Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 13, 2010
Response Assignment 6
Response to Alexander Rybachech – Concerning Paul’s Epistle to Roman Christian Hypocrisy.
Should I start by saying “Preach on, preach on!” We have always thought ourselves better than others. When we review the historical records of our founding fathers, dating back to the 1800’s; we see combat evangelism as a big part of the problems with early Adventism. We are still under the influence of combating other denominations and religions as we search our way through scripture. It has been human nature to condemn man since ‘the fall’. Where are the Paul’s of 2010 to put in check the metaphoric Jewish church (SDA’s) and the Gentile church (everybody else). If Paul was alive today, would his message be any different to all of us?
Alexander, I love the metaphoric comparison of the vacuum to salvation. I would only re-word the one statement that says Paul creates... Paul does not create the vacuum – empty space in our heart – for Jesus, instead the vacuum has existed in mans’ heart since the fall of man. Paul simply points out the obvious and recommends the solution – Jesus.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 13, 2010
Response Assignment 7
Response to Nick Clark – concerning Romans 3
Paul does present a balanced and holistic approach to righteousness. The balance that Paul brings is to reconcile their former knowledge of Old Testament teachings concerning righteousness to the holistic message of faith as it relates to Christ. Righteousness was legalistic to the Christians in Rome. Paul wanted to free them from their confused and ignorant understanding of God and sin. Paul points out that even though the entire world is guilty, God remains faithful.
Nick, you make a good point about Christ providing the way for salvation, it is a gift that we must accept. You are right; it is also true that it is sometimes harder to accept a gift than to receive one. Although this is true to some degree, if you stop and think about it, it is only hard to take a gift from someone you do not have a close relationship with. When you love someone dearly and have a great relationship with them, it is exiting and joyful to receive a gift from them because whatever the gift may be you know it will be for your benefit, need and pleasure. And this is how God gives, He gave us Christ and Christ gives the gift of salvation which is for our benefit, need and pleasure.
Comment on Ellen White on Salvation Chapter 13 Gospel Balance
In this section of the book Whidden attempts to clarify what appears to be a very contentious argument in Seventh-day Adventism. This debate according to Whidden surrounds primarily around the concept of imputation vs. impartation. These two views are both contradictory and complimentary depending on which perspective one takes on the issues. Navigating through these comparative views enables the believer to better understand the challenge of maintaining balance in the ongoing debate surrounding merit obedience, faith and works, and law and grace. According to Whidden these are mutually complimentary (not contradictory) essentials of salvation. This is extremely important in any conversation concerning the Gospel since one’s understanding of these comparative views would ultimately determine ones view of personal salvation. Whidden’s careful analysis of these two concepts assists the individual believer with coming to a clearer understanding of Ellen White’s perspective on acceptance and assurance of salvation. Several of the statements cited by Whidden assists him with demonstrating how Ellen White achieves this balance throughout her writing ministry. One of the statements that accomplishes this objective with the greatest clarity states, “No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met at Calvary, Thus the cross, in earnest appeals, continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation.” This statement by Ellen White clearly demonstrates her understanding of the relationship between imputation and impartation. From this statement it is obvious that she clearly viewed one, as having an important bearing on the other, such as the one was the result of the other. In other words, imputation was Christ work at Calvary, which leads to the continual work of expiation throughout the believer’s life whereby the righteousness of Christ is imparted to the penitent sinner. This view demonstrates the importance of balance and the significance of understanding the gospel grace whereby Christ rescues the sinner from the world of sin and shame and redeems him into the Kingdom of Glory and Grace.
I really appreciated your thoughts about Romans 11, the remnant, boasting, and Adventism. It seems that all of us – no matter which end of Christianity or Adventism we might represent – need the humility of those who recognize that their only hope for salvation is completely in Christ.
I’m wondering about your last paragraph, specifically about the remnant being scattered throughout Christendom. From a perspective of salvation and in the context of Romans 11 I agree: God has faithful souls experiencing His grace and salvation in every denomination. But do you think there is another common usage of the term remnant that is reflected in passages such as Revelation 12:17, and that denotes a visible group who have been especially entrusted with a present-truth message (and who may or may not be experiencing His grace and salvation)? Is it possible that the remnant concept might be applied to the spiritual world from more than one perspective? Could it be that among Adventism the friction regarding the term is often caused by a lack of clarity regarding which remnant is being discussed?
