hear and respond to the gospel will be saved. Ellen White says that nature and revelation alike testifies of God’s love. If natural revelation is enough to condemn, then why isn’t it sufficient to save? What about people before Jesus Christ? What about people in distant lands who do not have access to the knowledge of the gospel. Will they be lost as well? Televangelists speaks of millions going to Christless graves, but how do they know where they stand if God is speaking everywhere and in many ways. The Adventist scholar speaks of the three phases of salvation. God’s initiative, man’s desperate need and man’s response to grace. What if the Aztecs and the Mayans never responded to grace because they viewed the European man as a threat to their civilization. Will they then be lost because they didn’t join your church?
By Vincent Duncombe Angel Rodriguez in his document concerning Adam and the Human Race gives us an insight into how Adam’s original sin, race and God’s gift of salvation to Adam has affected the entire human race. To do this he takes a look at the writings of Ellen White and summaries what she has written. In this article I find Rodriguez denouncing the idea that all of humanity was present in Adam at the time of his fall, causing the human race to be infected by sin. In contrast Rodriguez expresses, with the help of White’s writings that Adam was just a representative of, or representing the human race and that he [Adam] could only pass on to his descendents that which he possessed. In other words he could not pass on a pure character because his own had now become flawed with sin and rebellion against God. Rodriguez takes his discourse one step further by stating in his conclusion that we do find in Ellen White’s writings, “the idea that the sin of Adam was imputed to the human race.” He insists that Adam’s sin was his own sin, yet it had a universal impact upon the human race. While I would not comment on whether or not this statement is theologically correct, I was surprised that Rodriguez did not give some sort of theological proof to back his statement. I thought that it would have been helpful to discuss this point further. I do find that the articles I read this week tied in with what we discussed in class. In class we where discussing the fact that there needs to be a holistic approach to subjects covered in the Bible. We are to take into consideration all that is said on a given topic and then, as pointed out in class, we must come up with an explanation which incorporates all of the views presented and even when they seem controversial or paradoxical. There seems to very often be a tension. In Rodriguez’ article this tension is shown in the statement he makes, “Adam’s sin was his own sin, [yet] it had a universal impact and negatively affected every member of the human race.” We have to find a way in which to explain these tensions, and if we cannot we must at least give them meaningful discussion.
Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification. I did not completely understand the term Legal Universal Justification, but it seems to be saying that humans share the burden of sin along with Christ. That they are in Christ intrinsically and so they must have hung on the cross along with Christ, and therefore must have born part of their own sins along with Christ. This is contradictory to what the Bible teaches and the church believes. The Bible tells us in Acts that there is only one name under heaven by which we are saved. Isaiah tells us that we are healed by His stripes, that He bore the iniquity of us all. Those who take the legal universal justification approach have a problem with faith, because they see it as work that is earning salvation. This is however not the case. Faith is not a work but it is the way by which we receive the gift that is given by grace. Also, faith changes the believer’s life, whereas the legal universal justification approach does not initiate any difference in a person’s life. In fact, a person does not even have to be a believer but they are saved all the same because salvation to them is a blanket that covers all of humanity.
Romans 1 This chapter also addresses the problem of sin and wickedness. According to the legal universal justification approach no one would die because all are saved. It would not matter if people were good or bad, righteous or unrighteous. But Paul in Romans tells us that we are righteous through faith that comes from God through Jesus Christ by the grace of God. And because of this faith believers live a righteous life. Those who do not accept this faith and grace are left to their own sinful desires which leads to death. This chapter clearly indicates that faith changes a believer’s life and if one does not live by faith then there is death. This contradicts the legal universal justification approach in that according to Romans the human being has a part to place in salvation. The part he/she plays is accepting the gift and allowing that gift to transform their life. They do not work for salvation but one does have to accept the gift of salvation.
Steps to Christ ch 1 Here White describes the perfect world God created, the world that is now subject to sin, and Christ who came to restore the world and human beings to what God had originally created. White tells us that the world is separated from God and this results in death. This is why God, in His love for the human race, sent His only Son into the world to take the form of man so that man can be saved from the death (separation from God) that man was headed to. She quotes Isaiah 53; Christ bore our sins upon Himself. She describes Christ on the cross; He had to be on the cross to bear our sins, so that we don’t have to. This contradicts the legal universal justification approach that says not only did Jesus die for our sins, but we also shared in that death. Also, according to the previously mentioned approached, a persons life does not need to change because salvation is not something they even need to be aware of , they are saved just by being human being because they are in Christ intrinsically. Steps to Christ shows us that salvation is available to all men, but it is not received by all men. Those who do receive it see a marked change in their lives, but because now their lives are under the love of Christ.
Steps to Christ, chapters entitled “Consecration” and “Faith and acceptance.”
I am grateful for this little book. It is a sample of what our most influential founder from the 1800’s and our church has deemed most important throughout our history: “a deep sense of the love of Christ” (page 31). It is true, in my opinion, that not all documents by Ellen White ooze with this theme, but her writings from her later years and most published books do. I recently was disgusted watching a loveless Adventist program on television that was supposedly highlighting the pillars of our faith. The very first presentation ignored that there has been, and there is, a real problem with people who may not claim to be working to gain their salvation but certainly act that way. The speaker only made passing references to the love of God while lamenting the sinful condition of the church. To this problem he proposed this solution, “obedience is not legalism.” I’d like to contrast his approach to obedience which produces people living off checklists, to White’s of how happy obedience takes place. There is a vast difference between these two approaches. The first sees God’s commandments as “required” and the other sees them as expressions of God’s love. So our topic is Sanctification. From listening to the TV speaker referred to above one would get the impression that obedience is acquired by exercising greater effort on my part. Instead of this White says, “There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation” (p. 31). White described to a “T” the “Obedience is not legalism” program I watched. She wrote: “Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth nothing” (ibid). To back up her conviction that joyous obedience is not legalism she appeals to the reader by saying that “The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction” (p. 33). But to make sure she is not misunderstood she also affirms “A profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery” (32). ____ An observation about the two first chapters in the compilation Faith and Works The first article (Untitled Manuscript 36, 1890) Review and Herald, February 24 and March 3,1977 was addressed to legalistic Seventh-day Adventists. The second article, actually an older article Review and Herald, March 8,1888, was written in order to address the anti-Sabbatarian arguments of not being “under the law anymore.” It is my opinion that much of the legalism that White found herself fighting against in her later years had been fueled by many of her own defenses of the law and obedience. This was, I am sure, an unintended but very real consequence of the emphasis on obedience and the law of the earlier years that was heavily influenced by the theology of Joseph Bates.
This week my readings all seemed to be tied together. I read Ángel Rodríguez, Christ Saved the Human Race, Steps to Christ - The Sinner's Need of Christ, and Romans chapter 2. They emphasized the interrelation of God’s work in our salvation in connection with your cooperation with God to make our salvation a reality. Rodriguez explains from Ellen White’s writings what Jesus actually accomplished by coming and dieing on the cross. He makes it abundantly clear that Christ’s death did not guarantee salvation for the entire human race; however, it did guarantee salvation for all those of the human race that accepted it. He gives an illustration of Satan as the jailer keeping us captive on earth not willing to let us go free, but he says that through Christ’s death on the cross, Christ now has a legal right to set us free if we let him. We no longer belong to Satan, Christ has freed us. Ellen White in steps to Christ examines the importance of God respecting the free choice of humans because as she points out, heaven would be hell for those who have not chosen to live in harmony with God’s principles. She says, “Heaven would be to him a place of torture; he would long to be hidden from Him who is its light, and the center of its joy. It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship.” In Romans 2 the author focuses more on the importance of our obedience in order to obtain salvation. We have a part to play clearly; however, Ellen White goes beyond this, she says, “Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.” Wow. This emphasizes the importance of having faith and works, or a ‘faith that works.’ It is not enough to train yourself to live the law; you must be connected to the source of life in order to experience eternal life. The two cannot be separated.
In Roman’s 2, Paul begins his argument for the universal sinfulness of Jew and Gentiles. He seems to differentiate that there is no difference with the religious sinner and the irreligious sinner. Paul begins his argument that both are guilty before God, but the religious sinners are seeking to guide the irreligious sinners. Hence, the irony in Paul’s mind. Romans 2:17 says, Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God. The more I study theology and Christian spirituality; I see the main difference between the two is in their attitude toward repentance. I am not talking about one moment of repentance, but an attitude and lifestyle of repentance. Some would say that this means that the believers need continual justification. When one comes to God once and then lives as an unrepentant person, they live as a religious sinner. In Steps to Christ chapter 2, on Sinner’s Need of Christ, she comments “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them.” When a religious sinner repents, for some reason they think that God got all of their sin the first time. They don’t realize that it is the iceberg of conviction that the Holy Spirit brings when they I nitially comes with conviction. This sets them up for failure because when they are confronted with their sinner nature again, they seek to cover it up with “education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort” to have an aura of perfection. Edward Heppenstall in his article “How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible?”enters into dialogue with the perfectionist and the antinomianist. He comments that, “ It is fatal to believe that if only we become totally surrendered to Christ, that the sinful nature is eradicated. The irreligious sinner can’t grasp this reality.
Comments on 1 Timothy, Steps to Christ Ch 2, Romans Ch 2 The paper on Timothy considers the issue of 1 Timothy 4:10. "Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." The question raised is if He is the Savior of all men, does that mean that all men are saved regardless of what their lives are like. Or does the word “especially” mean that all are saved but some are saved to a higher degree. The problem is solved when the word “especially” is broken down to mean “that is, in other words”. So then the verse means that God did what needed to be done to make salvation available to all men, that is ( in other words) for those who believe. This is complimented by Romans Ch 2. Paul says that even those Jews who are circumcised, keep the law, teach the word, will still find themselves outside of salvation because it is not in their hearts. He says that even those that are Gentiles, are uncircumcised, do not know the law will be saved because it is in their hearts. So here is a clear distinction that there are those that will be saved and those that will not. But God desires for everyone to be saved by loves humans so much that He gives them the freedom to choose if what He wants for them is what they want for themselves. Steps to Christ also compliments this idea in illustrating the need all men have to be reunited to God. She talks about the deep need we have (all human beings) for restoration to our relationship with God. But this gift that is for everyone is experienced by only those who accept it into their lives. This is the love of God that although He made the greatest sacrifice for all men, he allows them to choose it for themselves.
Reflection on FW chaps. 5-7 Even in the mist of arguing in favor of keeping the law, I think mainly for the purpose of highlighting the overlooked 4th commandment, White sticks to the fact that our obedience does not save us. The following statement seems to be pregnant with the truth that we obey because we have been saved. “Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead.” FW 48
“The true follower of Christ will make no boastful claims to holiness.” FW 53 It was a sunny Sabbath morning during an animated discussion in Sabbath School that I asked the question “is there anyone here who is sinless.” To my astonishment some one raised his hand. He claimed that for the past two weeks he had not sinned. I must have looked disconcerted or something because the man felt it necessary to explain in detail how he was taking track of his sinlessness. How helpful are the words of Ellen White in training the people. Sadly though, most fanatics I have met in my short life have had a red book under the arm pit.
“Now, we want to understand what sin is--that it is the transgression of God's law. This is the only definition given in the Scriptures.” {FW 56.1} This statement has caused some tension among people. The more legalistic among us love to use this quote to limit the concept of sin to the realm of behavior, however it is not just that as other passages of Scripture suggest.
Response to what Joseph Williams said on 9/13/2007 12:45 PM
You said that a lifestyle of repentance seems to you to be key to Christian spirituality. The part I didn’t understand is why people would say that if this were the case “believers need continual justification.”
God's love for man was not first revealed after the Fall, nor in redemption, rather it was first revealed in creation; for God by nature is love (I John 4:8) and so also His works. Ellen White puts it thus: "In nature itself are the messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses." Steps to Christ, p.7 When man sinned (transgressed the law), it was by this same love that the greatest sacrifice of the ages was made - "Nothing less than infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father's love to humanity." SC, p.11 Ellen White also sheds some light on the issue of sin as a nature from the advent of sin – “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil.” SC., p.15. Hence, “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from from the pit of sin in which we are sunken” SC., p.16. Therefore, we need the unmerited favor of God – made possible by the supreme sacrifice of Christ to be justified. But repentance is crucial to in order to experience the full measure of God's favor (Acts 2:37,38; 3:19) and in fact, it is the experience of repentance that enables us to see our need for divine help. But the good news is that we do not need to repent in order in order to respond to God's invitation or call of salvation.
ELEMS, Ugochukwu “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White” By Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I think in dealing with the subject of sin, especially its nature, we must admit like Ángel Manuel Rodríguez in “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White” postulates: “We do not fully understand what happened when Adam sinned and we may never be able fully to understand it. We can only testify to the fact that there is something indescribably and awfully wrong with us and with the world in which we live and that the Scriptures trace it back to the fall of Adam and Eve into sin.” Although we may argue from anthropological and psychological points of view, even from some biblical texts such as I John 3:4, to show that the issue of sin is behavioral than it is a nature, the fact remains that “Something mysteriously evil happened to human nature itself that resulted in its enslavement under the power of sin. "In transgression Adam became a law to himself. By disobedience he was brought under bondage. Thus a discordant element, born of selfishness, entered man's life. Man's will and God's will no longer harmonized. Adam had united with the disloyal forces, and self-will took the field."[14] Human nature became so corrupted that it was impossible for human beings by themselves to do good. It is the very "nature of sin to spread and increase. Since the first sin of Adam, from generation to generation it has spread like a contagious disease."
But the result of the sin of Adam and Eve was passed on to all human race (Rom.3:10, 23). Ellen White writes: “Adam disobeyed, and entailed sin upon his posterity.” (Manuscript Releases Vol. 6, p.3). “The whole family of Adam must die.” However, the good news is that is one supreme gift and sacrifice – Jesus Christ, God provided justification for the human race. “If our first parents had not accepted the gift, the race would to-day be in hopeless misery."
Works of Christ Prof; Dr.Martin Hanna Student; Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir
Reading report 1 Why did God have to give us Free Will???
I chose to read the article “Some Thoughts on Original Sin” as well as the first chapter of the Romans and the first chapter of Steps to Christ “God´s Love For Man”. Of course all of this reading is connected in one sense..since it centers around Jesus Christ and the Bible, but it was quite interesting to see how connected these issues were even though I wasn´t aiming for a specific topic to read about. What came to my mind to begin with was EGW writings and how she talks about how perfectly God created this world and HE did it all for US. EGW goes on about that we can see God´s love everywhere in creation and that God made man “perfectly holy and happy”. And while reading the article about Original Sin, my mind was drawn to the fact that Adam and Eve chose to depart from God´s counsil in a perfect world. So the SIN problem really goes beyond Paradise, beyond Eden. And as the 1.chapter of Romans tells us, everyone should have known God from the creation of the world. And that brings into mind that Adam and Eve didn´t just have to know God by what He created, they could also walk with Him and talk with Him without feeling God was somewhere distant. And it seems that Adam even had the priviledge to name the animals that God created, so in a way Adam was a bit of a partaker in God´s created things. So Adam and Eve, having been around and actually being God´s creation themselves, how then could Sin enter their world. Well that brings us to the fact that Sin can really never be understood unless we go all the way back to Original Sin and even there we cannot fully grasp how perfectly created creatures would choose to depart from their author and creator. However we shouldn´t be discouraged in our theological thinking, we simply must research those things for ourselves to understand God even better. And that brings my mind to the fact that God gave us free will and many will say and have said that God wasn´t at all loving when He gave Free Will to humans. Their accusations sound something like this; Because God in His foreknowledge knew that we would Sin, how then could He give Free Will to humans knowing that such misery would come out of it., And what kind of love is that?, God knowing and almost allowing Sin into the World through Free Will, what kind of love is it then to prepare a Saviour for humans (which God had prepared from the foundations of the world). Isn´t the Saviour thing a lame excuse for God allowing people to have Free Will. And I am not surprised that many will come to such a conclusion, after all Satan began by accusing God and with the same sinful nature as Satan has humans who are struggling to understand God, tend to judge God when they lack some kind of understanding. We as Christians simply must realize that there are people have their reasons for not searching for God, some have studied the Salvation issue and come to such a conclusion, others simply haven´t thought deeply enough about those issues, but almost all tend to accuse God in one way or another. But I haven´t yet adressed another problem though, not only did God give humans Free Will but also Angels apparantly, since Lucifer and 1/3 of the Angels chose to depart from God. And my somewhere in my own mind I have this theory that the original accusation Lucifer made towards God was that God gave Him Free Will, it was God´s fault that Lucifer could turn out this way. But isn´t that really what God wants?. Not that humans judge Him, but that they will explore and research and make up their own minds. Free will was given not to be dissipated but to be exercised and used. God never wanted robots, but He wanted us to love Him freely, after all that is what true love is all about. I must say that I could go on and on about these matters now, but I will leave further investigation to my other reading report papers since the matter of Salvation is a very broad and deep matter, not to be done away with in few sentences.
I read chapter 3 of Steps to Christ and I came across a few very interesting quotations from Ellen White in regards to repentance and sin. The first seems speaks to the order in which repentance takes place, and seems to suggest that true repentance only takes place after we have come to Christ. She says, “The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance.” So we first accept God than then He leads us to repentance. We cannot repent without first knowing and coming to Christ. She goes on to say that, ”We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.” But what is even more interesting is the fact that even our coming to Christ could not be accomplished with God first working in our hearts. Ellen White says, “Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.” In a very real sense it seems that we are only co-operating with God’s work of salvation, for every correct or right act that we make in the salvation process seems to be depended upon some previous act of God which then enabled us to act righteously. I hope that that was not too confusing. Another quotation that caught me off-guard is where Ellen White states that God does not see all sins as being equal. She says, “God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God.” This is interesting because as a boy growing up I always heard it said that sin is sin and that none is greater. She states what these sins are. “The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the uncalled universe.” Something to think about.
Reflection on “Analysis of the Doctrine of Universal "Legal" Justification” by Larry J. Kane
Larry Kane sees holistic model as a reliable approach to biblical hermeneutics, he comments: “the more reliable approach for reaching a complete understanding of a particular proposition is to review all relevant statements from scripture which bear upon the issue.” The argument for a universal legal justification by Dr. E. J. Waggoner (one the leading proponents and ariculator of the 1888 message) is not only inconsistent with the context (Romans 3 and 5) from which it was proposed but also inconsistent with other Scriptural reference on justification (John 3:16; Rev.22:17). Righteousness is a gift made possible to all human race by grace through faith. Paul was clear in verse 30 on the means of justification for the Old and New Covenants – faith. God is no respecter of persons, says Paul and the dilemma is the same for both the Jews and Gentiles. All require faith to appropriate this free gift of righteousness in our daily living. Interestingly, Ellen G. White also believes that “justification by faith as the solution to our legal problem as well as the basis of our victorious experiential overcoming of sin.” I think Kane got it right when he said that “the two principal scriptural passages cited by the 1888 MSC as foundation for a universal legal justification, it has been seen that neither provides support for such a doctrine. Upon close examination, both are correctly understood to be addressing justification by faith rather than an unconditional objective justification.” Moreover, I further agree with him based on implicit and explicit biblical texts, “that justification by faith encompasses both objective and subjective elements, both legal and experiential components. The two are integral parts of the whole of righteousness by faith.”
Comments made by Tamara Strickland-Bennett. Material read:Romans 1,Adam and the Human Race in the EGWhite writings. In Romans 1, Paul clearly lays out his confidence in what we now call the Old Testament.He states in the 1st verse "...the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets...regarding His Son. While Paul clearly announces the grace of God through Jesus,he does not leave room, or excuses for deliberate rebellion and sin in this chapter.. In Adam and the Human Race...EGWhite also clearly states the penalty for sin.She breaks down the results of sin,the fallen condition of man's nature as a result of sin,and the ultimate punishment of eternal separation from God through death. From both sources,one can understand man's need of a Saviour.Only the saving grace of Christ can transform one's character making it fit for eternal life!If one takes a Holistic perspective,one can see the guidance of the Holy Spirit over the prophets of old, as well as the modern prophet known as EGWhite.Salvation the same yesterday, today and forever,Amen!
Comments from Tamara Strickland-Bennett. The following comments are on Romans 2 and 3. The one basic message I got from Paul in these chapters is "judge not".In holy boldness Paul sets the record straight, as it relates to self-righteousness!There is ONE Judge and that is Christ!! Also,in chapter 2 we can see how God is INCLUSIVE, the "gentiles" who have the law written on thier hearts have eternal life.God is no respector of persons.(verses 14,15). These verses clearly demonstrate God's DESIRE to save mankind.I think of the text which says(paraphased)God is not slack concening His promise...not willing that ANY should perish!! In chapter 3,Paul goes on to say,... none is righteous no not one. This throws the tradition of "works "right out the window. At the cross,"ALL" must fall regardless of race creed,color or class.I thank God for the gift found in Jesus!
Justification in Romans 3:21-24 This really touches on some of the discussions we’ve had in class about universal justification. In this paper it makes it clear that redemption was made available to “all”, to “all who believe”. That is the catcher to “all who believe. Verse 24 if read alone would be misleading, for it says, “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely”. When read in context however, this points to two factors. One, that we are being justified, it was not all done on the cross but it is presently going on for the phrase is in the present. The next point is that when this phrase is taken into account with the previous phrase “all who believe” we see that all though redemption was made available to everyone through Jesus Christ, God is presently justifying only those who believe. It is a gift set aside but to be experience it needs to be taken from the hand of God and opened.
Steps to Christ Ch 3 Ellen White talks of the same concept when she assigns the sinner with the responsibility to repent and confess. If justification is universal there would be no need for the sinner to even acknowledge the sin let alone confess and repent to Christ. She describes this gift as one that is waiting for the sinner to open but God in His love leaves that choice in the hand of the sinner.
Romans Ch 3 Paul really breaks down barriers that took centuries to build. He puts the Jews and the Gentiles all in the same boat, with the same sins, and the same needs. After tearing down the self-righteous attitude that the Jews (many present Christian) have and then uniting the Jewish need to the Gentiles need (non-believers), he displays how God is the God of all and did the same thing to save all men. This unifies all people and helps us understand that the foot of the cross is level ground.
Comments on Romans 4-5 from Tamara Strickland-Bennett. Oh to be able to comprehend the truth found in these two chapters!! To know beyond the shadow of doubt,to look the devil in the face, and boldly tell him,"we HAVE been justified by faith.We HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus".This is to express and possess a faith that is "FULLY" convinced that what God has promised,He is able to do! Abraham trusted God,he believed in His word.He respected God's integrity! In the English Standard version, the bible says in chapter 4:20-21"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,but he grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God,FULLY convinced that God was able to do what He had promised"!As a result, he bacame the father of many nations "just"because God said He would!!
I wonder what miracles would take place in our lives if we trusted God and gave all the glory to Him? I wonder what could we accomplish if we respected God's integrity as Abraham did? I wonder what boundaries would God remove if we stepped out in faith? My question to you my friends,how's your faith? Like Spike Lee use to say "do ya know,do ya know"? In other words,do you know that YOU are justified by God? Is this truth deeply embedded into your heart? Do you have joy,unspeakable joy?Praise God for His mercy that endures forever!!
Tamara Strickland-Benntt comments from Faith and Works: Christ our Righteousness! Ellen White clearly states in this chapter the need for us to be fully convinced that God is faithful.She goes on to say "God requires that we confess our sins and humble our hearts before Him;but at the same time we sholud have a CONFIDENCE in Him as a tender Father who will not forsake those who put thier trust in Him.Many of us walk by sight and not by faith". It is most important that we grow in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.Only through the merits of Christ will we be saved. Mrs.White states "In Him is our hope,our justification,our righteousness".Unfortunately,a lack of faith dishonors God. Mrs.White futher states,"...how little confidence we repose in Him who is able to save to the uttermost and who has given us every evidence of His great love"! I believe one of the greatest obstacles in God's way is unbelief.I believe He has great desire to bless us beyond our imaginations,but there is a lack of faith among His children. Let us today "untie" His hands and prepare to give thanks for the great blessing He has in store for us!!
I am submitting this silly story because I wish to get some help in how to understand Christ’s substitution, His taking of my place in death. How do you explain to people that Christ took their death? I don’t understand it and feel ill equipped to explain it to others. Please help me.
A parable about how Jesus saves us and from what He saves us. We messed up, we got an F. We failed the class. The consequence of our “sins” of procrastination and willful neglect of our duties as students mean for me personally, that I will be dropped from the program. Never to be allowed in again. So the dean of the seminary’s son, a brilliant young man with a 4.0 GPA steps in to “save” me from eternal ignorance and not just me but all students who have ever been here. All have done wrong and are unworthy of their status. (Bear with me; I am just really trying to understand.) So how does this savior save me from my sure condemnation? He takes my deficient GPA and gives me his perfect grades; he can do this because he is of the dean’s family. I now can stand tall before the dean. Through his son I am accepted. I do not have to leave this august place. His son took my place and gave me his. The dean now looks at his son and has to turn him away, ashamed of his son’s poor grades. The dean’s son gets the rejection letter; he took the lot I justly deserved. This savior knows that his father loves him. The son was hoping that in the end all things would work out for him as well as the students so that all could be in good relationship to the powerful dean. But when he actually feels the rejection of his own father, he thinks that that was the end. He is out, even though his dad is the dean. His dad won’t even talk to him. But later, the “resurrection” takes place. Because he is part of the deanhood, he is able to restore himself to the life of scholarship. So he is not out anymore, he is in where he has always been. Except that now he has with him some former slaves of the enemy, Sloth. These students are now so grateful for the dean’s family’s generosity and forgiveness manifested in the son’s sacrifice that they are no longer slothful. They have been transformed, they are changed students. The son now gets invited by these students to help them and together with a third special helper; these former uneducated rascals get wonderful grades, the grades that make a daddy dean proud.
Does this heretical parable resemble in any way how Christ’s salvation works?
Until I read this article, theologically, I believed that everyone in the human family from Adam and Eve until now was/is born with Adam’s sin innately within us. Not simply the aspect of a generational curse that has replicated itself from generation to generation, but we embodied the very sin that Adam committed. Admittedly, I had not read what Ellen G White wrote on the subject until now. EGW wrote, “Adam disobeyed, and entailed sin upon his posterity.” She was not saying that Adam himself, continues to live on directly in our nature, she charges that we as the posterity (descendents) of Adam could only inherit what has been passed down to us. Adam and Eve as the first parents of creation could not pass on a sinless nature, because they no longer possessed one. When Adam and Eve sinned, humankind became subject to the Law and/or placed under the penalty of the Law. I know the language may sound confusing, let me endeavor to explain this in simpler terms. I was adopted at two months old. I do not have any biological ties to my parents. However, even though I do not have biological ties to my parents, many of my character traits, worldview, customs, lifestyle, language, and habits, derived from my parents and/or the environment I was reared in from infancy. Now, my mother and father are not continuously living in me, their sins are not automatically replicated in me, but they were only able to pass on what they comprehended from their own human experience. The same occurred on a global scale with the onset of sin. Adam and Eve could only pass on what they understood and experienced in their human existence—a sinful nature. Romans 2:14 "for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel." When I read this scripture text, the question continuously comes to my mind. Will there be those who never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Heaven? Without doing extensive exegesis on this scripture passage, one could say that it supports the answer “yes” to the above question. It “seems” to say—there are those who have never been introduced to the Gospel, but even so, have the Law of God written in their hearts and reflected in their character. Verse 16 “seems” to support the notion that we cannot definitively judge yea or nay concerning those in this category. God is the sole judge of their eternal plight.
Salvation is about freedom from sin, but how shall we be free if we do not express our need for freedom – confession. The work of salvation, especially as it has to do with confession of sin is both vertical (the sinner to God) and horizontal (the sinner to fellow being for hurt done to others). But more than these, confession releases our spirit from the burden/weight of sin, pain, sadness into joy and gladness. The work of consecration, which in a sense carries the idea of sanctification, is also necessary for our salvation for we must surely be willing and actually seek God with all our hearts in order to remain within the confines of His saving grace. God did withhold anything in the plan of redemption and we too must seek Him unreservedly to experience full measure of His love. Faith is inevitable in relating with God (Heb.11:6), even least of heaven’s favor, we ought to pray and expect by faith receive our petition (Mark 11:24). Interestingly, God is so much in love with us (Jer.31:3) that He is willing to everything in our interest and for our good.
Reflection on “Christ Saved the Human Race” by Angel Manuel Rodriguez
It is clear from all the statements of Ellen White quoted in the article that she does not in any way promulgate or insinuate any tendency toward the thought of universal salvation irrespective of the individual’s choice. She rather consistently underline the importance of choice – “…if they would accept it….;” “….to the repentant, believing soul.”
This I believe is in keeping with Scripture (John 3:16; Acts 16:31).
Reading Some Theological Considerations of Perfection by Edward Heppenstall was helpful. He addressed misunderstandings that abounded in my home church when I was an early teen about “Perfection as sinlessness.” A couple of things were new to me:
The meaning of the Greek word Katartizo as “fully equipped.” One area in which I was left wishing for more was in his discussion of grace. He agreed with his opponents that GRACE is only for sinners. While this may be true, I was not convinced. I’d like to do a study on this subject. Regarding the use of Daniel 8:14 to apply to individual believers as the sanctuaries that need cleansing; and that they will be totally PERFECT (consciously sinless) to live during the “close of probation” seems like a ridiculous thing to argue against. I am glad to have read this though, because chances are I will meet some precious soul repeating this idea like a parrot which can’t think for itself.
According to Paulsen, salvation by faith includes justification and sanctification because both are a direct result of faith in the merits and power of Christ in and through the believer. In fact, he believes it is trap to divide the subject into what God does for me and what I do for myself because it all “starts from faith and ends in faith.”
He further expands faith as both objective (information outside my person and experience – Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior) and subjective (when I submit to or trust in Him). He argues that true faith involves obedience to Christ and to His message. Indeed, faith does not glory in its works, it is only a means by which a believer appropriates the grace of God; no wonder Paul postulates: “….not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:9.
It therefore becomes reasonable to perceive of faith not in historical terms (Jesus of history) but in practical terms (Jesus’ invitation: “follow me…”) and thus we become His disciples and living examples of faith in action. At this level, faith translates from information to personal experience and becomes meaningful and beneficial.
But faith also points to the future for it “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb.11:1. It such a faith that propels us on a progressive forward press in our spiritual pilgrimage: "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13, 14).
In essence, salvation by faith simply presupposes that a holy God is inviting His sinful, disobedient and rebellious creatures into fellowship with Him, not as a result of their merit or goodness. It (salvation by faith) speaks of the justification of a sinner in terms of legal standing before God and a relationship with Him (God) that transforms the sinner into a life of righteousness. In fact, I agree with Paulsen that “ Righteousness by faith means to look continually and exclusively to the risen Lord …. The one who is justified in Christ lives continually in Him. Herein lies our assurance, our rest, our fulfillment, security, and victory.”
Comments by Tamara Strickland-Bennett from Steps to Christ:The Sinners need of Christ. It does not matter how many times I read Steps to Christ, it still helps me grow spiritually.In the chapter mentioned above,sister White makes clear our need of a Saviour.She emphasizes the fact that we all must have God's intervention on our behalf through Jesus,if we are to live eternally. Man is powerless to change in his own strength.Sister White states "Man's nature became so weakened through trangression that it was impossible for him in his own strength, to resist the power of evil". In the world we live today, many people believe that man has a good nature.Many beleive if man exercises enough will power and self discipline,man can do good without any outside intervention. In this chapter, sister White boldly refutes the myths of man nature being "naturally" good. Sister White states, "Education,culture,the exercise of will all have their proper sphere,but they are powerless.They may produce an outward correctness of behavior,but they can not change the heart, they can not purify the..life". Jesus has said in His word, without ME, you can do nothing.In order to be saved, one must realize his/her need of a Saviour.Day by day,one must ask Christ into the heart,for this is the ony way we can experience the second birth. Through God, the works of Christ provide all the needs we have in order to be saved.Sister White states,"The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death.In giving His Son,He poured out to us all heaven in one Gift". This quote brings to mind;Oh what manner of love is this that we sholud be called the children of God!Christ Is truly our righteousness.
“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man).)” At first glance, I will admit to slight confusion over this text. I wasn’t sure whether Paul was talking about mankind in general, the Jews vs. the Gentiles, the Jews only, or the fact that we are sinful beings by nature, who can overcome sin through the righteousness of Christ. Admittedly, I’m still not certain. I need to do a lot more than surface reading to come to a conclusion. However, for now, I’m going to take the angle of just the Jews (but, there is present day application to all the people of God). Paul “seems” to be saying that even though the Jews have been given the “oracles of God”, and are the chosen people of God—their acts of piety are outward expressions of righteous living, but inwardly, there is unrighteousness. The question—is God unjust to judge our inward unrighteousness, even though we have been given the “oracles of God?” “Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?” God judges the inward man, because ultimately, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” One can only fake it for so long, before all bottoms out and the true self comes to fruition. “For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?” This scripture text reminds me of a time in my life where I thought going to church once a week, and listening to gospel music, while at the same time living my life contrary to God’s Word would gain some brownie points. I thought these “pious” acts would put some stars by my name in the book of life, even though I new my life was not in accordance to scripture. Bottom line, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Be authentic in Christ inside and out.
Why Did Jesus Die? George Reid This really did not answer the questions I had in my mind but what a paper. It took me so long to get through it because every few sentences I had to let it soak it and it lead me to worship. What the Lord has done for us?! Praise Jesus that we have been reconciled. He talked about God’s love as a force, a principle, “But as used in the Bible, love is a power word, not a soft fuzzy. Love is aggressive: God at work tracking us down to help us. Love is a principle …the answer is that God's love is an unshakable commitment, inviolable, a predisposition in our favor that cannot be discouraged. Divine love-there is no way to shake it or deter it. It is a relentless pursuit by a God eager to help, one who never gives up. In this sense God is love.” What a sentence, what a thought!!! My questions may seem very elementary, however, I think the more I hear and am aware of salvation the more I want to understand and know each detail including the very elementary. Why it is that it was Jesus who had to die? Who determined the wages of sin, that the second death was its penalty? Could not someone else have borne all the sins? Of course someone else (human) would not have been able to be raised from the dead to conquer death, but was a resurrection necessary in order for salvation to be fulfilled? There is a lot that I don’t understand along with a lot of other people. Sin and salvation are so much bigger than what we give them credit for, the more we understand it, I believe, the more we will truly understand that sacrifice of Christ. Steps to Christ Ch 4 Her chapter on confession is very simple and to the point. She retells the story of Adam and Eve, they did not truly confess for the only made excuses. How often we do the same? The beautiful thing is that Christ is with us and helps us even with our confessions and then the transformation required. Romans Ch 4 God sometimes gets a bad reputation for being exclusive. But when I read this chapter it is so clear that God’s chosen are chosen for the explicit purpose of brining others to Him, and not for the sake of just being chosen. For this reason Abraham was chosen as were the Jews. But often the being chosen idea becomes so comfortable that the chosen forget the purpose for which they were chosen.
Reading the article on “Justification and the Cross”, one gets the sense in the first portion of the essay that sin is inescapable. Dr Rodriquez argues quite eloquently from textual analysis that sin and its effects are universal and terminal. By analyzing the linguistic force of the prepositions, one wonders who then can be saved. The point is that no one can be saved. He argues that the cross was an event of grace because it gave man an opportunity for another chance. In Romans 5 Paul contrasts our status with God before sin and our status with God after sin. He shows the contrast by using the word afotiori, or how much more than. He uses reason and logic to show that salvation make more sense than sin, in that, salvation has many more benefits to the recipient than sin does. This includes the fact that one is free and the other one must work for. As I think about the contrast, I think about the role of consecration. I read that when I was “still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die…. when I was still a sinner, Christ died for me 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! Chapter 5 of Steps to Christ deals with consecration. I see it in the context of a proper response of the soul to God’s grace. I guess I would define consecration, in the context of inescapable death and ever increasing grace, as “rejoicing in the grace in which I stand.” Consecration is giving up our entire selves to God by asking the question: “What has Christ given for me?” So that, it is a matter of giving myself to God unreservedly, because God gave Himself unreservedly to me.
I have been sick, so I am posting my previous blogs that I wrote but didn't post.
In the article: Christ Saved the Human Race, Dr Angel Manuel Rodriguez gives several angles on how Jesus saved us and what it cost him to do so. He gives five things for us to contemplate. 1. All Belong to Christ Through Creation and Redemption. 2. Christ Has the Deed of Possession. 3. Christ Paid the Price as a Gift to Us. 4. Through Redemption Christ Gained the Right to Rescue Us. 5. Christ ransomed us by taking our Sin on Him. These reasons alone are cause for rejoicing, but for some reason we think that God wants more works from us than he does faith. In the question of what means more to God, the text for this week comes to mind: Romans 4. The Protestant treatise on righteousness by faith through the example of Abraham. As many Bible texts as they are in Scripture, I think none perplex Adventists more than Romans 4:22-25. It reads: “This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Paul says that when we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, delivered for our sins and raised to life, and then God will credit to us righteousness. Our obedience doesn’t commend us to God. According to this passage faith in Jesus Christ is the focal point of our salvation. The theme of Hebrews is to “consider Jesus, fix you eyes on Jesus, and keep looking to Jesus. The fight of faith seems harder than the fight of maintaining works. In chapter 4 of SC, Confession is discussed in detail. Confession is hard because I can’t work to confess. I have to ask God to reveal to me myself and I must agree with the revelation. I don’t confess to a thing, a teaching or a law. I confess to a person. I must ask a person for forgiveness. It would be easier to work than to maintain personal faith in a Person everyday. There is no break from that kind of faith.
In “Justification in Romans 3:21-24”, by Dr. Rodriguez, he argues that v 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God is applicable to all humans. It applies to them in the past because all have literally sinned, but it has a present tense application in that all continue to fall short. This reality gives me hope of truly accepting righteousness by faith and Christ as my complete atonement. It is hard to get it through my head, because I used to be a Pharisee and a legalist. There is a psychological phenomenon of balancing out wrong things with good things and it has just stuck with me no matter how much I preach, teach and study grace. Sometime I feel as if I must right some of my wrongs and feel a little sorry before I come to Jesus. Ellen White says that, “They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Savior. But must the sinner wait till he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Savior? The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ,” I have been studying Ellen White early letters and manuscript on the topic of righteousness by faith. She talks about in one place about how people feel as if they must be on probation before that can receive forgiveness. They must prove themselves before they receive cleansing. I sometimes wonder if God will keep accepting me after I have done whatever for the tenth time. I have to remind myself of the reality of what E. E. Cleveland call an imperfect perfect. Brennan Manning says Christian will always have a victorious limp. It seems as if we only gain victory as we admit defeat.
I think that a point of Paul argument or better put, his thesis of Romans 1 is that faith produces obedience. Although salvation is in sense an objective gift from God, we can only appropriate it efficacy in our individual lives by a subjective response – faith in the power of the gospel – faith in Christ (Romans 1:16).
Our salvation is entirely based on faith – faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, whether it be called justification, sanctification, glorification or whatever else. IT BEGINS BY FAITH, CONTINUES BY FAITH AND WILL END BY FAITH.
In Romans two, Paul focuses on the means of this righteousness. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and obedience leads to eternal life (Romans 2:7), in other words, obedience makes our calling in Christ sure. Invariably, disobedience brings upon us the indignation and wrath of God (Romans 2:8-9). But justification is the result of obedience to the law of God (Romans 2:13).
Reading Romans again has really been a blessing for me.I guess it does not matter how many times you read the bible,it always gives a new perspective.Reflecting on chapter 6,we are admonished to walk in the "newness of life" How I love verse 4.We are told that we have recieved a "new"start.We do'nt have to allow the old life to terrify us. God's grace really is sufficient.Not only do we have a new life in Christ,but we will be raised to a new life because of His grace and our submission to His Holy Spirit--who is working in us til the day of Jesus! Verse 9:says that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again.This verse brings to mind Revlation 1:17:Fear not,I am the first and the last the LIVING ONE,I died and behold I AM alive forevermore,and I HAVE THE KEYS TO DEATH AND HELL!!!I think of the song when we all get to heaven,what a day of rejoicing that will be,when we all see Jesus we will SHOUT the victory! We are alive to God in Christ Jesus and dead in sin. Now I do'nt profess to know all the steps that lead to eternal life,but this I do know--He that hath promised is FAITHFUL.I can leave myself in His Hands and KNOW He will bring me through.Surely,if He has given me victory in thife, He will give the ultimate victory--eternal life!!
The article “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T was the most helpful I have yet read so far on the meaning of justification. It is also long...
The following paragraphs were particularly insightful to me: “…justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves. On the other hand, judgment according to works guards the doctrine of the justification of the ungodly from meaning the justification of ungodliness. If there is a judgment according to works, then justification must mean that the lives of the justified are claimed by Christ and that they are called to live for Him who died for them (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).” This sentence is succinct: “In terms of the actual data of Scripture, it is a fiction to believe that justification does not relate us to the rule of Christ as Lord or that the judgment does not relate us to the work of Christ as Saviour.”
This line sounds just like my own teacher Dr. Martin Hanna “I would affirm that the rubrics and content of our theology must be large enough to accommodate all the data of divine revelation.”
“Generally when the concept of the new creation is introduced, people think first in terms of sanctification, in the sense of moral growth. But, as we see from 2 Corinthians 5 and Romans 4, the new creation is most immediately related to justification and reconciliation.” I am so grateful for God’s salvation of me!
All humanity needs grace there is none righteous (Romans 3:10) in that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Therefore, it logically follows that the provision of salvation (objective) is for all humanity. However, because all have sinned, no one is justified to by the standard or requirement of the law to stand before God (Romans 3:20). Notwithstanding, God is in mercy, has revealed His righteousness which is not by works of our own efforts and which the law (Gen.15:6) and the prophets confirm (Romans 3:21). True righteousness comes only by faith in Christ.
It is easy to misinterpret Paul's conclusion in Romans 3:28: "...that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" especially when we loose sight of his preceding argument. Paul from the outset of the chapter had endeavored to show that all humanity have sinned and that by the standard of the law, all merit death. Therefore, he concludes in verse 28 that we are not saved because we met the standard/requirement of the law, rather, we are saved because we exercise faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ to justify us before God. And because he did not by his argument disregard the Decalogue, he therefore establishes it in verse 31 saying, "...we establish the law."
On the justification of Abraham, Paul argues that he (Abraham) was justified by faith and not works, therefore he could not boast about it (Romans 4:1-3). When work is involved, it is no longer of grace (Romans 4:4). We can only talk of grace when favor is done not as a result of merit (Romans 4:5).
Interestingly, Abraham was accounted righteous or received the imputed grace when he was yet to be circumcised. Thus, the gift of God - salvation through and by Christ is for all - circumcised and uncircumcised (Romans 4:9-10). The promise of justification was not limited to Abraham and literal Israel, but to all who believe in the righteousness by faith (Romans 4:13).
But the resurrection of Christ makes for the efficacy of our justification, for if Christ did nor resurrect, how shall we have died with Him to our sinful nature and have any hope of living a new life of righteousness? (Romans 4:25).
Reading over Romans 5 again with particular attention to issues pertaining of justification, sanctification and glorification, which has been the central theme of our discussions in class and indeed the heart of the works of Christ, has been very rewarding as equally challenging.
In Romans 5, Paul endeavored to show how sin came into this world and its universal sway (result in particular) over humanity. But he also speaks of the advent of grace into this world and its more powerful influence on humanity.
May I at this point make the following submission: 1. That there is sense in which we are all sinners in Adam not by any act of our own volition (Romans 5:12, 14; 3:10, 23), but there is yet another sense in which we are sinners by our own choices (Romans 5:12). 2. Interestingly, there is also a sense in which we are all righteous in Christ not by any effort of our own; and still another sense in which righteousness requires our subjective (cooperation) experience. 3. Thus, we can speak of objective sin and objective grace and as well of subjective sin and subjective grace (Romans 5:8, 10, 18-19).
I think Paul in Romans 5 moved a step further on discourse (the means of salvation) which started chapter. In chapter 3, he had emphatically stated that sin is of a universal influence from which none is free (Romans 3:10, 23), which presupposes invariable that the gift of God (justification – righteousness by faith) must also be of universal impact. And then in chapter 4, he uses the experience of Abraham to demonstrate how this experience of God’s grace (righteousness by faith) is for both the Jews and Gentiles – all humanity. He seem to struck his main point in chapter 5 by showing how sin came into the world (both in an objective and subjective sense) and how righteousness came into the world both in an objective and subjective sense.
But the point is, “where sin abounds, grace abounds even much more.”
Hepenstall insightfully wrote: “Salvation in Christ alone means that the bias to sin in human nature is too strong and overwhelming to be dealt with apart from moment by moment trusting in Christ and in His power to save.” I have seen two extremes regarding perfection. One says that we can get rid of our sinful nature and that’s what it means to be perfect. The other says that because we can not have our sinful nature eradicated until the Second Coming of Christ, then we may just keep struggling with the same old selfishness that have characterized us all our lives. In this posting I am arguing against this last extreme yet without advocating for the first.
What does it mean that fallen humans will always have a “sinful nature?” After God gets their mind so they don’t covet and they have gotten to love God supremely and others as much as they love themselves, how does the “sinful nature manifest itself? Maybe it will be that this side of eternity no one can have pure thoughts 100% of the time and to love God and people without ever deviating?
If having pure thoughts all the time and loving God and people without interruptions are idealistic impossibilities, then are we not saying that God is asking us to have a virtually impossible lifestyle? Has he not promised that that He will live this life out within us? How would God not be lying, or at least setting us up for failure and discouragement by calling us to reach heights that he would know are not attainable, not even with His help?
There is no question that humanly speaking putting others first, loving them so much to be willing to lay down our lives for them is impossible. But has He not said that this is what He wants us to do and that he will do it in us?
Why would Jesus equate murderous anger with the act of homicide if He knew that we couldn’t stop being revengeful even though He said He’d give us a new heart?
Was God kidding us when he was calling us to love one another as He loves us? Or could it be that we after trying and failing at LOVE, God’s kind, have concluded on pragmatic grounds that it really is not possible yet until we are changed? Did Jesus not come to save us from our sin of selfishness? It is only junk that he wants us to turn over to him so that he can make our lives better.
Like Paul, I know in my mind and heart that I am not perfectly loving God and His people without interruptions, but must I make excuses for my lack of commitment and pad myself with the hope that He will change me later when he said he wants to do it now? The truth I want Him to do it now. The job in progress comforts me. But God forbid that I stop letting Him grow me, or let the devil laugh at my lack of surrender as I excuse lack of tact to my helpless condition when the Bible promises that the there is One who is ready to help.
Does the Bible suggest that a Christian could live “in Spirit” on a permanent basis or does it teach that the believer must keep going back and forth? Based on the experience many say that there is no other way, we keep going back and forth between living in the spirit and the flesh. Shall we live by faith or by sight? What about characters such as Daniel in Scripture who, like a needle, seemed to be constantly faithful to the pole? Is his story an isolated one, or may be, you’d say, we just don’t have his falling in and out of love experiences recorded in the Bible?
To me, the best thing that Jesus has offered me is the opportunity of a better life, not just there, but here too. How much more fulfilled and meaningful my life will be here is directly dependant on my degree of surrender and closeness with Him. While it is important to be acquainted with not only the rottenness of humanity’s nature but with our personal bias toward sin, we must not forget that it is God who calls us to be perfect in our human sphere. This same God is already experienced in making saints out of sinners.
I wonder what Enoch or Elijah think when they hear that we don’t believe it is possible for humans like they to get so close to God here and now. Would they agree that, since we can’t seem to get the victories we so desperately need, we just wait for transformation at translation? Or might they suggest that this is a dangerous idea that might be keeping us from letting God take us to the heights he has for us?
Reading; Romans 3 and 4. Steps to Christ; The Sinners need of Christ, Aricle; Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works by Ivan T. Blazen
While reading the article I must say that I felt confused, the author couldn´t quite make his point I felt, but anyway the discussion was about Justification by faith and Judgment according to works. And it is well worth our time to give attention to understand this matter to the fullest. As complicated as I thought the article was, I felt reading Ellen White�s chapter was like God´s explanation to me, I believe God doesn�t want this to be a complicated matter, God wants us to understand! And Romans 3 and 4 did fill in and support everything EGW writes. Well, while reading, It came to my mind how or why I felt I was drawn to the Gospel of Christ some 12 years ago. I can surely say that I had come to know how this world was and many of it´s disappointments. And I can remember how at a certain time in my life I really felt the need to have purity in my life and to be able to see the beauty of life instead of it´s ugliness which I thought was all around me(in people´s character). In my heart I knew that this purity was to be found with God and I remember that all I really wanted, was to know this God of beauty, justice and love. It never occurred to me that I wouldn´t have to change as well. But when I came to know the gospel and ´people who were believers, suddenly there was this big debate about faith and works, people arguing whether they had to follow the ten commandmends or not. And for me it was like well of course we have to, in the commandments you can find the beauty of God. So the years went on and I could see more and more people struggling with the fact that they were not seeking for purity and love in their lives, they wanted to be justified by God but they somehow didn´t want the likeness of God´s character. For me this goes hand in hand and the Bible is clear about that our faith is enough but the Bible also says that our works will follow - Faith will work in us. If you want to know God, it should be because you have come to know that HE has all the beauty in this world. He is the Only One to bring love and beauty into our lives. I can see in Romans that this debate is not starting nowadays, Paul had to go through a lot of explanations to get this message through. "There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who seeks after God". And EGW writes about our condition as fallen human beings, she says that after the fall "man could no longer find joy in holiness, such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart". So I quess my final conclusion is that those who come to God and Jesus for the right reasons will also be blessed with the changing of character, not that God will justify us because of our character but because we saw the beauty of HIS character and we had faith!. After all why did God in the first place have to throw out Lucifer and his angels? We should never try to become anything, God will make us into something(something wonderful) because HE is who HE is. "There is no true excellence of character apart form Him".EGW
“Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10” Article written by: Angel Manuel Rodriguez
"Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe (1 Tim 4:10)." As I read this passage of scripture, I personally do not see universal salvation, but then again, we normally view things with our preconceived notions and or afore learned knowledge. For the critical thinker, (putting aside my theological understanding) I can see where (at first glance) one can believe this scripture is talking about universal salvation. After all, there seems to be a distinction made between men in general being saved and “especially of those who believe.” One could think this passage communicates that Christ is the Savior for “all men”, yet there are those who will have a “special” salvation. However, I must agree with the writer of this article—this view presents a serious problem especially considering all the Old and New Testament passages that describe the destruction of the wicked. “There is the possibility of understanding the phrase ‘the Savior of all men’ on the basis of 1 Tim 2:4, that is to say, that God is the Savior of all in the sense that He desires ‘all men to be saved.’ Then, the phrase ‘especially of those who believe’ would designate those who have accepted the offer of salvation by faith in Christ. In other words, God desires all to be saved and has done everything necessary to save them, but He is the actual Savior of those who believe.” Rodriquez discusses the Greek to shed better light on this passage, he talks about recent studies showing the word malista was also used to define in a more precise way what preceded it and could be translated into English as “that is, in other words” or similar expressions. Yet another reason why studying the biblical languages are extremely important. After learning this bit of information, here is another translation of this scripture passage—“Because we have our hope set on the living God, who if the Savior of all men, that is of those who believe.”
Reading: Steps to Christ; Repentance, Romans 4, Article; Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White author; Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I really did like this article and I even had some revelations reading it. Isn´t it strange how the different phrasing of words can suddenly open up our eyes. I must admit that I have dealt/struggled a lot with this concept of Sin and the fact whether we humans sin because of our own acts or because Satan is constantly tempting us to sin. I have dealt with the question; who is really to blame? And the article, I felt, did answer my question on that topic in a certain way. When Adam sinned or departed from God, he could no longer resist Satans temptations which brings to mind that Satan was the one who tempted Adam and Eve. Well who in fact did then tempt Lucifer in the beginning, well I quess that is a question I will have to struggle with as well until it becomes clear to me. But nevertheless I did understand better how much we are in a need for savior because ever since Adam and Eve sinned, humanity cannot on it´s own shield themselves from evil/Satan unless God intervenes. God will have to help us, and Jesus Christ was and is the one who will act as our mediator there. Jesus is the one who will help us overcome what Satan is constantly trying to force us to do. We are like little children without any power to decide how our lives will turn out. For instance when we are small children we have no power over our parents..they are the ones who determine everything for us. And it really makes a difference what character our parents have because that will determine our reality as children. So it is the same with our religious walk , if our father is God, Jesus Christ then our reality is that we will overcome evil, but having Satan as a father, then our reality, our lives become miserable, destructive and hateful. For me it seems that we could say “Sin” is in fact this departing from God which occurred with Adam, and therefore we are all apart from God since Adam was our earthly representative and earthly father. But if we choose not to have Sin in our lives we should turn to God because then no longer are we departed from Him. God will then give us the power to overcome Satans accusations and lies and temptations. Wow, isn´t that wonderful, without Jesus in our lives we will never be able to overcome evil…so that is why He is our Savior!!! Romans 4 also talks about how important faith is in our lives, just as importans as it was for Abraham, we should never forget that we are living by Grace even though God chooses to perform wonderful works within us. Ellen White talks about David and how clear he saw his Sin. David had the right mindset and the kind of heart that God liked. David longed to be purified and to overcome the Sin in his life, to be close to God and the Glory that is available when we come to Jesus Christ. Let us all remember at all times that we have a choice at all times…to be led by God´s beautiful Spirit or not…I pray that God will help us all to understand that this is a matter of life and death, everysingle day!.
How Perfect is “Perfect or is Christian Perfection Possible? Article by Edward Heppenstall
In the church I grew up in, Christian perfection was highly stressed. However, I do not believe they did a good job of preaching and teaching what Christian perfection really means. I grew up believing it was impossible for me to be “saved”. Every time I thought about getting saved, or went to the front altar in the sanctuary to be saved—after praying, rising from the altar, and walking down the aisle, I may have a negative thought. Now all of a sudden, I’m no longer saved! Unfortunately, I fell prey to this curse until my mid-late twenties (when I had left the church I grew up in, joined another church and learned the fallacy of my traditional understanding of being “saved” (salvation). In this article Edward Heppenstall talks about those who believe Christian perfection is possible. At first glance, I disagree with these people, but then, you can look at this from more than one angle. There are those who believe at the point of becoming a Christian, we move into an advanced state of self-righteousness—as long as we control our outward actions and maintain Christian expectations, we are living a sinless life. There are those who believe the sinful nature is taken away once we become Christians—we eventually loose the ability to sin. I do not agree with the previous examples of Christian perfection, I believe this scripture passage, among many, gives a solid biblical framework: “O wretched man that I am. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 7:24-8:2)” After studying the Word of God and realizing that semantics plays are part in the phrase “Christian Perfection”, I have come to realize that Christian perfection is indeed possible. It is not anything within ourselves, it’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to overcome sin. Of course we have to be totally submitted to the speaking, leading, and working of the Spirit. It is the righteousness of Christ that clothes us, it’s not our righteousness, (that in itself is an oxymoron) man doesn’t possess his own righteousness. When we claim sinless perfection we are saying that we no longer need the power of the Holy Spirit, we no longer need the righteousness of Christ to cleanse/cover us. There is a difference between Christian perfection and sinless perfection. In simple terms—Christian perfection is total surrender to the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in your heart and mind. Sinless perfection claims that the ability to sin, the propensity to sin no longer exist within you. Therefore the work of the Holy Spirit is no longer needed in your heart and mind.
In Romans 6, Paul argues for a balance between grace and law – we can not continue in sin as believers, simply because we are saved by grace (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Otherwise, there is no sense having the law at all. I think this is in agreement with Dr. Hanna’s holistic approach to hermeneutics. If salvation is a once for life experience irrespective of what we do, then grace is meaningless and the law void. But since by baptism we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection into newness of life, it therefore, follows that the experience of salvation is a continuous daily process throughout lifetime.
In Romans 6, Paul argues for a balance between grace and law – we can not continue in sin as believers, simply because we are saved by grace (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Otherwise, there is no sense having the law at all. I think this is in agreement with Dr. Hanna’s holistic approach to hermeneutics. If salvation is a once for life experience irrespective of what we do, then grace is meaningless and the law void. But since by baptism we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection into newness of life, it therefore, follows that the experience of salvation is a continuous daily process throughout lifetime.
Here the apostle takes his point further, a woman is bound to her husband as long he lives and is at liberty to remarry only if he dies (Romans 7:1-3). In the same manner, we can not claim to belong to Christ or to be righteous as long as sin still abides or reigns in our lives (Romans 7:4). Furthermore, Paul shows that the experience of salvation is a daily on-going process through life, else, he would not talk of his personal struggle and failures in attempt to righteousness (Romans 7:15-24). And therefore, even the process of sanctification as it is with justification, is a gift from God - by grace.
In Romans 8:1, Scripture reveals that even after the experience of justification, we are free from the condemnation of the law only as we “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” And this would imply that the experience of justification is the beginning of the process of a life-long experience of salvation which includes sanctification. It is by Christ (His merits), that we are freed from the condemnation of the law of sin and empowered to live a life of righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2-4). Hence, if we are carnally minded, then we have no hope of life and are sure to die, even eternally (Romans 8:6-8).
But and in fact, if the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, then we are bound to live a newness of life by the same Spirit as Christ did (Romans 8:10-14). Interestingly, only those who are led by the Spirit or who live by the will of the Spirit are truly the children of God (Romans 8:14). It is this same Spirit that assures us that we are children of God and heirs of the promise of glory by faith (Romans 8:17-18). It follows then that salvation is a holistic experience – justification, sanctification and glorification (Romans 8:1, 17-18). Verses 21-39 speaks of the experience of the fullness of salvation in the future. This again concurs with Dr. Hanna’s holistic view of salvation in the past (justification), present (sanctification) and future (glorification).
Student; Ragnheidur Olafsdottir ( Lala) Reading Material;1) BRI Article; Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez., 2) Romans 5. 3)The chapter of Confession in Steps to Christ.
Reading the article on “Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification” brought to my mind a discussion Dr.Hannah had with us in class few weeks ago. Dr.Hannah was telling us about the quarrel that is going on between BRI and some other institution which I can´t remember the name of, and the quarrel seems to go on about this topic of universal justification. The article was a good one but I must say that what I felt was needed in the article was a definition of what this term” Legal universal justification means”. In fact the whole article was just opposing to this understanding of the Scripture instead of explaining what the terms means. But by reading the article I can understand a bit what this is all about. Some years ago I did a sermon on a topic similar to this. And the sermon was about our salvation and how we don´t realize what Christ has done for “everyone”. I made an analogy of it, saying that our state of mind is much like staying still in prison while the doors to the prison were widely open. Thus I explained that what was needed for humanity was to act out and run for their lives out through the prison door. So what Jesus has really done for us was setting us free(release the captives) but many of us don´t realize that the door is open, or we don´t believe that it could be true. And since we don’t act out our faith we will still stay in that prison even though we could easily walk out. But to be able to do that One would need faith, faith to stand up and believe that the door was open. When a person would be out there at last, a new life would await that person( the life in Christ). Having preached this sermon years ago I still feel that I can go with this story of Salvation(but it only explains partly what Salvation is all about, rather our state of mind before Salvation, our access to Christ) but while reading Ellen White´s chapter on confession and repentance, I realize that those are elements that we also need in order to get out of that prison. The author of the article argues strongly against the belief that all are universally justified without faith, and I agree with the author(Romans 5:1)…but then again it is also true that all are justified because what Christ did for us, the grace(but Grace only works for those who act out in faith, even though it is offered to all)…But since we have taken on a holistic thinking in this class(and hopefully for the future) we will have to think in a much broader sense. So for me it sometime helps to paint a little picture like I did with the prison. People understand such analogies because Paul is sometimes a little bit to complicated even for us Seminarians. Well I could go on about this topic but I think this would become an essay if I would continue any further. SO blessings to all of you! Lala.
A General Conference Committee in 1980 put together the paper entitled The Dynamics of Salvation. In it they proposed:
“The law of God, which is an expression of His character, plays a central role in this controversy. Lucifer denied the justice and goodness of the law, rejected its authority, and claimed that it could not be obeyed; he and his subjects continue to oppose it.”
This proposition seems based on writings of the most influential founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mrs. Ellen G. White.
“From the first the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable.” {PP 69.1}
Can this thought be defended from the Bible? Since E.G. White does not use Bible references to defend these thoughts; where did she get them from? Did the book Question on Doctrine edited by LeRoy Froom attempt to defend this idea of the "Great Controversy?"
The experience of salvation is not tied to any form of biological lineage (as with Ismael) but of faith (as with Isaac) – Romans 9:4-9. A quick glance at verses 10-24 may give an impression that God shows favoritism (especially in the case of Esau and Jacob) – “The elder shall serve the younger…I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Romans 9:12,15). However, the point Paul presses forward in this context is that salvation is not in any way based on biological origin (as with Esau and Jacob of the same parents), sex or age, but on faith or character – they chose their ways – they decided their destinies.
In Romans 10:1, Paul pours out his deep heart’s desire for Israel – that they might be saved. In other words, being an Israelite in the flesh is not a guarantee for salvation as much as being a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church is not an automatic assurance of salvation – it comes by knowing and accepting the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3).
But how is Christ the end of the law? Does accepting Him (Jesus Christ) give us liberty from the obligation(s) of the law? Romans 10:4. Is Paul not saying that Christ fulfilled all the requirement of the law for those who by faith believe in Him? Romans 10:6-7.
There is no distinction or advantage of one over the other (between the Jew and the Gentile), anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Salvation is not exclusive (as to say it only for the literal Israelites), but inclusive – ALL humanity (including the Gentiles). Romans 1017-21.
God's remnant in this present dispensation is constituted by the election of grace - not of works or any form of merit (Romans 11:5-6). It is therefore all-inclusive for both the literal and spiritual Israelites. Having been grafted into the plan of salvation, the Gentiles also drink and are nourished from the same root as the literal Jews (Romans 11:17). The experience of salvation (whether justification, sanctification, or glorification) begins and ends in Christ, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever, Amen. Romans 11:36.
But why emphasis on works - holy living, If salvation is by grace "without the deeds of the law?" Certainly, not the intent of the apostle Paul, for he has been consistent from the beginning of the epistle to this point, expressing in various manner how faith must produce works or it is not faith at all.
Daily dependence on God and transformation into His likeness is essential for the sustenance of the experience of salvation (Romans 12:1-2). It entails total surrender of self to God in service. It is only then that our service will be reasonable and be in accordance with "that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2b
In reading through Ellen White’s Steps to Christ chapters 4 – 6, I came across some interesting points of which I would like to highlight in this reflection. In Chapter 4, dealing with confession Ellen White makes a distinction which I never saw so clearly before. She said, quoting the scriptures that we should confess our ‘faults’ to each other and our ‘sins’ to God, she writes, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16. Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another.” Growing up I had always heard that we should confess our sins to each other and I had always wondered about that. I am still not 100% sure whether this statement directly addresses this issue but it seems to be the text which people use to put forward the point that we should confess our sins one to another. I would like to look into this further. In chapter 5 on Consecration, Ellen White spoke a lot about giving yourself 100% to God. She mentions that some people are afraid to do this because somehow they have a distorted image of God and think that He does not have their best interest at heart; when in fact he is working to bring us joy. She writes a very powerful paragraph which I will quote. She says, “God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction.” That’s awesome. In Chapter 6 on Faith and Acceptance, she seemed to be balancing the fact that this step is a work that only God can bring about in us, yet there is much that we must do in order for this step to be completed in us. On the one had God offers us a change of heart which we pray for and receive in faith. However, we must then act on that belief that we have been changed and as we act out what God has done within us, He gives us the power to live a changed life.
In reading through some of the articles online I came across some interesting points for discussion which I will go over here. In the “Comments on the ‘In Adam/In Christ’ Motifs by Angel Rodriguez, he highlights the issues facing the Adventist church and the 1888 Study Committee concerning the ‘in Adam, in Christ’ issue. In this article I see the importance of doing theology as Pastor Hanna has outlined for us in class, which is to not only have a slogan or idea which is repeated but to be able to clearly articulate what we mean when we say certain phrases and to understand the theological impact of that phrase. Also the fact that our theology must be Bible based and big enough to cover everything the bible says. Rodriguez points out that, “The 1888 Study Committee as not clearly stated what they mean by their realistic understanding of the phrase ‘in Adam.’” He also shows how some of their understandings can lead to beliefs contrary to the Bible. As Dr. Hanna points out it is important to have our theology grow out of the Bible instead of coming up with a theology and then reading into the Bible what we need to support our theology. In, “The Dynamics of Salvation,” I found another interesting issue. Sometimes persons may be tempted to take credit to their exercise of faith as a requirement for salvation. But there is no credit or merit given by the exercise of faith that makes us worthy of being saved. The author states, “There is no merit in faith itself. We are not saved by faith but by grace: ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith’ (Eph. 2:8); ‘There is nothing in faith that makes it our saviour.’ (Ellen White).” There remains nothing that we can do to merit salvation; it is a free gift of God. In the article by Heppenstall on Perfection, somehow to me he seems not to be clear on what exactly his final position is on perfection. This is why I said that. At first he seems to be making the case that no one can be perfect because the Bible as he points out never describes perfect as being sinless, but more of a spiritual maturity. However, he goes on and gives the example of Peter taking his eyes off of Jesus and gives the impression that if we never take our eyes off of Jesus then we can be sinless or perfect. Yet he quotes 1 John 1:8-10 that we all have sin. In the end he resolves that perfection is not possible, but that Jesus’ righteousness covering us. I still need some help to sort this out.
Reading through Romans chapters 4 – 6, I came across some issues that were challenging and I tried to reflect on what Paul was trying to convey. In chapter 4 Paul seems to be again driving home the fact that what we do does not merit salvation. In addition to this of course he is dealing with the issue of circumcision. But he points out that Abraham, because of his faith got imputed righteousness even before he was circumcised. The circumcision as Paul puts it was a sign or seal of the righteousness. Paul argues that this was done in this way so that the promise would go to everyone, both the circumcised and uncircumcised. It was by faith that Abraham had righteousness imputed unto him not because of the deed of circumcision. In chapter 5 was where I struggled to grasp exactly what Paul was getting at. At face value it seemed that since everyone ended up in sin through Adams sin then all would be saved through Jesus Christ automatically. However, in thinking about this there is actually is choice involved. This is what I came up with; someone can respond and let me know what they think. Adam’s sin caused all of us to have a sinful or fallen human nature; hence we experience the effects of sin. Yet we have all, at one point or another chosen to sin just as Adam did. Through Adam’s sin we were ALL made servants to sin. But through Christ’s death we ALL have a way out of sin. But there is still a choice to be made. Will we accept Christ’s way out of this mess or will we continue in rebellion? It is this choice that Paul seems to be examining in chapter 6. He asks the question should we continue in sin then, seeing that God has provided grace? The answer is no. This chapter of Romans seems to parallel what Ellen White was talking about in her chapter on Faith and Acceptance; because we have received grace and we believe it, we must now act as if we have received it. We work out what God has worked in us. Paul says that if you claim to be free from sin provided under Adam and under the Grace provided by the death of Christ your life should reflect that. Because if you claim to be under Christ but continue in sin you are really still a slave to sin. You cannot have both.
Reflection on “The Test of Discipleship” in Steps to Christ, Chapter 7
“There is no evidence of genuine repentance, unless it works reformation,” says Ellen White and that sounds like the words of James, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” James 2:17. But isn’t it a truth that those who born of the Spirit and who become new creatures by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit will produce fruit of the Spirit? Surely, there works will be made manifest – “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.
But holiness is an impacted favor; it comes from outside of us. No amount of human effort can produce holiness, even in its slightest sense, it takes only and nothing but divine grace make humanity holy. However, “our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits.”
Speaking of the miserable condition of humanity, Ellen White expresses the idea that in a sense, Adam’s sin passed on to all generations of humanity and that “because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make ourselves righteous.” Notwithstanding, “Christ made a way of escape for us,” as many as believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and personal Savior.
This is true discipleship, that our character reveals Him who loves has consumed our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I am frustrated with my much of my reading this semester, regarding legal justification. It seems to me that I have only been told one side of the story. Much of it has focused on shooting down the “theory of universal legal justification.” Having read so much against it I have become sympathetic towards it. What’s so bad about emphasizing God’s goodness doing everything possible to save all human beings who accept salvation? Both Rodriguez as well as the people he has been trying to discredit deny universalism, so this is not an issue in the discussion. They agree on the main things. While “off-shootish” groups are generally the ones labeled as “conservative,” in this case is the “main-line” Adventists who are taking a more “legalistic” approach and guarding against cheap grace. I have not been able to read how Weyland and the other defenders of universal legal justification propose this idea, but from the attacks I have been reading, I have seen enough things to like this idea more than I did before. I wouldn’t say that I believe it fully. I still need time to read and understand other implications that my superficial, one-sided reading has allowed me to.
For this blog posting I read Romans 7-9. I must say that Romans is a really challenging book to fully understand but it has helped to go through the book with the thought in mind that Paul has and emphasis on the obedience of faith and also understanding that he is speaking to the issue of the Jew –Gentile relation or Visible and Invisible people of God. Having said that there are still a lot of questions in my mind. In reflecting on what I read these were my conclusions. In chapter 7 Paul seems to be pointing to the fact that the problem with the law is not really the law itself but the sin problem that is holding us slaves in our body. He states that we admit that the law is holy because we want to keep it but there is some other law – sin – which keeps on coming up in our body and keeping us captive. He continues by making the point though that if we die to our body/flesh, then we are free from this slavery to sin just like the wife is free from the law of her dead husband. So in essence we need deliverance from the ‘body of death’ (vs 24) and not deliverance from the Law of God. God can provide this deliverance. The beginning of chapter 8 continues with this theme in verse one by pointing out that those who have died to this ‘body of death’ or found new life in Christ, are no longer condemned. This is because they are no longer a slave to the law of sin, but now they are adopted members of God’s family. These persons now have hope (vs 18-19), and wait for the time when they will receive their final glorification. Paul then dives into a series of ‘predestination’ text starting at verse 28 to the end of Chapter 9. We touched lightly on this ending portion of chapter 8 in class, however, I don’t think that we thoroughly discussed this way in which we should present these texts on predestination. In class we had set up the wording of the text which in God foreknows what discussion will be made and based upon that omniscient foreknowledge He predestines, and the predestined ones will then be justified and ultimately glorified. Yet in chapter 9 Paul seems to be saying that God Himself makes some decisions, for Jacob He loved and Essau he hated (vs 13). Also the fact that Pharaoh was raised up so that God’s power could be displayed. (vs 17). It seems that in fact God still selects people for specific things even as He did the children of Israel. The question is whether is selection affects their candidacy for salvation? In the case of Israel we know that this was not the case, because they were chosen to make the way of salvation known to others. But does this selection of God ever affect someones candidacy? The answer for us ultimately is no, however, how do we effectively explain these texts?
Ok. I have a stand on Universal Legal Justification. Want to hear it? I am going to stay away from using this terminology. Since the Bible doesn’t use those words I am going to duck the questions I might be asked by people from either camp. Sure this doesn’t sound like a very scholarly approach, but I am more interested in keeping “peace with all people, as far as it lieth on me.” Now that’s Biblical. As a practitioner, a prime target for beautiful, impassionate people who are on either side of the fence I will stick to the Bible. Now, doesn’t that just sound like the “right” thing to do. SOLA SCRIPTURA will be my motto. What do I mean? The real question that is at stake in this whole “war” among the “Objectivets” and the “Subjectivets” is over the question “How much does God love the people of the world?” The defendants of Universal Legal Justification argue that we have to say one way, their way; and the defendants of the Subjective Justification argue that that is not Biblically accurate. So here is what I think I can do to get out from under their grip and move on, hopefully not having them turn antagonistic toward my local church if they happen to be members. I will suggest to them that that their question is really relating to God’s goodness and willingness to save. I will say “How much do I believe God loves the world? Isn’t that the question at stake over this issue? Well then, what does the Bible say in Romans 5:8-10? God couldn’t love us rebels, and want to save us any more than He already does. Jesus ‘died for us while we were yet sinners.’ That’s what the Bible says. So I stick to the Bible, that’s what I believe on this issue and no more.”
Do you guys think that this approach of staying away from the sticky terminology would work to duck the arrows thrown my way as a local pastor?
Reflection on “Justification and the Cross” by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I think we must all admit that subject of justification though intended to be very simple remains complex (in the sense of a progressive understanding) to us on this side of eternity. Speaking on nature of sin in Romans 5, Angel Manuel Rodriguez comments: “There is no reference here to the imputation of the sin of Adam to "all". There is clearly an element of solidarity with him, but it is a solidarity in result not in the act and that was possible only because Adam represented the human race.” However, I vary slightly from his conception of the matter because in Romans 5:14, Paul speaks of how “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression…” Same idea is also expressed in Romans 5:12, 18-19 and in Romans 3:10, 23 where he stressed that none is righteous because all have sinned. I am still persuaded that there is a sense in which sin in a nature (objective sin) and another sense in which sin is an act of our personal choice (subjective sin). Interestingly, as it relates to the parallels between the role of Adam and of Christ as Paul puts it in Romans 5, Ángel Manuel Rodríguez comments: “The parallel is basically limited to the fact that what Adam did had a universal impact and what Christ did also has a universal impact. The implicit reason is that Adam stood at the head of the human race and what he did determined the fate of his descendants. Now Christ is the one who stands at the head of the human race and determines its destiny in terms of the response we give to his offer of salvation (Rom 5:17). Since Adam could not pass on to his descendants what he did not posses, the result of his sin was death and sin for all members of the human race.”
However, I agree with Ángel Manuel Rodríguez that the “idea that every human being was in Adam when he sinned is totally foreign to the passage under consideration.” But while concur on this above point, I think it may not be easily overlooked if ever possible, that the human nature was altered by sin in the garden of Eden when Adam sinned and passed on to all generations of humanity.
I further concur with Ángel Manuel Rodríguez that “we must acknowledge that the sin of Adam had a universal impact.” This is biblical and beyond question. “Paul describes in Rom 5:12-19 the event of the cross as an act of divine grace. The manifestation of this gift has as its only objective the human race. Through Christ God provided enough grace to save the whole human race, since the time of Adam to the end of mercy. But this gift must be accepted in order to be ours. The gift is justification by faith and those who accept it are the "many" who are in Christ through faith in him.”
While reading Romans, it becomes increasingly evident that Paul’s literary style uses strong words to describe the law and its consequences. In verse 15 (NKJV) Paul writes, “…the law brings about wrath…” Now, from my Seventh-day Adventist mindset, this does not pose an issue for me at all—Paul continues to write, “…for where there is no law there is no transgression.” In other words, the law has existed from the foundation of the world and probably before our comprehension of historical time. In order for Lucifer to be in the wrong regarding his contrary actions in Heaven, he must have transgressed a law that was already in existence from the Throne of God. If there was not a law (or whatever term you want to use for it; semantics) that guides holy/righteous behavior (inward and outward), then who could have said that Lucifer was wrong in his actions? Something must have already been established and if one went against it (law), a negative reaction was the result and still is today—starting with the iniquity in Lucifer’s heart on through Noah’s day, Abraham’s day, Moses, and so on. Growing up in the evangelical/Pentecostal tradition, I constantly heard the phrase, were under grace, and no longer under the law. My understanding was, the OT is the law and the NT is grace. Of course, I can look at this now and see how warped this logic is, but to a degree, I can understand how so many people throughout the ages have fallen into this lack of biblical knowledge. Without careful exegesis, I cannot say whether Paul is referring to the ceremonial and moral law or just the ceremonial, but I’m writing from the premise that he includes both. Paul uses strong words throughout Romans to prove his point—righteousness comes by faith and not by keeping the law. Many Christians latch on to these scripture text to stand behind a less than wholistic understanding of scripture. The fact is the law isn’t wrath. The law allows us to understand the character of the Trinity (or what would be contrary to their character)—if we transgress the law then wrath or maybe a better way to say it—the weight of sin is on us. Paul isn’t saying that the law is bad, or done away with, or any such notion. I believe Paul is communicating with a church body that came under the influence of Jews who are teaching these believers that they must adhere to Jewish laws and customs in order to be followers of Christ. These Jews possibly stressed adherence to laws and customs as salvation in itself instead of stressing that true faith and love of Christ (His character) will bring about adherence to the law (moral law).
“It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, ‘"I consent unto the law that it is good."’ ‘"The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."’ But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, ‘"I am carnal, sold under sin."’ Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, ‘"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?"’ Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, ‘"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."’ John 1:29.
As I read this portion of page 19 in Steps To Christ, it brought back to mind Romans chapter 4:15. In one instance Paul said the law brings about wrath (NKJV), but in Romans chapter 7, he says the law is just and good. Again, further exegesis on my part will need to be completed in order to say for certain whether Paul is talking about the moral law and ceremonial law together or separately at any given time that he uses the word “law”. However, I believe in Romans chapter 4:15, Paul was talking about both laws can bring about wrath, in Romans chapter 7 he is referring to the moral law as just and good. Ellen White is saying that it’s not enough to “…discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love.” Oh that many evangelicals would look at the moral law as a law of God’s love, wisdom, and justice, and not as just pure condemnation. Yes, if we transgress the law condemnation comes, but when we exercise faith in Christ Jesus and it is counted to us as righteousness, the condemnation is lifted in the sight of God. The law is needed to give us a mirror—show us where we are stumbling in order to stay and/or get back on the straight and narrow way. However, if we only place our energies and concentration on keeping the law and not on our faith through love in Jesus Christ, we have sorely missed the mark. We cannot perfectly keep the law. It’s not within our carnal nature to do so. Only Christ’s perfect obedience to the law, only His righteousness that covers us through our faith in Him can count as our perfect obedience to the law. The law is wise, just, and good, because it reflects the character of Christ, but without faith it’s impossible for Christ’s righteousness to cover us, thereby causing the law to bring about wrath.
The works of Christ - our salvation, is so vast and complex that the further we contemplate it, the larger it becomes. And so of what connection are secular leaders and their authority to my salvation? After all it (salvation) is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus.
But wait a moment, if disobedience to the secular authorities is disobedience to God on account that were instituted by God (Romans 13:1-2), it consequently follows that persistent disobedience or disregard to secular authorities will eventual impact my salvation. And so how shall we reconcile this to the doctrine of "once saved, always" as some people believe and teach?
So who is not weak? Did you hear Paul lamenting of his personal weaknesses? Romans 7:14-24. Now, what does he mean by the weak in faith? And by the way, if a section of the believers were weak in faith and to be received by the other, it therefore implies that the receiving group is strong in faith. And who is strong in faith? I Corinthians 10:12.
But if our food and/or regard for particular days can constitute obstacle(s) for others, is our food and/or regard for for religious days/festivals not significantly connected to our growth (sanctification) in the grace of Christ?
“How to Tell if God is Leading” PORTION OF MORNING TALK AT COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, JULY 21, 1886, TITLED "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES." PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, APRIL 3, 1888. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). ”…Thus they get these truths all mixed with error, and they cannot tell what is truth; and if asked to sit down and search the Scriptures with you to see what saith the Lord, I never knew a case but the answer was that they had no need to search the Scriptures, for the Lord told them what to do.” Even though I grew up in the Church of God, I didn’t have a personal relationship with Christ. I went to church because my parents told me I had to go and it became a normal part of life on Wednesday evening, Sunday morning, and Sunday evening. I didn’t become steeped in scripture in my years growing into adulthood. I really didn’t become a student of the Word until I began attending a Revelation Seminar in 2001. I joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in August of 2001 and ever since the journey has been life changing! At times, I wish I would have been a student of the Word in my earlier years—I would be further along in my Biblical knowledge, but then again, had I become steeped in the doctrines of Babylon, it probably wouldn’t have been as easy for me to open my heart to the Holy Spirit’s leading, thereby distinguishing truth from error in the Word of God. I’m the only SDA in my entire family immediate and extended. When I began attending the Revelation Seminar, my parents were attending with me, then when the State of the Dead, Sabbath, and other truth were presented, my parents quit attending, but I kept going. After becoming Adventist, I studied with my parents on and off, but I didn’t push too much—I didn’t want to be a stumbling block. As Ellen White talked about in this article, I have been given the excuse on many occasions, “I don’t need to study it. I know what the Lord has told me”. It’s as if new light cannot be possible, what they have learned from the beginning is the truth, further study isn’t needed. EGW warns against this kind of thinking. When someone takes on this hard stance instead of digging into the scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide into all truth—error and apostasy will creep in. How to tell if God is leading—by knowing the Word of God, this is what EGW is stressing in this article. Do not be so high minded to think you have all the biblical answers and have no reason to continue digging into the scriptures. I hope and pray that I will continuously keep an open heart to the Holy Spirit’s leading as I study the Word of God for myself and to teach others, especially my family.
Reflection on “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T. Blazen Isn’t it contradictory to talk of justification by grace through faith apart from works and yet talk about judgment that is based on works? Ivan T. Blazen in this article endeavors to show the mutual relationship between these seemingly opposition doctrines. In his effort, Blazen argues for the supremacy of revelation over human reasoning, which I perceive as a basic key to resolving the seeming contradiction. He postulates: “Reason must function as the servant of revelation. It is revelation that enlightens reason, and thus it is reason's task to explicate revelation, not contradict it. Once the reality of the judgment is established on the basis of revelation, reason must operate to explain its significance, not to lessen or destroy its import.” He presses his point further by stressing that in Paul’s theology the concept of the justification and judgment are two mutual pillars that exist together without any contradiction. He believes that “justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves.” And that, “judgment according to works guards the doctrine of the justification of the ungodly from meaning the justification of ungodliness.” In fact, Blazen emphatically states that when either of these pillars is “weakened or removed,” we end not with an unbalanced truth but no truth at all. To him, “working for justification or the justified not working—were alike condemned by Paul in strong language.”