I really appreciated the metaphor you employed: “Justification is the transformation from rock to clay. Sanctification is the molding of that clay.” I never thought of it in those terms before, but I found it very fitting and thought-provoking. One thing is certain: It’s all by the grace and power provided for us through the blood of Jesus.
I also appreciated your emphasis on proper sequence. I think too many Adventists attempt sanctification without first experiencing justification. This behavior-modification which masquerades in the works-deceived believer’s mind as sanctification is doomed to failure from the outset. I’m so thankful that God can still work miracles in our hearts, bringing fruit through a change from the inside out.
Ellen White on Salvation written by Woodrow W. Whidden studies the development of Ellen whites understanding of salvation. This brief report will reflect on chapters one and two. The author begins his study by illustrating that the subject of Ellen White’s understanding of salvation is one of great import and interest within the context of the Seventh-day Adventist church. It has caused many debates. The author holds to the opinion that E.G. Whites understanding to salvation will lift her above ridicule and reproach. He states that the main causes of controversy are over justification by faith and perfection. He then presents a resolution for the controversy which involves deep study of all that Mrs. White has to say about the topic. This book is the culmination of his deep study on the topic of salvation as presented by Ellen White. He begins his study by recanting Ellen Whites youth and her conversion to Christ. Born into a Methodist home, Ellen White experienced a tragic event which propelled her into a state of misery and spiritual torment through which she became acquainted with Christ. It is through this acquaintance that she desires to become sanctified. This desire is thwarted by the way sanctification had been presented to her and William Miller’s lectures. The Methodist faith taught that sanctification followed the assurance of forgiveness and justification. Sanctification was a definite experience and was confirmed by the spirit.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 9 Reflection
After calling a few of the auto glass shops listed in the phone book, I found one with a lower price than the others. I ordered a new windshield for my Toyota pickup, and set up an appointment to have it installed the next week.
Arriving at the address I found that this was a home-based business. The gentleman met me in his driveway and removed my old gravel-damaged glass and began installing the new. A little four- or five-year old girl played nearby.
Soon our conversation turned to spiritual things, and before long I learned that he was an earnest proponent of Calvinistic predestination. Although I tried to be non-confrontational, and simply asked questions about Bible passages, at times his frustration with my inability to “see the light” was obvious, as his voice reached a higher pitch. “EVEN MY LITTLE GIRL CAN UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS!” he shouted. “We were reading Ephesians the other night for family worship, and she said, ‘Isn’t that need Daddy? God chooses some to be good and some to be bad.’” With a calmer, reflective tone he added, “Of course, I don’t know for sure if she will be among the elect or the damned.”
All our discussion and argument aside, I was stunned by this confession of an obviously loving father about an obviously loveable child.” How can a father countenance a God who might have arbitrarily destined his daughter to be lost? How can we love a God with a character like that?
Romans 9 contains several passages which are often used to “prove” Calvinistic predestination. “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Verse 13. Before either of the boys were born, God arbitrarily chose one over the other.
In my study of Romans 9 I’ve concluded that the subject here is not salvation, but representation. I’d like some feedback from the class because I’m not sure if this is an appropriate explanation, so feel free to share your thoughts. Here’s my basic argument:
Romans 9 is not primarily dealing with the matter of salvation. Paul has already extensively dealt with this in Romans and made it clear that salvation is impartially given to those who believe (Romans 1:16). Looking at the entire chapter, it appears to me that Paul moves from arguing (largely towards his fellow Jews) that salvation is freely available to all through the New Covenant faith-based process to arguing that it is indeed scriptural for a group of people other than the Jewish nation to be His representatives on earth (i.e. His Church). His example of Jacob and Esau, for example, cannot be taken to prove that He chose one to be lost and the other saved – but as the Old Testament record reveals, He chose one to receive the birthright (be spiritual leader of the clan, progenitor of the Messiah) arbitrarily. He has a right to do this simply because He is God.
Especially in verses 24-30 this seems to be a sensible reading. Paul seems to be arguing for the succession of Jewish selection to the Christian Church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” Verses 25-26.