On the traditional teaching of the investigative judgment believed and taught among Seventh-day Adventists, Blazen contends that if “rightly understood, is in harmony with justification by faith and judgment according to works. It encompasses within itself the ingredients of these two fundamental teachings.” The investigative judgment and the final judgment share the same concerns – the believer’s faith, repentance, confession, obedience etc. In this sense therefore, the “two judgments are really one, but the one judgment has two phases.” Adventists generally believe that “when the repentant sinner comes to Christ and confesses his faith in the Saviour's atoning sacrifice, pardon is registered next to his name in the heavenly books (The Great Controversy, p. 483). When the books are opened in the judgment this record of forgiveness can be seen. Plainly, the investigative judgment does not deal merely with the sins of mankind but with the forgiveness of Christ.”
By way of conclusion, I fully agree with Blazen“Only in the framework of the unfolding drama of God's salvation, as revealed in Scripture, can justification and the judgment be rightly evaluated… In His dual office as Saviour and Lord, Christ judged sin at the cross, justifies the sinner by faith, and judges the justified by works. The cross is the means by which justification is effected; faith is the means by which justification is accepted; and good works are the means by which justification is manifested. Works of righteousness testify to the reality and vitality of justification. Their absence indicates a broken relation with Jesus.”
Ok. I have a stand on Universal Legal Justification.
I think it'll work perhaps for a congregation that is not given to in dept study of the Bible, but once there is a strong desire to study in order to better understand God's plan and operation in the salvific history, these concerns are inevitables that must be confronted.
You made reference to Romans 5:8-10 in attempt to buttress your position, but the same text insinuates both the objective and subjective views. Paul in verse 8 speaks of God's love for rebels (objective), but in verses 9-10, he also speaks of the ones who have reconciled to God(subjective). Or shall we expunge other Scriptural texts like Romans 8:1; John 3:6; that speak of subjective love or shall we delete such passages that speak of objective love Romans 5:8; John 3:16? I think what what we need is a holistic model as Dr. Hanna proposes, that will accommodate both views, for both are biblical.
For this blog I read Steps to Christ chapters 7 – 9. In chapter 7, The Test of Discipleship, Ellen White tries to keep us focused on the balance between faith and works. She says Christ does not release us from the keeping of the law, which agrees with Paul, but she balances this by saying that we cannot trust or look at our own works to bring you in harmony with God. In essence there is nothing that we can do to merit us salvation. Every good work that we do comes from God, not of ourselves. She says, “Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns.” This is an interesting concept. Does this mean that acts of love from persons who don’t profess Christ are still originating from God? Or is this a false love? She mentions that the condition for eternal life is still always what it was, perfect obedience to God’s Law. Anything short of this would be putting the happiness of the entire universe in jeopardy, she says. However, she does not leave us here she says that even when we are overcome by the enemy we are not cast off because we have Christ who is making intercession for us. It is through his grace and mercy that we are saved, because we could never keep His law perfectly. In her next chapter, Growing Up Into Christ, she uses a great example of a plant growing. The plant of its own cannot pat itself on its back and say look how much I have grown because of my hard work. All the credit goes to sources outside of the plant, which the plant has no control over. Likewise we can only stay in Christ and receive the benefits of growth that comes from abiding in Him. In this way we can take no credit for how far we have grown in our spiritual walk. Since this is the case, then it makes sense that salvation does not depend upon how much we have grown, because we cannot grow ourselves. The also makes it clear that this rest in Christ is not inactivity, she shows the balance by using Christ’s own words, He says, “Take my yoke upon you:…and ye shall find rest.” Matt. 11:29. There is a balance. As she says the call to labor is united with the promise of rest. In the next chapter, The Work and the Life, we are encouraged to include God and his work of saving souls into every aspect of our lives. She makes the point that we don’t have to be pastors to work for Christ. If we are businessmen or even a mechanic she says that, “Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work that others, by seeing his good works, may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.”
For this posting I read from Romans 10 – 12. When I began in Romans chapter 10 I got a bit confused at first because Paul mentions in verse 3 that Israel was ignorant to God’s righteousness. I wondered to myself isn’t God suppose to wink at our ignorance? However, as it seems that there are two types of ignorance, firstly, when someone genuinely doesn’t know something and then the other type where people willfully remain without knowledge. I think it is the latter which Paul is speaking to because he mentions that they would not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God in the latter part of verse 3. In addition to this in beginning in verse 6, he uses language which seems to suggest that they already had the word of faith but that they failed to believe. Hence, in chapter 11 Paul begins by introducing the remnant within Israel. In verse 5 he says that there is a remnant according to the election of grace. In verse 7 onward, there again appears in Paul this predestination language. Here he states that the election had attained, but the rest were blinded. Reading these passages it seems that God is actually placing road blocks in the way of some individuals which are allowing them not to be saved. However, this is not the case. It is because of there disobedience that they have blinded themselves, similar to the way the language is used in the case of Pharaoh, where it says that God hardened his heart. This is exemplified by the fact that Paul later tells the gentiles that if the original branches were cut off because of unbelief (vs 20), then they too will be broken off if they fail to believe. In chapter 12 Paul covers what Christian living should look like. He points to some very important things such as being a living sacrifice to God, simplicity, humility, diligence, honesty and benevolence among other things. Again it is important to note that even though Paul lists all of these things, the mere doing of these activities as a check-list has no merit for salvation. These things are to flow from a life changing relationship with God. So the inner reflects on the outside.
God of the Jews and Gentiles - what a striking unity of two opposite extremes. The gospel - that God became human being, lived among us, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven for our salvation, is for the Jews and the Gentiles. This plan had been from the foundation of the earth (Rev. 13:8); sung about in the psalms (Rom. 15:10-11) and spoken of by the prophet Isaiah (verse 12).
One point is clear, the plan of salvation is all-inclusive - for all human race, as many as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord and personal Savior.
The revelation of the mystery. How precious to realize that all who have experienced salvation by grace through faith in Christ have also experienced "the revelation which was kept secret since the world begin." Romans 16:26.
But the fullness of the experience lies in "obedience of the faith" - the commandment of the everlasting God of all creation (Romans 16:27)
I wish we would discuss in class the topic of “predestination” in the writings of Paul. For example: Romans 11: 7-11. Following is the passage in several versions.
Rom 11:7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened: Rom 11:8 according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. Rom 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always. Rom 11:11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles...
Rom 11:7 What then? That which Israel was searching for he did not get, but those of the selection got it and the rest were made hard. Rom 11:8 As it was said in the holy Writings, God gave them a spirit of sleep, eyes which might not see, and ears which have no hearing, to this day. Rom 11:9 And David says, Let their table be made a net for taking them, and a stone in their way, and a punishment: Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be made dark so that they may not see, and let their back be bent down at all times. Rom 11:11 So I say, Were their steps made hard in order that they might have a fall? In no way: but by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles...
Rom 11:7 This means that only a chosen few of the people of Israel found what all of them were searching for. And the rest of them were stubborn, Rom 11:8 just as the Scriptures say, "God made them so stupid that their eyes are blind, and their ears are still deaf." Rom 11:9 Then David said, "Turn their meals into bait for a trap, so that they will stumble and be given what they deserve. Rom 11:10 Blindfold their eyes! Don't let them see. Bend their backs beneath a burden that will never be lifted." Rom 11:11 Do I mean that the people of Israel fell, never to get up again? Certainly not! Their failure made it possible for the Gentiles to be saved...
Rom 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks, this it did not obtain, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened; Rom 11:8 even as it has been written, "God gave to them a spirit of slumber, eyes not seeing and ears not hearing" until this day. Isa. 29:10; Deut. 29:4 Rom 11:9 And David said, "Let their table become for a snare and a trap, and for a stumbling block," and a repayment to them; Rom 11:10 "let their eyes be darkened, not to see, and their back always bowing." LXX-68:23, 24; MT-Psa. 69:22, 23 Rom 11:11 I say, then, Did not they stumble that they fall? Let it not be! But by their slipping away came salvation to the nations...
It makes it sound as if the majority of the Jews were “predestined” or predisposed to not believe in Jesus. Probably that’s not what he meant but I can why many people believe just that.
For this blog I read three of the salvation articles. In the articles by Rodriguez, Justification in Romans 3:21-24, he again seems to be defending the point that there is no reason for us to find a universal justification in Paul’s writings. He points out that now where can you find that Paul is introducing some new type of justification which is void of our putting faith in Christ. He says that to read this into Paul’s writings would be eisegesis. He points out that, “If in 3:24 Paul was describing what God did on the cross for the human race, one would have expected a finite verb in the past tense—"God declared righteous/justified all"—but that is not what we find. We find a present participle which indicates that the declaration of righteousness was not a universal declaration that took place at the cross.” In Jan Paulsen’s article, “Salvation by Faith,” he urges us to steer clear of the argument between what God does and what we do. However, he would like to turn our attention that justification has both a legal side but as well a experiential dimension. He says, “notwithstanding the theoretical priority we may give to justification, it constitutes one united experience with that of the renewal brought by the presence of the Holy Spirit.” He purports that one cannot have justification without also beginning the sanctification process. This is similar to what Dr. Hanna had presented in class, in a sense all of these actions are simultaneous, justification, sanctification and glorification, yet they continue throughout the spiritual journey of the believer. He also wants us to understand that the fact that you have a continued struggle with sin does not me that you have not received your justification. However, this fear should not be the basis for your assurance, you should continue to trust and look to Christ. He says, “Righteousness by faith means to look continually and exclusively to the risen Lord. Look away, and hope is gone.” In the next article by Rodriguez, “Some Problems with Legal Justification,” he points out some things that are incorrect with holding this view. The one that I would like to highlight is number 2. “Legal universal justification implies that all human beings come into the world legally saved, pardoned, justified; from God's perspective they are not lost.” When you think of this it does not even make logical sense (not that everything biblical must make logical sense). However, why would we need to accept a savior when we are already saved? Or why should we preach to people? Because when we preach to them we are creating the possibility of them becoming lost by rejecting Christ. Why not withhold the message so that they can continue in their saved state? This seems to contradict everything that the Bible has to say about salvation. Whosoever believes will not perish, giving the idea that those that don’t believe will perish. (John 3:16)
For this blog posting I read three or the salvation articles. In Heppenstall’s article, “Some Theological Considerations of Perfection,” his position was more clearly defined, opposed to the first article I read from him on perfection. He points out that he does believe that biblical perfection must be attainable, he says, “It must be possible within the framework of the Christian life here on earth, otherwise there would be no point to the Bible writers urging perfection upon believers.” He seems to come back to the same point which we where making in class about perfection and that is we are perfect at each point along the journey. In other words the important thing is that you continue pressing towards the mark. In adds to this and says that perfection also means being fully equipped. However, he points out that biblical perfection never means sinlessness. He points out that when Christ comes he will judge the entire track of an individual’s life. He puts it this way quoting Ellen White, "The coming of Christ does not change our characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change." He also makes an interesting point that there is no biblical evidence for the use of saving grace and sustaining grace. He suggests that there is only one grace and that will also be available to those after the close of probation who have been sealed. He mentions that this also suggests that after the close of probation we will no longer need Christ but will live the rest of our days on our own merits. Something to think about. In the next article by George W. Reid, “Why Did Jesus Die? How God Saves Us,” he attempts to come up with a explanation that would somehow describe which Jesus had to die. He seems to attack some of the other models, however, as I have recognized from class that a model will only be just that a model. They will all have their flaws, but they also have a portion of the truth. However, he did make some interesting comments for discussion. I do have a question having listened to Dr. Hanna’s view of original sin and the issue of self-control, how does Christ’s death factor into this equation. In other words how does Christ dieing on the cross give God the permission to free us from the slavery to sin. Could He not do this without dieing? Or was this death to satisfy the requirements of law? Or was it just for an example to us? Or was it all of the above? The third article was again by Rodriguez, “Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10”. Again in this article he seems to be fighting against the position of the 1888 committee. Again he makes the point that we are probably mostly agreed upon by now that universal justification cannot be found in 1 Timothy 4:10. His argument uses both logic and some exegesis to arrive at his point. God is the one who can save the world, and He saves those that believe on Him.
Reflection on Chapter 9 Steps to Christ “The Work and the Life”
This is how she describes it: “The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do.”
Wow, who can stand this? Is anyone born of Adam competent of any at all, let alone the “spirit of Christ.” But did He not promise to give us His Spirit? We surely can do all things through Him who strengthens us. And come to think of it, are we not even more blessed when we serve than those whom we serve? For He had said, “it is blessed to give than to receive.”
So, let us give in service until there’s no more to give. This is the work and life of our Lord, Master and Savior; ought we be like Him?
For this post I read, “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T. Blazen. In this group of articles Blazen seems to try and separate the event of Justification and Judgment in order to show that not only must you be justified but you must also produce fruit. He explains that it is both of these things that will get you into heaven. He does this while trying to keep in the readers mind that it is not our works that save us, but the grace of God. In his articles he makes such statements as, “The sinner is saved from death by God's gift, but he is judged according to his deeds.” And includes title headings such as, “Justification grants assurance, but judgment guards it.” While it may seem that he is adhering to a perfectionistic view, where there is no need of grace in the judgment, he states clearly that this is not his goal. I found a sentence in his articles which seems to sum up the core of what he has to say on this issue. He says, “At the end God asks for justification with its fruit-not in the sense of the formula "Faith plus works saves,'' but in the sense that justification is the source of sanctified fruit.” This is a statement to which I am in total agreement. However, I am not sure if I am in agreement with the way he sets up his argument by separating the events of Justification and Judgment. Why? It is because I am not sure if I am willing to accept that the Judgment will be based on a different criteria than us accepting Christ and our justification. I think he comes up with this separation because of his wanting to put down the idea of once justified always saved. Yet I am not sure if this explanation of justification by faith and judgment by works helps his cause or opens up new problems and misunderstandings. I think what Blazen fails to realized, as we have found out in this class is that Justification is not a one time event in the Christians life. We must continue to be justified daily. And as he stated himself it is the true justification that will be the source of the sanctified fruit. The faith will produce fruit in the person who is being justified daily. So in the judgment if you have continued to accept your daily justification your fruits will be there, but your fruits can never be good enough to be judged upon. But the person who had started out and never remained on the path and left off the daily justification will have no fruit to show because it is the justification produces the fruit. So what about the text that seem to suggest that we are to present our works for judgment? Well, by their fruit you will know them. You don’t have to produce fruit to be saved but if you are saved you will produce fruit. If you put it the other way around then you have to ask how much fruit must one produce before they will be declared acquitted in the judgement? “At the end God asks for justification with its fruit-not in the sense of the formula "Faith plus works saves,'' but in the sense that justification is the source of sanctified fruit.”
In Steps to Christ 10, The knowledge of God, Ellen White points us to the fact that we know so little about God and that throughout eternity we will be learning of Him. Yet He has opened up many avenues whereby we can learn about Him while here on this earth. She mentions that nature constantly speaks about Him. Which is interesting because nature even in its fallen state can still teach us about God. She mentions that as we meditate more and more on God and His perfections, the more our own characters will be changed into His image. She makes a very interesting statement concerning God’s revelation to His people in the scriptures. She says, “The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will mistake and lose their way except those who follow their own judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God.” This should keep us humble knowing that God does not necessarily need us to open His truth to His people. His message is clear and anyone can read His words and come to a saving knowledge of Him. In her next chapter, “The Privilege of Prayer”, Ms White points out that, “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” This passage shows us what prayer should be like. It should be like talking to a friend. It’s interesting that many of our prayers are just the opposite. She emphasizes the need of us to keep in constant communication with God and as we do our hearts will be turned to Him. She points out the fact that perseverance in prayer is necessary in order to receive. However, she keeps this statement of continued prayer in balance by stating that we are not to go to extremes. She says, “He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.” Its interesting to know that you can take anything to the extreme even if it is something that is vital for our spiritual existence.
May I never forget that He forgave me: Grace is what God is and offers, faith is my repentant, trusting attitude of gratitude. Why can my obedience after repentance not be part of winning my salvation, and why I must never forget that I blew it?
The following story in to illustrate my favorite text in the book of Romans: Romans 4:1-8. The main point I am paraphrasing here is how my complete surrender is always the result of God’s goodness creating gratitude in me. It makes sense to me that I could never gain God’s love, not even after a million years of loving him back because my being with him in heaven was only made possible because He took me back in after I blew it. He took me in at a costly price.
Lesson on the meaning of Salvation through Grace: Regardless of how well I get my act together, I will never deserve salvation. Once in God’s literal kingdom it will always be grace that keeps me there.
The story:
With a driver’s license that still smelled new, I was surrounded by thousands of bees while riding inside a large, white metal warehouse. I was as qualified for the job of beekeeping as much as any other insect in the building. I had been hired in just weeks ago at Ted’s Honey Farms ((not his real name)). Living in a fifth-wheel trailer on the owner’s property, I was delighted to have such a good job. Getting paid better than most farm workers in the area, I was determined to be dependable and responsible.
But I met a girl at church. I wanted to get better acquainted with this girl but I had several problems. I worked nearly sixty hours per week Sunday through Friday. Her home was a good 40 miles away and my only mode of personal transportation was a red road bike, a girl’s bike.
This particular Sunday the plant was going to shut down early. At 4pm I found myself with nothing to do. The boy-friend wannabe “child” in me, sent a surge of energy that traveled all over my underdeveloped body with the thought of going to see this unlucky girl. There is something you will know about me, I am as determined as yard mole that will continue to dig up mounds of dirt until you give up flattening its house. When something gets into my head I don’t stop until it gets done. But I am also a realist, so I was not about to get on my bike and ride the 80 miles in one afternoon. “What can I do?” I thought to myself as I turned to look around.
I saw it, the beautiful new Hino truck, was glittery clean… off I went breaking company policy and risking my job, even my life (I still couldn’t drive very good), not to mention the other cars on the road. My wife reminds me that this was back in the days when my brain was not fully developed. This is Not to say that it ever has gotten fully developed yet… :)
I had a nice visit with the family, as Connie was at work and not available. At 8pm it became obvious to me that I needed to go back home. No sense waiting anymore; either she was not interested or she was really busy. On my way home I stopped to get some fuel. Surely a box-truck like this needed the stuff off the green handle, diesel. I reached for it and put in a full 8 gallons of it. In the mist of my excitement and stupidity I had not taken the time to read the blazing red letters impressed across the big reservoir which said “Unleaded Fuel ONLY.”
A Warning Against Counterfeit Sanctification FROM A REPORT OF "THE CONFERENCE IN SWEDEN" IN MID-JUNE, 1886. PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, OCTOBER 5, 1886. Ellen G. White “The faith in Christ that saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. ‘Believe, believe,’ is their cry; ‘only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.’ While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works.” When I first read this quote by EGW, admittedly, I was a little taken back. In other words, I was a little surprised. I thought to myself, what about the following scripture text: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:14-16 NKJV.” “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him John 3:36 NKJV.” Not to mention, there are numerous other scripture text that flood through the Gospels regarding an aspect of salvation that only comes through believing. After I had a couple of minutes to think about this quotation, I soon realize you must study the Bible wholistically as well as Ellen G. White’s writings. Mrs. White was not implying that belief in Christ is not necessary, but it’s not the only aspect needed in the process of true Christian sanctification. There are plenty of scripture texts about believing in/on Christ, however there are plenty of texts that regard keeping God’s commandments. “It is unsafe to trust to feelings or impressions; these are unreliable guides. God's law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to ask, ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ the modern teachers of sanctification would answer, ‘Only believe that Jesus saves you.’ But when Christ was asked this question He said, ‘What is written in the law? How readest thou?’ And when the questioner replied, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbour as thyself,’ Jesus said, ‘Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live’ (Luke 10:25-29). How said and even tragic it is that so many of us have totally masked over the importance of God’s commandments, God’s law in our process of sanctification. Of course, believing on Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance, how can we have a relationship with Him without that basic element? But the buck doesn’t stop there—adherence to a Christ like understanding of His law is another part of the sanctification equation. Galatians 3:6 reads Abraham, “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now this belief was accounted for 430 years before the Law(s) of God was given through Moses, even though it has always been implied throughout human history and even before our existence. How does this article explain Abraham’s process of sanctification? Not only did Abraham believe, but he also obeyed God, sprung into action, and adhered to God’s commands to the best of his understanding. This particular scripture text concentrates on the belief aspect of Abrahams sanctification process, but like stated before, one must study Abraham’s life from the biblical text—then you will see much more than belief in his life.
Counsel to a Leading Minister on the Presentation of the Relation of Faith and Works PORTION OF A LETTER TO A. T. JONES, APRIL 9, 1893, LETTER 44, 1893. PUBLISHED IN SELECTED MESSAGES, BOOK ONE, PP. 377-379. EGW “In my dream you were presenting the subject of faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. You repeated several times that works amounted to nothing, that there were no conditions. The matter was presented in that light that I knew minds would be confused and would not receive the correct impression in reference to faith and works, and I decided to write to you.” In this letter EGW is writing to A.T. Jones, earnestly trying to keep him from making a continuous mistake—preaching that works isn’t needed, only faith in Jesus Christ is what counts. Ellen White tells him that he’s in danger of leading people into falsehood. In the 6 ½ years that I have been a Seventh-day Adventist, my understanding of faith, works, and obeying God’s Law have grown by leaps and bounds. Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand how so many Christians have a warped sense of law and grace. I’ve come to realize, the only way to make such fatal mistakes in the interpretation of scripture is to constantly proof text through the Bible without studying wholistically. There are many Bible scholars outside of Adventism who have studied the Bible thoroughly, not using just the proof text method. In these cases, I believe many of these theologians have seen the intimate connections of scripture cross textually, exposing the truth about law and grace, but refuse to accept what the Holy Spirit has allowed them to see. As a SDA Christian and more importantly a trained minister of the Gospel, I must derive a systematic way to study with those who still use the age old line, “Were under grace, not under the law.” I realize the most important thing—stay in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. I don’t want to be one who preaches only faith and not place equal emphasis on works. I firmly believe that we are sanctified by grace and obedience to the law which is summed up in love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself—for all the law, prophets, and apostles hang on this.
Second part of the story from my last posting… May I never forget that He forgave me: Grace is what God is and offers, faith is my repentant, trusting attitude of gratitude. Why can my obedience after repentance not be part of winning my salvation, and why I must never forget that I blew it?
I was breaking company policy by taking a small, white truck without permission. I had gone to try to visit a girl. Everything was going from bad to worse. I had put diesel in a vehicle that used unleaded fuel only. When I put the key in the ignition it was no different than if I had poked a log. I now knew the panic that travels from the toes to the tips of spiked up hair and back down. My heart stopped, all the glands in my body went on turbo charge. My perspiration went bananas in 40 degree weather while sitting still. I don’t even want you to imagine my blushing face and stuttering tongue when I had to call Connie’s family. Could they come to help me with this problem. There was nothing that could be done on a Sunday night. No mechanics were available to get me out of my predicament. I spent the entire night thinking and waiting.
What would Ted do when he finds out that I had abused his trust? “This was the end of my dreams to save for college.” I told myself over and over again. What would my pastor think when he finds out that I had betrayed him as the person who had recommended me to have this job. I felt that the words “unworthy,” “guilty” were written all over my face. It no longer seemed like an innocent thing. I had abused the trust given me. I caught myself in my own stupidity.
I had to finally make contact with the plant and let them know what I had done. At this point I didn’t know if I had ruined the truck for good…do gasoline vehicles work again after you have put diesel in the tank? I did not know. What I knew is that I did not deserve to be allowed to continue to work for Mr. Ted. But I still wanted to so badly.
To make the long story short: Ted called his mechanic and paid a technician’s worth for a day of skilled labor. The mechanic came over to where I was and had to drain not only the tank but whole system had to be bled in order to get the truck up and running again. You would have thought that the Hino truck was on fire, maybe about to explode. The sky was becoming darker and darker with smoke. In spite of it all, Ted’s mechanic spoke softly and kindly, but as he’d look into my eyes I would turn my face the other direction.
When I later met Ted he told me I could keep my job. Never did he mention the incident of abusing his trust and taking his truck without permission. He did not withdraw the mechanic’s charges from my paycheck. I continued to work for Ted, but I knew I did not deserve that kind of loving treatment. He did not even lock up the keys either.
What followed is very illuminating to my Christian walk: I worked harder than ever before. I put in extra time happily and omitted it in my time card. I’d do odd projects for the boss without him knowing about it. I learned to love this man because he showed me that he cared about me. But even after all that time with this kind of devotion to my friend Ted and his business, I knew that the only reason I was still in with Ted was his grace and kindness. My faithfulness is fueled by remembering his love in forgiving me. Maybe Ted forgot how bad I messed up (I don’t think he did) but for me to forget would have been my downfall.
Like that is true, this is also true: The memory of God’s goodness in forgiving my sins fuels my gratitude. May I never forget…
Final and complete Reading Report of all assigned papers and articles for THST 618 “Works of Christ.” I have read: From BRI, 12 articles Why Did Jesus Die by George Reid Some Theological Considerations of Perfection by Edward Heppenstall Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez Salvation by Faith by Jan Paulsen Justification in Romans 3 21 24 by Angel M Rodriguez Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works by Ivan T Justification and the Cross by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez How Perfect Is Perfect Is it possible by E Heppenstall The Dynamics of Salvation by Commeetee Comments on 1 Timothy 410 by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez Christ Saved the Human Race by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez Universal Legal Justification by Larry J. Kane
From Romans, 16 chapters Chapters 1-16
From Ellen G. White a total of 13 chapters Step to Christ, chapters 1-6 Faith and Works, chapters 1-7
Angel Rodriquez in his articles, Some Comments on 1 Tim 4:10, He writes, “ On the cross God made provision for the salvation of every human being but only those who through faith accept the gift of salvation through Christ will be saved. Christ's substitutionary atonement is universal in its extent but, because of the freedom God has given to humans, it is limited in its salvific effect.” He is arguing that we must make a decision to accept God’s gift of salvation. Just because God’s grace abounds in comparison to sin, it still necessitates a choice on our part. That is Paul’s sentiment in chapter 6 of Romans. Paul write in the first few verse of Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” He connects baptism with the miracle moment that symbolizes the new life we have in Christ. He uses superlatives to shows the completely separation from our old life with words such as, dad, buried, forbid. Ellen White makes the connections in Steps to Christ, chapter 6 because in making this decision for Jesus Christ, feelings may get in the way even though Paul said to reckon ourselves dead to sin. The reality is for the believers is one of believing in the word of Jesus. She comments: “Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But they may claim the blessing of God even now.” Our decision to accept him and follow him in baptism is a supreme choice to choose his promise over against our feelings.
In the articles, The Dynamics of Salvation, the author writes of our sin condition: We are torn by doubts and conflicts; we are frightened by the depths of sin which we see in others, and we feel within ourselves the surge of the same evil. We are burdened by guilt, for we fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We proclaim our freedom, but are subject to the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1) and are slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19).” The baptized person may or may not feeling converted because the old nature might come back on occasions. People give formulas for victory and have quotations for every portion of this argument, but this issue is at the heart of living the spiritual life in a fallen world. Paul says that Romans 7:14-16 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good….. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. He says that conflicting motives is there for obedience. He wants to obey, but there is another power within pulling him down. Ellen White explains that isn’t about our feelings of our fallen nature or even outward correctness of behavior. Our hands may betray us at time when we want to obey in our hearts. She says, “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.”
Edward Heppenstall writes in his article, “Some Theological Consideration of Perfection”, that :” the purpose and goal is Christian maturity and stability, a strength of allegiance that cannot be shaken.” The maturity isn’t to be achieved by human power, but many think that the path to perfection is all about human effort instead of human cooperation with the Spirit of God. Just like the Israelite journey through the desert to the Promised Land, it is one of victories and defeats, but God still powered them forward. Ellen White says that the path to perfection is a spiritual path. She says, “ Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,--all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,--by abiding in Him, --that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way.” Paul describes the Spirit as the means by which we get Christian maturity in this life. He writes in Romans 8:1-4 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gerhard Pfandl comments in his articles, “Some Thoughts on Original Sin” that Total depravity is the phrase used to describe the comprehensive effect of sin. It does not mean that human beings are as bad as bad can be, or that there is no trace of goodness left in them. The word total simply refers to the fact that man as a whole is infected with sin. No part of man is exempt. His body is affected by sin (Rom 6:6,12; 7:24; 8:10), his mind or reason is involved (Rom 1:28; 2 Cor 3:14-15; 4:14), and his soul or his emotions have been perverted (Rom 1:24-27; 2 Tim 3:2-4). We cannot seek God in our own power. The only thing we have control over is sin. Paul speaks of God’s necessary intervention in Romans 9. Paul writes in Romans 9:15-18 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. He is seeking to explain God’s sovereignty in salvation. Every good impulse comes from God. Ellen White writes in the ninth chapter of Steps to Christ that, “God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing.” No matter where good is manifested it comes from God and not from human origin. Apart of the work of Christ is influencing the world from beneath in spite of original sin. In the same way sin pervades this world, Christ pervades this world, but that revelation is seen by eyes of faith.
Jan Paulsen in his article, Salvation by Faith, comments that: "by faith alone" means that apart from trust in Jesus Christ, God has no other basis of salvation to offer, then surely this is biblical, and the position we've always held as a church. Indeed, this is where we stand today. We must not be so intimidated by caricatures that we are afraid to be clear. Paul leaves behind traditional Judaism, with its emphasis on good works and fine performance, and proclaims salvation based on "faith quite apart from success in keeping the law." By faith alone is a hard doctrine to swallow for me personally because of my relationship with my parents. I was always trying to please them. I have a hard problem with unconditional love with no strings attached. Paul writes in Romans 10:3-4 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ being God’s final answer is a tough truth because He is a person and any righteousness I hope to receive I must get it from a living person. That demands a relationship that is threatening for me. Ellen White explains in chapter 10 that victory, in a sense, comes from submitting to God’s righteousness. She says, “The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God…”
Jan Paulsen in his article, Salvation by Faith, comments that: "by faith alone" means that apart from trust in Jesus Christ, God has no other basis of salvation to offer, then surely this is biblical, and the position we've always held as a church. Indeed, this is where we stand today. We must not be so intimidated by caricatures that we are afraid to be clear. Paul leaves behind traditional Judaism, with its emphasis on good works and fine performance, and proclaims salvation based on "faith quite apart from success in keeping the law." By faith alone is a hard doctrine to swallow for me personally because of my relationship with my parents. I was always trying to please them. I have a hard problem with unconditional love with no strings attached. Paul writes in Romans 10:3-4 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ being God’s final answer is a tough truth because He is a person and any righteousness I hope to receive I must get it from a living person. That demands a relationship that is threatening for me. Ellen White explains in chapter 10 that victory, in a sense, comes from submitting to God’s righteousness. She says, “The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God…”
Ellen White comments in her chapter on the Privilege of Prayer that, it “is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us.” If prayer is work, then how does it operate as a gift that we are to receive from God. Paul remark in Romans 11:6 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. I wonder how can we do something that requires literal work, but receive it by grace? It seems like a paradox to receive something by grace but the reception requires work. That juxtaposition of grace and action is explained in the article by Ivan T. Blazen entitled “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” He says, “Justification by faith helps to guard the judgment from the false ideas that human beings never will be able to stand in God's judgment or that standing there self-goodness will place God's righteousness under obligation. In other words, justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves.” Salvation by faith is a reality, but it is a reality that we receive as human begins. As bodily creatures, we don’t know we possess something until we act on it. We may have it objectively, but it becomes real in activity. We know we can walk when we take a step. God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, but He will not do for us which He has enabled us to do. That somewhat helps me explain the paradox of prayer as a gift and a work.
Ángel Rodríguez comments in his articles “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White”, that” If our first parents had not accepted the gift, the race would to-day be in hopeless misery. But how gladly did they hail the promise of the Messiah. It is the privilege of all to accept this Savior, to become children of God, members of the royal family and to sit at last at God's right hand." As a result of the decision of Adam and Eve to accept the gift of salvation, there is hope available to the human race; otherwise we would be today "in hopeless misery." He suggests that our choice for god began , humanly speaking, with Adam and Eve’s choice. God gave Adam and Even a choice to be saved, when they didn’t deserve a chance to be saved. He gives to all men an enmity toward sin and Satan, by which we would always be uncomfortable with sin. Paul writes in Romans 12:3 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. God gives to man the ability to believe and all we have to do be sensitive to his leading. The fact remains that we still must make a deliberate intentional choice for Christ This innate movement toward God isn’t enough to be saved. Doubt and the reality of uncertainty in spiritual things need to be confronted by faith. Ellen White comments in chapter 12, What to Do with Doubt Disguise, “… the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it.” As free as salvation is, we like Adam and Eve, must choose to believe in the promise of God.
E. G. White Report on Response to the Ottawa Sermon REPORT OF CAMP MEETING AT OTTAWA, KANSAS, PRINTED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, JULY 23, 1889, AND IN SELECTED MESSAGES, BOOK ONE, PP. 355-358. “The understanding of the people of God has been blinded, for Satan has misrepresented the character of God. Our good and gracious Lord has been presented before the people clothed in the attributes of Satan, and men and women who have been seeking for truth have so long regarded God in a false light that it is difficult to dispel the cloud that obscures His glory from their view. Many have been living in an atmosphere of doubt, and it seems almost impossible for them to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel of Christ. . . .” As I read Ellen White’s comments it reminded me of my earlier experience with a false understanding of Christ our righteousness. I had a hard time believing that I was “saved” because I wasn’t able to walk a straight line. Inevitably, I would have a negative thought or say something less than “Christ-like” before the day was over. Backslider! That’s the way I viewed myself even if I had a negative thought. I didn’t understand the process of sanctification. I didn’t understand the beautiful combination of faith, love, works, and obedience (although these traits can be viewed in unison). I didn’t understand that I didn’t possess righteousness. There is nothing within me than can produce righteousness. It’s only the righteousness of Christ that covers me, thereby making me acceptable to God. I’m reminded of a field school experience in Mobile, Alabama. As I was serving as a Bible worker in a team with a fellow colleague, we were blessed to meet Chris (this isn’t his real name). Chris is a 17 year old male who lives in the inner city of Mobile, Alabama. Chris lives with his mother (a single parent who works a lot), and goes to church (not SDA) from time to time. We met Chris when he attended the evangelistic meetings with Fred (not his real name), an older friend of his who is a Christian rapper. Chris and Fred have recorded a couple of gospel rap CD’s and Fred is active in his church. He mentors Chris and helps to keep him off out of the streets. As we began to talk with these two young men, we were delighted by there enthusiasm for Christ. Especially Chris, at first glance you wouldn’t think he has spiritual maturity, but looks can be deceiving. As Chris began to talk about Christ, the Bible, and salvation, my colleague and I were surprisingly delighted. However Chris began to share with us that he wasn’t sure if he was “saved”, he couldn’t say without a shadow of doubt that he was in relationship with Christ. Chris didn’t have the biblical understanding of Christ our righteousness, he didn’t have a biblical understanding of the process of sanctification, he was in the same place I was a few years ago. My heart went out to him as we began to study God’s Word on these very subjects. We didn’t want him to go away unsure of his salvation in Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, both Chris and Fred came into the SDA church on profession of faith at the end of the meetings!
Opinions and Practices to Be Conformed to God's Word SELECTED FROM REVIEW AND HERALD ARTICLE, MARCH 25, 1902. EGW “Believing a lie will not put any one of us in the way of being sanctified. Should all the ministers in the world tell us that we were safe in disobeying a single precept of the holy standard of righteousness, it would not lessen our obligations nor make our guilt less, if we reject a plain “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not.” We need not think that because our fathers did a certain way and died happy, we may follow in their footsteps and be accepted in rendering the same service and doing the same works that they did…We must accept and improve the light that shines upon our pathway as faithfully as they accepted and improved the light that fell upon their pathway in their generation. We shall be judged according to the light that shines into the soul-temple in our day; and if we follow the light, we shall be free men and women in Christ Jesus.” In this article Ellen White was referring to a false idea of sanctification being tied up in feelings and emotions, but not conforming to the law of God. Reading this reminded me of other sermons, articles, or letters that EGW had written before, but the above quotation stuck out to me. Being the only Seventh-day Adventist in my family (immediate or extended), I came from a Pentecostal tradition where feelings and emotions are stressed. Now I’m not saying all Pentecostals rely on emotions, and charismatic unction, but there is a healthy portion that do. Admittedly, when I first became an Adventist, I had to grow in God’s Word in order to realize charismatic emotion is not the measuring rod for sanctification. My father served as a Pentecostal Pastor, then Associate Pastor until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2000. I baptized into the Adventist church in 2001, going into a different direction than the tradition I grew up in. I wasn’t sure how my parents (mainly my mother, my father wasn’t as aware of my change) was going to react or for that fact my Godmother, Aunt, Uncle, and other extended family that are members of the same church denomination. I tell you, to God be praised! Until this day I haven’t witness a negative reaction from my mother or other family members (at least not to my face). My mother has been very supportive. I believe as she began to see the metamorphosis taken place in my life, growing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, coming to the seminary, serving as a chaplain, and preaching—things I never envisioned myself doing, let alone my mother, she doesn’t focus on the difference in denomination, just the joy of a daughter that has placed Christ first. I believe from the Bible studies, exposure, and discussions, my mother and I have had, a seed has been planted for the truths of the Bible that she hasn’t fully embraced yet. I know without a shadow of doubt that my mother and father (who is deceased) are/were strong Christians, but the light they had has doubled with further truth in my life. I thank God from all I can muster for allowing me to grow up in a Christian home where He was presented and modeled from the time of my baby dedication until now! To God be the glory great things He had done!!
Reflection of Chapter 11 in Steps to Christ “A Knowledge of God”
“There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.” p.90
Every I come return to the works of the spirit of prophecy through the ministry of Ellen G. White, there is always something new to learn (either by way of first time contact or by ways of further light on same material previously read). The above quote is one of such startling experience and as I read it, I said to myself, how wonderful it be if we dedicate all our energies solely to Scriptures. Yes, on this side of information era empowered by high-tech equipments, it is easy to argue that we must also be acquainted with our world and time, so true. But aren’t we already doing so at the expense of that which matters most? How shall we escape or be saved after all, “if we neglect so great salvation…” Hebrews 2:3 It is obvious that the word of God is central to our salvation and true salvation must necessarily be based on the word, for “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. Moreover, Jesus declared: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.
I think the call from the servant of God is a return to earnest and diligent searching of the word, empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection of Chapter 12 in Steps to Christ “The Privilege of Prayer”
Something we all like, especially as believers. Perhaps, better put, it’s something we cannot avoid in our spiritual journey with God. Yet there comes moments in our lives when “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.” p.94. So who is to blame when we get so low in our spiritual lives and get entrapped in sin? We can always point to endless chains of factors or reasons outside of ourselves to justify our deed(s). How often do we realize that it is neglect on part to take advantage of the boundless help from above through the medium of prayer?
But prayer is relational. We cannot truly pray unless we are in relationship with God: “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him” p. 93.
I have often thought of prayer as the key to getting all we need in life and NOW! Don’t you? Or have you not read? It came from Jesus Himself, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].” John 14:13-14. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16. And just before you take it too far, the servant of the Lord introduces a dynamic but yet interesting and biblical interpretation or light to these statements: “But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works” p.100-101.
What a privilege to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus!
Reflection of Chapter 13 in Steps to Christ “What to do with Doubt”
So if “God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith,(p.105)” why then do we doubt as opposed to faith, even among professed believers? And why even talk about the foolishness of the gospel? I Corinthians 1:25. Ellen White also offers the answer, “Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. It is impossible for finite minds fully to comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect, the most highly educated mind, that holy Being must ever remain clothed in mystery. "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" p.105-106.
So what do we do with doubt? She offers a way out; “Peter exhorts his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. When the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18.
For this blog I would like to comment on the article, “Some thoughts on Original Sin” by Gerhard Pfandl. In this article Pfandl highlights some of the major thoughts and discussions on the issue of original sin through out the early church, through early Adventism and up to today. When I began reading this article I had an idea of what original sin was and while this article opened up my mind to some additional issues surrounding the issue of original sin it did not change my position; having said that there were a few issues that raised my eyebrow and made me think. One of these issues was explicitly stated in the conclusion section. The author writes concerning what SDA’s think about original sin today, “They believe that children are born with a sinful, depraved nature as a consequence of Adam’s sin and the resulting separation from God. This sinful state means that if a baby dies a few hours after birth he/she is subject to the second death, even though he/she has never broken any commandment. If this were not so, then babies who died would not need a Saviour. Christ allowed for no such exception when He said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6).” This is a very interesting point and one with a logical conclusion. Does this mean then that no newborn’s that die at an early age will be saved? What implications does this have in terms of their salvation, seeing that they could not at this early age accept Christ as their Savior? I do not have the answers for these things, however, I do believe that the judge of all the world will judge justly. We do not have all the answers to questions such as these concerning who will make it to heaven or not. Another issue that I am still in disagreement with which also came in the conclusion portion about what SDA’s currently believe is that, “Adam in his unfallen state had a middle nature - capable of becoming morally good or corrupt.” I don’t believe that Adam had a middle nature. What does it mean to have a middle nature? If their only definition of this middle nature is the capacity to become morally good or corrupt, then perfect beings also have this capacity as did Lucifer. If perfect beings did not have this capacity, as pointed out in class then they would not be truly free, because they could not choose to go against God’s good will. I think that the creation of this third, ‘middle nature’ is unwarranted.
For this post I read the chapter from Steps to Christ, “Rejoicing in the Lord”. Throughout this reading I kept on thinking of Tamara’s emphasis on ‘joy.’ Yes, I must agree this is an important part of our theology which sometimes we down-play too much because we feel that it will cause people to become too liberal in their serving of God. However, I do think that if we present this message of rejoicing in the Lord that we will do more good for our people than harm. As Tamara points out there are many SDA’s that are not happy. They are going through life as though they are paying penance to get into heaven, this is not right. Ellen White says, “Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that the Lord will do us harm by His providences.” We need to lead our people to the joy of the Lord. I also read from Romans 14. This chapter has seemed to be misused and misunderstood by many people, and a casual reading of it will produce many questions. However, it seems that Paul is writing to encourage us not to judge others. As we have learnt in class the judgment of works will determine whether our works were of faith or not. Because no one can tell who is truly following God then we shouldn’t judge. I also think that he wants to encourage a spirit of unity and brotherly support. So that you try to help your brother stay in the right path by the actions you display. So if you know that something offends your brother, even if you think it is okay, don’t do it in their presence. Maybe we don’t have to launch an all out attack on everyone who does not behave or serve God exactly the same way we do.
Paul writes, in Romans 13:8-10, 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Paul seems to show that obedience to the commandments are impossible without love. In this highly ethical chapter, He intimates the most important thing in spiritual things. He isn’t ethereal in his advice suggesting that love, being the fulfillment of the law, preclude service. In the following verses he says, “13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Not only is he including the Ten Commandments, but he is encompassing the entire life. Paul wants Christian to give in proportion to the way God has given himself to us. The proper response to objective salvation should be complete objective obedience. Angel Manuel Rodriguez, in his article, Christ Saved the Human Race, comments that The alienation of humans from God, which was the result of the fall, came to an end through Christ. He became a living bridge between God and humans because he was both, human and divine. This was Christ's objective act of salvation. Jesus Christ gave himself, without reservation to us, therefore we should give ourselves in the same manner to him. Love is the fulfillment of the law because God himself is love and he is the goal of the Christian life. Anything short of God being the goal, then Christian ethics is nothing more than minimal morality. Any moral behavior in the believer’s life must be predicated on love, but also separation from everything that will inhibit that love relationship from flourishing
Paul writes in Romans 14 that “15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Is he not putting love before ethical behavior? The practices in this chapter surround good things, but stumbling blocks when given the wrong priority in the believer’s life. Angel Manuel Rodriguez’s article: “Comments on the "In Adam/In Christ" Motifs” seeks to articulate a theological argument for our identification with Adam and our identification with Jesus Christ. I believe one of Paul’s theological points about us being “In Adam/In Christ” is that we are all equal by way of Creation and Redemption. We are not autonomous in an inseparable way from our other human beings. It seems like when we make theological arguments, we put one group of people in category and dismiss them as “other”, but Paul says that we are all on the same level. When we substitute ethics for theology, we become judgmental and start to major in minor. The 1888 Committee vs the Biblical Research Institute is a debate between ideas and concepts, but what fruit has the debate gotten for Christ. It seems that we would rather argue over theology than seek to “serve Christ in a way that is pleasing to God.”
Romans 7:23-24--23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Admittedly, as I have read through the book of Romans, and from time to time I have been confused with “law” here “law” there and “law” everywhere throughout the text. Then I began to think—no wonder so many Christians throughout the ages have been confused on the subject of law and grace, at first glance it’s easy to become confused. Some scholars have suggested that Paul preached a law free gospel to the Gentiles and argued with the other apostles in Jerusalem concerning the minimal directives given by James. I don’t know how true that is, but I know for a fact, Paul’s writings must be read wholistically. In the time of ignorance God winked, but I believe the Holy Spirit raised up the Seventh-day Adventist church to bring balance between law and grace—pointing the way in the scriptures. Unfortunately, throughout the Christian era, man’s mind has been clouded with so many false doctrines which made truth sizzle on the back burner. In Romans Paul talks about being dead to the law through Christ working in him (Paraphrasing). He says, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” I believe Paul is talking about two or possibly three different laws in chapter 7. Law 1—the law of God which is the Decalogue, and/or the character traits found in Galatians 5:22-23 the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit doesn’t possess the “thou shalt not” wording, but gives the reality of Godliness when the commandments are obeyed through Holy Spirit directed choices and self-control (Love the Lord God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. Therefore the law of God includes a state of being, not just commandments. Some may not agree if law(s) are only viewed in light of rules. Before Christ’ atoning blood, everyone was subject to the law—it didn’t impart any grace, you either obeyed it or you didn’t, and if you didn’t (no matter the reason), there was automatic condemnation, there was automatic death (blood had to be shed). The law was a constant reminder of our carnal weakness and inability to perfectly obey it. Therefore sin and death were constantly knocking at our door. However, in the same breath (metaphorically), Paul says the law is holy, and the commandment holy, just and good. Paul also says, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Okay, what’s going on with these “laws”? Three laws—the law of God (fruits of the Spirit), a state of being that we know in our mind is right. The law of God, the Decalogue, serves as the mirror to sin, and the law of sin operating in our flesh. When reading Paul’s writings, one must always take into account that he refers to more than one law and sometimes he refers to more than one law in the single mention of the word. Had theologians and scholars throughout Christendom followed this method, the seventh-day Sabbath wouldn’t be such a strange anomaly for so many.
Steps to Christ pages 94 and 95 “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.” As I read the above quotation about prayer, I thought about our discussion on God being temporal or timeless. I totally believe that God is temporal—that He moves, creates, operates, sustains, and whatever verbs one can use, in the process of time. I believe time is something that exists eternally, it does not have a beginning or ending (I realize this is speculative). There is time as we (created beings) know it and divine (eternal) time as God knows it. Our time is a created subset of the ultimate divine time. I believe within this time, God has divine foreknowledge. A foreknowledge where He chooses to know all of the options our individual lives can take, but He has a desired option. I believe that it’s possible—God chooses not to know exactly which option we will choose, but actively participates in our lives as we place our faith and trust in Him. When I began pondering the temporality versus timelessness of God, I could easily swallow the side of temporality, even the speculative theology that we discussed (even though we cannot prove the speculation). However, when I thought about our communion with God through prayer, I became somewhat alarmed. Immediately I began to wonder how God oversees our future if He chooses not to foresee which way we are going. What good is prayer in this instance? As I thought about it, I began to feel at ease with the speculative idea discussed in class. I realize we cannot prove it, and we in our carnality cannot begin to understand the mind of God, but when we ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom, He provides. I believe there are prayers that God will answer only when we ask. I believe there are things God will perform in our lives whether we commune with Him or not—due to His abundant grace and mercy (this is where prophecy may play a major role). I believe there are prayers where God will say “no”’, “not now”, or “yes”. From this perspective, it is easy to see why prayer is the key to either a great future in the eternal arms of Christ, or the darkness of sin and death. In the above quote from Steps to Christ, Ellen White talks about the “storehouses of Heaven” being at our disposal if we would only spend time in communion with Christ through prayer. God may or may not choose to know our exact future, but I can trust in His sovereignty through prayer, a Holy Spirit filled heart, and His bountiful grace and mercy to secure my future according to His will.
When I came into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Romans chapter 14th was explained in this way—when Paul talks about the diet, regarding a specific day, and unclean versus clean, he was not talking about the seventh-day Sabbath or eating unclean meats. I was told—Paul is referring to kosher meat that has been sacrificed to idols and the ceremonial days observed by the Jews. Supposedly there were Gentiles eating kosher meat that had been sacrificed to idols (as I’m typing this, something comes to mind, if the meat was being sacrificed to idols, it probably wasn’t killed in the kosher way, thereby making it unclean in kosher standards). From this perspective, one may have to interpret this further than referring to just kosher meat sacrificed to idols. Paul could be referring to clean as well as unclean meat. What does this do to our health message? I do not believe this changes the biblical health message. When we study the Bible systematically (wholistically), we can learn the ideal diet that God ordains for us (studying the creation account in Genesis and the Levitical laws). I do not believe this information exist in the canon just for good practice. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Those who are given much, and/or who know much—much is required. In other words, those of us who have studied the word of God and have a Spirit lead understanding of such things (i.e. the health message and the seventh day Sabbath) are required to abide by it for our growth in Christ and the maximization of the Gospel. However, we should not judge those who are either unlearned in these areas or haven’t embraced it as yet. We should not assume that they are less righteous than us, or do not have the “special” relationship with Christ that we do (those who are vegetarian, only eat kosher meat, and keep the seventh day Sabbath). By God’s grace, through continuous patient teaching, compassion, and understanding, those who haven’t embraced these doctrines will begin to do so. We should not be afraid to fellowship with these believers and non-believers, just because they are not on the same plane (not delineating higher or lower) than we are. Even our church teaches—those who have not accepted the Sabbath will not be given the “mark of the beast” until it’s a matter of law. When it must be accepted or denied as a test of faith. So why do we act as if people are going to be dancing in the fires of hell because they are not keeping the Sabbath at the present. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe the historical background of this text may also support the argument—Paul was referring to ceremonial days and not the seventh day, but even is he was referring to Sabbath, this doesn’t cancel out the clear commandment to observe the Sabbath. I believe Paul was a faithful Sabbath keeper and probably taught others about the Sabbath (as a matter of fact, I’m sure he did). After all, I’m sure there were Gentile believers who asked him why did he keep the Sabbath and what does it really mean. I realize the text doesn’t explicitly report this, but I’ll be surprised to find out from Paul—that he didn’t teach about the importance of the Sabbath. There may be similar teaching experiences concerning the dietary laws, however, I don’t believe Paul was dogmatic or made these things a test of salvation, but he taught the benefits of them. We will do well in following the same.
Tamara Strickland said After reading Romans 7,i am reminded of the power of Paul's preaching!!At afirst glance one may interpret that living under the law has now been done away with.However, what Paul is saying I believe is that we are freed from the "works' of the law as it relates to salvation. There is none righteous no not ONE.The good we would do we are unable to do,and the evil we would not do we practice.Only HE who is blameless can meet the requirement of the law and yet provide grace for sinners-all have fallen short!!Deliverance comes only from Him who is worthy!!
Tamara Strickland-Bennett Reading the book of Romans is really a blessing. As I moved on to chapter Eight I must confess this is my favorite chapter in the whole book. I have read Romans before for other classes and it always bring joy to my soul like no other chapter in Romans.I guess what stands out in my mind is that we are not condemned because of Christ and the shedding of His blood.Each time i thikn about being freed, the joy I feel can not be expressed in words.we have been "declared" righteous by the One who relly has the right to condemn us to death! His mercy never ceases to amaze me.he makes it all work together for our good as long as we accept His grace and allow Him to work in and through us! Praise Godfrom whom all blessings flow!!
Ragnheidur Katla (Lala) Reading Material; Romans 6 and BRI article Christ Saved the Human Race by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
It seemed to me like these two were addressing the same thing.(That is Romans 6 and the article) Paul talks about because Christ has redeemed us then we should no longer live the life of a sinner. And Paul talks about the law how we no longer are bound by it because Christ´s Spirit lives in us...and therefore we don´t need law...we should do what is right because that is now our new nature..to do good things...to do things according to the Spirit of God. The article addresses what EGW meant when she talked about that Christ had saved the world, was it a univeral salvation given to all even though the Spirit of God doesn´t live in them, or was it simply are bridge provided in Christ for the sinner to God. But the matter can be quite complicated...let´s see a quote from the article “. First, every human being that comes into this world belongs to Christ because he paid the price of redemption. Second, humans have to consent to become children of God, demonstrating it through a life of obedience to God. Third, it is after consenting to be children of God that they become one with Christ. The fact that Christ redeemed all at the cross does not automatically make them one with him.” So we can see from understanding EGW words that she did not mean that everyone would use their opportunity, their bridge to God which is Jesus Christ. It is correct that Christ provided for every man and every woman the way to eternal life…the way to salvation…but not all in this world will accept His invitation. However those that have accepted His invitation will also be the ones who are set free from sin, and because we have been freed from sin we no longer should sin in our lives. We are one with Christ and Christ doesn´t really need a law to tell Him what is wrong or right…He knows it because He has the Spirit of God within himself and the same thing applies to us as well, those who have accepted to be one with Christ. So those who Christ has indeed saved are the ones that live according to His Spirit…and we can see what that means…when we look wholistically at what the Bible tells us about the fruits of the Spirit… Let us all figure out what it means to live by the Spirit…and the Spirit of God always lives according to God´s law…or God´s character…Complicated??? No, not so…when you think about it!! Amen
Student; Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala) Romans 7 and BRI article How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible? By Edward Heppenstall
Romans 7 talks about how we are set free from the law of God because no longer do we need a law to tell us what is perfect and Holy. We once were bound to a ruler which was the law of God and now we are not bound to it but should live it. Paul gives the comparison of a woman that has lost her husband…as long as her husband lives she is bound to him…but when her husband dies she can be given to someone else. The same applies with our lives…before we knew the Spirit of God we were under a law which told us what the Spirit of God is all about…but now as we are united with the Spirit we no longer need law but we are constantly with the Spirit. The law told us about good and evil…if we had not known the law we wouldn´t have known the difference…but when we have yielded ourselves to the Spirit of God…we know the law of God by heart and all that the law of God includes…we no longer have to check everysingle act in our lives…to see if we live according to the law…we will know it because of what Spirit lives in us. The Article was interesting and I thought how well it combined with the reading in Romans…Because so many of us do not understand what it is to be perfect in the Spirit of God…Many might think that we no longer need law…but in a sense it is true and then again not…the law lives in our bones, our minds and spirits..because that is now who we are. But many feel because they have not managed to live their lives in a perfect state..that something must be wrong! But if we read the Bible wholistically we see that “Perfect” is indeed something we have to understand a little bit better. I heard in other class this semester that a little baby is perfect in all it does…we think it is perfect…but after a while if that same baby doesn´t mature and grow..we know that something is wrong. So it is the same with us…we can be perfect at each stage in our lives…God will provide the wisdom and the guidance…and it will always be Christ Righteousness that will go before us…we will shield ourselves in His perfect Character by admitting that He is the perfect one and that we are sinners… I think it is truly a beautiful thing that God can look at us and still think that we are holy and perfect in His sight…what a wonderful Lord we serve! Amen
This chapter in Romans is really wonderful. Paul explains about how those who belong to Christ will not have to suffer condemnation because through Christ God condemned the sin in humanity…And now for those who live with Christ they will live according to the Spirit and focus on the Spirit and not on the flesh. And Paul tells us that all who are led by the Spirit of God are God´s children…now they can surely claim whatever the Father has promised , not only can they call and ask the father for various things in spiritual matters but also can they claim the inheritance which is eternal live. Paul tells us how the suffering in this world is nothing compared to the joy and fulfillment of the glory to come and Paul tells us how our hope is important…it will be accounted to us…our hope and faith because it will reveal what is in our hearts. But Paul goes on…we even do not know at times what to hope for or pray for but the loving Spirit of God will surely pray for us at such moments. And Paul assures us that those who love the Lord will do well..they will be save in the arms of their savior. And the final words of Chapter 8 are so encouraging…nothing can depart us from the Love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ. Amen!
Paul talks about how much pain and sorrow he experiences when he sees with his eyes how the Jewish nation has rejected Jesus. Of course it it obvious that not all, have rejected Jesus but Paul is seeing both in his own time and from the Scriptures that this is the reality…a large portion of the Jewish nation has and will reject Jesus. And Paul starts to explain what it truly means to be of Christ…to be God´s child. Does it belong to those who are born Israelites or to others as well? Well Paul explains that first of all it is God that decides who He wants to show mercy and who not. It seems harsh..but if we read the Bible carefully and if we know the heart of God we know that God is beyond all merciful. It seems from these texts that God in His mercy will use whoever He wants in spite of their disobedience. In this , I am reminded of Jesus´words when saying that if His disciples couldn’t speak then the stones would shout instead…God will use whoever He wants, and if God so wills HE will use even the unrighteous ones to bring about His work on earth. Paul is reminding us that salvation is not in our hands…it is in God´s hands… After having explained in the former chapters how we should live according to the Spirit it is also wonderful to see that in the end it is all in God´s hands. Chapter 10 is all about Jesus Christ and how everyone who wants to get close with God needs to admit and confess their faith in Jesus Christ…whoever will belief in Him will not be shameful. The Lord will listen to all those who will call on the name of Jesus…Jesus is our bridge – our ticket to heaven so to speak, there is no other way around it. The gospel is all about Christ…even Moses knew about it…because Moses knew about a nation which is not a nation(but many nations) and this multitude would accept Jesus Christ..because in the end that was always what was required. Paul is discovering from the words of Isahiah that God has on many occations given warning…to His people ..to accept Jesus Christ..but they wouldn´t. How sad…but in the end we should focus on our own journey…God will and can give salvation to whoever He wills…because it is not depended on our works but on HIS GRACE. Amen!
Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White Ángel Manuel Rodríguez We were created for God. We were created to be in intimacy with God. We were created with some sort of mystical bond to our Creator. This is why man lost his center when he was separated from God, he lost his footing because he lost that for which he was created for. It continues to amaze me how Adam and Eve being created perfect and being so close to God could fall so easily to sin. It seems almost impossible then to resist sin. The idea that doing right and good is actually because a gift God gave us in sin to exercise choice that sin took away is something I’ve never thought about before. People usually relate doing good and right as something bad and having to do right and good seems limiting. It is extraordinary to think that, we have the privilege to do right and good instead of the limitation of not being able to choose to do it and having to only do bad. It is still a hard thing to understand how Adams sin changed his nature to the point that it came down to his descendants. His nature, lets even call it his DNA, was created perfect. When he sinned did his DNA (nature) change and that is what came down to his children. I don’t know that anyone can understand it really.
EGW’s chapter on consecration goes well with the above paper in that it talks about the need for Christians to consecrate themselves to God. The ability to consecrate ourselves is in itself a gift that comes to us because of what Christ has done. In consecrating ourselves we will be enabled to continue in Him.
Romans 5 We can only worship when we read this chapter. What freedom we have in Christ. As a hymn says, it is when we are captive that we are free. Verse 12 says exactly what the article above was talking about. What a gift that not only we have the opportunity to do right, but even more, God through the Holy Spirit helps us to do the right we have the
Christ Saved the Human Race Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
The idea that stood out to me here was that Jesus walked the same land where Adam fell into sin. Jesus walked the perfect earth God created, but He walked it as it was in its sinful state. I wonder what that must have been like for Him. I can’t imagine what He thought when He saw thorns, people working in the fields, sweat pouring down their faces, or heard a woman giving birth. Of course the paper is about the objective act Jesus did in saving us and it is our subjective act to accept it. This is clear in the quotes of EGW presented in the paper. Steps to Christ Faith and Acceptance We have to accept it by faith that not only did Christ do this objective thing but that He did it for us and we are made completely clean once we accept it. Sometimes it is so hard when we look at ourselves and our sins to think that God will really forgive them. We know that He can, but sometimes we find ourselves wondering if He will. Here EGW admonishes Christians to accept it by faith even if you don’t feel it. Roman 6 Dead to sin and alive to God! And yet we have to make sure that we keep our bodies from sin. We have all of this freedom in Christ and yet it is sometimes so easy for me to act like I am still a captive to sin. Here Paul encourages to live the lives of freedom that we now have the opportunity to live.
Comments on the "In Adam/In Christ" Motifs Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Wow. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of lives. What an interesting idea. I don’t agree with it but its still interesting. And as shown there really is no theological significance to the word in the Hebrew. But I still find it an interesting idea that I could have been in Adam at the time of His creation. We obviously were not in Adam at the time of his creation or his sin. And were not in Christ as He hung on the cross. If we were than the entire Bible would in part be unnecessary or could be condensed into two lines: You were in sin because of Adam. Now you are set free because you, in Jesus, died to that sin. If we were in Christ I would need to know how to live right, I wouldn’t need to know anything about faith, believing, acceptance, or mercy and grace. But this is not so. Although I feel the results of Adams sin, his sin is his own and mine is my own. And although I have access to the results of what Christ did, He is the one who did it, not me.
Steps to Christ : The Test of Discipleship The in Christ in Scripture often refers to being a Christian as the article above reflects. This chapter of Steps to Christ talks about the transformation one should see in their lives once they are in Christ. Each year should see a difference because we are abiding in Him more. The more we grow into His likeness the more we should change from this sinful nature into His nature. Romans 7 Our husband of sin is dead, now we are married to a new husband. So we are no longer under the rule and obligation of our old dead husband. So now we bear fruit to God as the Steps to Christ chapter reflects. The chapter gives me so much comfort know that we are not alone in our struggles. And then the proclamation that Jesus is the one who saves us from this body of death! What else is left to say.
How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible?
“To be a genuine Christian means faith in Christ, fellowship with Christ, faithfulness to Christ, and fruitfulness for Christ.” This is the road to perfection, not that we will be perfect, but that we will wear Christ’s perfection. The verse that says sin will not reign in you reminded me of a gospel artist who said that the Bible says sin should not reign in you but it doesn’t mean sin doesn’t exist in you. It is just not primary, this is not the rule under which you live and function. So when we see sin in us we have to recognize that we are on a journey in which we are to get rid of it through Christ, but it will continue to be a struggle. We can not let it reign and have dominion but that does not mean it is not present. The only way to get rid of this sin is to “counter” it with the Holy Spirit as the article says. We have to everyday live out of Christ in this we will be counted as righteous, but it is Christ’s righteousness.
Steps to Christ Growing up into Christ This chapter is about the same thing. We have to allow Christ to do the work of righteousness in us. It is not up to us to do the works once we are saved. We need to keep on relying on Christ day in and day out. We will grow in Him as we continue to abide in Him.
Roman 8 Basically there is nothing we need to worry about as hard as that is to do. God does the good works in us through the Spirit. We of course have to surrender to that. The Spirit prays for us. God is for us and gave up His Son to us and so will give us all things else we need. And all things work for the good of those who love Him. We just need to surrender. The hard thing is trying know how to surrender everything while we still have to get up and do things everyday. It’s that abiding in Him that will help us to know how to surrender while we are acting.
The sermon really sums up all the articles I’ve been reading. Faith is the beginning of a journey with Christ. It is He who saves us, justifies us, sanctifies us, and glorifies us. This seems to be what Paulsen is saying. He gives a more holistic definition to the words so often used when talking about salvation. To him justification is not just a legal word, but it is also the act that changes ones personal life. The idea goes back to Christ acting in us always, We will never be able to boast about any of the things we may do that seem righteous. Steps to Christ The Work and Life This says that once we are in Christ we will want to do the works of Christ. We will want to reflect Him in all of our thinkings, doings, and goings. Christ will be the center, we will become more and more like Him. So we our desires will change to become like His. Our lives will be characterized by what Christ does in us. Romans 9 This is such a confusing chapter when he talks about Pharaoh and Esau. It sounds like predestination when it says “God will have mercy on whom He will and compassion on whom He will” I know the point that Paul is making is that God can choose the Gentiles if He wishes. But what of those that He doesn’t choose? Why did God choose Jacob over Esau, and this before they were even born?
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala) Romans 11 and 12
While reading Romans in those chapter where Paul is addressing the Jews and their salvation I cannot but think how strange it all appears. I am thinking, Paul and the disciples must really have experienced a strange time. Having experienced their own walk with Christ..and then seeing how the Jewish nation rejected Jesus. But somehow even though some of them rejected Jesus it is strange to read about how Paul reveals to the Jews that they are no longer the chosen ones. How could Paul be so certain..well I guess the answer is in the Scriptures..his assurance must have come from the Scriptures otherwise he couldn´t have written so boldly to the Jews, being a Jew himself. At the same time Paul realizes what real Israel is..it seems that God must have really undergone a great surgery in Pauls mind...having gone from murdering the Christians...going to a deep theological understanding of God´s plan with His people on earth. But Paul hasn´t given up on all the Jews. His message is both for the Jews as well for the gentiles..he urges them to give themselves as a living sacrifice ,holy acceptable to God. And in fact in chapter 12 it is as Paul summons up all the wonderful advice Jesus gave on earth...Paul is in fact summoning up what is the responsibility of every child of God whether it be a Jew or a Gentile. Christ is in His words all through...because Paul is driven by Christ love for him.
While I was reading this chapter it came to my mind at what level we ought to confess and repent of our doings. So often we feel like somebody did something to us, that it wasn´t our fault...or at least we didn´t mean to do any harm. I am thinking especially about the work in the religious field, I have had some training as an associate pastor in my church and I tell you, the people so often do expect so much of those who are leaders and pastors...like they ought to solve all their problems and yet at the same time..people blame the leaders for not being able to solve everything. I was wondering, do leaders...or pastors ask God for forgiveness if someone else is angry or frustrated with them? So often people are simply angry with us ministers because we tell them the truth..which often is not easy to hear, even though the minister isn´t rude or anything..just tells the plain truth of things. Well I was just wondering...of course we are all sinners...but ministers are called to deal with people in a more personal way than others and therefore it can be expected that people do become offended by many things that the pastor isn´t even aware of....Just the fact that you didn´t perhaps call them, or ask them how they are feeling. All over this world people are getting more and more selfish and I quess that ministers do have to be aware of the danger of following whatever character flaw in people. But I belief that the true confession comes both from the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin and your deep longing for God´s forgiveness. But I guess sometimes I go a little bit to far in repenting...I think I am responsible for everybody and everything...I guess it is dangerous to take responsibility for other people´s sins??? Let us walk in the Spirit..God will cleanse us through dealing with us...and our part is to confess and admit our part in all things.
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala) Steps to Christ Chapter ; Consecration
EGW urges all to give themselves to God, she reminds us of the words written in Jeremiah “Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jer 29.13 The strange thing is that the closer you want to come to Christ and perhaps the closer you come to Christ the more unsure you become of your real intentions. Am I a true disciple, longing to be cleansed by God or Am I only doing this to earn me some points with God. I guess because of the sin in us , it all blends somehow together...but as long as we are aware of our sinful nature..we can admit that to God and ask Him to even cleanse our intentions. I think it is a beautiful promise that is given in Jeremiah..God promises those who seek, that they will find Him...and for me that is so encouraging to read..because so often I feel like I am only following my own tail instead of God...but God has promised me, Lala you will find me if you seek me, Amen thank you Lord for your promise!! I also thought it was so true when EGW wrote about that our following..is not a blind submissive following. God does not want people to close their eyes and follow Him ,...no He wants us to be aware of what we are doing..where we are heading...whom we are following. And no one can follow God truly unless he/she knows Him, His words or His true character. So many like EGW explains try to live their lives in a way that they get away with doing as little as they can for the Lord...they seek to meet Lords requirements with poor intentions...instead of giving Him all. I know..because I have been there...”Lord are you sure I will have to give this up?” or that?? Instead of saying like Zakkeus...I will give up half of everything I own...(and I am sure he gave more in the end...at least Zakkeus had the right mindset towards God). I pray that God will cleanse my intentions..and give me a heart that is ready to commit everything to the Lord...a heart that says “I surrender All”.
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdotti (Lala) Romans 13,14 and Steps to Christ
It seems kind of strange what Paul is saying in this chapter. That christians ought to surrender to secular authority for they are God´s ministers for us Christians for good. I am reminded of what I read in the class Reformation; Luther, where Luther especially addresses this very same thing, that authority is given to some by God to keep law and order on earth. Well I guess this is something I am interested in looking into further..and understanding at a deeper level. But I can see already from the Scriptures that without a doubt it is God who is in charge of all authority..and God will use whomever He chooses whether that person will accept His salvation or not. Romans 14 In fact Paul is in these chapters giving the believers some practical advice. I can imagen that as soon as the congregation was growing , that many questions would have risen among the people. What should we do when this comes up and what should we do about this and that? And Paul is willing to give them advice concerning many things. In Chapter 14 Paul addresses the Jewish customs which might not have been an easy thing to change for a Jew..but also the Gentiles had to take into an account that they would have to have respect for all their Jewish-Christian fellows. Also now Paul had to address the Sabbath and in fact the law in general. But Paul gives good advice..in the end it is all about God not your fellow man. Give account to God for everything you do...do it for the Glory of God... But we are all on a different stage in our maturity in Christ...but what Paul is really saying ..whatever you do...do it in faith...otherwise it is a sin!!
Steps to Christ.. Chapter; Faith and acceptance It seems relevant to read this chapter in harmony with chapter 14 in Romans. Whatever you do” believe that He does this because He has promised.” I guess most of the time this is the hardest part for us Christians. And if I speak for myself it is more difficult for me to belief that Christ has cleansed me...that I am clean than to belief that He will take care of some financial situation or something like that. The personal part is so delicate..we hardly belief God can or is willing to declare that I am righteous...or can it be that this is such a marvellous gift that we can hardly open it...we are afraid we will spoil it!! But EGW talks about the fact that Jesus had to make the people belief that He was capable of forgiving sins...people had their doubts...is there something so wonderful that it can erase all the bad things , all the failures I have done??? EGW reminds us of the paralytic man, how he believed and therefore was healed. And she also reminds us of Christ promise recorded in Mark 11.24 “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them”. Yes the Bible is full of wonderful promises...but why is it so hard for us to accept them...perhaps because we are not walking in the Spirit as much as we need to. We are bought with a price..Jesus bought us with His own blood....God thoughts are made of mercy...and love...our thoughts are made of doubt and selfishness. But God is waiting to restore everyone of us...so why not me as well, and why not you! Let us believe in His wonderful promises...yes, let us just believe!!
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala) Romans 15 and 16 It is wonderful to read about Paul´s counsil to all...that all should Glorify God together... And I can speak for myself when I say..that it is not possible without having the joy and the peace Paul is speaking of. Paul says to the brethren that they are filled with all knowledge. We are reminded of the importance of being together with ONE Spirit. God needs His people to come together in peace and harmony to spread the gospel to the world. We are reminded of the obedience we need to have in order to serve the Lord..and to be aware of keeping the Word of God in our minds and hearts and not to let anyone who causes division and offenses ruin the good work Christ is doing on earth. The gospel has now been made manifest...those who want to partake in it are welcome...halleluja!! To God be the Glory through Jesus Christ forever.Amen.” !!!!
Steps to Christ - Chapter - The test of Discipleship All who are in Christ will be new creatures, a change will be seen in our character...we cannot fool God. But God will also make it evident who belongs to Him and who doesn´t. Perhaps it will not be evident to all of us...but most surely to God. We are reminded by EGW that the fruits of the Spirit are required in our lives...we will have to bring forth fruits. I am also reminded of how Jesus handled the fig tree which bore no fruits...when the time was ripe there was no fruit on it...and as we walk with Christ He will give us time and He will be patient with us...but when time is ripe...He will go and look for fruits in our lives...will He find any..or will He have to cast us away because we bore no fruit?? Reformation is one of the fruits in our lives...we must constantly want to bring the truth into the world...correct others...make the Character of God shine among men. We will love to do good things because we steadily have Christ before our eyes...we see the perfect one and we long to be like Him!!! We can never earn salvation..it is a gift...we will sing along with the angels of heaven..glory glory....holy holy holy...because we will experience God´s mercy and love like never before...Heaven is already here..in our hearts..!! AMen
Some Theological Considerations of Perfection Edward Heppenstall
At first I thought he was supporting the sinless perfection idea. But as I read on to the end I see that is not what he is saying although it is a little confusing. He does seem to go in circles a little bit to me. He seemed to be saying that it is very possible to be sinless and perfect, that in fact it is a calling and supposed to be the end result for every Christian. And then he says at the end that this is impossible, where at the beginning of the paper he said why would the writers put it in the Bible if it was impossible. But he does say that it is only in Christ and we take on His sinlessness. The idea that the saints after probation will still continue to struggle in their faith do Steps to Christ: Knowledge of God How incredible that God choose to reveal Himself to us. Not only in nature but in the concrete words of Scripture. We have something to look to to see what He is like, what His desires are. I’ve realized how much more time I need to spend in His word because they reveal Him. Prayer is so important but His word shows us who He is with out guess work. Of course there is much for interpretation but His character is so evident and the Holy Spirit works with us to reveal Him fully. Romans 10 Wow this chapter seems to be saying a lot of things, many of which I did not understand. But when it said, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” that is all I needed. After reading the article it was a little discouraging. Just seemed like it was so complicated, but this one line gave me assurance in Christ.
The Dynamics of Salvation God shows His extravagant love. What a lovely way to put it? I’m really just amazed reading this article. I am humbled and awed at the love of God. “He comes to us in our lostness, offering salvation in all its abundance.” How amazing that He does this? I just don’t get this. It doesn’t make sense why He loves us the way He does as much as He does. God’s righteousness is a verb. He will not delay His salvation. What an amazing promise for us? He saves us because He is righteous. The idea that God (Jesus) struggled with temptation is amazing. He hates sin yet succumbed to actually wrestle with it they way we do. How did the Holy Spirit act in the Old Testament? If in the New Testament the Holy Spirit convicts us of good and keeps us from doing evil, than how did the people in the Old Testament do good, what caused them to be convicted of sin? If it was the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as well, than how is the coming of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost different? I’m so thankful that God always takes the initiative, that not o only does He help us to desire His will but He also helps us to do it. Thank you Lord!!
Steps to Christ The Privilege of Prayer What a privilege to pray. God actually wants to hear our thoughts and requests. Prayer may not change the situation but it changes our perspective and that in turn may change our situation. He is always on our side, if we ask we will receive. He is always looking for our good, how amazing is His love. What love is this, too much for us to comprehend.
Romans 11 We should never boast about being in God. We should never look down on those who are not in Him or who have fell away from Him. This is not love, and if it is not love it is not of God. How wonderful it would be if a Jew saw the fulfillment of the promise they have waited for for centuries, when they finally see that in Jesus.
Justification and the Cross Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I would be interested to know how Eve’s sin figures into all of this. She is the one who sinned first, why then is it considered Adam’s sin. He was created first so he is the representative of the human race, but she sinned first, was her sin imputed to Adam? We can’t say that because she was a woman and not the representative, the sin did not count. God provides much more grace than we need, so that no one can say there isn’t enough. This reminds me of when Jesus multiplied the food. There was much more than needed. No chance for anyone to say there wasn’t enough. Steps to Christ: What to do With Doubt She says that there is much that God reveals to us, yet there are things that we will never understand simply because we are human and he is God. His ways are higher than ours. I don’t agree with her entirely because I think in some cases doubt leads us to ask more questions and to seek that which we may at first not understand. Of course in our doubting and seeking we must always come back to the Bible and let that be our only rule. Romans 12 Paul dishes our a lot of advice. It all really comes down to being humble and loving in all things as we depend on Christ for all of the things which He tells us to do. Offering our bodies as living sacrifices is so hard, it is daily, but it is not something we have to do it in our own strength. Otherwise who could do such a thing, who of his own account can transform his mind? It is only Christ who can do all of these things in us and for us.
Analysis of the Doctrine of Universal "Legal" Justification
Larry J. Kane
It is clear that there is no Scriptural grounds for universal legal justification. Over and over again in Scripture men and women are called to accept Christ. In the Old Testament they looked forward to the Messiah, New Testament continuously tells people to follow Christ. Christ Himself calls people to abide in Him. There is a personal connection that is needed with Christ, a personal acceptance required for us to benefit from what Christ did on the cross.
Steps to Christ: Rejoicing In the Lord We should always have joy in everything that God has done and continues to do for us. There is a part when EGW says that we should never share our sorrows with any human. I don’t’ agree with this. We should be careful not to share them with people that are new in the faith, it may become a stumbling block to them. But we have people we love and who love us to share all of life’s joy and sorrows with. They should be people of faith who can uplift us from our sorrow, who will not be taken down by our sorrows. But it is true that the joy of the Christian will spread and cause others to wonder at the reason behind that joy.
Romans 13 The law is love. Everything comes down to this love. Christ did all He did because of love, and we are to do all we do because of love. When we allow our lives to be ruled by this we will have nothing to worry about. Christ gives us this love to love with it, because love is from God not of ourselves.
128 comments:
Reflection by Jimmy Munoz
Steps to Christ chaps. 1 & 2. and Romans 1
In my initial reading three overarching themes have been evident, first of all that nature shows that there must be a God, a Creator. Second of all that God is love, and lastly that humans must recognize their sinfulness in order to seek the Savior.
That nature shows that there is a God:
Romans 1
Verses 18-20 contain an argument for the existence of God based on the amazing things of nature. Ellen White in the first chapter of her book Steps to Christ makes a similar argument, she does not however referrer to this text. Instead she appeals to Psalm 145:15l, 16. “The eyes are upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou upenest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”
That God is love:
This seems to be a favorite theme of Ellen White’s. Even when commenting on such a disturbing passage as 2 Samuel 12:15 (“…and the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick.”) where it seems so opposed to justice that an innocent person would be "struck" with sickness and eventually die when guilty David had been the transgressor. She takes the readers’ interest off the “unjust” death of the baby to how this was actually a greater, fairer consequence of the king’s sins. In explaining God’s justice mingled with redemptive love in this case White wrote: “…while to him (David) the suffering and death of the child, as a part of his punishment, was far more bitter than his own death could have been." PP 722
That I must recognize that I am a sinner in order to be saved is also illustrated well in David’s story.
That will be it for now.
I like how you began with God's love as the basis for understanding the dynamics of redemption. The revelation of God is the proper basis for a revelation of ourselves.
I also think the reference to Psalm 145:15 of God giving meat in due season speaks of the conditionedness of life. How life has consequences, which might be a bitter winter. However, it shows that God is faithful in bringing spring to break of the fallow groudn of a winter past.
Reading Romans 1, my mind is filled with everything from legislating morality and moralizing to the redemption of the unsuspecting. Paul states in vv.18-20, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. I hear this passage being echoed from the lips of the moral majority judging all who do not know Christ in the world. They speak of an ontological necessity and an epistemological necessity of Jesus Christ. Ontological necessity is the belief that Jesus’ being and identity as the Son of God and the Sin Bearer is necessary for salvation. In essence Jesus is the only means of salvation. They also put an epistemological necessity on it saying that one must hear and believe in order to be saved. While I agree with both points, I think there is a stretch in saying that only those who hear and respond to the gospel will be saved. Ellen White says that nature and revelation alike testifies of God’s love. If natural revelation is enough to condemn, then why isn’t it sufficient to save? What about people before Jesus Christ? What about people in distant lands who do not have access to the knowledge of the gospel. Will they be lost as well? Televangelists speaks of millions going to Christless graves, but how do they know where they stand if God is speaking everywhere and in many ways. The Adventist scholar speaks of the three phases of salvation. God’s initiative, man’s desperate need and man’s response to grace. What if the Aztecs and the Mayans never responded to grace because they viewed the European man as a threat to their civilization. Will they then be lost because they didn’t join your church?
By Vincent Duncombe
Angel Rodriguez in his document concerning Adam and the Human Race gives us an insight into how Adam’s original sin, race and God’s gift of salvation to Adam has affected the entire human race. To do this he takes a look at the writings of Ellen White and summaries what she has written. In this article I find Rodriguez denouncing the idea that all of humanity was present in Adam at the time of his fall, causing the human race to be infected by sin. In contrast Rodriguez expresses, with the help of White’s writings that Adam was just a representative of, or representing the human race and that he [Adam] could only pass on to his descendents that which he possessed. In other words he could not pass on a pure character because his own had now become flawed with sin and rebellion against God. Rodriguez takes his discourse one step further by stating in his conclusion that we do find in Ellen White’s writings, “the idea that the sin of Adam was imputed to the human race.” He insists that Adam’s sin was his own sin, yet it had a universal impact upon the human race. While I would not comment on whether or not this statement is theologically correct, I was surprised that Rodriguez did not give some sort of theological proof to back his statement. I thought that it would have been helpful to discuss this point further.
I do find that the articles I read this week tied in with what we discussed in class. In class we where discussing the fact that there needs to be a holistic approach to subjects covered in the Bible. We are to take into consideration all that is said on a given topic and then, as pointed out in class, we must come up with an explanation which incorporates all of the views presented and even when they seem controversial or paradoxical. There seems to very often be a tension. In Rodriguez’ article this tension is shown in the statement he makes, “Adam’s sin was his own sin, [yet] it had a universal impact and negatively affected every member of the human race.” We have to find a way in which to explain these tensions, and if we cannot we must at least give them meaningful discussion.
Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification.