I enjoyed your initial comments on the Romans chapter 9. I particularly enjoyed the illustration you shared about your experience at the window repair shop. Concerning the concept you introduced, I was a little unclear as to the hermeneutical principle you were employing when you referred to representation rather than salvation. I've always read Romans chapter 9 with an emphasis on communal salvation; particularly, the understanding of the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles as being mutual contributors and benefactors of the faith movement, "from faith to faith." I believe this is the primary focus of Romans Chapter 9. This idea of two nations that are both a part of the plan of salvation recognizes the mutual relationship between the two nations. I understand this to be the basic thrust of Paul's argument. From this perspective salvation seems to be central to the passage. However, I do see a representation dimension. I think this might best be expressed in the relationship between the nations as being mutually related to God. This view recognizes that both the Jew and the Gentile are related to God as his children. This also acknowledges that they are both representative of the same God by whom they have both been redeemed and saved, to the Jew first and then the Gentile.
Whidden chapter on perfectionism and last day events was helpful in comparing the two basic views within Adventism on this subject. It was especially interesting for me because Dr. Stefanovic talked about the issues of “Last Generation Theology” recently in the Greek exegesis class on Revelation. In Adventism we have had a special challenge with “perfectionism” that leads into more arguments than quests for a more holistic biblical and theological understanding. We tend to polarize and deal with two major surface positions rather than going into the theology beneath the poles. Sometimes we argue just because we have different understandings of the same word, such as “perfection.”
I have a hard time with people who create two separate groups of people, those who have had to rely on God’s grace and those who are in the last generation who were able to do it for themselves. There are not classes in heaven; we are all imperfect creatures who will have been saved by our Creator. I have heard presentations by people who had fanciful ideas about the 144 thousand which have been rooted in human effort much more than the character of God. It seems that one group think quantitatively and another that think qualitatively. Some see more of the same and how many good things and how few bad things you do, as being the way to “perfection” whereas others see a difference in trust and reliance on God as the way to being accounted perfect through Christ’s sacrifice. At the Adventist elementary school I went to we had a speaker come and at the end of his Week of Prayer he called us to join him in being part of the 144 thousand. And, according to him, here’s the way to be a part of the 144 thousand: have 144 minutes of devotions every day. He had a nice, tidy argument. Not only does his plan have the number 144 in it, it allows us to tithe our day as 144 minutes is 10 percent of the day. Though this man seemed to have his basic arithmetic under control, he needed to check his exegesis and theology. We all need to move away from our tidy polemic arguments against caricatures of the other position and seriously consider the possibility that when people congregate into two camps on opposite mountains and start lobbing rocks at each other somewhere in the valley in between, though incredibly dangerous, might be a more solid position.
In the 9th chapter in the book of Romans, there is critical point in regards to so called 'double predestination'. Actually, I was not familiar with this idea until not long ago. I knew 'predestination' shown in Romans 8:28-30. But if you keep reading chapter 9, you will see that God is depicted as potter and we are clay. Paul seems to describe that God predestinated the righteous for the glory of God and at the same time God predestinated the wicked to eternal damnation. God is the maker and he decided to make two different types of vessel out of the same clay. This is not the God I want to see because if God does this, he must be tyranny without mercy and love. Then how do we need to see this idea shown in Romans. The answer will come out if we keep reading it further down the chapter.
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”
This is the word of God given to Hosea. It does not say that God changes His mind often according to what he pleases. I see this in a different way. It is right that God makes us differently if you think about your life. We did not choose where we were born nor chose how much education we get. But the question is 'what do we do what we have?'. It is so critical to think about.
If we approach to this matter with human idea of fairness or equality, we are in danger to be obsessed to see God in a limited way. How does God make things fair and just. According to the book of Revealation, all the people who are saved will sing a song, singing, 'God is just and fair, he is merciful and loving'.
First of all, God did not create two different kinds of humankind deciding already who is going to die or live. Second of all, it is not a matter who you are or what you do or even how much money you have. Third of all, it is about choosing to be on God's side with what you have, who you are, and what you have.
I may be commenting twice, I submitted a response and don't see it showing up yet.