I did not completely understand the term Legal Universal Justification, but it seems to be saying that humans share the burden of sin along with Christ. That they are in Christ intrinsically and so they must have hung on the cross along with Christ, and therefore must have born part of their own sins along with Christ. This is contradictory to what the Bible teaches and the church believes. The Bible tells us in Acts that there is only one name under heaven by which we are saved. Isaiah tells us that we are healed by His stripes, that He bore the iniquity of us all. Those who take the legal universal justification approach have a problem with faith, because they see it as work that is earning salvation. This is however not the case. Faith is not a work but it is the way by which we receive the gift that is given by grace. Also, faith changes the believer’s life, whereas the legal universal justification approach does not initiate any difference in a person’s life. In fact, a person does not even have to be a believer but they are saved all the same because salvation to them is a blanket that covers all of humanity.
Romans 1
This chapter also addresses the problem of sin and wickedness. According to the legal universal justification approach no one would die because all are saved. It would not matter if people were good or bad, righteous or unrighteous. But Paul in Romans tells us that we are righteous through faith that comes from God through Jesus Christ by the grace of God. And because of this faith believers live a righteous life. Those who do not accept this faith and grace are left to their own sinful desires which leads to death. This chapter clearly indicates that faith changes a believer’s life and if one does not live by faith then there is death. This contradicts the legal universal justification approach in that according to Romans the human being has a part to place in salvation. The part he/she plays is accepting the gift and allowing that gift to transform their life. They do not work for salvation but one does have to accept the gift of salvation.
Steps to Christ ch 1
Here White describes the perfect world God created, the world that is now subject to sin, and Christ who came to restore the world and human beings to what God had originally created. White tells us that the world is separated from God and this results in death. This is why God, in His love for the human race, sent His only Son into the world to take the form of man so that man can be saved from the death (separation from God) that man was headed to. She quotes Isaiah 53; Christ bore our sins upon Himself. She describes Christ on the cross; He had to be on the cross to bear our sins, so that we don’t have to. This contradicts the legal universal justification approach that says not only did Jesus die for our sins, but we also shared in that death. Also, according to the previously mentioned approached, a persons life does not need to change because salvation is not something they even need to be aware of , they are saved just by being human being because they are in Christ intrinsically. Steps to Christ shows us that salvation is available to all men, but it is not received by all men. Those who do receive it see a marked change in their lives, but because now their lives are under the love of Christ.
Steps to Christ, chapters entitled “Consecration” and “Faith and acceptance.”
I am grateful for this little book. It is a sample of what our most influential founder from the 1800’s and our church has deemed most important throughout our history: “a deep sense of the love of Christ” (page 31). It is true, in my opinion, that not all documents by Ellen White ooze with this theme, but her writings from her later years and most published books do.
I recently was disgusted watching a loveless Adventist program on television that was supposedly highlighting the pillars of our faith. The very first presentation ignored that there has been, and there is, a real problem with people who may not claim to be working to gain their salvation but certainly act that way. The speaker only made passing references to the love of God while lamenting the sinful condition of the church. To this problem he proposed this solution, “obedience is not legalism.” I’d like to contrast his approach to obedience which produces people living off checklists, to White’s of how happy obedience takes place. There is a vast difference between these two approaches. The first sees God’s commandments as “required” and the other sees them as expressions of God’s love. So our topic is Sanctification.
From listening to the TV speaker referred to above one would get the impression that obedience is acquired by exercising greater effort on my part. Instead of this White says, “There are those who profess to serve God, while they rely upon their own efforts to obey His law, to form a right character, and secure salvation” (p. 31). White described to a “T” the “Obedience is not legalism” program I watched. She wrote: “Their hearts are not moved by any deep sense of the love of Christ, but they seek to perform the duties of the Christian life as that which God requires of them in order to gain heaven. Such religion is worth nothing” (ibid). To back up her conviction that joyous obedience is not legalism she appeals to the reader by saying that “The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction” (p. 33). But to make sure she is not misunderstood she also affirms “A profession of Christ without this deep love is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery” (32).
____
An observation about the two first chapters in the compilation Faith and Works
The first article (Untitled Manuscript 36, 1890) Review and Herald, February 24 and March 3,1977 was addressed to legalistic Seventh-day Adventists. The second article, actually an older article Review and Herald, March 8,1888, was written in order to address the anti-Sabbatarian arguments of not being “under the law anymore.” It is my opinion that much of the legalism that White found herself fighting against in her later years had been fueled by many of her own defenses of the law and obedience. This was, I am sure, an unintended but very real consequence of the emphasis on obedience and the law of the earlier years that was heavily influenced by the theology of Joseph Bates.
This week my readings all seemed to be tied together. I read Ángel Rodríguez, Christ Saved the Human Race, Steps to Christ - The Sinner's Need of Christ, and Romans chapter 2. They emphasized the interrelation of God’s work in our salvation in connection with your cooperation with God to make our salvation a reality.
Rodriguez explains from Ellen White’s writings what Jesus actually accomplished by coming and dieing on the cross. He makes it abundantly clear that Christ’s death did not guarantee salvation for the entire human race; however, it did guarantee salvation for all those of the human race that accepted it. He gives an illustration of Satan as the jailer keeping us captive on earth not willing to let us go free, but he says that through Christ’s death on the cross, Christ now has a legal right to set us free if we let him. We no longer belong to Satan, Christ has freed us. Ellen White in steps to Christ examines the importance of God respecting the free choice of humans because as she points out, heaven would be hell for those who have not chosen to live in harmony with God’s principles. She says, “Heaven would be to him a place of torture; he would long to be hidden from Him who is its light, and the center of its joy. It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship.” In Romans 2 the author focuses more on the importance of our obedience in order to obtain salvation. We have a part to play clearly; however, Ellen White goes beyond this, she says, “Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their proper sphere, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life.” Wow. This emphasizes the importance of having faith and works, or a ‘faith that works.’ It is not enough to train yourself to live the law; you must be connected to the source of life in order to experience eternal life. The two cannot be separated.
In Roman’s 2, Paul begins his argument for the universal sinfulness of Jew and Gentiles. He seems to differentiate that there is no difference with the religious sinner and the irreligious sinner. Paul begins his argument that both are guilty before God, but the religious sinners are seeking to guide the irreligious sinners. Hence, the irony in Paul’s mind. Romans 2:17 says, Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God. The more I study theology and Christian spirituality; I see the main difference between the two is in their attitude toward repentance. I am not talking about one moment of repentance, but an attitude and lifestyle of repentance. Some would say that this means that the believers need continual justification. When one comes to God once and then lives as an unrepentant person, they live as a religious sinner.
In Steps to Christ chapter 2, on Sinner’s Need of Christ, she comments “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them.” When a religious sinner repents, for some reason they think that God got all of their sin the first time. They don’t realize that it is the iceberg of conviction that the Holy Spirit brings when they I nitially comes with conviction. This sets them up for failure because when they are confronted with their sinner nature again, they seek to cover it up with “education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort” to have an aura of perfection.
Edward Heppenstall in his article “How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible?”enters into dialogue with the perfectionist and the antinomianist. He comments that, “ It is fatal to believe that if only we become totally surrendered to Christ, that the sinful nature is eradicated. The irreligious sinner can’t grasp this reality.
Comments on 1 Timothy, Steps to Christ Ch 2, Romans Ch 2
The paper on Timothy considers the issue of 1 Timothy 4:10. "Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe." The question raised is if He is the Savior of all men, does that mean that all men are saved regardless of what their lives are like. Or does the word “especially” mean that all are saved but some are saved to a higher degree. The problem is solved when the word “especially” is broken down to mean “that is, in other words”. So then the verse means that God did what needed to be done to make salvation available to all men, that is ( in other words) for those who believe. This is complimented by Romans Ch 2. Paul says that even those Jews who are circumcised, keep the law, teach the word, will still find themselves outside of salvation because it is not in their hearts. He says that even those that are Gentiles, are uncircumcised, do not know the law will be saved because it is in their hearts. So here is a clear distinction that there are those that will be saved and those that will not. But God desires for everyone to be saved by loves humans so much that He gives them the freedom to choose if what He wants for them is what they want for themselves. Steps to Christ also compliments this idea in illustrating the need all men have to be reunited to God. She talks about the deep need we have (all human beings) for restoration to our relationship with God. But this gift that is for everyone is experienced by only those who accept it into their lives. This is the love of God that although He made the greatest sacrifice for all men, he allows them to choose it for themselves.
Reflection on FW chaps. 5-7
Even in the mist of arguing in favor of keeping the law, I think mainly for the purpose of highlighting the overlooked 4th commandment, White sticks to the fact that our obedience does not save us. The following statement seems to be pregnant with the truth that we obey because we have been saved. “Works without faith are dead, and faith without works is dead.” FW 48
“The true follower of Christ will make no boastful claims to holiness.” FW 53 It was a sunny Sabbath morning during an animated discussion in Sabbath School that I asked the question “is there anyone here who is sinless.” To my astonishment some one raised his hand. He claimed that for the past two weeks he had not sinned. I must have looked disconcerted or something because the man felt it necessary to explain in detail how he was taking track of his sinlessness. How helpful are the words of Ellen White in training the people. Sadly though, most fanatics I have met in my short life have had a red book under the arm pit.
“Now, we want to understand what sin is--that it is the transgression of God's law. This is the only definition given in the Scriptures.” {FW 56.1} This statement has caused some tension among people. The more legalistic among us love to use this quote to limit the concept of sin to the realm of behavior, however it is not just that as other passages of Scripture suggest.
Response to what Joseph Williams said on 9/13/2007 12:45 PM
You said that a lifestyle of repentance seems to you to be key to Christian spirituality. The part I didn’t understand is why people would say that if this were the case “believers need continual justification.”
ELEMS, Ugochukwu
Steps to Christ, Chaps1-3
God's love for man was not first revealed after the Fall, nor in redemption, rather it was first revealed in creation; for God by nature is love (I John 4:8) and so also His works. Ellen White puts it thus: "In nature itself are the messages of hope and comfort. There are flowers upon the thistles, and the thorns are covered with roses." Steps to Christ, p.7 When man sinned (transgressed the law), it was by this same love that the greatest sacrifice of the ages was made - "Nothing less than infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father's love to humanity." SC, p.11 Ellen White also sheds some light on the issue of sin as a nature from the advent of sin – “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balanced mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God. His thoughts were pure, his aims holy. But through disobedience, his powers were perverted, and selfishness took the place of love. His nature became so weakened through transgression that it was impossible for him, in his own strength, to resist the power of evil.” SC., p.15. Hence, “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from from the pit of sin in which we are sunken” SC., p.16. Therefore, we need the unmerited favor of God – made possible by the supreme sacrifice of Christ to be justified. But repentance is crucial to in order to experience the full measure of God's favor (Acts 2:37,38; 3:19) and in fact, it is the experience of repentance that enables us to see our need for divine help. But the good news is that we do not need to repent in order in order to respond to God's invitation or call of salvation.
ELEMS, Ugochukwu
“Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White”
By Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I think in dealing with the subject of sin, especially its nature, we must admit like Ángel Manuel Rodríguez in “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White” postulates: “We do not fully understand what happened when Adam sinned and we may never be able fully to understand it. We can only testify to the fact that there is something indescribably and awfully wrong with us and with the world in which we live and that the Scriptures trace it back to the fall of Adam and Eve into sin.” Although we may argue from anthropological and psychological points of view, even from some biblical texts such as I John 3:4, to show that the issue of sin is behavioral than it is a nature, the fact remains that “Something mysteriously evil happened to human nature itself that resulted in its enslavement under the power of sin. "In transgression Adam became a law to himself. By disobedience he was brought under bondage. Thus a discordant element, born of selfishness, entered man's life. Man's will and God's will no longer harmonized. Adam had united with the disloyal forces, and self-will took the field."[14] Human nature became so corrupted that it was impossible for human beings by themselves to do good. It is the very "nature of sin to spread and increase. Since the first sin of Adam, from generation to generation it has spread like a contagious disease."
But the result of the sin of Adam and Eve was passed on to all human race (Rom.3:10, 23). Ellen White writes: “Adam disobeyed, and entailed sin upon his posterity.” (Manuscript Releases Vol. 6, p.3). “The whole family of Adam must die.” However, the good news is that is one supreme gift and sacrifice – Jesus Christ, God provided justification for the human race. “If our first parents had not accepted the gift, the race would to-day be in hopeless misery."
Works of Christ
Prof; Dr.Martin Hanna
Student; Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir
Reading report 1
Why did God have to give us Free Will???
I chose to read the article “Some Thoughts on Original Sin” as well as the first chapter of the Romans and the first chapter of Steps to Christ “God´s Love For Man”.
Of course all of this reading is connected in one sense..since it centers around Jesus Christ and the Bible, but it was quite interesting to see how connected these issues were even though I wasn´t aiming for a specific topic to read about.
What came to my mind to begin with was EGW writings and how she talks about how perfectly God created this world and HE did it all for US. EGW goes on about that we can see God´s love everywhere in creation and that God made man “perfectly holy and happy”. And while reading the article about Original Sin, my mind was drawn to the fact that Adam and Eve chose to depart from God´s counsil in a perfect world. So the SIN problem really goes beyond Paradise, beyond Eden. And as the 1.chapter of Romans tells us, everyone should have known God from the creation of the world. And that brings into mind that Adam and Eve didn´t just have to know God by what He created, they could also walk with Him and talk with Him without feeling God was somewhere distant. And it seems that Adam even had the priviledge to name the animals that God created, so in a way Adam was a bit of a partaker in God´s created things. So Adam and Eve, having been around and actually being God´s creation themselves, how then could Sin enter their world. Well that brings us to the fact that Sin can really never be understood unless we go all the way back to Original Sin and even there we cannot fully grasp how perfectly created creatures would choose to depart from their author and creator. However we shouldn´t be discouraged in our theological thinking, we simply must research those things for ourselves to understand God even better. And that brings my mind to the fact that God gave us free will and many will say and have said that God wasn´t at all loving when He gave Free Will to humans. Their accusations sound something like this; Because God in His foreknowledge knew that we would Sin, how then could He give Free Will to humans knowing that such misery would come out of it., And what kind of love is that?, God knowing and almost allowing Sin into the World through Free Will, what kind of love is it then to prepare a Saviour for humans (which God had prepared from the foundations of the world). Isn´t the Saviour thing a lame excuse for God allowing people to have Free Will.
And I am not surprised that many will come to such a conclusion, after all Satan began by accusing God and with the same sinful nature as Satan has humans who are struggling to understand God, tend to judge God when they lack some kind of understanding. We as Christians simply must realize that there are people have their reasons for not searching for God, some have studied the Salvation issue and come to such a conclusion, others simply haven´t thought deeply enough about those issues, but almost all tend to accuse God in one way or another. But I haven´t yet adressed another problem though, not only did God give humans Free Will but also Angels apparantly, since Lucifer and 1/3 of the Angels chose to depart from God. And my somewhere in my own mind I have this theory that the original accusation Lucifer made towards God was that God gave Him Free Will, it was God´s fault that Lucifer could turn out this way. But isn´t that really what God wants?. Not that humans judge Him, but that they will explore and research and make up their own minds. Free will was given not to be dissipated but to be exercised and used. God never wanted robots, but He wanted us to love Him freely, after all that is what true love is all about.
I must say that I could go on and on about these matters now, but I will leave further investigation to my other reading report papers since the matter of Salvation is a very broad and deep matter, not to be done away with in few sentences.
Repentance by Vincent Duncombe
I read chapter 3 of Steps to Christ and I came across a few very interesting quotations from Ellen White in regards to repentance and sin. The first seems speaks to the order in which repentance takes place, and seems to suggest that true repentance only takes place after we have come to Christ. She says, “The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance.” So we first accept God than then He leads us to repentance. We cannot repent without first knowing and coming to Christ. She goes on to say that, ”We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.” But what is even more interesting is the fact that even our coming to Christ could not be accomplished with God first working in our hearts. Ellen White says, “Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only one that can implant in the heart enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts.” In a very real sense it seems that we are only co-operating with God’s work of salvation, for every correct or right act that we make in the salvation process seems to be depended upon some previous act of God which then enabled us to act righteously. I hope that that was not too confusing.
Another quotation that caught me off-guard is where Ellen White states that God does not see all sins as being equal. She says, “God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God.” This is interesting because as a boy growing up I always heard it said that sin is sin and that none is greater. She states what these sins are. “The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these are sins that are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the uncalled universe.” Something to think about.
Reflection on “Analysis of the Doctrine of
Universal "Legal" Justification” by Larry J. Kane
Larry Kane sees holistic model as a reliable approach to biblical hermeneutics, he comments: “the more reliable approach for reaching a complete understanding of a particular proposition is to review all relevant statements from scripture which bear upon the issue.”
The argument for a universal legal justification by Dr. E. J. Waggoner (one the leading proponents and ariculator of the 1888 message) is not only inconsistent with the context (Romans 3 and 5) from which it was proposed but also inconsistent with other Scriptural reference on justification (John 3:16; Rev.22:17).
Righteousness is a gift made possible to all human race by grace through faith. Paul was clear in verse 30 on the means of justification for the Old and New Covenants – faith. God is no respecter of persons, says Paul and the dilemma is the same for both the Jews and Gentiles. All require faith to appropriate this free gift of righteousness in our daily living. Interestingly, Ellen G. White also believes that “justification by faith as the solution to our legal problem as well as the basis of our victorious experiential overcoming of sin.”
I think Kane got it right when he said that “the two principal scriptural passages cited by the 1888 MSC as foundation for a universal legal justification, it has been seen that neither provides support for such a doctrine. Upon close examination, both are correctly understood to be addressing justification by faith rather than an unconditional objective justification.” Moreover, I further agree with him based on implicit and explicit biblical texts, “that justification by faith encompasses both objective and subjective elements, both legal and experiential components. The two are integral parts of the whole of righteousness by faith.”
Comments made by Tamara Strickland-Bennett.
Material read:Romans 1,Adam and the Human Race in the EGWhite writings.
In Romans 1, Paul clearly lays out his confidence in what we now call the Old Testament.He states in the 1st verse "...the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets...regarding His Son.
While Paul clearly announces the grace of God through Jesus,he does not leave room, or excuses for deliberate rebellion and sin in this chapter..
In Adam and the Human Race...EGWhite also clearly states the penalty for sin.She breaks down the results of sin,the fallen condition of man's nature as a result of sin,and the ultimate punishment of eternal separation from God through death.
From both sources,one can understand man's need of a Saviour.Only the saving grace of Christ can transform one's character making it fit for eternal life!If one takes a Holistic perspective,one can see the guidance of the Holy Spirit over the prophets of old, as well as the modern prophet known as EGWhite.Salvation the same yesterday, today and forever,Amen!
Comments from Tamara Strickland-Bennett.
The following comments are on Romans 2 and 3.
The one basic message I got from Paul in these chapters is "judge not".In holy boldness Paul sets the record straight, as it relates to self-righteousness!There is ONE Judge and that is Christ!!
Also,in chapter 2 we can see how God is INCLUSIVE, the "gentiles" who have the law written on thier hearts have eternal life.God is no respector of persons.(verses 14,15).
These verses clearly demonstrate God's DESIRE to save mankind.I think of the text which says(paraphased)God is not slack concening His promise...not willing that ANY should perish!!
In chapter 3,Paul goes on to say,... none is righteous no not
one. This throws the tradition of "works "right out the window.
At the cross,"ALL" must fall regardless of race creed,color or class.I thank God for the gift found in Jesus!
Justification in Romans 3:21-24
This really touches on some of the discussions we’ve had in class about universal justification. In this paper it makes it clear that redemption was made available to “all”, to “all who believe”. That is the catcher to “all who believe. Verse 24 if read alone would be misleading, for it says, “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely”. When read in context however, this points to two factors. One, that we are being justified, it was not all done on the cross but it is presently going on for the phrase is in the present. The next point is that when this phrase is taken into account with the previous phrase “all who believe” we see that all though redemption was made available to everyone through Jesus Christ, God is presently justifying only those who believe. It is a gift set aside but to be experience it needs to be taken from the hand of God and opened.
Steps to Christ Ch 3
Ellen White talks of the same concept when she assigns the sinner with the responsibility to repent and confess. If justification is universal there would be no need for the sinner to even acknowledge the sin let alone confess and repent to Christ. She describes this gift as one that is waiting for the sinner to open but God in His love leaves that choice in the hand of the sinner.
Romans Ch 3
Paul really breaks down barriers that took centuries to build. He puts the Jews and the Gentiles all in the same boat, with the same sins, and the same needs. After tearing down the self-righteous attitude that the Jews (many present Christian) have and then uniting the Jewish need to the Gentiles need (non-believers), he displays how God is the God of all and did the same thing to save all men. This unifies all people and helps us understand that the foot of the cross is level ground.
Comments on Romans 4-5 from Tamara Strickland-Bennett.
Oh to be able to comprehend the truth found in these two chapters!!
To know beyond the shadow of doubt,to look the devil in the face, and boldly tell him,"we HAVE been justified by faith.We HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus".This is to express and possess a faith that is "FULLY" convinced that what God has promised,He is able to do!
Abraham trusted God,he believed in His word.He respected God's integrity!
In the English Standard version, the bible says in chapter 4:20-21"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,but he grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God,FULLY convinced that God was able to do what He had promised"!As a result, he bacame the father of many nations
"just"because God said He would!!
I wonder what miracles would take place in our lives if we trusted God and gave all the glory to Him? I wonder what could we accomplish if we respected God's integrity as Abraham did? I wonder what boundaries would God remove if we stepped out in faith? My question to you my friends,how's your faith?
Like Spike Lee use to say "do ya know,do ya know"? In other words,do you know that YOU are justified by God? Is this truth deeply embedded into your heart?
Do you have joy,unspeakable joy?Praise God for His mercy that endures forever!!
Tamara Strickland-Benntt comments from Faith and Works: Christ our Righteousness!
Ellen White clearly states in this chapter the need for us to be fully convinced that God is faithful.She goes on to say "God requires that we confess our sins and humble our hearts before Him;but at the same time we sholud have a CONFIDENCE in Him as a tender Father who will not forsake those who put thier trust in Him.Many of us walk by sight and not by faith".
It is most important that we grow in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.Only through the merits of Christ will we be saved.
Mrs.White states "In Him is our hope,our justification,our righteousness".Unfortunately,a lack of faith dishonors God.
Mrs.White futher states,"...how little confidence we repose in Him who is able to save to the uttermost and who has given us every evidence of His great love"!
I believe one of the greatest obstacles in God's way is unbelief.I believe He has great desire to bless us beyond our imaginations,but there is a lack of faith among His children.
Let us today "untie" His hands and prepare to give thanks for the great blessing He has in store for us!!
I am submitting this silly story because I wish to get some help in how to understand Christ’s substitution, His taking of my place in death. How do you explain to people that Christ took their death? I don’t understand it and feel ill equipped to explain it to others. Please help me.
A parable about how Jesus saves us and from what He saves us.
We messed up, we got an F. We failed the class. The consequence of our “sins” of procrastination and willful neglect of our duties as students mean for me personally, that I will be dropped from the program. Never to be allowed in again. So the dean of the seminary’s son, a brilliant young man with a 4.0 GPA steps in to “save” me from eternal ignorance and not just me but all students who have ever been here. All have done wrong and are unworthy of their status. (Bear with me; I am just really trying to understand.) So how does this savior save me from my sure condemnation? He takes my deficient GPA and gives me his perfect grades; he can do this because he is of the dean’s family. I now can stand tall before the dean. Through his son I am accepted. I do not have to leave this august place. His son took my place and gave me his. The dean now looks at his son and has to turn him away, ashamed of his son’s poor grades. The dean’s son gets the rejection letter; he took the lot I justly deserved. This savior knows that his father loves him. The son was hoping that in the end all things would work out for him as well as the students so that all could be in good relationship to the powerful dean. But when he actually feels the rejection of his own father, he thinks that that was the end. He is out, even though his dad is the dean. His dad won’t even talk to him. But later, the “resurrection” takes place. Because he is part of the deanhood, he is able to restore himself to the life of scholarship. So he is not out anymore, he is in where he has always been. Except that now he has with him some former slaves of the enemy, Sloth. These students are now so grateful for the dean’s family’s generosity and forgiveness manifested in the son’s sacrifice that they are no longer slothful. They have been transformed, they are changed students. The son now gets invited by these students to help them and together with a third special helper; these former uneducated rascals get wonderful grades, the grades that make a daddy dean proud.
Does this heretical parable resemble in any way how Christ’s salvation works?
“Adam and the Human Race in the
Writings of EGW”
Until I read this article, theologically, I believed that everyone in the human family from Adam and Eve until now was/is born with Adam’s sin innately within us. Not simply the aspect of a generational curse that has replicated itself from generation to generation, but we embodied the very sin that Adam committed. Admittedly, I had not read what Ellen G White wrote on the subject until now. EGW wrote, “Adam disobeyed, and entailed sin upon his posterity.” She was not saying that Adam himself, continues to live on directly in our nature, she charges that we as the posterity (descendents) of Adam could only inherit what has been passed down to us. Adam and Eve as the first parents of creation could not pass on a sinless nature, because they no longer possessed one. When Adam and Eve sinned, humankind became subject to the Law and/or placed under the penalty of the Law. I know the language may sound confusing, let me endeavor to explain this in simpler terms. I was adopted at two months old. I do not have any biological ties to my parents. However, even though I do not have biological ties to my parents, many of my character traits, worldview, customs, lifestyle, language, and habits, derived from my parents and/or the environment I was reared in from infancy. Now, my mother and father are not continuously living in me, their sins are not automatically replicated in me, but they were only able to pass on what they comprehended from their own human experience. The same occurred on a global scale with the onset of sin. Adam and Eve could only pass on what they understood and experienced in their human existence—a sinful nature.
Romans 2:14 "for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel."
When I read this scripture text, the question continuously comes to my mind. Will there be those who never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Heaven? Without doing extensive exegesis on this scripture passage, one could say that it supports the answer “yes” to the above question. It “seems” to say—there are those who have never been introduced to the Gospel, but even so, have the Law of God written in their hearts and reflected in their character. Verse 16 “seems” to support the notion that we cannot definitively judge yea or nay concerning those in this category. God is the sole judge of their eternal plight.
Reflection on Steps to Christ, Chaps. 4-6.
Salvation is about freedom from sin, but how shall we be free if we do not express our need for freedom – confession. The work of salvation, especially as it has to do with confession of sin is both vertical (the sinner to God) and horizontal (the sinner to fellow being for hurt done to others). But more than these, confession releases our spirit from the burden/weight of sin, pain, sadness into joy and gladness.
The work of consecration, which in a sense carries the idea of sanctification, is also necessary for our salvation for we must surely be willing and actually seek God with all our hearts in order to remain within the confines of His saving grace. God did withhold anything in the plan of redemption and we too must seek Him unreservedly to experience full measure of His love.
Faith is inevitable in relating with God (Heb.11:6), even least of heaven’s favor, we ought to pray and expect by faith receive our petition (Mark 11:24). Interestingly, God is so much in love with us (Jer.31:3) that He is willing to everything in our interest and for our good.
Reflection on “Christ Saved the Human Race” by Angel Manuel Rodriguez
It is clear from all the statements of Ellen White quoted in the article that she does not in any way promulgate or insinuate any tendency toward the thought of universal salvation irrespective of the individual’s choice. She rather consistently underline the importance of choice – “…if they would accept it….;” “….to the repentant, believing soul.”
This I believe is in keeping with Scripture (John 3:16; Acts 16:31).
Reading Some Theological Considerations of Perfection by Edward Heppenstall was helpful. He addressed misunderstandings that abounded in my home church when I was an early teen about “Perfection as sinlessness.” A couple of things were new to me:
The meaning of the Greek word Katartizo as “fully equipped.”
One area in which I was left wishing for more was in his discussion of grace. He agreed with his opponents that GRACE is only for sinners. While this may be true, I was not convinced. I’d like to do a study on this subject.
Regarding the use of Daniel 8:14 to apply to individual believers as the sanctuaries that need cleansing; and that they will be totally PERFECT (consciously sinless) to live during the “close of probation” seems like a ridiculous thing to argue against. I am glad to have read this though, because chances are I will meet some precious soul repeating this idea like a parrot which can’t think for itself.
Reflection on “Salvation by Faith” By Jan Paulsen
According to Paulsen, salvation by faith includes justification and sanctification because both are a direct result of faith in the merits and power of Christ in and through the believer. In fact, he believes it is trap to divide the subject into what God does for me and what I do for myself because it all “starts from faith and ends in faith.”
He further expands faith as both objective (information outside my person and experience – Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior) and subjective (when I submit to or trust in Him). He argues that true faith involves obedience to Christ and to His message. Indeed, faith does not glory in its works, it is only a means by which a believer appropriates the grace of God; no wonder Paul postulates: “….not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:9.
It therefore becomes reasonable to perceive of faith not in historical terms (Jesus of history) but in practical terms (Jesus’ invitation: “follow me…”) and thus we become His disciples and living examples of faith in action. At this level, faith translates from information to personal experience and becomes meaningful and beneficial.
But faith also points to the future for it “is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Heb.11:1. It such a faith that propels us on a progressive forward press in our spiritual pilgrimage: "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13, 14).
In essence, salvation by faith simply presupposes that a holy God is inviting His sinful, disobedient and rebellious creatures into fellowship with Him, not as a result of their merit or goodness. It (salvation by faith) speaks of the justification of a sinner in terms of legal standing before God and a relationship with Him (God) that transforms the sinner into a life of righteousness. In fact, I agree with Paulsen that “ Righteousness by faith means to look continually and exclusively to the risen Lord …. The one who is justified in Christ lives continually in Him. Herein lies our assurance, our rest, our fulfillment, security, and victory.”
Comments by Tamara Strickland-Bennett from Steps to Christ:The Sinners need of Christ.
It does not matter how many times I read Steps to Christ, it still helps me grow spiritually.In the chapter mentioned above,sister White makes clear our need of a Saviour.She emphasizes the fact that we all must have God's intervention on our behalf through Jesus,if we are to live eternally.
Man is powerless to change in his own strength.Sister White states
"Man's nature became so weakened through trangression that it was impossible for him in his own strength, to resist the power of evil".
In the world we live today, many people believe that man has a good nature.Many beleive if man exercises enough will power and self discipline,man can do good without any outside intervention.
In this chapter, sister White boldly refutes the myths of man nature being "naturally" good.
Sister White states,
"Education,culture,the exercise of will all have their proper sphere,but they are powerless.They may produce an outward correctness of behavior,but they can not change the heart, they can not purify the..life".
Jesus has said in His word, without ME, you can do nothing.In order to be saved, one must realize his/her need of a Saviour.Day by day,one must ask Christ into the heart,for this is the ony way we can experience the second birth.
Through God, the works of Christ provide all the needs we have in order to be saved.Sister White states,"The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death.In giving His Son,He poured out to us all heaven in one Gift".
This quote brings to mind;Oh what manner of love is this that we sholud be called the children of God!Christ Is truly our righteousness.
Romans 3:5-6
“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man).)” At first glance, I will admit to slight confusion over this text. I wasn’t sure whether Paul was talking about mankind in general, the Jews vs. the Gentiles, the Jews only, or the fact that we are sinful beings by nature, who can overcome sin through the righteousness of Christ. Admittedly, I’m still not certain. I need to do a lot more than surface reading to come to a conclusion. However, for now, I’m going to take the angle of just the Jews (but, there is present day application to all the people of God). Paul “seems” to be saying that even though the Jews have been given the “oracles of God”, and are the chosen people of God—their acts of piety are outward expressions of righteous living, but inwardly, there is unrighteousness. The question—is God unjust to judge our inward unrighteousness, even though we have been given the “oracles of God?”
“Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?” God judges the inward man, because ultimately, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” One can only fake it for so long, before all bottoms out and the true self comes to fruition. “For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?” This scripture text reminds me of a time in my life where I thought going to church once a week, and listening to gospel music, while at the same time living my life contrary to God’s Word would gain some brownie points. I thought these “pious” acts would put some stars by my name in the book of life, even though I new my life was not in accordance to scripture. Bottom line, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Be authentic in Christ inside and out.
Why Did Jesus Die? George Reid
This really did not answer the questions I had in my mind but what a paper. It took me so long to get through it because every few sentences I had to let it soak it and it lead me to worship. What the Lord has done for us?! Praise Jesus that we have been reconciled. He talked about God’s love as a force, a principle, “But as used in the Bible, love is a power word, not a soft fuzzy. Love is aggressive: God at work tracking us down to help us. Love is a principle …the answer is that God's love is an unshakable commitment, inviolable, a predisposition in our favor that cannot be discouraged. Divine love-there is no way to shake it or deter it. It is a relentless pursuit by a God eager to help, one who never gives up. In this sense God is love.” What a sentence, what a thought!!!
My questions may seem very elementary, however, I think the more I hear and am aware of salvation the more I want to understand and know each detail including the very elementary. Why it is that it was Jesus who had to die? Who determined the wages of sin, that the second death was its penalty? Could not someone else have borne all the sins? Of course someone else (human) would not have been able to be raised from the dead to conquer death, but was a resurrection necessary in order for salvation to be fulfilled? There is a lot that I don’t understand along with a lot of other people. Sin and salvation are so much bigger than what we give them credit for, the more we understand it, I believe, the more we will truly understand that sacrifice of Christ.
Steps to Christ Ch 4
Her chapter on confession is very simple and to the point. She retells the story of Adam and Eve, they did not truly confess for the only made excuses. How often we do the same? The beautiful thing is that Christ is with us and helps us even with our confessions and then the transformation required.
Romans Ch 4
God sometimes gets a bad reputation for being exclusive. But when I read this chapter it is so clear that God’s chosen are chosen for the explicit purpose of brining others to Him, and not for the sake of just being chosen. For this reason Abraham was chosen as were the Jews. But often the being chosen idea becomes so comfortable that the chosen forget the purpose for which they were chosen.
Report of things I have read so
far.
From BRI, 5 articles
Why Did Jesus Die by George Reid
Some Theological Considerations of
Perfection by Edward Heppenstall
Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Salvation by Faith by Jan Paulsen
Justification in Romans 3 21 24 by Angel M Rodriguez
From Romans, 4 chapters
Chapters 1-4
From Ellen G. White a total of 13 chapters
Steps to Christ, chapters 1-6
Faith and Works, chapters 1-7
Reading the article on “Justification and the Cross”, one gets the sense in the first portion of the essay that sin is inescapable. Dr Rodriquez argues quite eloquently from textual analysis that sin and its effects are universal and terminal. By analyzing the linguistic force of the prepositions, one wonders who then can be saved. The point is that no one can be saved. He argues that the cross was an event of grace because it gave man an opportunity for another chance.
In Romans 5 Paul contrasts our status with God before sin and our status with God after sin. He shows the contrast by using the word afotiori, or how much more than.
He uses reason and logic to show that salvation make more sense than sin, in that, salvation has many more benefits to the recipient than sin does. This includes the fact that one is free and the other one must work for. As I think about the contrast, I think about the role of consecration. I read that when I was “still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die…. when I was still a sinner, Christ died for me 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!
Chapter 5 of Steps to Christ deals with consecration. I see it in the context of a proper response of the soul to God’s grace. I guess I would define consecration, in the context of inescapable death and ever increasing grace, as “rejoicing in the grace in which I stand.” Consecration is giving up our entire selves to God by asking the question: “What has Christ given for me?” So that, it is a matter of giving myself to God unreservedly, because God gave Himself unreservedly to me.
I have been sick, so I am posting my previous blogs that I wrote but didn't post.
In the article: Christ Saved the Human Race, Dr Angel Manuel Rodriguez gives several angles on how Jesus saved us and what it cost him to do so. He gives five things for us to contemplate. 1. All Belong to Christ Through Creation and Redemption. 2. Christ Has the Deed of Possession. 3. Christ Paid the Price as a Gift to Us. 4. Through Redemption Christ Gained the Right to Rescue Us. 5. Christ ransomed us by taking our Sin on Him. These reasons alone are cause for rejoicing, but for some reason we think that God wants more works from us than he does faith. In the question of what means more to God, the text for this week comes to mind: Romans 4. The Protestant treatise on righteousness by faith through the example of Abraham.
As many Bible texts as they are in Scripture, I think none perplex Adventists more than Romans 4:22-25. It reads: “This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness-- for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” Paul says that when we believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, delivered for our sins and raised to life, and then God will credit to us righteousness. Our obedience doesn’t commend us to God. According to this passage faith in Jesus Christ is the focal point of our salvation. The theme of Hebrews is to “consider Jesus, fix you eyes on Jesus, and keep looking to Jesus. The fight of faith seems harder than the fight of maintaining works.
In chapter 4 of SC, Confession is discussed in detail. Confession is hard because I can’t work to confess. I have to ask God to reveal to me myself and I must agree with the revelation. I don’t confess to a thing, a teaching or a law. I confess to a person. I must ask a person for forgiveness. It would be easier to work than to maintain personal faith in a Person everyday. There is no break from that kind of faith.
In “Justification in Romans 3:21-24”, by Dr. Rodriguez, he argues that v 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God is applicable to all humans. It applies to them in the past because all have literally sinned, but it has a present tense application in that all continue to fall short. This reality gives me hope of truly accepting righteousness by faith and Christ as my complete atonement. It is hard to get it through my head, because I used to be a Pharisee and a legalist. There is a psychological phenomenon of balancing out wrong things with good things and it has just stuck with me no matter how much I preach, teach and study grace. Sometime I feel as if I must right some of my wrongs and feel a little sorry before I come to Jesus.
Ellen White says that, “They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they
first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that
repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite
heart that will feel the need of a Savior. But must the sinner wait till he has repented
before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and
the Savior? The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed
the invitation of Christ,”
I have been studying Ellen White early letters and manuscript on the topic of righteousness by faith. She talks about in one place about how people feel as if they must be on probation before that can receive forgiveness. They must prove themselves before they receive cleansing. I sometimes wonder if God will keep accepting me after I have done whatever for the tenth time. I have to remind myself of the reality of what E. E. Cleveland call an imperfect perfect. Brennan Manning says Christian will always have a victorious limp. It seems as if we only gain victory as we admit defeat.
Reflection on Romans 1
I think that a point of Paul argument or better put, his thesis of Romans 1 is that faith produces obedience. Although salvation is in sense an objective gift from God, we can only appropriate it efficacy in our individual lives by a subjective response – faith in the power of the gospel – faith in Christ (Romans 1:16).
Our salvation is entirely based on faith – faith in the merits of Jesus Christ, whether it be called justification, sanctification, glorification or whatever else. IT BEGINS BY FAITH, CONTINUES BY FAITH AND WILL END BY FAITH.
Reflection on Romans 2
In Romans two, Paul focuses on the means of this righteousness. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4) and obedience leads to eternal life (Romans 2:7), in other words, obedience makes our calling in Christ sure. Invariably, disobedience brings upon us the indignation and wrath of God (Romans 2:8-9). But justification is the result of obedience to the law of God (Romans 2:13).
Reading Romans again has really been a blessing for me.I guess it does not matter how many times you read the bible,it always gives a new perspective.Reflecting on chapter 6,we are admonished to walk in the "newness of life" How I love verse 4.We are told that we have recieved a "new"start.We do'nt have to allow the old life to terrify us. God's grace really is sufficient.Not only do we have a new life in Christ,but we will be raised to a new life because of His grace and our submission to His Holy Spirit--who is working in us til the day of Jesus!
Verse 9:says that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again.This verse brings to mind Revlation 1:17:Fear not,I am the first and the last the LIVING ONE,I died and behold I AM alive forevermore,and I HAVE THE KEYS TO DEATH AND HELL!!!I think of the song when we all get to heaven,what a day of rejoicing that will be,when we all see Jesus we will SHOUT the victory!
We are alive to God in Christ Jesus and dead in sin.
Now I do'nt profess to know all the steps that lead to eternal life,but this I do know--He that hath promised is FAITHFUL.I can leave myself in His Hands and KNOW
He will bring me through.Surely,if He has given me victory in thife, He will give the ultimate victory--eternal life!!
The article “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T was the most helpful I have yet read so far on the meaning of justification. It is also long...
The following paragraphs were particularly insightful to me:
“…justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves. On the other hand, judgment according to works guards the doctrine of the justification of the ungodly from meaning the justification of ungodliness. If there is a judgment according to works, then justification must mean that the lives of the justified are claimed by Christ and that they are called to live for Him who died for them (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).”
This sentence is succinct:
“In terms of the actual data of Scripture, it is a fiction to believe that justification does not relate us to the rule of Christ as Lord or that the judgment does not relate us to the work of Christ as Saviour.”
This line sounds just like my own teacher Dr. Martin Hanna “I would affirm that the rubrics and content of our theology must be large enough to accommodate all the data of divine revelation.”
“Generally when the concept of the new creation is introduced, people think first in terms of sanctification, in the sense of moral growth. But, as we see from 2 Corinthians 5 and Romans 4, the new creation is most immediately related to justification and reconciliation.”
I am so grateful for God’s salvation of me!
Reflection on Romans 3
All humanity needs grace there is none righteous (Romans 3:10) in that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Therefore, it logically follows that the provision of salvation (objective) is for all humanity. However, because all have sinned, no one is justified to by the standard or requirement of the law to stand before God (Romans 3:20). Notwithstanding, God is in mercy, has revealed His righteousness which is not by works of our own efforts and which the law (Gen.15:6) and the prophets confirm (Romans 3:21). True righteousness comes only by faith in Christ.
It is easy to misinterpret Paul's conclusion in Romans 3:28: "...that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" especially when we loose sight of his preceding argument. Paul from the outset of the chapter had endeavored to show that all humanity have sinned and that by the standard of the law, all merit death. Therefore, he concludes in verse 28 that we are not saved because we met the standard/requirement of the law, rather, we are saved because we exercise faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ to justify us before God. And because he did not by his argument disregard the Decalogue, he therefore establishes it in verse 31 saying, "...we establish the law."
Reflection on Romans 4
On the justification of Abraham, Paul argues that he (Abraham) was justified by faith and not works, therefore he could not boast about it (Romans 4:1-3). When work is involved, it is no longer of grace (Romans 4:4). We can only talk of grace when favor is done not as a result of merit (Romans 4:5).
Interestingly, Abraham was accounted righteous or received the imputed grace when he was yet to be circumcised. Thus, the gift of God - salvation through and by Christ is for all - circumcised and uncircumcised (Romans 4:9-10). The promise of justification was not limited to Abraham and literal Israel, but to all who believe in the righteousness by faith (Romans 4:13).
But the resurrection of Christ makes for the efficacy of our justification, for if Christ did nor resurrect, how shall we have died with Him to our sinful nature and have any hope of living a new life of righteousness? (Romans 4:25).
Reflection on Romans 5
Reading over Romans 5 again with particular attention to issues pertaining of justification, sanctification and glorification, which has been the central theme of our discussions in class and indeed the heart of the works of Christ, has been very rewarding as equally challenging.
In Romans 5, Paul endeavored to show how sin came into this world and its universal sway (result in particular) over humanity. But he also speaks of the advent of grace into this world and its more powerful influence on humanity.
May I at this point make the following submission:
1. That there is sense in which we are all sinners in Adam not by any act of our own volition (Romans 5:12, 14; 3:10, 23), but there is yet another sense in which we are sinners by our own choices (Romans 5:12).
2. Interestingly, there is also a sense in which we are all righteous in Christ not by any effort of our own; and still another sense in which righteousness requires our subjective (cooperation) experience.
3. Thus, we can speak of objective sin and objective grace and as well of subjective sin and subjective grace (Romans 5:8, 10, 18-19).
I think Paul in Romans 5 moved a step further on discourse (the means of salvation) which started chapter. In chapter 3, he had emphatically stated that sin is of a universal influence from which none is free (Romans 3:10, 23), which presupposes invariable that the gift of God (justification – righteousness by faith) must also be of universal impact. And then in chapter 4, he uses the experience of Abraham to demonstrate how this experience of God’s grace (righteousness by faith) is for both the Jews and Gentiles – all humanity. He seem to struck his main point in chapter 5 by showing how sin came into the world (both in an objective and subjective sense) and how righteousness came into the world both in an objective and subjective sense.
But the point is, “where sin abounds, grace abounds even much more.”
Hepenstall insightfully wrote: “Salvation in Christ alone means that the bias to sin in human nature is too strong and overwhelming to be dealt with apart from moment by moment trusting in Christ and in His power to save.” I have seen two extremes regarding perfection. One says that we can get rid of our sinful nature and that’s what it means to be perfect. The other says that because we can not have our sinful nature eradicated until the Second Coming of Christ, then we may just keep struggling with the same old selfishness that have characterized us all our lives. In this posting I am arguing against this last extreme yet without advocating for the first.
What does it mean that fallen humans will always have a “sinful nature?” After God gets their mind so they don’t covet and they have gotten to love God supremely and others as much as they love themselves, how does the “sinful nature manifest itself? Maybe it will be that this side of eternity no one can have pure thoughts 100% of the time and to love God and people without ever deviating?
If having pure thoughts all the time and loving God and people without interruptions are idealistic impossibilities, then are we not saying that God is asking us to have a virtually impossible lifestyle? Has he not promised that that He will live this life out within us? How would God not be lying, or at least setting us up for failure and discouragement by calling us to reach heights that he would know are not attainable, not even with His help?
There is no question that humanly speaking putting others first, loving them so much to be willing to lay down our lives for them is impossible. But has He not said that this is what He wants us to do and that he will do it in us?
Why would Jesus equate murderous anger with the act of homicide if He knew that we couldn’t stop being revengeful even though He said He’d give us a new heart?
Was God kidding us when he was calling us to love one another as He loves us? Or could it be that we after trying and failing at LOVE, God’s kind, have concluded on pragmatic grounds that it really is not possible yet until we are changed? Did Jesus not come to save us from our sin of selfishness? It is only junk that he wants us to turn over to him so that he can make our lives better.
Like Paul, I know in my mind and heart that I am not perfectly loving God and His people without interruptions, but must I make excuses for my lack of commitment and pad myself with the hope that He will change me later when he said he wants to do it now? The truth I want Him to do it now. The job in progress comforts me. But God forbid that I stop letting Him grow me, or let the devil laugh at my lack of surrender as I excuse lack of tact to my helpless condition when the Bible promises that the there is One who is ready to help.
Does the Bible suggest that a Christian could live “in Spirit” on a permanent basis or does it teach that the believer must keep going back and forth? Based on the experience many say that there is no other way, we keep going back and forth between living in the spirit and the flesh. Shall we live by faith or by sight? What about characters such as Daniel in Scripture who, like a needle, seemed to be constantly faithful to the pole? Is his story an isolated one, or may be, you’d say, we just don’t have his falling in and out of love experiences recorded in the Bible?
To me, the best thing that Jesus has offered me is the opportunity of a better life, not just there, but here too. How much more fulfilled and meaningful my life will be here is directly dependant on my degree of surrender and closeness with Him. While it is important to be acquainted with not only the rottenness of humanity’s nature but with our personal bias toward sin, we must not forget that it is God who calls us to be perfect in our human sphere. This same God is already experienced in making saints out of sinners.
I wonder what Enoch or Elijah think when they hear that we don’t believe it is possible for humans like they to get so close to God here and now. Would they agree that, since we can’t seem to get the victories we so desperately need, we just wait for transformation at translation? Or might they suggest that this is a dangerous idea that might be keeping us from letting God take us to the heights he has for us?
Ragnheidur Olafsdottir (Lala)
Reading; Romans 3 and 4. Steps to Christ; The Sinners need of Christ, Aricle; Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works by Ivan T. Blazen
While reading the article I must say that I felt confused, the author couldn´t quite make his point I felt, but anyway the discussion was about Justification by faith and Judgment according to works. And it is well worth our time to give attention to understand this matter to the fullest. As complicated as I thought the article was, I felt reading Ellen White�s chapter was like God´s explanation to me, I believe God doesn�t want this to be a complicated matter, God wants us to understand! And Romans 3 and 4 did fill in and support everything EGW writes. Well, while reading, It came to my mind how or why I felt I was drawn to the Gospel of Christ some 12 years ago. I can surely say that I had come to know how this world was and many of it´s disappointments. And I can remember how at a certain time in my life I really felt the need to have purity in my life and to be able to see the beauty of life instead of it´s ugliness which I thought was all around me(in people´s character). In my heart I knew that this purity was to be found with God and I remember that all I really wanted, was to know this God of beauty, justice and love. It never occurred to me that I wouldn´t have to change as well. But when I came to know the gospel and ´people who were believers, suddenly there was this big debate about faith and works, people arguing whether they had to follow the ten commandmends or not. And for me it was like well of course we have to, in the commandments you can find the beauty of God. So the years went on and I could see more and more people struggling with the fact that they were not seeking for purity and love in their lives, they wanted to be justified by God but they somehow didn´t want the likeness of God´s character. For me this goes hand in hand and the Bible is clear about that our faith is enough but the Bible also says that our works will follow - Faith will work in us. If you want to know God, it should be because you have come to know that HE has all the beauty in this world. He is the Only One to bring love and beauty into our lives. I can see in Romans that this debate is not starting nowadays, Paul had to go through a lot of explanations to get this message through. "There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who seeks after God". And EGW writes about our condition as fallen human beings, she says that after the fall "man could no longer find joy in holiness, such is still the condition of the unrenewed heart". So I quess my final conclusion is that those who come to God and Jesus for the right reasons will also be blessed with the changing of character, not that God will justify us because of our character but because we saw the beauty of HIS character and we had faith!. After all why did God in the first place have to throw out Lucifer and his angels? We should never try to become anything, God will make us into something(something wonderful) because HE is who HE is. "There is no true excellence of character apart form Him".EGW
“Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10”
Article written by: Angel Manuel Rodriguez
"Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe (1 Tim 4:10)." As I read this passage of scripture, I personally do not see universal salvation, but then again, we normally view things with our preconceived notions and or afore learned knowledge. For the critical thinker, (putting aside my theological understanding) I can see where (at first glance) one can believe this scripture is talking about universal salvation. After all, there seems to be a distinction made between men in general being saved and “especially of those who believe.” One could think this passage communicates that Christ is the Savior for “all men”, yet there are those who will have a “special” salvation. However, I must agree with the writer of this article—this view presents a serious problem especially considering all the Old and New Testament passages that describe the destruction of the wicked.
“There is the possibility of understanding the phrase ‘the Savior of all men’ on the basis of 1 Tim 2:4, that is to say, that God is the Savior of all in the sense that He desires ‘all men to be saved.’ Then, the phrase ‘especially of those who believe’ would designate those who have accepted the offer of salvation by faith in Christ. In other words, God desires all to be saved and has done everything necessary to save them, but He is the actual Savior of those who believe.”
Rodriquez discusses the Greek to shed better light on this passage, he talks about recent studies showing the word malista was also used to define in a more precise way what preceded it and could be translated into English as “that is, in other words” or similar expressions. Yet another reason why studying the biblical languages are extremely important. After learning this bit of information, here is another translation of this scripture passage—“Because we have our hope set on the living God, who if the Savior of all men, that is of those who believe.”
Ragnheidur Olafsdottir ( Lala)
Reading: Steps to Christ; Repentance, Romans 4, Article; Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White author; Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I really did like this article and I even had some revelations reading it.
Isn´t it strange how the different phrasing of words can suddenly open up our eyes.
I must admit that I have dealt/struggled a lot with this concept of Sin and the
fact whether we humans sin because of our own acts or because Satan is constantly tempting us to sin. I have dealt with the question; who is really to blame? And the article, I felt, did answer my question on that topic in a certain way.
When Adam sinned or departed from God, he could no longer resist Satans temptations which brings to mind that Satan was the one who tempted Adam and Eve. Well who in fact did then tempt Lucifer in the beginning, well I quess that is a question I will have to struggle with as well until it becomes clear to me. But nevertheless I did understand better how much we are in a need for savior because ever since Adam and Eve sinned, humanity cannot on it´s own shield themselves from evil/Satan unless God intervenes. God will have to help us, and Jesus Christ was and is the one who will act as our mediator there. Jesus is the one who will help us overcome what Satan is constantly trying to force us to do. We are like little children without any power to decide how our lives will turn out. For instance when we are small children we have no power over our parents..they are the ones who determine everything for us. And it really makes a difference what character our parents have because that will determine our reality as children. So it is the same with our religious walk , if our father is God, Jesus Christ then our reality is that we will overcome evil, but having Satan as a father, then our reality, our lives become miserable, destructive and hateful. For me it seems that we could say “Sin” is in fact this departing from God which occurred with Adam, and therefore we are all apart from God since Adam was our earthly representative and earthly father. But if we choose not to have Sin in our lives we should turn to God because then no longer are we departed from Him. God will then give us the power to overcome Satans accusations and lies and temptations. Wow, isn´t that wonderful, without Jesus in our lives we will never be able to overcome evil…so that is why He is our Savior!!! Romans 4 also talks about how important faith is in our lives, just as importans as it was for Abraham, we should never forget that we are living by Grace even though God chooses to perform wonderful works within us. Ellen White talks about David and how clear he saw his Sin. David had the right mindset and the kind of heart that God liked. David longed to be purified and to overcome the Sin in his life, to be close to God and the Glory that is available when we come to Jesus Christ.
Let us all remember at all times that we have a choice at all times…to be led by God´s beautiful Spirit or not…I pray that God will help us all to understand that this is a matter of life and death, everysingle day!.
How Perfect is “Perfect or is Christian Perfection Possible?
Article by Edward Heppenstall
In the church I grew up in, Christian perfection was highly stressed. However, I do not believe they did a good job of preaching and teaching what Christian perfection really means. I grew up believing it was impossible for me to be “saved”. Every time I thought about getting saved, or went to the front altar in the sanctuary to be saved—after praying, rising from the altar, and walking down the aisle, I may have a negative thought. Now all of a sudden, I’m no longer saved! Unfortunately, I fell prey to this curse until my mid-late twenties (when I had left the church I grew up in, joined another church and learned the fallacy of my traditional understanding of being “saved” (salvation).
In this article Edward Heppenstall talks about those who believe Christian perfection is possible. At first glance, I disagree with these people, but then, you can look at this from more than one angle. There are those who believe at the point of becoming a Christian, we move into an advanced state of self-righteousness—as long as we control our outward actions and maintain Christian expectations, we are living a sinless life. There are those who believe the sinful nature is taken away once we become Christians—we eventually loose the ability to sin. I do not agree with the previous examples of Christian perfection, I believe this scripture passage, among many, gives a solid biblical framework: “O wretched man that I am. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Rom 7:24-8:2)”
After studying the Word of God and realizing that semantics plays are part in the phrase “Christian Perfection”, I have come to realize that Christian perfection is indeed possible. It is not anything within ourselves, it’s only by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to overcome sin. Of course we have to be totally submitted to the speaking, leading, and working of the Spirit. It is the righteousness of Christ that clothes us, it’s not our righteousness, (that in itself is an oxymoron) man doesn’t possess his own righteousness. When we claim sinless perfection we are saying that we no longer need the power of the Holy Spirit, we no longer need the righteousness of Christ to cleanse/cover us. There is a difference between Christian perfection and sinless perfection. In simple terms—Christian perfection is total surrender to the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit in your heart and mind. Sinless perfection claims that the ability to sin, the propensity to sin no longer exist within you. Therefore the work of the Holy Spirit is no longer needed in your heart and mind.
Reflection on Romans 6
In Romans 6, Paul argues for a balance between grace and law – we can not continue in sin as believers, simply because we are saved by grace (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Otherwise, there is no sense having the law at all. I think this is in agreement with Dr. Hanna’s holistic approach to hermeneutics. If salvation is a once for life experience irrespective of what we do, then grace is meaningless and the law void. But since by baptism we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection into newness of life, it therefore, follows that the experience of salvation is a continuous daily process throughout lifetime.
Reflection on Romans 6
In Romans 6, Paul argues for a balance between grace and law – we can not continue in sin as believers, simply because we are saved by grace (Romans 6:1-2, 15). Otherwise, there is no sense having the law at all. I think this is in agreement with Dr. Hanna’s holistic approach to hermeneutics. If salvation is a once for life experience irrespective of what we do, then grace is meaningless and the law void. But since by baptism we identify with Christ’s death and resurrection into newness of life, it therefore, follows that the experience of salvation is a continuous daily process throughout lifetime.
Reflection Romans 7
Here the apostle takes his point further, a woman is bound to her husband as long he lives and is at liberty to remarry only if he dies (Romans 7:1-3). In the same manner, we can not claim to belong to Christ or to be righteous as long as sin still abides or reigns in our lives (Romans 7:4). Furthermore, Paul shows that the experience of salvation is a daily on-going process through life, else, he would not talk of his personal struggle and failures in attempt to righteousness (Romans 7:15-24). And therefore, even the process of sanctification as it is with justification, is a gift from God - by grace.
Reflection on Romans 8
In Romans 8:1, Scripture reveals that even after the experience of justification, we are free from the condemnation of the law only as we “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” And this would imply that the experience of justification is the beginning of the process of a life-long experience of salvation which includes sanctification. It is by Christ (His merits), that we are freed from the condemnation of the law of sin and empowered to live a life of righteousness by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:2-4). Hence, if we are carnally minded, then we have no hope of life and are sure to die, even eternally (Romans 8:6-8).
But and in fact, if the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, then we are bound to live a newness of life by the same Spirit as Christ did (Romans 8:10-14). Interestingly, only those who are led by the Spirit or who live by the will of the Spirit are truly the children of God (Romans 8:14). It is this same Spirit that assures us that we are children of God and heirs of the promise of glory by faith (Romans 8:17-18). It follows then that salvation is a holistic experience – justification, sanctification and glorification (Romans 8:1, 17-18). Verses 21-39 speaks of the experience of the fullness of salvation in the future. This again concurs with Dr. Hanna’s holistic view of salvation in the past (justification), present (sanctification) and future (glorification).
Student; Ragnheidur Olafsdottir ( Lala)
Reading Material;1) BRI Article; Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez., 2) Romans 5. 3)The chapter of Confession in Steps to Christ.
Reading the article on “Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification” brought to my mind a discussion Dr.Hannah had with us in class few weeks ago. Dr.Hannah was telling us about the quarrel that is going on between BRI and some other institution which I can´t remember the name of, and the quarrel seems to go on about this topic of universal justification.
The article was a good one but I must say that what I felt was needed in the article was a definition of what this term” Legal universal justification means”. In fact the whole article was just opposing to this understanding of the Scripture instead of explaining what the terms means. But by reading the article I can understand a bit what this is all about.
Some years ago I did a sermon on a topic similar to this. And the sermon was about our salvation and how we don´t realize what Christ has done for “everyone”. I made an analogy of it, saying that our state of mind is much like staying still in prison while the doors to the prison were widely open. Thus I explained that what was needed for humanity was to act out and run for their lives out through the prison door. So what Jesus has really done for us was setting us free(release the captives) but many of us don´t realize that the door is open, or we don´t believe that it could be true. And since we don’t act out our faith we will still stay in that prison even though we could easily walk out. But to be able to do that One would need faith, faith to stand up and believe that the door was open. When a person would be out there at last, a new life would await that person( the life in Christ). Having preached this sermon years ago I still feel that I can go with this story of Salvation(but it only explains partly what Salvation is all about, rather our state of mind before Salvation, our access to Christ) but while reading Ellen White´s chapter on confession and repentance, I realize that those are elements that we also need in order to get out of that prison. The author of the article argues strongly against the belief that all are universally justified without faith, and I agree with the author(Romans 5:1)…but then again it is also true that all are justified because what Christ did for us, the grace(but Grace only works for those who act out in faith, even though it is offered to all)…But since we have taken on a holistic thinking in this class(and hopefully for the future) we will have to think in a much broader sense. So for me it sometime helps to paint a little picture like I did with the prison. People understand such analogies because Paul is sometimes a little bit to complicated even for us Seminarians. Well I could go on about this topic but I think this would become an essay if I would continue any further. SO blessings to all of you!
Lala.
“His law Is faulty” said the devil?
A General Conference Committee in 1980 put together the paper entitled The Dynamics of Salvation. In it they proposed:
“The law of God, which is an expression of His character, plays a central role in this controversy. Lucifer denied the justice and goodness of the law, rejected its authority, and claimed that it could not be obeyed; he and his subjects continue to oppose it.”
This proposition seems based on writings of the most influential founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mrs. Ellen G. White.
“From the first the great controversy had been upon the law of God. Satan had sought to prove that God was unjust, that His law was faulty, and that the good of the universe required it to be changed. In attacking the law he aimed to overthrow the authority of its Author. In the controversy it was to be shown whether the divine statutes were defective and subject to change, or perfect and immutable.” {PP 69.1}
Can this thought be defended from the Bible?
Since E.G. White does not use Bible references to defend these thoughts; where did she get them from?
Did the book Question on Doctrine edited by LeRoy Froom attempt to defend this idea of the "Great Controversy?"
Reflection on Romans 9
The experience of salvation is not tied to any form of biological lineage (as with Ismael) but of faith (as with Isaac) – Romans 9:4-9. A quick glance at verses 10-24 may give an impression that God shows favoritism (especially in the case of Esau and Jacob) – “The elder shall serve the younger…I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Romans 9:12,15). However, the point Paul presses forward in this context is that salvation is not in any way based on biological origin (as with Esau and Jacob of the same parents), sex or age, but on faith or character – they chose their ways – they decided their destinies.
Reflection on Romans 10
In Romans 10:1, Paul pours out his deep heart’s desire for Israel – that they might be saved. In other words, being an Israelite in the flesh is not a guarantee for salvation as much as being a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church is not an automatic assurance of salvation – it comes by knowing and accepting the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3).
But how is Christ the end of the law? Does accepting Him (Jesus Christ) give us liberty from the obligation(s) of the law? Romans 10:4. Is Paul not saying that Christ fulfilled all the requirement of the law for those who by faith believe in Him? Romans 10:6-7.
There is no distinction or advantage of one over the other (between the Jew and the Gentile), anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Salvation is not exclusive (as to say it only for the literal Israelites), but inclusive – ALL humanity (including the Gentiles). Romans 1017-21.
Reflection on Romans 11
God's remnant in this present dispensation is constituted by the election of grace - not of works or any form of merit (Romans 11:5-6). It is therefore all-inclusive for both the literal and spiritual Israelites. Having been grafted into the plan of salvation, the Gentiles also drink and are nourished from the same root as the literal Jews (Romans 11:17). The experience of salvation (whether justification, sanctification, or glorification) begins and ends in Christ, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever, Amen. Romans 11:36.
Reflection on Romans 12
But why emphasis on works - holy living, If salvation is by grace "without the deeds of the law?" Certainly, not the intent of the apostle Paul, for he has been consistent from the beginning of the epistle to this point, expressing in various manner how faith must produce works or it is not faith at all.
Daily dependence on God and transformation into His likeness is essential for the sustenance of the experience of salvation (Romans 12:1-2). It entails total surrender of self to God in service. It is only then that our service will be reasonable and be in accordance with "that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2b
In reading through Ellen White’s Steps to Christ chapters 4 – 6, I came across some interesting points of which I would like to highlight in this reflection. In Chapter 4, dealing with confession Ellen White makes a distinction which I never saw so clearly before. She said, quoting the scriptures that we should confess our ‘faults’ to each other and our ‘sins’ to God, she writes, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." James 5:16. Confess your sins to God, who only can forgive them, and your faults to one another.” Growing up I had always heard that we should confess our sins to each other and I had always wondered about that. I am still not 100% sure whether this statement directly addresses this issue but it seems to be the text which people use to put forward the point that we should confess our sins one to another. I would like to look into this further. In chapter 5 on Consecration, Ellen White spoke a lot about giving yourself 100% to God. She mentions that some people are afraid to do this because somehow they have a distorted image of God and think that He does not have their best interest at heart; when in fact he is working to bring us joy. She writes a very powerful paragraph which I will quote. She says, “God does not require us to give up anything that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well-being of His children in view. Would that all who have not chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly better to offer them than they are seeking for themselves. Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression is the path of misery and destruction.” That’s awesome. In Chapter 6 on Faith and Acceptance, she seemed to be balancing the fact that this step is a work that only God can bring about in us, yet there is much that we must do in order for this step to be completed in us. On the one had God offers us a change of heart which we pray for and receive in faith. However, we must then act on that belief that we have been changed and as we act out what God has done within us, He gives us the power to live a changed life.
In reading through some of the articles online I came across some interesting points for discussion which I will go over here.
In the “Comments on the ‘In Adam/In Christ’ Motifs by Angel Rodriguez, he highlights the issues facing the Adventist church and the 1888 Study Committee concerning the ‘in Adam, in Christ’ issue. In this article I see the importance of doing theology as Pastor Hanna has outlined for us in class, which is to not only have a slogan or idea which is repeated but to be able to clearly articulate what we mean when we say certain phrases and to understand the theological impact of that phrase. Also the fact that our theology must be Bible based and big enough to cover everything the bible says. Rodriguez points out that, “The 1888 Study Committee as not clearly stated what they mean by their realistic understanding of the phrase ‘in Adam.’” He also shows how some of their understandings can lead to beliefs contrary to the Bible. As Dr. Hanna points out it is important to have our theology grow out of the Bible instead of coming up with a theology and then reading into the Bible what we need to support our theology.
In, “The Dynamics of Salvation,” I found another interesting issue. Sometimes persons may be tempted to take credit to their exercise of faith as a requirement for salvation. But there is no credit or merit given by the exercise of faith that makes us worthy of being saved. The author states, “There is no merit in faith itself. We are not saved by faith but by grace: ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith’ (Eph. 2:8); ‘There is nothing in faith that makes it our saviour.’ (Ellen White).” There remains nothing that we can do to merit salvation; it is a free gift of God.
In the article by Heppenstall on Perfection, somehow to me he seems not to be clear on what exactly his final position is on perfection. This is why I said that. At first he seems to be making the case that no one can be perfect because the Bible as he points out never describes perfect as being sinless, but more of a spiritual maturity. However, he goes on and gives the example of Peter taking his eyes off of Jesus and gives the impression that if we never take our eyes off of Jesus then we can be sinless or perfect. Yet he quotes 1 John 1:8-10 that we all have sin. In the end he resolves that perfection is not possible, but that Jesus’ righteousness covering us. I still need some help to sort this out.
Reading through Romans chapters 4 – 6, I came across some issues that were challenging and I tried to reflect on what Paul was trying to convey. In chapter 4 Paul seems to be again driving home the fact that what we do does not merit salvation. In addition to this of course he is dealing with the issue of circumcision. But he points out that Abraham, because of his faith got imputed righteousness even before he was circumcised. The circumcision as Paul puts it was a sign or seal of the righteousness. Paul argues that this was done in this way so that the promise would go to everyone, both the circumcised and uncircumcised. It was by faith that Abraham had righteousness imputed unto him not because of the deed of circumcision. In chapter 5 was where I struggled to grasp exactly what Paul was getting at. At face value it seemed that since everyone ended up in sin through Adams sin then all would be saved through Jesus Christ automatically. However, in thinking about this there is actually is choice involved. This is what I came up with; someone can respond and let me know what they think. Adam’s sin caused all of us to have a sinful or fallen human nature; hence we experience the effects of sin. Yet we have all, at one point or another chosen to sin just as Adam did. Through Adam’s sin we were ALL made servants to sin. But through Christ’s death we ALL have a way out of sin. But there is still a choice to be made. Will we accept Christ’s way out of this mess or will we continue in rebellion? It is this choice that Paul seems to be examining in chapter 6. He asks the question should we continue in sin then, seeing that God has provided grace? The answer is no. This chapter of Romans seems to parallel what Ellen White was talking about in her chapter on Faith and Acceptance; because we have received grace and we believe it, we must now act as if we have received it. We work out what God has worked in us. Paul says that if you claim to be free from sin provided under Adam and under the Grace provided by the death of Christ your life should reflect that. Because if you claim to be under Christ but continue in sin you are really still a slave to sin. You cannot have both.
Reflection on “The Test of Discipleship” in Steps to Christ, Chapter 7
“There is no evidence of genuine repentance, unless it works reformation,” says Ellen White and that sounds like the words of James, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone” James 2:17. But isn’t it a truth that those who born of the Spirit and who become new creatures by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit will produce fruit of the Spirit? Surely, there works will be made manifest – “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23.
But holiness is an impacted favor; it comes from outside of us. No amount of human effort can produce holiness, even in its slightest sense, it takes only and nothing but divine grace make humanity holy. However, “our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits.”
Speaking of the miserable condition of humanity, Ellen White expresses the idea that in a sense, Adam’s sin passed on to all generations of humanity and that “because of his sin our natures are fallen and we cannot make ourselves righteous.” Notwithstanding, “Christ made a way of escape for us,” as many as believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and personal Savior.
This is true discipleship, that our character reveals Him who loves has consumed our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I am frustrated with my much of my reading this semester, regarding legal justification. It seems to me that I have only been told one side of the story. Much of it has focused on shooting down the “theory of universal legal justification.” Having read so much against it I have become sympathetic towards it. What’s so bad about emphasizing God’s goodness doing everything possible to save all human beings who accept salvation? Both Rodriguez as well as the people he has been trying to discredit deny universalism, so this is not an issue in the discussion. They agree on the main things. While “off-shootish” groups are generally the ones labeled as “conservative,” in this case is the “main-line” Adventists who are taking a more “legalistic” approach and guarding against cheap grace. I have not been able to read how Weyland and the other defenders of universal legal justification propose this idea, but from the attacks I have been reading, I have seen enough things to like this idea more than I did before. I wouldn’t say that I believe it fully. I still need time to read and understand other implications that my superficial, one-sided reading has allowed me to.
For this blog posting I read Romans 7-9. I must say that Romans is a really challenging book to fully understand but it has helped to go through the book with the thought in mind that Paul has and emphasis on the obedience of faith and also understanding that he is speaking to the issue of the Jew –Gentile relation or Visible and Invisible people of God. Having said that there are still a lot of questions in my mind. In reflecting on what I read these were my conclusions. In chapter 7 Paul seems to be pointing to the fact that the problem with the law is not really the law itself but the sin problem that is holding us slaves in our body. He states that we admit that the law is holy because we want to keep it but there is some other law – sin – which keeps on coming up in our body and keeping us captive. He continues by making the point though that if we die to our body/flesh, then we are free from this slavery to sin just like the wife is free from the law of her dead husband. So in essence we need deliverance from the ‘body of death’ (vs 24) and not deliverance from the Law of God. God can provide this deliverance. The beginning of chapter 8 continues with this theme in verse one by pointing out that those who have died to this ‘body of death’ or found new life in Christ, are no longer condemned. This is because they are no longer a slave to the law of sin, but now they are adopted members of God’s family. These persons now have hope (vs 18-19), and wait for the time when they will receive their final glorification. Paul then dives into a series of ‘predestination’ text starting at verse 28 to the end of Chapter 9. We touched lightly on this ending portion of chapter 8 in class, however, I don’t think that we thoroughly discussed this way in which we should present these texts on predestination. In class we had set up the wording of the text which in God foreknows what discussion will be made and based upon that omniscient foreknowledge He predestines, and the predestined ones will then be justified and ultimately glorified. Yet in chapter 9 Paul seems to be saying that God Himself makes some decisions, for Jacob He loved and Essau he hated (vs 13). Also the fact that Pharaoh was raised up so that God’s power could be displayed. (vs 17). It seems that in fact God still selects people for specific things even as He did the children of Israel. The question is whether is selection affects their candidacy for salvation? In the case of Israel we know that this was not the case, because they were chosen to make the way of salvation known to others. But does this selection of God ever affect someones candidacy? The answer for us ultimately is no, however, how do we effectively explain these texts?
Ok. I have a stand on Universal Legal Justification. Want to hear it? I am going to stay away from using this terminology. Since the Bible doesn’t use those words I am going to duck the questions I might be asked by people from either camp. Sure this doesn’t sound like a very scholarly approach, but I am more interested in keeping “peace with all people, as far as it lieth on me.” Now that’s Biblical. As a practitioner, a prime target for beautiful, impassionate people who are on either side of the fence I will stick to the Bible. Now, doesn’t that just sound like the “right” thing to do. SOLA SCRIPTURA will be my motto.
What do I mean? The real question that is at stake in this whole “war” among the “Objectivets” and the “Subjectivets” is over the question “How much does God love the people of the world?” The defendants of Universal Legal Justification argue that we have to say one way, their way; and the defendants of the Subjective Justification argue that that is not Biblically accurate. So here is what I think I can do to get out from under their grip and move on, hopefully not having them turn antagonistic toward my local church if they happen to be members. I will suggest to them that that their question is really relating to God’s goodness and willingness to save. I will say “How much do I believe God loves the world? Isn’t that the question at stake over this issue? Well then, what does the Bible say in Romans 5:8-10? God couldn’t love us rebels, and want to save us any more than He already does. Jesus ‘died for us while we were yet sinners.’ That’s what the Bible says. So I stick to the Bible, that’s what I believe on this issue and no more.”
Do you guys think that this approach of staying away from the sticky terminology would work to duck the arrows thrown my way as a local pastor?
Reflection on “Justification and the Cross” by
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I think we must all admit that subject of justification though intended to be very simple remains complex (in the sense of a progressive understanding) to us on this side of eternity. Speaking on nature of sin in Romans 5, Angel Manuel Rodriguez comments: “There is no reference here to the imputation of the sin of Adam to "all". There is clearly an element of solidarity with him, but it is a solidarity in result not in the act and that was possible only because Adam represented the human race.” However, I vary slightly from his conception of the matter because in Romans 5:14, Paul speaks of how “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression…” Same idea is also expressed in Romans 5:12, 18-19 and in Romans 3:10, 23 where he stressed that none is righteous because all have sinned. I am still persuaded that there is a sense in which sin in a nature (objective sin) and another sense in which sin is an act of our personal choice (subjective sin). Interestingly, as it relates to the parallels between the role of Adam and of Christ as Paul puts it in Romans 5, Ángel Manuel Rodríguez comments: “The parallel is basically limited to the fact that what Adam did had a universal impact and what Christ did also has a universal impact. The implicit reason is that Adam stood at the head of the human race and what he did determined the fate of his descendants. Now Christ is the one who stands at the head of the human race and determines its destiny in terms of the response we give to his offer of salvation (Rom 5:17). Since Adam could not pass on to his descendants what he did not posses, the result of his sin was death and sin for all members of the human race.”
However, I agree with Ángel Manuel Rodríguez that the “idea that every human being was in Adam when he sinned is totally foreign to the passage under consideration.” But while concur on this above point, I think it may not be easily overlooked if ever possible, that the human nature was altered by sin in the garden of Eden when Adam sinned and passed on to all generations of humanity.
I further concur with Ángel Manuel Rodríguez that “we must acknowledge that the sin of Adam had a universal impact.” This is biblical and beyond question. “Paul describes in Rom 5:12-19 the event of the cross as an act of divine grace. The manifestation of this gift has as its only objective the human race. Through Christ God provided enough grace to save the whole human race, since the time of Adam to the end of mercy. But this gift must be accepted in order to be ours. The gift is justification by faith and those who accept it are the "many" who are in Christ through faith in him.”
Romans 4: 15
While reading Romans, it becomes increasingly evident that Paul’s literary style uses strong words to describe the law and its consequences. In verse 15 (NKJV) Paul writes, “…the law brings about wrath…” Now, from my Seventh-day Adventist mindset, this does not pose an issue for me at all—Paul continues to write, “…for where there is no law there is no transgression.” In other words, the law has existed from the foundation of the world and probably before our comprehension of historical time. In order for Lucifer to be in the wrong regarding his contrary actions in Heaven, he must have transgressed a law that was already in existence from the Throne of God. If there was not a law (or whatever term you want to use for it; semantics) that guides holy/righteous behavior (inward and outward), then who could have said that Lucifer was wrong in his actions? Something must have already been established and if one went against it (law), a negative reaction was the result and still is today—starting with the iniquity in Lucifer’s heart on through Noah’s day, Abraham’s day, Moses, and so on.
Growing up in the evangelical/Pentecostal tradition, I constantly heard the phrase, were under grace, and no longer under the law. My understanding was, the OT is the law and the NT is grace. Of course, I can look at this now and see how warped this logic is, but to a degree, I can understand how so many people throughout the ages have fallen into this lack of biblical knowledge. Without careful exegesis, I cannot say whether Paul is referring to the ceremonial and moral law or just the ceremonial, but I’m writing from the premise that he includes both. Paul uses strong words throughout Romans to prove his point—righteousness comes by faith and not by keeping the law. Many Christians latch on to these scripture text to stand behind a less than wholistic understanding of scripture. The fact is the law isn’t wrath. The law allows us to understand the character of the Trinity (or what would be contrary to their character)—if we transgress the law then wrath or maybe a better way to say it—the weight of sin is on us. Paul isn’t saying that the law is bad, or done away with, or any such notion. I believe Paul is communicating with a church body that came under the influence of Jews who are teaching these believers that they must adhere to Jewish laws and customs in order to be followers of Christ. These Jews possibly stressed adherence to laws and customs as salvation in itself instead of stressing that true faith and love of Christ (His character) will bring about adherence to the law (moral law).
Page 19 Steps To Christ
“It is not enough to perceive the loving-kindness of God, to see the benevolence, the fatherly tenderness, of His character. It is not enough to discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love. Paul the apostle saw all this when he exclaimed, ‘"I consent unto the law that it is good."’ ‘"The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."’ But he added, in the bitterness of his soul-anguish and despair, ‘"I am carnal, sold under sin."’ Romans 7:16, 12, 14. He longed for the purity, the righteousness, to which in himself he was powerless to attain, and cried out, ‘"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?"’ Romans 7:24, margin. Such is the cry that has gone up from burdened hearts in all lands and in all ages. To all, there is but one answer, ‘"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."’ John 1:29.
As I read this portion of page 19 in Steps To Christ, it brought back to mind Romans chapter 4:15. In one instance Paul said the law brings about wrath (NKJV), but in Romans chapter 7, he says the law is just and good. Again, further exegesis on my part will need to be completed in order to say for certain whether Paul is talking about the moral law and ceremonial law together or separately at any given time that he uses the word “law”. However, I believe in Romans chapter 4:15, Paul was talking about both laws can bring about wrath, in Romans chapter 7 he is referring to the moral law as just and good.
Ellen White is saying that it’s not enough to “…discern the wisdom and justice of His law, to see that it is founded upon the eternal principle of love.” Oh that many evangelicals would look at the moral law as a law of God’s love, wisdom, and justice, and not as just pure condemnation. Yes, if we transgress the law condemnation comes, but when we exercise faith in Christ Jesus and it is counted to us as righteousness, the condemnation is lifted in the sight of God. The law is needed to give us a mirror—show us where we are stumbling in order to stay and/or get back on the straight and narrow way. However, if we only place our energies and concentration on keeping the law and not on our faith through love in Jesus Christ, we have sorely missed the mark. We cannot perfectly keep the law. It’s not within our carnal nature to do so. Only Christ’s perfect obedience to the law, only His righteousness that covers us through our faith in Him can count as our perfect obedience to the law. The law is wise, just, and good, because it reflects the character of Christ, but without faith it’s impossible for Christ’s righteousness to cover us, thereby causing the law to bring about wrath.
Reflection on Romans 13
The works of Christ - our salvation, is so vast and complex that the further we contemplate it, the larger it becomes. And so of what connection are secular leaders and their authority to my salvation? After all it (salvation) is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus.
But wait a moment, if disobedience to the secular authorities is disobedience to God on account that were instituted by God (Romans 13:1-2), it consequently follows that persistent disobedience or disregard to secular authorities will eventual impact my salvation. And so how shall we reconcile this to the doctrine of "once saved, always" as some people believe and teach?
Reflection on Romans 14
So who is not weak? Did you hear Paul lamenting of his personal weaknesses? Romans 7:14-24. Now, what does he mean by the weak in faith? And by the way, if a section of the believers were weak in faith and to be received by the other, it therefore implies that the receiving group is strong in faith. And who is strong in faith? I Corinthians 10:12.
But if our food and/or regard for particular days can constitute obstacle(s) for others, is our food and/or regard for for religious days/festivals not significantly connected to our growth (sanctification) in the grace of Christ?
“How to Tell if God is Leading”
PORTION OF MORNING TALK AT COPENHAGEN, DENMARK, JULY 21, 1886, TITLED "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES." PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, APRIL 3, 1888.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). ”…Thus they get these truths all mixed with error, and they cannot tell what is truth; and if asked to sit down and search the Scriptures with you to see what saith the Lord, I never knew a case but the answer was that they had no need to search the Scriptures, for the Lord told them what to do.”
Even though I grew up in the Church of God, I didn’t have a personal relationship with Christ. I went to church because my parents told me I had to go and it became a normal part of life on Wednesday evening, Sunday morning, and Sunday evening. I didn’t become steeped in scripture in my years growing into adulthood. I really didn’t become a student of the Word until I began attending a Revelation Seminar in 2001. I joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in August of 2001 and ever since the journey has been life changing! At times, I wish I would have been a student of the Word in my earlier years—I would be further along in my Biblical knowledge, but then again, had I become steeped in the doctrines of Babylon, it probably wouldn’t have been as easy for me to open my heart to the Holy Spirit’s leading, thereby distinguishing truth from error in the Word of God.
I’m the only SDA in my entire family immediate and extended. When I began attending the Revelation Seminar, my parents were attending with me, then when the State of the Dead, Sabbath, and other truth were presented, my parents quit attending, but I kept going. After becoming Adventist, I studied with my parents on and off, but I didn’t push too much—I didn’t want to be a stumbling block. As Ellen White talked about in this article, I have been given the excuse on many occasions, “I don’t need to study it. I know what the Lord has told me”. It’s as if new light cannot be possible, what they have learned from the beginning is the truth, further study isn’t needed. EGW warns against this kind of thinking. When someone takes on this hard stance instead of digging into the scriptures, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide into all truth—error and apostasy will creep in. How to tell if God is leading—by knowing the Word of God, this is what EGW is stressing in this article. Do not be so high minded to think you have all the biblical answers and have no reason to continue digging into the scriptures. I hope and pray that I will continuously keep an open heart to the Holy Spirit’s leading as I study the Word of God for myself and to teach others, especially my family.
Reflection on “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T. Blazen
Isn’t it contradictory to talk of justification by grace through faith apart from works and yet talk about judgment that is based on works? Ivan T. Blazen in this article endeavors to show the mutual relationship between these seemingly opposition doctrines.
In his effort, Blazen argues for the supremacy of revelation over human reasoning, which I perceive as a basic key to resolving the seeming contradiction. He postulates: “Reason must function as the servant of revelation. It is revelation that enlightens reason, and thus it is reason's task to explicate revelation, not contradict it. Once the reality of the judgment is established on the basis of revelation, reason must operate to explain its significance, not to lessen or destroy its import.” He presses his point further by stressing that in Paul’s theology the concept of the justification and judgment are two mutual pillars that exist together without any contradiction. He believes that “justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves.” And that, “judgment according to works guards the doctrine of the justification of the ungodly from meaning the justification of ungodliness.” In fact, Blazen emphatically states that when either of these pillars is “weakened or removed,” we end not with an unbalanced truth but no truth at all. To him, “working for justification or the justified not working—were alike condemned by Paul in strong language.”
On the traditional teaching of the investigative judgment believed and taught among Seventh-day Adventists, Blazen contends that if “rightly understood, is in harmony with justification by faith and judgment according to works. It encompasses within itself the ingredients of these two fundamental teachings.” The investigative judgment and the final judgment share the same concerns – the believer’s faith, repentance, confession, obedience etc. In this sense therefore, the “two judgments are really one, but the one judgment has two phases.” Adventists generally believe that “when the repentant sinner comes to Christ and confesses his faith in the Saviour's atoning sacrifice, pardon is registered next to his name in the heavenly books (The Great Controversy, p. 483). When the books are opened in the judgment this record of forgiveness can be seen. Plainly, the investigative judgment does not deal merely with the sins of mankind but with the forgiveness of Christ.”
By way of conclusion, I fully agree with Blazen“Only in the framework of the unfolding drama of God's salvation, as revealed in Scripture, can justification and the judgment be rightly evaluated… In His dual office as Saviour and Lord, Christ judged sin at the cross, justifies the sinner by faith, and judges the justified by works. The cross is the means by which justification is effected; faith is the means by which justification is accepted; and good works are the means by which justification is manifested. Works of righteousness testify to the reality and vitality of justification. Their absence indicates a broken relation with Jesus.”
Comment on Jimmy A. Munoz said...
Ok. I have a stand on Universal Legal Justification.
I think it'll work perhaps for a congregation that is not given to in dept study of the Bible, but once there is a strong desire to study in order to better understand God's plan and operation in the salvific history, these concerns are inevitables that must be confronted.
You made reference to Romans 5:8-10 in attempt to buttress your position, but the same text insinuates both the objective and subjective views. Paul in verse 8 speaks of God's love for rebels (objective), but in verses 9-10, he also speaks of the ones who have reconciled to God(subjective). Or shall we expunge other Scriptural texts like Romans 8:1; John 3:6; that speak of subjective love or shall we delete such passages that speak of objective love Romans 5:8; John 3:16? I think what what we need is a holistic model as Dr. Hanna proposes, that will accommodate both views, for both are biblical.
For this blog I read Steps to Christ chapters 7 – 9. In chapter 7, The Test of Discipleship, Ellen White tries to keep us focused on the balance between faith and works. She says Christ does not release us from the keeping of the law, which agrees with Paul, but she balances this by saying that we cannot trust or look at our own works to bring you in harmony with God. In essence there is nothing that we can do to merit us salvation. Every good work that we do comes from God, not of ourselves. She says, “Love is of God. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. It is found only in the heart where Jesus reigns.” This is an interesting concept. Does this mean that acts of love from persons who don’t profess Christ are still originating from God? Or is this a false love? She mentions that the condition for eternal life is still always what it was, perfect obedience to God’s Law. Anything short of this would be putting the happiness of the entire universe in jeopardy, she says. However, she does not leave us here she says that even when we are overcome by the enemy we are not cast off because we have Christ who is making intercession for us. It is through his grace and mercy that we are saved, because we could never keep His law perfectly. In her next chapter, Growing Up Into Christ, she uses a great example of a plant growing. The plant of its own cannot pat itself on its back and say look how much I have grown because of my hard work. All the credit goes to sources outside of the plant, which the plant has no control over. Likewise we can only stay in Christ and receive the benefits of growth that comes from abiding in Him. In this way we can take no credit for how far we have grown in our spiritual walk. Since this is the case, then it makes sense that salvation does not depend upon how much we have grown, because we cannot grow ourselves. The also makes it clear that this rest in Christ is not inactivity, she shows the balance by using Christ’s own words, He says, “Take my yoke upon you:…and ye shall find rest.” Matt. 11:29. There is a balance. As she says the call to labor is united with the promise of rest. In the next chapter, The Work and the Life, we are encouraged to include God and his work of saving souls into every aspect of our lives. She makes the point that we don’t have to be pastors to work for Christ. If we are businessmen or even a mechanic she says that, “Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work that others, by seeing his good works, may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.”
For this posting I read from Romans 10 – 12. When I began in Romans chapter 10 I got a bit confused at first because Paul mentions in verse 3 that Israel was ignorant to God’s righteousness. I wondered to myself isn’t God suppose to wink at our ignorance? However, as it seems that there are two types of ignorance, firstly, when someone genuinely doesn’t know something and then the other type where people willfully remain without knowledge. I think it is the latter which Paul is speaking to because he mentions that they would not submit themselves unto the righteousness of God in the latter part of verse 3. In addition to this in beginning in verse 6, he uses language which seems to suggest that they already had the word of faith but that they failed to believe. Hence, in chapter 11 Paul begins by introducing the remnant within Israel. In verse 5 he says that there is a remnant according to the election of grace. In verse 7 onward, there again appears in Paul this predestination language. Here he states that the election had attained, but the rest were blinded. Reading these passages it seems that God is actually placing road blocks in the way of some individuals which are allowing them not to be saved. However, this is not the case. It is because of there disobedience that they have blinded themselves, similar to the way the language is used in the case of Pharaoh, where it says that God hardened his heart. This is exemplified by the fact that Paul later tells the gentiles that if the original branches were cut off because of unbelief (vs 20), then they too will be broken off if they fail to believe. In chapter 12 Paul covers what Christian living should look like. He points to some very important things such as being a living sacrifice to God, simplicity, humility, diligence, honesty and benevolence among other things. Again it is important to note that even though Paul lists all of these things, the mere doing of these activities as a check-list has no merit for salvation. These things are to flow from a life changing relationship with God. So the inner reflects on the outside.
Reflection on Romans 15
God of the Jews and Gentiles - what a striking unity of two opposite
extremes. The gospel - that God became human being, lived among us, died,
resurrected and ascended into heaven for our salvation, is for the Jews
and the Gentiles. This plan had been from the foundation of the earth
(Rev. 13:8); sung about in the psalms (Rom. 15:10-11) and spoken of by the
prophet Isaiah (verse 12).
One point is clear, the plan of salvation is all-inclusive - for all human
race, as many as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as their
Lord and personal Savior.
Reflection on Romans 16
The revelation of the mystery. How precious to realize that all who have experienced salvation by grace through faith in Christ have also experienced "the revelation which was kept secret since the world begin." Romans 16:26.
But the fullness of the experience lies in "obedience of the faith" - the commandment of the everlasting God of all creation (Romans 16:27)
I wish we would discuss in class the topic of “predestination” in the writings of Paul. For example: Romans 11: 7-11. Following is the passage in several versions.
Rom 11:7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
Rom 11:8 according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day.
Rom 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always.
Rom 11:11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles...
Rom 11:7 What then? That which Israel was searching for he did not get, but those of the selection got it and the rest were made hard.
Rom 11:8 As it was said in the holy Writings, God gave them a spirit of sleep, eyes which might not see, and ears which have no hearing, to this day.
Rom 11:9 And David says, Let their table be made a net for taking them, and a stone in their way, and a punishment:
Rom 11:10 Let their eyes be made dark so that they may not see, and let their back be bent down at all times.
Rom 11:11 So I say, Were their steps made hard in order that they might have a fall? In no way: but by their fall salvation has come to the Gentiles...
Rom 11:7 This means that only a chosen few of the people of Israel found what all of them were searching for. And the rest of them were stubborn,
Rom 11:8 just as the Scriptures say, "God made them so stupid that their eyes are blind, and their ears are still deaf."
Rom 11:9 Then David said, "Turn their meals into bait for a trap, so that they will stumble and be given what they deserve.
Rom 11:10 Blindfold their eyes! Don't let them see. Bend their backs beneath a burden that will never be lifted."
Rom 11:11 Do I mean that the people of Israel fell, never to get up again? Certainly not! Their failure made it possible for the Gentiles to be saved...
Rom 11:7 What then? What Israel seeks, this it did not obtain, but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened;
Rom 11:8 even as it has been written, "God gave to them a spirit of slumber, eyes not seeing and ears not hearing" until this day. Isa. 29:10; Deut. 29:4
Rom 11:9 And David said, "Let their table become for a snare and a trap, and for a stumbling block," and a repayment to them;
Rom 11:10 "let their eyes be darkened, not to see, and their back always bowing." LXX-68:23, 24; MT-Psa. 69:22, 23
Rom 11:11 I say, then, Did not they stumble that they fall? Let it not be! But by their slipping away came salvation to the nations...
It makes it sound as if the majority of the Jews were “predestined” or predisposed to not believe in Jesus. Probably that’s not what he meant but I can why many people believe just that.
In last sentence of my previous post the word "see" is missing.
It should have read:
"I can [SEE] why many people believe just that.
For this blog I read three of the salvation articles. In the articles by Rodriguez, Justification in Romans 3:21-24, he again seems to be defending the point that there is no reason for us to find a universal justification in Paul’s writings. He points out that now where can you find that Paul is introducing some new type of justification which is void of our putting faith in Christ. He says that to read this into Paul’s writings would be eisegesis. He points out that, “If in 3:24 Paul was describing what God did on the cross for the human race, one would have expected a finite verb in the past tense—"God declared righteous/justified all"—but that is not what we find. We find a present participle which indicates that the declaration of righteousness was not a universal declaration that took place at the cross.”
In Jan Paulsen’s article, “Salvation by Faith,” he urges us to steer clear of the argument between what God does and what we do. However, he would like to turn our attention that justification has both a legal side but as well a experiential dimension. He says, “notwithstanding the theoretical priority we may give to justification, it constitutes one united experience with that of the renewal brought by the presence of the Holy Spirit.” He purports that one cannot have justification without also beginning the sanctification process. This is similar to what Dr. Hanna had presented in class, in a sense all of these actions are simultaneous, justification, sanctification and glorification, yet they continue throughout the spiritual journey of the believer. He also wants us to understand that the fact that you have a continued struggle with sin does not me that you have not received your justification. However, this fear should not be the basis for your assurance, you should continue to trust and look to Christ. He says, “Righteousness by faith means to look continually and exclusively to the risen Lord. Look away, and hope is gone.”
In the next article by Rodriguez, “Some Problems with Legal Justification,” he points out some things that are incorrect with holding this view. The one that I would like to highlight is number 2. “Legal universal justification implies that all human beings come into the world legally saved, pardoned, justified; from God's perspective they are not lost.” When you think of this it does not even make logical sense (not that everything biblical must make logical sense). However, why would we need to accept a savior when we are already saved? Or why should we preach to people? Because when we preach to them we are creating the possibility of them becoming lost by rejecting Christ. Why not withhold the message so that they can continue in their saved state? This seems to contradict everything that the Bible has to say about salvation. Whosoever believes will not perish, giving the idea that those that don’t believe will perish. (John 3:16)
For this blog posting I read three or the salvation articles. In Heppenstall’s article, “Some Theological Considerations of Perfection,” his position was more clearly defined, opposed to the first article I read from him on perfection. He points out that he does believe that biblical perfection must be attainable, he says, “It must be possible within the framework of the Christian life here on earth, otherwise there would be no point to the Bible writers urging perfection upon believers.” He seems to come back to the same point which we where making in class about perfection and that is we are perfect at each point along the journey. In other words the important thing is that you continue pressing towards the mark. In adds to this and says that perfection also means being fully equipped. However, he points out that biblical perfection never means sinlessness. He points out that when Christ comes he will judge the entire track of an individual’s life. He puts it this way quoting Ellen White, "The coming of Christ does not change our characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change." He also makes an interesting point that there is no biblical evidence for the use of saving grace and sustaining grace. He suggests that there is only one grace and that will also be available to those after the close of probation who have been sealed. He mentions that this also suggests that after the close of probation we will no longer need Christ but will live the rest of our days on our own merits. Something to think about.
In the next article by George W. Reid, “Why Did Jesus Die? How God Saves Us,” he attempts to come up with a explanation that would somehow describe which Jesus had to die. He seems to attack some of the other models, however, as I have recognized from class that a model will only be just that a model. They will all have their flaws, but they also have a portion of the truth. However, he did make some interesting comments for discussion. I do have a question having listened to Dr. Hanna’s view of original sin and the issue of self-control, how does Christ’s death factor into this equation. In other words how does Christ dieing on the cross give God the permission to free us from the slavery to sin. Could He not do this without dieing? Or was this death to satisfy the requirements of law? Or was it just for an example to us? Or was it all of the above?
The third article was again by Rodriguez, “Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10”. Again in this article he seems to be fighting against the position of the 1888 committee. Again he makes the point that we are probably mostly agreed upon by now that universal justification cannot be found in 1 Timothy 4:10. His argument uses both logic and some exegesis to arrive at his point. God is the one who can save the world, and He saves those that believe on Him.
Reflection on Chapter 9 Steps to Christ “The Work and the Life”
This is how she describes it: “The spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do.”
Wow, who can stand this? Is anyone born of Adam competent of any at all, let alone the “spirit of Christ.” But did He not promise to give us His Spirit? We surely can do all things through Him who strengthens us. And come to think of it, are we not even more blessed when we serve than those whom we serve? For He had said, “it is blessed to give than to receive.”
So, let us give in service until there’s no more to give. This is the work and life of our Lord, Master and Savior; ought we be like Him?
For this post I read, “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” by Ivan T. Blazen. In this group of articles Blazen seems to try and separate the event of Justification and Judgment in order to show that not only must you be justified but you must also produce fruit. He explains that it is both of these things that will get you into heaven. He does this while trying to keep in the readers mind that it is not our works that save us, but the grace of God. In his articles he makes such statements as, “The sinner is saved from death by God's gift, but he is judged according to his deeds.” And includes title headings such as, “Justification grants assurance, but judgment guards it.” While it may seem that he is adhering to a perfectionistic view, where there is no need of grace in the judgment, he states clearly that this is not his goal. I found a sentence in his articles which seems to sum up the core of what he has to say on this issue. He says, “At the end God asks for justification with its fruit-not in the sense of the formula "Faith plus works saves,'' but in the sense that justification is the source of sanctified fruit.” This is a statement to which I am in total agreement. However, I am not sure if I am in agreement with the way he sets up his argument by separating the events of Justification and Judgment. Why? It is because I am not sure if I am willing to accept that the Judgment will be based on a different criteria than us accepting Christ and our justification. I think he comes up with this separation because of his wanting to put down the idea of once justified always saved. Yet I am not sure if this explanation of justification by faith and judgment by works helps his cause or opens up new problems and misunderstandings. I think what Blazen fails to realized, as we have found out in this class is that Justification is not a one time event in the Christians life. We must continue to be justified daily. And as he stated himself it is the true justification that will be the source of the sanctified fruit. The faith will produce fruit in the person who is being justified daily. So in the judgment if you have continued to accept your daily justification your fruits will be there, but your fruits can never be good enough to be judged upon. But the person who had started out and never remained on the path and left off the daily justification will have no fruit to show because it is the justification produces the fruit. So what about the text that seem to suggest that we are to present our works for judgment? Well, by their fruit you will know them. You don’t have to produce fruit to be saved but if you are saved you will produce fruit. If you put it the other way around then you have to ask how much fruit must one produce before they will be declared acquitted in the judgement? “At the end God asks for justification with its fruit-not in the sense of the formula "Faith plus works saves,'' but in the sense that justification is the source of sanctified fruit.”
In Steps to Christ 10, The knowledge of God, Ellen White points us to the fact that we know so little about God and that throughout eternity we will be learning of Him. Yet He has opened up many avenues whereby we can learn about Him while here on this earth. She mentions that nature constantly speaks about Him. Which is interesting because nature even in its fallen state can still teach us about God. She mentions that as we meditate more and more on God and His perfections, the more our own characters will be changed into His image. She makes a very interesting statement concerning God’s revelation to His people in the scriptures. She says, “The Bible was not written for the scholar alone; on the contrary, it was designed for the common people. The great truths necessary for salvation are made as clear as noonday; and none will mistake and lose their way except those who follow their own judgment instead of the plainly revealed will of God.” This should keep us humble knowing that God does not necessarily need us to open His truth to His people. His message is clear and anyone can read His words and come to a saving knowledge of Him. In her next chapter, “The Privilege of Prayer”, Ms White points out that, “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” This passage shows us what prayer should be like. It should be like talking to a friend. It’s interesting that many of our prayers are just the opposite. She emphasizes the need of us to keep in constant communication with God and as we do our hearts will be turned to Him. She points out the fact that perseverance in prayer is necessary in order to receive. However, she keeps this statement of continued prayer in balance by stating that we are not to go to extremes. She says, “He who does nothing but pray will soon cease to pray, or his prayers will become a formal routine. When men take themselves out of social life, away from the sphere of Christian duty and cross bearing; when they cease to work earnestly for the Master, who worked earnestly for them, they lose the subject matter of prayer and have no incentive to devotion. Their prayers become personal and selfish. They cannot pray in regard to the wants of humanity or the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom, pleading for strength wherewith to work.” Its interesting to know that you can take anything to the extreme even if it is something that is vital for our spiritual existence.
May I never forget that He forgave me: Grace is what God is and offers, faith is my repentant, trusting attitude of gratitude. Why can my obedience after repentance not be part of winning my salvation, and why I must never forget that I blew it?
The following story in to illustrate my favorite text in the book of Romans: Romans 4:1-8. The main point I am paraphrasing here is how my complete surrender is always the result of God’s goodness creating gratitude in me. It makes sense to me that I could never gain God’s love, not even after a million years of loving him back because my being with him in heaven was only made possible because He took me back in after I blew it. He took me in at a costly price.
Lesson on the meaning of Salvation through Grace: Regardless of how well I get my act together, I will never deserve salvation. Once in God’s literal kingdom it will always be grace that keeps me there.
The story:
With a driver’s license that still smelled new, I was surrounded by thousands of bees while riding inside a large, white metal warehouse. I was as qualified for the job of beekeeping as much as any other insect in the building. I had been hired in just weeks ago at Ted’s Honey Farms ((not his real name)). Living in a fifth-wheel trailer on the owner’s property, I was delighted to have such a good job. Getting paid better than most farm workers in the area, I was determined to be dependable and responsible.
But I met a girl at church. I wanted to get better acquainted with this girl but I had several problems. I worked nearly sixty hours per week Sunday through Friday. Her home was a good 40 miles away and my only mode of personal transportation was a red road bike, a girl’s bike.
This particular Sunday the plant was going to shut down early. At 4pm I found myself with nothing to do. The boy-friend wannabe “child” in me, sent a surge of energy that traveled all over my underdeveloped body with the thought of going to see this unlucky girl. There is something you will know about me, I am as determined as yard mole that will continue to dig up mounds of dirt until you give up flattening its house. When something gets into my head I don’t stop until it gets done. But I am also a realist, so I was not about to get on my bike and ride the 80 miles in one afternoon. “What can I do?” I thought to myself as I turned to look around.
I saw it, the beautiful new Hino truck, was glittery clean… off I went breaking company policy and risking my job, even my life (I still couldn’t drive very good), not to mention the other cars on the road. My wife reminds me that this was back in the days when my brain was not fully developed. This is Not to say that it ever has gotten fully developed yet… :)
I had a nice visit with the family, as Connie was at work and not available. At 8pm it became obvious to me that I needed to go back home. No sense waiting anymore; either she was not interested or she was really busy. On my way home I stopped to get some fuel. Surely a box-truck like this needed the stuff off the green handle, diesel. I reached for it and put in a full 8 gallons of it. In the mist of my excitement and stupidity I had not taken the time to read the blazing red letters impressed across the big reservoir which said “Unleaded Fuel ONLY.”
To be continued next week… :)
A Warning Against Counterfeit Sanctification FROM A REPORT OF "THE CONFERENCE IN SWEDEN" IN MID-JUNE, 1886. PUBLISHED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, OCTOBER 5, 1886. Ellen G. White
“The faith in Christ that saves the soul is not what it is represented to be by many. ‘Believe, believe,’ is their cry; ‘only believe in Christ, and you will be saved. It is all you have to do.’ While true faith trusts wholly in Christ for salvation, it will lead to perfect conformity to the law of God. Faith is manifested by works.” When I first read this quote by EGW, admittedly, I was a little taken back. In other words, I was a little surprised. I thought to myself, what about the following scripture text: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3:14-16 NKJV.” “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him John 3:36 NKJV.” Not to mention, there are numerous other scripture text that flood through the Gospels regarding an aspect of salvation that only comes through believing. After I had a couple of minutes to think about this quotation, I soon realize you must study the Bible wholistically as well as Ellen G. White’s writings. Mrs. White was not implying that belief in Christ is not necessary, but it’s not the only aspect needed in the process of true Christian sanctification. There are plenty of scripture texts about believing in/on Christ, however there are plenty of texts that regard keeping God’s commandments. “It is unsafe to trust to feelings or impressions; these are unreliable guides. God's law is the only correct standard of holiness. It is by this law that character is to be judged. If an inquirer after salvation were to ask, ‘What shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ the modern teachers of sanctification would answer, ‘Only believe that Jesus saves you.’ But when Christ was asked this question He said, ‘What is written in the law? How readest thou?’ And when the questioner replied, ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, . . . and thy neighbour as thyself,’ Jesus said, ‘Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live’ (Luke 10:25-29). How said and even tragic it is that so many of us have totally masked over the importance of God’s commandments, God’s law in our process of sanctification. Of course, believing on Jesus Christ is of the utmost importance, how can we have a relationship with Him without that basic element? But the buck doesn’t stop there—adherence to a Christ like understanding of His law is another part of the sanctification equation. Galatians 3:6 reads Abraham, “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now this belief was accounted for 430 years before the Law(s) of God was given through Moses, even though it has always been implied throughout human history and even before our existence. How does this article explain Abraham’s process of sanctification? Not only did Abraham believe, but he also obeyed God, sprung into action, and adhered to God’s commands to the best of his understanding. This particular scripture text concentrates on the belief aspect of Abrahams sanctification process, but like stated before, one must study Abraham’s life from the biblical text—then you will see much more than belief in his life.
Counsel to a Leading Minister on the Presentation of the Relation of Faith and Works
PORTION OF A LETTER TO A. T. JONES, APRIL 9, 1893, LETTER 44, 1893. PUBLISHED IN SELECTED MESSAGES, BOOK ONE, PP. 377-379. EGW
“In my dream you were presenting the subject of faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ by faith. You repeated several times that works amounted to nothing, that there were no conditions. The matter was presented in that light that I knew minds would be confused and would not receive the correct impression in reference to faith and works, and I decided to write to you.” In this letter EGW is writing to A.T. Jones, earnestly trying to keep him from making a continuous mistake—preaching that works isn’t needed, only faith in Jesus Christ is what counts. Ellen White tells him that he’s in danger of leading people into falsehood.
In the 6 ½ years that I have been a Seventh-day Adventist, my understanding of faith, works, and obeying God’s Law have grown by leaps and bounds. Sometimes it’s hard for me to understand how so many Christians have a warped sense of law and grace. I’ve come to realize, the only way to make such fatal mistakes in the interpretation of scripture is to constantly proof text through the Bible without studying wholistically. There are many Bible scholars outside of Adventism who have studied the Bible thoroughly, not using just the proof text method. In these cases, I believe many of these theologians have seen the intimate connections of scripture cross textually, exposing the truth about law and grace, but refuse to accept what the Holy Spirit has allowed them to see.
As a SDA Christian and more importantly a trained minister of the Gospel, I must derive a systematic way to study with those who still use the age old line, “Were under grace, not under the law.” I realize the most important thing—stay in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction. I don’t want to be one who preaches only faith and not place equal emphasis on works. I firmly believe that we are sanctified by grace and obedience to the law which is summed up in love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself—for all the law, prophets, and apostles hang on this.
Second part of the story from my last posting…
May I never forget that He forgave me: Grace is what God is and offers, faith is my repentant, trusting attitude of gratitude. Why can my obedience after repentance not be part of winning my salvation, and why I must never forget that I blew it?
I was breaking company policy by taking a small, white truck without permission. I had gone to try to visit a girl. Everything was going from bad to worse. I had put diesel in a vehicle that used unleaded fuel only. When I put the key in the ignition it was no different than if I had poked a log. I now knew the panic that travels from the toes to the tips of spiked up hair and back down. My heart stopped, all the glands in my body went on turbo charge. My perspiration went bananas in 40 degree weather while sitting still. I don’t even want you to imagine my blushing face and stuttering tongue when I had to call Connie’s family. Could they come to help me with this problem. There was nothing that could be done on a Sunday night. No mechanics were available to get me out of my predicament. I spent the entire night thinking and waiting.
What would Ted do when he finds out that I had abused his trust?
“This was the end of my dreams to save for college.” I told myself over and over again.
What would my pastor think when he finds out that I had betrayed him as the person who had recommended me to have this job.
I felt that the words “unworthy,” “guilty” were written all over my face. It no longer seemed like an innocent thing. I had abused the trust given me. I caught myself in my own stupidity.
I had to finally make contact with the plant and let them know what I had done. At this point I didn’t know if I had ruined the truck for good…do gasoline vehicles work again after you have put diesel in the tank? I did not know. What I knew is that I did not deserve to be allowed to continue to work for Mr. Ted. But I still wanted to so badly.
To make the long story short:
Ted called his mechanic and paid a technician’s worth for a day of skilled labor. The mechanic came over to where I was and had to drain not only the tank but whole system had to be bled in order to get the truck up and running again. You would have thought that the Hino truck was on fire, maybe about to explode. The sky was becoming darker and darker with smoke. In spite of it all, Ted’s mechanic spoke softly and kindly, but as he’d look into my eyes I would turn my face the other direction.
When I later met Ted he told me I could keep my job. Never did he mention the incident of abusing his trust and taking his truck without permission. He did not withdraw the mechanic’s charges from my paycheck. I continued to work for Ted, but I knew I did not deserve that kind of loving treatment. He did not even lock up the keys either.
What followed is very illuminating to my Christian walk: I worked harder than ever before. I put in extra time happily and omitted it in my time card. I’d do odd projects for the boss without him knowing about it. I learned to love this man because he showed me that he cared about me. But even after all that time with this kind of devotion to my friend Ted and his business, I knew that the only reason I was still in with Ted was his grace and kindness. My faithfulness is fueled by remembering his love in forgiving me. Maybe Ted forgot how bad I messed up (I don’t think he did) but for me to forget would have been my downfall.
Like that is true, this is also true: The memory of God’s goodness in forgiving my sins fuels my gratitude. May I never forget…
Final and complete Reading Report of all assigned papers and articles for THST 618 “Works of Christ.”
I have read:
From BRI, 12 articles
Why Did Jesus Die by George Reid
Some Theological Considerations of Perfection by Edward Heppenstall
Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Salvation by Faith by Jan Paulsen
Justification in Romans 3 21 24 by Angel M Rodriguez
Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works by Ivan T
Justification and the Cross by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
How Perfect Is Perfect Is it possible by E Heppenstall
The Dynamics of Salvation by Commeetee
Comments on 1 Timothy 410 by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Christ Saved the Human Race by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Universal Legal Justification by Larry J. Kane
From Romans, 16 chapters
Chapters 1-16
From Ellen G. White a total of 13 chapters
Step to Christ, chapters 1-6
Faith and Works, chapters 1-7
Angel Rodriquez in his articles, Some Comments on 1 Tim 4:10, He writes, “ On the cross God made provision for the salvation of every human being but only those who through faith accept the gift of salvation through Christ will be saved. Christ's substitutionary atonement is universal in its extent but, because of the freedom God has given to humans, it is limited in its salvific effect.” He is arguing that we must make a decision to accept God’s gift of salvation. Just because God’s grace abounds in comparison to sin, it still necessitates a choice on our part. That is Paul’s sentiment in chapter 6 of Romans.
Paul write in the first few verse of Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” He connects baptism with the miracle moment that symbolizes the new life we have in Christ. He uses superlatives to shows the completely separation from our old life with words such as, dad, buried, forbid.
Ellen White makes the connections in Steps to Christ, chapter 6 because in making this decision for Jesus Christ, feelings may get in the way even though Paul said to reckon ourselves dead to sin. The reality is for the believers is one of believing in the word of Jesus. She comments: “Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But they may claim the blessing of God even now.” Our decision to accept him and follow him in baptism is a supreme choice to choose his promise over against our feelings.
In the articles, The Dynamics of Salvation, the author writes of our sin condition: We are torn by doubts and conflicts; we are frightened by the depths of sin which we see in others, and we feel within ourselves the surge of the same evil. We are burdened by guilt, for we fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). We proclaim our freedom, but are subject to the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1) and are slaves of corruption (2 Peter 2:19).” The baptized person may or may not feeling converted because the old nature might come back on occasions. People give formulas for victory and have quotations for every portion of this argument, but this issue is at the heart of living the spiritual life in a fallen world.
Paul says that Romans 7:14-16 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good….. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. He says that conflicting motives is there for obedience. He wants to obey, but there is another power within pulling him down.
Ellen White explains that isn’t about our feelings of our fallen nature or even outward correctness of behavior. Our hands may betray us at time when we want to obey in our hearts. She says, “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ's, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.”
Edward Heppenstall writes in his article, “Some Theological Consideration of Perfection”, that :” the purpose and goal is Christian maturity and stability, a strength of allegiance that cannot be shaken.” The maturity isn’t to be achieved by human power, but many think that the path to perfection is all about human effort instead of human cooperation with the Spirit of God. Just like the Israelite journey through the desert to the Promised Land, it is one of victories and defeats, but God still powered them forward.
Ellen White says that the path to perfection is a spiritual path. She says, “ Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such effort must fail. Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness,--all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly,--by abiding in Him, --that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way.”
Paul describes the Spirit as the means by which we get Christian maturity in this life. He writes in Romans 8:1-4 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gerhard Pfandl comments in his articles, “Some Thoughts on Original Sin” that Total depravity is the phrase used to describe the comprehensive effect of sin. It does not mean that
human beings are as bad as bad can be, or that there is no trace of goodness left in them. The word total simply refers to the fact that man as a whole is infected with sin. No part of man is exempt. His body is affected by sin (Rom 6:6,12; 7:24; 8:10), his mind or reason is involved (Rom 1:28; 2 Cor 3:14-15; 4:14), and his soul or his emotions have been perverted (Rom 1:24-27; 2 Tim 3:2-4). We cannot seek God in our own power. The only thing we have control over is sin. Paul speaks of God’s necessary intervention in Romans 9. Paul writes in Romans 9:15-18 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. He is seeking to explain God’s sovereignty in salvation. Every good impulse comes from God. Ellen White writes in the ninth chapter of Steps to Christ that, “God is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of water bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow out to others in love and blessing.” No matter where good is manifested it comes from God and not from human origin. Apart of the work of Christ is influencing the world from beneath in spite of original sin. In the same way sin pervades this world, Christ pervades this world, but that revelation is seen by eyes of faith.
Jan Paulsen in his article, Salvation by Faith, comments that: "by faith alone" means that apart from trust in Jesus Christ, God has no other basis of salvation to offer, then surely this is biblical, and the position we've always held as a church. Indeed, this is where we stand today. We must not be so intimidated by caricatures that we are afraid to be clear. Paul leaves behind traditional Judaism, with its emphasis on good works and fine performance, and proclaims salvation based on "faith quite apart from success in keeping the law." By faith alone is a hard doctrine to swallow for me personally because of my relationship with my parents. I was always trying to please them. I have a hard problem with unconditional love with no strings attached.
Paul writes in Romans 10:3-4 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ being God’s final answer is a tough truth because He is a person and any righteousness I hope to receive I must get it from a living person. That demands a relationship that is threatening for me.
Ellen White explains in chapter 10 that victory, in a sense, comes from submitting to God’s righteousness. She says, “The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God…”
Jan Paulsen in his article, Salvation by Faith, comments that: "by faith alone" means that apart from trust in Jesus Christ, God has no other basis of salvation to offer, then surely this is biblical, and the position we've always held as a church. Indeed, this is where we stand today. We must not be so intimidated by caricatures that we are afraid to be clear. Paul leaves behind traditional Judaism, with its emphasis on good works and fine performance, and proclaims salvation based on "faith quite apart from success in keeping the law." By faith alone is a hard doctrine to swallow for me personally because of my relationship with my parents. I was always trying to please them. I have a hard problem with unconditional love with no strings attached.
Paul writes in Romans 10:3-4 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Christ being God’s final answer is a tough truth because He is a person and any righteousness I hope to receive I must get it from a living person. That demands a relationship that is threatening for me.
Ellen White explains in chapter 10 that victory, in a sense, comes from submitting to God’s righteousness. She says, “The theme of redemption is one that the angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? The infinite mercy and love of Jesus, the sacrifice made in our behalf, call for the most serious and solemn reflection. We should dwell upon the character of our dear Redeemer and Intercessor. We should meditate upon the mission of Him who came to save His people from their sins. As we thus contemplate heavenly themes, our faith and love will grow stronger, and our prayers will be more and more acceptable to God…”
Ellen White comments in her chapter on the Privilege of Prayer that, it “is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him. When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us.” If prayer is work, then how does it operate as a gift that we are to receive from God.
Paul remark in Romans 11:6 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. I wonder how can we do something that requires literal work, but receive it by grace?
It seems like a paradox to receive something by grace but the reception requires work. That juxtaposition of grace and action is explained in the article by Ivan T. Blazen entitled “Justification by Faith and Judgment According to Works” He says, “Justification by faith helps to guard the judgment from the false ideas that human beings never will be able to stand in God's judgment or that standing there self-goodness will place God's righteousness under obligation. In other words, justification contradicts the concept that humans cannot make it in the judgment or that they make it by themselves.” Salvation by faith is a reality, but it is a reality that we receive as human begins. As bodily creatures, we don’t know we possess something until we act on it. We may have it objectively, but it becomes real in activity. We know we can walk when we take a step. God does for us what we cannot do for ourselves, but He will not do for us which He has enabled us to do. That somewhat helps me explain the paradox of prayer as a gift and a work.
Ángel Rodríguez comments in his articles “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White”, that” If our first parents had not accepted the gift, the race would to-day be in hopeless misery. But how gladly did they hail the promise of the Messiah. It is the privilege of all to accept this Savior, to become children of God, members of the royal family and to sit at last at God's right hand." As a result of the decision of Adam and Eve to accept the gift of salvation, there is hope available to the human race; otherwise we would be today "in hopeless misery." He suggests that our choice for god began , humanly speaking, with Adam and Eve’s choice. God gave Adam and Even a choice to be saved, when they didn’t deserve a chance to be saved. He gives to all men an enmity toward sin and Satan, by which we would always be uncomfortable with sin.
Paul writes in Romans 12:3 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. God gives to man the ability to believe and all we have to do be sensitive to his leading. The fact remains that we still must make a deliberate intentional choice for Christ
This innate movement toward God isn’t enough to be saved. Doubt and the reality of uncertainty in spiritual things need to be confronted by faith. Ellen White comments in chapter 12, What to Do with Doubt Disguise, “… the real cause of doubt and skepticism, in most cases, is the love of sin. The teachings and restrictions of God's word are not welcome to the proud, sin-loving heart, and those who are unwilling to obey its requirements are ready to doubt its authority. In order to arrive at truth, we must have a sincere desire to know the truth and a willingness of heart to obey it.” As free as salvation is, we like Adam and Eve, must choose to believe in the promise of God.
E. G. White Report on Response to the Ottawa Sermon
REPORT OF CAMP MEETING AT OTTAWA, KANSAS, PRINTED IN THE REVIEW AND HERALD, JULY 23, 1889, AND IN SELECTED MESSAGES, BOOK ONE, PP. 355-358.
“The understanding of the people of God has been blinded, for Satan has misrepresented the character of God. Our good and gracious Lord has been presented before the people clothed in the attributes of Satan, and men and women who have been seeking for truth have so long regarded God in a false light that it is difficult to dispel the cloud that obscures His glory from their view. Many have been living in an atmosphere of doubt, and it seems almost impossible for them to lay hold on the hope set before them in the gospel of Christ. . . .”
As I read Ellen White’s comments it reminded me of my earlier experience with a false understanding of Christ our righteousness. I had a hard time believing that I was “saved” because I wasn’t able to walk a straight line. Inevitably, I would have a negative thought or say something less than “Christ-like” before the day was over. Backslider! That’s the way I viewed myself even if I had a negative thought. I didn’t understand the process of sanctification. I didn’t understand the beautiful combination of faith, love, works, and obedience (although these traits can be viewed in unison). I didn’t understand that I didn’t possess righteousness. There is nothing within me than can produce righteousness. It’s only the righteousness of Christ that covers me, thereby making me acceptable to God.
I’m reminded of a field school experience in Mobile, Alabama. As I was serving as a Bible worker in a team with a fellow colleague, we were blessed to meet Chris (this isn’t his real name). Chris is a 17 year old male who lives in the inner city of Mobile, Alabama. Chris lives with his mother (a single parent who works a lot), and goes to church (not SDA) from time to time. We met Chris when he attended the evangelistic meetings with Fred (not his real name), an older friend of his who is a Christian rapper. Chris and Fred have recorded a couple of gospel rap CD’s and Fred is active in his church. He mentors Chris and helps to keep him off out of the streets. As we began to talk with these two young men, we were delighted by there enthusiasm for Christ. Especially Chris, at first glance you wouldn’t think he has spiritual maturity, but looks can be deceiving. As Chris began to talk about Christ, the Bible, and salvation, my colleague and I were surprisingly delighted. However Chris began to share with us that he wasn’t sure if he was “saved”, he couldn’t say without a shadow of doubt that he was in relationship with Christ. Chris didn’t have the biblical understanding of Christ our righteousness, he didn’t have a biblical understanding of the process of sanctification, he was in the same place I was a few years ago. My heart went out to him as we began to study God’s Word on these very subjects. We didn’t want him to go away unsure of his salvation in Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, both Chris and Fred came into the SDA church on profession of faith at the end of the meetings!
Opinions and Practices to Be Conformed to God's Word
SELECTED FROM REVIEW AND HERALD ARTICLE, MARCH 25, 1902. EGW
“Believing a lie will not put any one of us in the way of being sanctified. Should all the ministers in the world tell us that we were safe in disobeying a single precept of the holy standard of righteousness, it would not lessen our obligations nor make our guilt less, if we reject a plain “Thou shalt” or “Thou shalt not.” We need not think that because our fathers did a certain way and died happy, we may follow in their footsteps and be accepted in rendering the same service and doing the same works that they did…We must accept and improve the light that shines upon our pathway as faithfully as they accepted and improved the light that fell upon their pathway in their generation. We shall be judged according to the light that shines into the soul-temple in our day; and if we follow the light, we shall be free men and women in Christ Jesus.”
In this article Ellen White was referring to a false idea of sanctification being tied up in feelings and emotions, but not conforming to the law of God. Reading this reminded me of other sermons, articles, or letters that EGW had written before, but the above quotation stuck out to me. Being the only Seventh-day Adventist in my family (immediate or extended), I came from a Pentecostal tradition where feelings and emotions are stressed. Now I’m not saying all Pentecostals rely on emotions, and charismatic unction, but there is a healthy portion that do. Admittedly, when I first became an Adventist, I had to grow in God’s Word in order to realize charismatic emotion is not the measuring rod for sanctification.
My father served as a Pentecostal Pastor, then Associate Pastor until he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2000. I baptized into the Adventist church in 2001, going into a different direction than the tradition I grew up in. I wasn’t sure how my parents (mainly my mother, my father wasn’t as aware of my change) was going to react or for that fact my Godmother, Aunt, Uncle, and other extended family that are members of the same church denomination. I tell you, to God be praised! Until this day I haven’t witness a negative reaction from my mother or other family members (at least not to my face). My mother has been very supportive. I believe as she began to see the metamorphosis taken place in my life, growing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, coming to the seminary, serving as a chaplain, and preaching—things I never envisioned myself doing, let alone my mother, she doesn’t focus on the difference in denomination, just the joy of a daughter that has placed Christ first. I believe from the Bible studies, exposure, and discussions, my mother and I have had, a seed has been planted for the truths of the Bible that she hasn’t fully embraced yet. I know without a shadow of doubt that my mother and father (who is deceased) are/were strong Christians, but the light they had has doubled with further truth in my life. I thank God from all I can muster for allowing me to grow up in a Christian home where He was presented and modeled from the time of my baby dedication until now! To God be the glory great things He had done!!
Reflection of Chapter 11 in Steps to Christ “A Knowledge of God”
“There is nothing more calculated to strengthen the intellect than the study of the Scriptures. No other book is so potent to elevate the thoughts, to give vigor to the faculties, as the broad, ennobling truths of the Bible. If God's word were studied as it should be, men would have a breadth of mind, a nobility of character, and a stability of purpose rarely seen in these times.” p.90
Every I come return to the works of the spirit of prophecy through the ministry of Ellen G. White, there is always something new to learn (either by way of first time contact or by ways of further light on same material previously read). The above quote is one of such startling experience and as I read it, I said to myself, how wonderful it be if we dedicate all our energies solely to Scriptures. Yes, on this side of information era empowered by high-tech equipments, it is easy to argue that we must also be acquainted with our world and time, so true. But aren’t we already doing so at the expense of that which matters most? How shall we escape or be saved after all, “if we neglect so great salvation…” Hebrews 2:3 It is obvious that the word of God is central to our salvation and true salvation must necessarily be based on the word, for “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. Moreover, Jesus declared: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.
I think the call from the servant of God is a return to earnest and diligent searching of the word, empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Reflection of Chapter 12 in Steps to Christ “The Privilege of Prayer”
Something we all like, especially as believers. Perhaps, better put, it’s something we cannot avoid in our spiritual journey with God. Yet there comes moments in our lives when “The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer.” p.94. So who is to blame when we get so low in our spiritual lives and get entrapped in sin? We can always point to endless chains of factors or reasons outside of ourselves to justify our deed(s). How often do we realize that it is neglect on part to take advantage of the boundless help from above through the medium of prayer?
But prayer is relational. We cannot truly pray unless we are in relationship with God: “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him” p. 93.
I have often thought of prayer as the key to getting all we need in life and NOW! Don’t you? Or have you not read? It came from Jesus Himself, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].” John 14:13-14. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” John 15:16. And just before you take it too far, the servant of the Lord introduces a dynamic but yet interesting and biblical interpretation or light to these statements: “But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works” p.100-101.
What a privilege to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus!
Reflection of Chapter 13 in Steps to Christ “What to do with Doubt”
So if “God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith,(p.105)” why then do we doubt as opposed to faith, even among professed believers? And why even talk about the foolishness of the gospel? I Corinthians 1:25. Ellen White also offers the answer, “Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity; while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. It is impossible for finite minds fully to comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect, the most highly educated mind, that holy Being must ever remain clothed in mystery. "Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?" p.105-106.
So what do we do with doubt? She offers a way out; “Peter exhorts his brethren to "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. When the people of God are growing in grace, they will be constantly obtaining a clearer understanding of His word. They will discern new light and beauty in its sacred truths. This has been true in the history of the church in all ages, and thus it will continue to the end. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18.
For this blog I would like to comment on the article, “Some thoughts on Original Sin” by Gerhard Pfandl. In this article Pfandl highlights some of the major thoughts and discussions on the issue of original sin through out the early church, through early Adventism and up to today. When I began reading this article I had an idea of what original sin was and while this article opened up my mind to some additional issues surrounding the issue of original sin it did not change my position; having said that there were a few issues that raised my eyebrow and made me think. One of these issues was explicitly stated in the conclusion section. The author writes concerning what SDA’s think about original sin today, “They believe that children are born with a sinful, depraved nature as a consequence of Adam’s sin and the resulting separation from God. This sinful state means that if a baby dies a few hours after birth he/she is subject to the second death, even though he/she has never broken any commandment. If this were not so, then babies who died would not need a Saviour. Christ allowed for no such exception when He said, ‘I am
the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ (John 14:6).” This is a very interesting point and one with a logical conclusion. Does this mean then that no newborn’s that die at an early age will be saved? What implications does this have in terms of their salvation, seeing that they could not at this early age accept Christ as their Savior? I do not have the answers for these things, however, I do believe that the judge of all the world will judge justly. We do not have all the answers to questions such as these concerning who will make it to heaven or not. Another issue that I am still in disagreement with which also came in the conclusion portion about what SDA’s currently believe is that, “Adam in his unfallen state had a middle nature - capable of becoming morally good or corrupt.” I don’t believe that Adam had a middle nature. What does it mean to have a middle nature? If their only definition of this middle nature is the capacity to become morally good or corrupt, then perfect beings also have this capacity as did Lucifer. If perfect beings did not have this capacity, as pointed out in class then they would not be truly free, because they could not choose to go against God’s good will. I think that the creation of this third, ‘middle nature’ is unwarranted.
For this post I read the chapter from Steps to Christ, “Rejoicing in the Lord”. Throughout this reading I kept on thinking of Tamara’s emphasis on ‘joy.’ Yes, I must agree this is an important part of our theology which sometimes we down-play too much because we feel that it will cause people to become too liberal in their serving of God. However, I do think that if we present this message of rejoicing in the Lord that we will do more good for our people than harm. As Tamara points out there are many SDA’s that are not happy. They are going through life as though they are paying penance to get into heaven, this is not right. Ellen White says, “Satan is exultant when he can lead the children of God into unbelief and despondency. He delights to see us mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save us. He loves to have us feel that the Lord will do us harm by His providences.” We need to lead our people to the joy of the Lord. I also read from Romans 14. This chapter has seemed to be misused and misunderstood by many people, and a casual reading of it will produce many questions. However, it seems that Paul is writing to encourage us not to judge others. As we have learnt in class the judgment of works will determine whether our works were of faith or not. Because no one can tell who is truly following God then we shouldn’t judge. I also think that he wants to encourage a spirit of unity and brotherly support. So that you try to help your brother stay in the right path by the actions you display. So if you know that something offends your brother, even if you think it is okay, don’t do it in their presence. Maybe we don’t have to launch an all out attack on everyone who does not behave or serve God exactly the same way we do.
Paul writes, in Romans 13:8-10, 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow-man has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Paul seems to show that obedience to the commandments are impossible without love. In this highly ethical chapter, He intimates the most important thing in spiritual things. He isn’t ethereal in his advice suggesting that love, being the fulfillment of the law, preclude service. In the following verses he says, “13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Not only is he including the Ten Commandments, but he is encompassing the entire life. Paul wants Christian to give in proportion to the way God has given himself to us. The proper response to objective salvation should be complete objective obedience.
Angel Manuel Rodriguez, in his article, Christ Saved the Human Race, comments that The alienation of humans from God, which was the result of the fall, came to an end through Christ. He became a living bridge between God and humans because he was both, human and divine. This was Christ's objective act of salvation. Jesus Christ gave himself, without reservation to us, therefore we should give ourselves in the same manner to him. Love is the fulfillment of the law because God himself is love and he is the goal of the Christian life. Anything short of God being the goal, then Christian ethics is nothing more than minimal morality. Any moral behavior in the believer’s life must be predicated on love, but also separation from everything that will inhibit that love relationship from flourishing
Paul writes in Romans 14 that “15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. 16 Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.” Is he not putting love before ethical behavior? The practices in this chapter surround good things, but stumbling blocks when given the wrong priority in the believer’s life.
Angel Manuel Rodriguez’s article: “Comments on the "In Adam/In Christ" Motifs” seeks to articulate a theological argument for our identification with Adam and our identification with Jesus Christ. I believe one of Paul’s theological points about us being “In Adam/In Christ” is that we are all equal by way of Creation and Redemption. We are not autonomous in an inseparable way from our other human beings. It seems like when we make theological arguments, we put one group of people in category and dismiss them as “other”, but Paul says that we are all on the same level. When we substitute ethics for theology, we become judgmental and start to major in minor. The 1888 Committee vs the Biblical Research Institute is a debate between ideas and concepts, but what fruit has the debate gotten for Christ. It seems that we would rather argue over theology than seek to “serve Christ in a way that is pleasing to God.”
Romans 7:23-24--23 “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Admittedly, as I have read through the book of Romans, and from time to time I have been confused with “law” here “law” there and “law” everywhere throughout the text. Then I began to think—no wonder so many Christians throughout the ages have been confused on the subject of law and grace, at first glance it’s easy to become confused. Some scholars have suggested that Paul preached a law free gospel to the Gentiles and argued with the other apostles in Jerusalem concerning the minimal directives given by James. I don’t know how true that is, but I know for a fact, Paul’s writings must be read wholistically. In the time of ignorance God winked, but I believe the Holy Spirit raised up the Seventh-day Adventist church to bring balance between law and grace—pointing the way in the scriptures. Unfortunately, throughout the Christian era, man’s mind has been clouded with so many false doctrines which made truth sizzle on the back burner.
In Romans Paul talks about being dead to the law through Christ working in him (Paraphrasing). He says, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” I believe Paul is talking about two or possibly three different laws in chapter 7. Law 1—the law of God which is the Decalogue, and/or the character traits found in Galatians 5:22-23 the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit doesn’t possess the “thou shalt not” wording, but gives the reality of Godliness when the commandments are obeyed through Holy Spirit directed choices and self-control (Love the Lord God above all else and love your neighbor as yourself. Therefore the law of God includes a state of being, not just commandments. Some may not agree if law(s) are only viewed in light of rules. Before Christ’ atoning blood, everyone was subject to the law—it didn’t impart any grace, you either obeyed it or you didn’t, and if you didn’t (no matter the reason), there was automatic condemnation, there was automatic death (blood had to be shed). The law was a constant reminder of our carnal weakness and inability to perfectly obey it. Therefore sin and death were constantly knocking at our door. However, in the same breath (metaphorically), Paul says the law is holy, and the commandment holy, just and good. Paul also says, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. Okay, what’s going on with these “laws”?
Three laws—the law of God (fruits of the Spirit), a state of being that we know in our mind is right. The law of God, the Decalogue, serves as the mirror to sin, and the law of sin operating in our flesh. When reading Paul’s writings, one must always take into account that he refers to more than one law and sometimes he refers to more than one law in the single mention of the word. Had theologians and scholars throughout Christendom followed this method, the seventh-day Sabbath wouldn’t be such a strange anomaly for so many.
Steps to Christ pages 94 and 95
“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.”
As I read the above quotation about prayer, I thought about our discussion on God being temporal or timeless. I totally believe that God is temporal—that He moves, creates, operates, sustains, and whatever verbs one can use, in the process of time. I believe time is something that exists eternally, it does not have a beginning or ending (I realize this is speculative). There is time as we (created beings) know it and divine (eternal) time as God knows it. Our time is a created subset of the ultimate divine time. I believe within this time, God has divine foreknowledge. A foreknowledge where He chooses to know all of the options our individual lives can take, but He has a desired option. I believe that it’s possible—God chooses not to know exactly which option we will choose, but actively participates in our lives as we place our faith and trust in Him.
When I began pondering the temporality versus timelessness of God, I could easily swallow the side of temporality, even the speculative theology that we discussed (even though we cannot prove the speculation). However, when I thought about our communion with God through prayer, I became somewhat alarmed. Immediately I began to wonder how God oversees our future if He chooses not to foresee which way we are going. What good is prayer in this instance? As I thought about it, I began to feel at ease with the speculative idea discussed in class. I realize we cannot prove it, and we in our carnality cannot begin to understand the mind of God, but when we ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom, He provides. I believe there are prayers that God will answer only when we ask. I believe there are things God will perform in our lives whether we commune with Him or not—due to His abundant grace and mercy (this is where prophecy may play a major role). I believe there are prayers where God will say “no”’, “not now”, or “yes”. From this perspective, it is easy to see why prayer is the key to either a great future in the eternal arms of Christ, or the darkness of sin and death. In the above quote from Steps to Christ, Ellen White talks about the “storehouses of Heaven” being at our disposal if we would only spend time in communion with Christ through prayer. God may or may not choose to know our exact future, but I can trust in His sovereignty through prayer, a Holy Spirit filled heart, and His bountiful grace and mercy to secure my future according to His will.
Romans 14
When I came into the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Romans chapter 14th was explained in this way—when Paul talks about the diet, regarding a specific day, and unclean versus clean, he was not talking about the seventh-day Sabbath or eating unclean meats. I was told—Paul is referring to kosher meat that has been sacrificed to idols and the ceremonial days observed by the Jews. Supposedly there were Gentiles eating kosher meat that had been sacrificed to idols (as I’m typing this, something comes to mind, if the meat was being sacrificed to idols, it probably wasn’t killed in the kosher way, thereby making it unclean in kosher standards). From this perspective, one may have to interpret this further than referring to just kosher meat sacrificed to idols. Paul could be referring to clean as well as unclean meat. What does this do to our health message? I do not believe this changes the biblical health message. When we study the Bible systematically (wholistically), we can learn the ideal diet that God ordains for us (studying the creation account in Genesis and the Levitical laws). I do not believe this information exist in the canon just for good practice. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16). Those who are given much, and/or who know much—much is required. In other words, those of us who have studied the word of God and have a Spirit lead understanding of such things (i.e. the health message and the seventh day Sabbath) are required to abide by it for our growth in Christ and the maximization of the Gospel. However, we should not judge those who are either unlearned in these areas or haven’t embraced it as yet. We should not assume that they are less righteous than us, or do not have the “special” relationship with Christ that we do (those who are vegetarian, only eat kosher meat, and keep the seventh day Sabbath). By God’s grace, through continuous patient teaching, compassion, and understanding, those who haven’t embraced these doctrines will begin to do so. We should not be afraid to fellowship with these believers and non-believers, just because they are not on the same plane (not delineating higher or lower) than we are. Even our church teaches—those who have not accepted the Sabbath will not be given the “mark of the beast” until it’s a matter of law. When it must be accepted or denied as a test of faith. So why do we act as if people are going to be dancing in the fires of hell because they are not keeping the Sabbath at the present. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe the historical background of this text may also support the argument—Paul was referring to ceremonial days and not the seventh day, but even is he was referring to Sabbath, this doesn’t cancel out the clear commandment to observe the Sabbath. I believe Paul was a faithful Sabbath keeper and probably taught others about the Sabbath (as a matter of fact, I’m sure he did). After all, I’m sure there were Gentile believers who asked him why did he keep the Sabbath and what does it really mean. I realize the text doesn’t explicitly report this, but I’ll be surprised to find out from Paul—that he didn’t teach about the importance of the Sabbath. There may be similar teaching experiences concerning the dietary laws, however, I don’t believe Paul was dogmatic or made these things a test of salvation, but he taught the benefits of them. We will do well in following the same.
Tamara Strickland said
After reading Romans 7,i am reminded of the power of Paul's preaching!!At afirst glance one may interpret that living under the law has now been done away with.However, what Paul is saying I believe is that we are freed from the "works' of the law as it relates to salvation. There is none righteous no not ONE.The good we would do we are unable to do,and the evil we would not do we practice.Only HE who is blameless can meet the requirement of the law and yet provide grace for sinners-all have fallen short!!Deliverance comes only from Him who is worthy!!
Tamara Strickland-Bennett
Reading the book of Romans is really a blessing. As I moved on to chapter Eight I must confess this is my favorite chapter in the whole book. I have read Romans before for other classes and it always bring joy to my soul like no other chapter in Romans.I guess what stands out in my mind is that we are not condemned because of Christ and the shedding of His blood.Each time i thikn about being freed, the joy I feel can not be expressed in words.we have been "declared" righteous by the One who relly has the right to condemn us to death! His mercy never ceases to amaze me.he makes it all work together for our good as long as we accept His grace and allow Him to work in and through us! Praise Godfrom whom all blessings flow!!
Ragnheidur Katla (Lala)
Reading Material; Romans 6 and BRI article Christ Saved the Human Race
by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
It seemed to me like these two were addressing the same thing.(That is Romans 6 and the article)
Paul talks about because Christ has redeemed us then we should no longer live the life of a sinner. And Paul talks about the law how we no longer are bound by it because Christ´s Spirit lives in us...and therefore we don´t need law...we should do what is right because that is now our new nature..to do good things...to do things according to the Spirit of God.
The article addresses what EGW meant when she talked about that Christ had saved the world, was it a univeral salvation given to all even though the Spirit of God doesn´t live in them, or was it simply are bridge provided in Christ for the sinner to God. But the matter can be quite complicated...let´s see a quote from the article “. First, every human being that comes into this world belongs to Christ because he paid the price of redemption. Second, humans have to consent to become children of God, demonstrating it through a life of obedience to God. Third, it is after consenting to be children of God that they become one with Christ. The fact that Christ redeemed all at the cross does not automatically make them one with him.” So we can see from understanding EGW words that she did not mean that everyone would use their opportunity, their bridge to God which is Jesus Christ. It is correct that Christ provided for every man and every woman the way to eternal life…the way to salvation…but not all in this world will accept His invitation. However those that have accepted His invitation will also be the ones who are set free from sin, and because we have been freed from sin we no longer should sin in our lives. We are one with Christ and Christ doesn´t really need a law to tell Him what is wrong or right…He knows it because He has the Spirit of God within himself and the same thing applies to us as well, those who have accepted to be one with Christ. So those who Christ has indeed saved are the ones that live according to His Spirit…and we can see what that means…when we look wholistically at what the Bible tells us about the fruits of the Spirit…
Let us all figure out what it means to live by the Spirit…and the Spirit of God always lives according to God´s law…or God´s character…Complicated??? No, not so…when you think about it!!
Amen
Student; Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Romans 7 and BRI article
How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or
Is Christian Perfection Possible?
By Edward Heppenstall
Romans 7 talks about how we are set free from the law of God because no longer do we need a law to tell us what is perfect and Holy. We once were bound to a ruler which was the law of God and now we are not bound to it but should live it.
Paul gives the comparison of a woman that has lost her husband…as long as her husband lives she is bound to him…but when her husband dies she can be given to someone else.
The same applies with our lives…before we knew the Spirit of God we were under a law which told us what the Spirit of God is all about…but now as we are united with the Spirit we no longer need law but we are constantly with the Spirit.
The law told us about good and evil…if we had not known the law we wouldn´t have known the difference…but when we have yielded ourselves to the Spirit of God…we know the law of God by heart and all that the law of God includes…we no longer have to check everysingle act in our lives…to see if we live according to the law…we will know it because of what Spirit lives in us.
The Article was interesting and I thought how well it combined with the reading in Romans…Because so many of us do not understand what it is to be perfect in the Spirit of God…Many might think that we no longer need law…but in a sense it is true and then again not…the law lives in our bones, our minds and spirits..because that is now who we are. But many feel because they have not managed to live their lives in a perfect state..that something must be wrong!
But if we read the Bible wholistically we see that “Perfect” is indeed something we have to understand a little bit better.
I heard in other class this semester that a little baby is perfect in all it does…we think it is perfect…but after a while if that same baby doesn´t mature and grow..we know that something is wrong.
So it is the same with us…we can be perfect at each stage in our lives…God will provide the wisdom and the guidance…and it will always be Christ Righteousness that will go before us…we will shield ourselves in His perfect Character by admitting that He is the perfect one and that we are sinners…
I think it is truly a beautiful thing that God can look at us and still think that we are holy and perfect in His sight…what a wonderful Lord we serve! Amen
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Romans 8
This chapter in Romans is really wonderful. Paul explains about how those who belong to Christ will not have to suffer condemnation because through Christ God condemned the sin in humanity…And now for those who live with Christ they will live according to the Spirit and focus on the Spirit and not on the flesh. And Paul tells us that all who are led by the Spirit of God are God´s children…now they can surely claim whatever the Father has promised , not only can they call and ask the father for various things in spiritual matters but also can they claim the inheritance which is eternal live.
Paul tells us how the suffering in this world is nothing compared to the joy and fulfillment of the glory to come and Paul tells us how our hope is important…it will be accounted to us…our hope and faith because it will reveal what is in our hearts.
But Paul goes on…we even do not know at times what to hope for or pray for but the loving Spirit of God will surely pray for us at such moments. And Paul assures us that those who love the Lord will do well..they will be save in the arms of their savior.
And the final words of Chapter 8 are so encouraging…nothing can depart us from the Love of God that is revealed in Jesus Christ.
Amen!
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Romans 9-10
Paul talks about how much pain and sorrow he experiences when he sees with his eyes how the Jewish nation has rejected Jesus. Of course it it obvious that not all, have rejected Jesus but Paul is seeing both in his own time and from the Scriptures that this is the reality…a large portion of the Jewish nation has and will reject Jesus.
And Paul starts to explain what it truly means to be of Christ…to be God´s child. Does it belong to those who are born Israelites or to others as well?
Well Paul explains that first of all it is God that decides who He wants to show mercy and who not.
It seems harsh..but if we read the Bible carefully and if we know the heart of God we know that God is beyond all merciful. It seems from these texts that God in His mercy will use whoever He wants in spite of their disobedience. In this , I am reminded of Jesus´words when saying that if His disciples couldn’t speak then the stones would shout instead…God will use whoever He wants, and if God so wills HE will use even the unrighteous ones to bring about His work on earth.
Paul is reminding us that salvation is not in our hands…it is in God´s hands…
After having explained in the former chapters how we should live according to the Spirit it is also wonderful to see that in the end it is all in God´s hands. Chapter 10 is all about Jesus Christ and how everyone who wants to get close with God needs to admit and confess their faith in Jesus Christ…whoever will belief in Him will not be shameful.
The Lord will listen to all those who will call on the name of Jesus…Jesus is our bridge – our ticket to heaven so to speak, there is no other way around it.
The gospel is all about Christ…even Moses knew about it…because Moses knew about a nation which is not a nation(but many nations) and this multitude would accept Jesus Christ..because in the end that was always what was required.
Paul is discovering from the words of Isahiah that God has on many occations given warning…to His people ..to accept Jesus Christ..but they wouldn´t.
How sad…but in the end we should focus on our own journey…God will and can give salvation to whoever He wills…because it is not depended on our works but on HIS GRACE.
Amen!
Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
We were created for God. We were created to be in intimacy with God. We were created with some sort of mystical bond to our Creator. This is why man lost his center when he was separated from God, he lost his footing because he lost that for which he was created for. It continues to amaze me how Adam and Eve being created perfect and being so close to God could fall so easily to sin. It seems almost impossible then to resist sin. The idea that doing right and good is actually because a gift God gave us in sin to exercise choice that sin took away is something I’ve never thought about before. People usually relate doing good and right as something bad and having to do right and good seems limiting. It is extraordinary to think that, we have the privilege to do right and good instead of the limitation of not being able to choose to do it and having to only do bad. It is still a hard thing to understand how Adams sin changed his nature to the point that it came down to his descendants. His nature, lets even call it his DNA, was created perfect. When he sinned did his DNA (nature) change and that is what came down to his children. I don’t know that anyone can understand it really.
EGW’s chapter on consecration goes well with the above paper in that it talks about the need for Christians to consecrate themselves to God. The ability to consecrate ourselves is in itself a gift that comes to us because of what Christ has done. In consecrating ourselves we will be enabled to continue in Him.
Romans 5
We can only worship when we read this chapter. What freedom we have in Christ. As a hymn says, it is when we are captive that we are free. Verse 12 says exactly what the article above was talking about. What a gift that not only we have the opportunity to do right, but even more, God through the Holy Spirit helps us to do the right we have the
Christ Saved the Human Race
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
The idea that stood out to me here was that Jesus walked the same land where Adam fell into sin. Jesus walked the perfect earth God created, but He walked it as it was in its sinful state. I wonder what that must have been like for Him. I can’t imagine what He thought when He saw thorns, people working in the fields, sweat pouring down their faces, or heard a woman giving birth. Of course the paper is about the objective act Jesus did in saving us and it is our subjective act to accept it. This is clear in the quotes of EGW presented in the paper.
Steps to Christ Faith and Acceptance
We have to accept it by faith that not only did Christ do this objective thing but that He did it for us and we are made completely clean once we accept it. Sometimes it is so hard when we look at ourselves and our sins to think that God will really forgive them. We know that He can, but sometimes we find ourselves wondering if He will. Here EGW admonishes Christians to accept it by faith even if you don’t feel it.
Roman 6
Dead to sin and alive to God! And yet we have to make sure that we keep our bodies from sin. We have all of this freedom in Christ and yet it is sometimes so easy for me to act like I am still a captive to sin. Here Paul encourages to live the lives of freedom that we now have the opportunity to live.
Comments on the "In Adam/In Christ" Motifs
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
Wow. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of lives. What an interesting idea. I don’t agree with it but its still interesting. And as shown there really is no theological significance to the word in the Hebrew. But I still find it an interesting idea that I could have been in Adam at the time of His creation. We obviously were not in Adam at the time of his creation or his sin. And were not in Christ as He hung on the cross. If we were than the entire Bible would in part be unnecessary or could be condensed into two lines: You were in sin because of Adam. Now you are set free because you, in Jesus, died to that sin. If we were in Christ I would need to know how to live right, I wouldn’t need to know anything about faith, believing, acceptance, or mercy and grace. But this is not so. Although I feel the results of Adams sin, his sin is his own and mine is my own. And although I have access to the results of what Christ did, He is the one who did it, not me.
Steps to Christ : The Test of Discipleship
The in Christ in Scripture often refers to being a Christian as the article above reflects. This chapter of Steps to Christ talks about the transformation one should see in their lives once they are in Christ. Each year should see a difference because we are abiding in Him more. The more we grow into His likeness the more we should change from this sinful nature into His nature.
Romans 7
Our husband of sin is dead, now we are married to a new husband. So we are no longer under the rule and obligation of our old dead husband. So now we bear fruit to God as the Steps to Christ chapter reflects. The chapter gives me so much comfort know that we are not alone in our struggles. And then the proclamation that Jesus is the one who saves us from this body of death! What else is left to say.
How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or
Is Christian Perfection Possible?
“To be a genuine Christian means faith in Christ, fellowship with Christ, faithfulness to Christ, and fruitfulness for Christ.” This is the road to perfection, not that we will be perfect, but that we will wear Christ’s perfection. The verse that says sin will not reign in you reminded me of a gospel artist who said that the Bible says sin should not reign in you but it doesn’t mean sin doesn’t exist in you. It is just not primary, this is not the rule under which you live and function. So when we see sin in us we have to recognize that we are on a journey in which we are to get rid of it through Christ, but it will continue to be a struggle. We can not let it reign and have dominion but that does not mean it is not present. The only way to get rid of this sin is to “counter” it with the Holy Spirit as the article says. We have to everyday live out of Christ in this we will be counted as righteous, but it is Christ’s righteousness.
Steps to Christ
Growing up into Christ
This chapter is about the same thing. We have to allow Christ to do the work of righteousness in us. It is not up to us to do the works once we are saved. We need to keep on relying on Christ day in and day out. We will grow in Him as we continue to abide in Him.
Roman 8
Basically there is nothing we need to worry about as hard as that is to do. God does the good works in us through the Spirit. We of course have to surrender to that. The Spirit prays for us. God is for us and gave up His Son to us and so will give us all things else we need. And all things work for the good of those who love Him. We just need to surrender. The hard thing is trying know how to surrender everything while we still have to get up and do things everyday. It’s that abiding in Him that will help us to know how to surrender while we are acting.
Salvation by Faith
Jan Paulsen
The sermon really sums up all the articles I’ve been reading. Faith is the beginning of a journey with Christ. It is He who saves us, justifies us, sanctifies us, and glorifies us. This seems to be what Paulsen is saying. He gives a more holistic definition to the words so often used when talking about salvation. To him justification is not just a legal word, but it is also the act that changes ones personal life. The idea goes back to Christ acting in us always, We will never be able to boast about any of the things we may do that seem righteous.
Steps to Christ
The Work and Life
This says that once we are in Christ we will want to do the works of Christ. We will want to reflect Him in all of our thinkings, doings, and goings. Christ will be the center, we will become more and more like Him. So we our desires will change to become like His. Our lives will be characterized by what Christ does in us.
Romans 9
This is such a confusing chapter when he talks about Pharaoh and Esau. It sounds like predestination when it says “God will have mercy on whom He will and compassion on whom He will” I know the point that Paul is making is that God can choose the Gentiles if He wishes. But what of those that He doesn’t choose? Why did God choose Jacob over Esau, and this before they were even born?
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Romans 11 and 12
While reading Romans in those chapter where Paul is addressing the Jews and their salvation I cannot but think how strange it all appears.
I am thinking, Paul and the disciples must really have experienced a strange time. Having experienced their own walk with Christ..and then seeing how the Jewish nation rejected Jesus. But somehow even though some of them rejected Jesus it is strange to read about how Paul reveals to the Jews that they are no longer the chosen ones. How could Paul be so certain..well I guess the answer is in the Scriptures..his assurance must have come from the Scriptures otherwise he couldn´t have written so boldly to the Jews, being a Jew himself. At the same time Paul realizes what real Israel is..it seems that God must have really undergone a great surgery in Pauls mind...having gone from murdering the Christians...going to a deep theological understanding of God´s plan with His people on earth.
But Paul hasn´t given up on all the Jews. His message is both for the Jews as well for the gentiles..he urges them to give themselves as a living sacrifice ,holy acceptable to God. And in fact in chapter 12 it is as Paul summons up all the wonderful advice Jesus gave on earth...Paul is in fact summoning up what is the responsibility of every child of God whether it be a Jew or a Gentile.
Christ is in His words all through...because Paul is driven by Christ love for him.
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Steps to Christ
Chapter;Confession
While I was reading this chapter it came to my mind at what level we ought to confess and repent of our doings.
So often we feel like somebody did something to us, that it wasn´t our fault...or at least we didn´t mean to do any harm. I am thinking especially about the work in the religious field, I have had some training as an associate pastor in my church and I tell you, the people so often do expect so much of those who are leaders and pastors...like they ought to solve all their problems and yet at the same time..people blame the leaders for not being able to solve everything.
I was wondering, do leaders...or pastors ask God for forgiveness if someone else is angry or frustrated with them? So often people are simply angry with us ministers because we tell them the truth..which often is not easy to hear, even though the minister isn´t rude or anything..just tells the plain truth of things.
Well I was just wondering...of course we are all sinners...but ministers are called to deal with people in a more personal way than others and therefore it can be expected that people do become offended by many things that the pastor isn´t even aware of....Just the fact that you didn´t perhaps call them, or ask them how they are feeling.
All over this world people are getting more and more selfish and I quess that ministers do have to be aware of the danger of following whatever character flaw in people.
But I belief that the true confession comes both from the fact that the Holy Spirit convicts you of your sin and your deep longing for God´s forgiveness.
But I guess sometimes I go a little bit to far in repenting...I think I am responsible for everybody and everything...I guess it is dangerous to take responsibility for other people´s sins???
Let us walk in the Spirit..God will cleanse us through dealing with us...and our part is to confess and admit our part in all things.
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Steps to Christ
Chapter ; Consecration
EGW urges all to give themselves to God, she reminds us of the words written in Jeremiah “Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jer 29.13
The strange thing is that the closer you want to come to Christ and perhaps the closer you come to Christ the more unsure you become of your real intentions. Am I a true disciple, longing to be cleansed by God or Am I only doing this to earn me some points with God.
I guess because of the sin in us , it all blends somehow together...but as long as we are aware of our sinful nature..we can admit that to God and ask Him to even cleanse our intentions.
I think it is a beautiful promise that is given in Jeremiah..God promises those who seek, that they will find Him...and for me that is so encouraging to read..because so often I feel like I am only following my own tail instead of God...but God has promised me, Lala you will find me if you seek me, Amen thank you Lord for your promise!! I also thought it was so true when EGW wrote about that our following..is not a blind submissive following. God does not want people to close their eyes and follow Him ,...no He wants us to be aware of what we are doing..where we are heading...whom we are following. And no one can follow God truly unless he/she knows Him, His words or His true character.
So many like EGW explains try to live their lives in a way that they get away with doing as little as they can for the Lord...they seek to meet Lords requirements with poor intentions...instead of giving Him all.
I know..because I have been there...”Lord are you sure I will have to give this up?” or that??
Instead of saying like Zakkeus...I will give up half of everything I own...(and I am sure he gave more in the end...at least Zakkeus had the right mindset towards God).
I pray that God will cleanse my intentions..and give me a heart that is ready to commit everything to the Lord...a heart that says “I surrender All”.
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdotti (Lala)
Romans 13,14 and Steps to Christ
It seems kind of strange what Paul is saying in this chapter. That christians ought to surrender to secular authority for they are God´s ministers for us Christians for good. I am reminded of what I read in the class Reformation; Luther, where Luther especially addresses this very same thing, that authority is given to some by God to keep law and order on earth. Well I guess this is something I am interested in looking into further..and understanding at a deeper level. But I can see already from the Scriptures that without a doubt it is God who is in charge of all authority..and God will use whomever He chooses whether that person will accept His salvation or not.
Romans 14
In fact Paul is in these chapters giving the believers some practical advice. I can imagen that as soon as the congregation was growing , that many questions would have risen among the people. What should we do when this comes up and what should we do about this and that? And Paul is willing to give them advice concerning many things. In Chapter 14 Paul addresses the Jewish customs which might not have been an easy thing to change for a Jew..but also the Gentiles had to take into an account that they would have to have respect for all their Jewish-Christian fellows. Also now Paul had to address the Sabbath and in fact the law in general. But Paul gives good advice..in the end it is all about God not your fellow man. Give account to God for everything you do...do it for the Glory of God...
But we are all on a different stage in our maturity in Christ...but what Paul is really saying ..whatever you do...do it in faith...otherwise it is a sin!!
Steps to Christ..
Chapter; Faith and acceptance
It seems relevant to read this chapter in harmony with chapter 14 in Romans. Whatever you do” believe that He does this because He has promised.” I guess most of the time this is the hardest part for us Christians. And if I speak for myself it is more difficult for me to belief that Christ has cleansed me...that I am clean than to belief that He will take care of some financial situation or something like that. The personal part is so delicate..we hardly belief God can or is willing to declare that I am righteous...or can it be that this is such a marvellous gift that we can hardly open it...we are afraid we will spoil it!! But EGW talks about the fact that Jesus had to make the people belief that He was capable of forgiving sins...people had their doubts...is there something so wonderful that it can erase all the bad things , all the failures I have done??? EGW reminds us of the paralytic man, how he believed and therefore was healed. And she also reminds us of Christ promise recorded in Mark 11.24 “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them”. Yes the Bible is full of wonderful promises...but why is it so hard for us to accept them...perhaps because we are not walking in the Spirit as much as we need to. We are bought with a price..Jesus bought us with His own blood....God thoughts are made of mercy...and love...our thoughts are made of doubt and selfishness.
But God is waiting to restore everyone of us...so why not me as well, and why not you!
Let us believe in His wonderful promises...yes, let us just believe!!
Ragnheidur Katla Olafsdottir (Lala)
Romans 15 and 16
It is wonderful to read about Paul´s counsil to all...that all should Glorify God together...
And I can speak for myself when I say..that it is not possible without having the joy and the peace Paul is speaking of. Paul says to the brethren that they are filled with all knowledge. We are reminded of the importance of being together with ONE Spirit. God needs His people to come together in peace and harmony to spread the gospel to the world. We are reminded of the obedience we need to have in order to serve the Lord..and to be aware of keeping the Word of God in our minds and hearts and not to let anyone who causes division and offenses ruin the good work Christ is doing on earth. The gospel has now been made manifest...those who want to partake in it are welcome...halleluja!! To God be the Glory through Jesus Christ forever.Amen.” !!!!
Steps to Christ - Chapter - The test of Discipleship
All who are in Christ will be new creatures, a change will be seen in our character...we cannot fool God. But God will also make it evident who belongs to Him and who doesn´t. Perhaps it will not be evident to all of us...but most surely to God. We are reminded by EGW that the fruits of the Spirit are required in our lives...we will have to bring forth fruits.
I am also reminded of how Jesus handled the fig tree which bore no fruits...when the time was ripe there was no fruit on it...and as we walk with Christ He will give us time and He will be patient with us...but when time is ripe...He will go and look for fruits in our lives...will He find any..or will He have to cast us away because we bore no fruit??
Reformation is one of the fruits in our lives...we must constantly want to bring the truth into the world...correct others...make the Character of God shine among men. We will love to do good things because we steadily have Christ before our eyes...we see the perfect one and we long to be like Him!!! We can never earn salvation..it is a gift...we will sing along with the angels of heaven..glory glory....holy holy holy...because we will experience God´s mercy and love like never before...Heaven is already here..in our hearts..!!
AMen
Some Theological Considerations of Perfection
Edward Heppenstall
At first I thought he was supporting the sinless perfection idea. But as I read on to the end I see that is not what he is saying although it is a little confusing. He does seem to go in circles a little bit to me. He seemed to be saying that it is very possible to be sinless and perfect, that in fact it is a calling and supposed to be the end result for every Christian. And then he says at the end that this is impossible, where at the beginning of the paper he said why would the writers put it in the Bible if it was impossible. But he does say that it is only in Christ and we take on His sinlessness. The idea that the saints after probation will still continue to struggle in their faith do
Steps to Christ: Knowledge of God
How incredible that God choose to reveal Himself to us. Not only in nature but in the concrete words of Scripture. We have something to look to to see what He is like, what His desires are. I’ve realized how much more time I need to spend in His word because they reveal Him. Prayer is so important but His word shows us who He is with out guess work. Of course there is much for interpretation but His character is so evident and the Holy Spirit works with us to reveal Him fully.
Romans 10
Wow this chapter seems to be saying a lot of things, many of which I did not understand. But when it said, “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” that is all I needed. After reading the article it was a little discouraging. Just seemed like it was so complicated, but this one line gave me assurance in Christ.
The Dynamics of Salvation
God shows His extravagant love. What a lovely way to put it? I’m really just amazed reading this article. I am humbled and awed at the love of God. “He comes to us in our lostness, offering salvation in all its abundance.” How amazing that He does this? I just don’t get this. It doesn’t make sense why He loves us the way He does as much as He does. God’s righteousness is a verb. He will not delay His salvation. What an amazing promise for us? He saves us because He is righteous. The idea that God (Jesus) struggled with temptation is amazing. He hates sin yet succumbed to actually wrestle with it they way we do. How did the Holy Spirit act in the Old Testament? If in the New Testament the Holy Spirit convicts us of good and keeps us from doing evil, than how did the people in the Old Testament do good, what caused them to be convicted of sin? If it was the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament as well, than how is the coming of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost different? I’m so thankful that God always takes the initiative, that not o only does He help us to desire His will but He also helps us to do it. Thank you Lord!!
Steps to Christ
The Privilege of Prayer
What a privilege to pray. God actually wants to hear our thoughts and requests. Prayer may not change the situation but it changes our perspective and that in turn may change our situation. He is always on our side, if we ask we will receive. He is always looking for our good, how amazing is His love. What love is this, too much for us to comprehend.
Romans 11
We should never boast about being in God. We should never look down on those who are not in Him or who have fell away from Him. This is not love, and if it is not love it is not of God. How wonderful it would be if a Jew saw the fulfillment of the promise they have waited for for centuries, when they finally see that in Jesus.
Justification and the Cross
Ángel Manuel Rodríguez
I would be interested to know how Eve’s sin figures into all of this. She is the one who sinned first, why then is it considered Adam’s sin. He was created first so he is the representative of the human race, but she sinned first, was her sin imputed to Adam? We can’t say that because she was a woman and not the representative, the sin did not count. God provides much more grace than we need, so that no one can say there isn’t enough. This reminds me of when Jesus multiplied the food. There was much more than needed. No chance for anyone to say there wasn’t enough.
Steps to Christ: What to do With Doubt
She says that there is much that God reveals to us, yet there are things that we will never understand simply because we are human and he is God. His ways are higher than ours. I don’t agree with her entirely because I think in some cases doubt leads us to ask more questions and to seek that which we may at first not understand. Of course in our doubting and seeking we must always come back to the Bible and let that be our only rule.
Romans 12
Paul dishes our a lot of advice. It all really comes down to being humble and loving in all things as we depend on Christ for all of the things which He tells us to do. Offering our bodies as living sacrifices is so hard, it is daily, but it is not something we have to do it in our own strength. Otherwise who could do such a thing, who of his own account can transform his mind? It is only Christ who can do all of these things in us and for us.
Analysis of the Doctrine of Universal "Legal" Justification
Larry J. Kane
It is clear that there is no Scriptural grounds for universal legal justification. Over and over again in Scripture men and women are called to accept Christ. In the Old Testament they looked forward to the Messiah, New Testament continuously tells people to follow Christ. Christ Himself calls people to abide in Him. There is a personal connection that is needed with Christ, a personal acceptance required for us to benefit from what Christ did on the cross.
Steps to Christ: Rejoicing In the Lord
We should always have joy in everything that God has done and continues to do for us. There is a part when EGW says that we should never share our sorrows with any human. I don’t’ agree with this. We should be careful not to share them with people that are new in the faith, it may become a stumbling block to them. But we have people we love and who love us to share all of life’s joy and sorrows with. They should be people of faith who can uplift us from our sorrow, who will not be taken down by our sorrows. But it is true that the joy of the Christian will spread and cause others to wonder at the reason behind that joy.
Romans 13
The law is love. Everything comes down to this love. Christ did all He did because of love, and we are to do all we do because of love. When we allow our lives to be ruled by this we will have nothing to worry about. Christ gives us this love to love with it, because love is from God not of ourselves.
Post a Comment