I appreciated what you had to say about a both/and approach to impartation and imputation. You are doing a good job of recognizing Whidden's points and bringing it all together.
I wonder if part of the move people seem to be having towards holistic thought is related to the move away from modernism and its scientific approach which looks for one answer to a question. I have a feeling that people will become more and more accepting of a both/and approach, but it might take some time for the older saints, some of whom still operate from a more modern world view, to be able to accept both/and thinking to the extent in which we do in an academic setting.
Is anyone else having difficulty posting? I've been trying all week, and my post appears on the blog for a few minutes, then is gone. :/ I've made them shorter than my previous posts, but it hasn't helped. I'm going to try posting in two parts. Let me know if you have any tips.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 10 Reflection
I really enjoyed the discussion on assurance that grew out of a student presentation this week. To me this is a very much-needed topic for Adventists to understand better!
The desire to know for sure that I will be saved may be motivated by more than one factor: 1) Because I have fallen in love with Jesus and I want to know for sure that my life is in harmony with the One whose opinion matters most to me; 2) Fear of being lost and suffering the punishment for my sins; 3) A strong male-like “hunt-it-shoot-it-bag-it” or “check-list” mentality that leads us to want to complete something so as to move on to other things in life; 4) Tiring of the persistent convictions of our lost condition which (out of love, of course) the Holy Spirit brings.
The problem is that there is also such a thing as false assurance. In Jeremiah’s day the Jews were confident in their standing with God, and the prophet was called upon to rebuke this false assurance. “Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.” Jeremiah 7:4, 8.
Evidently this is not a problem only in the Old Testament era, for Paul urges to “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. And Jesus said that in the final judgment, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23. As unacceptable as it may be to live without assurance, I would argue that it is much more disastrous to live with false assurance. Personally, if I am to be lost I would rather be lost knowing that I am lost than be lost thinking that I am saved. I can think of no greater deception and disappointment than this!
The matter of assurance is further complicated by the nature of the human heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Deception does not have to be external, for James says that we can be self-deceived. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22.
Therefore my quest becomes not to have assurance, but to answer the question, How can I most reliably experience salvation in Jesus; How can I know that today my religion is more than a profession, that it is a heart-surrendered relationship with a God that has fully and freely forgiven me and is changing my life from the inside out?
At the risk of offending those who argue for a profession-based, once-and-for-all assurance, I would propose that the Bible actually teaches that we should be daily examining our hearts to see if we are in the faith. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 11 Reflection
Last week I was thinking about this matter of self-examination as a ground for assurance, recognizing that there is also the possibility of false assurance. Paul urges us as believes to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Perhaps this is particularly important for us as Seventh-day Adventists, with our propensity to trust in the idea that we “have the truth” or in our various lifestyle choices which distinguish us from the “world.”
Yet this is also the warning Paul is sounding in Romans 11. “You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” Romans 11:19-22.
This command to “not be haughty, but fear, does not indicate that the Christian should live in uncertainty and doubt regarding his spiritual experience, for this would conflict with other clear passages on the topic. What it does mean is that we should pay attention to ensure we don’t slip into a false assurance, a false hope.
One thing is clear: Jesus is more than able to fully and completely “save to the uttermost” those who come to Him. Those who come to the Father through Christ He will not for any reason refuse. John 6:37. And having been accepted by God we may have peace in our hearts (Romans 5:1) and be “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6. Nothing can separate us from the love of God – not situation or person or demons or any other power on earth or in heaven (Romans 8:35-39). Nothing, that is, except my own will, my own freedom of choice. Every Christian should rest assured that as long as my will is on the side of Christ there is absolutely no way that I can be lost.
The question then becomes, In what way can I reliably come to know the actual disposition of my (naturally deceitful) heart towards God? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned as I’ve searched for the answer to this question. Since I’m almost out of room for this week’s character limit I’ll share this in the next post.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 12 Reflection
Since my heart is totally assured that Jesus can and will save everyone who allows Him to save them, what I need to know is, Am I allowing Him to save me? Am I trusting in my vegan diet on one hand, or in my self-perceived lack of legalism on the other, or in my good humanitarian deeds, or in any other false hope? I want to know the true attitude of my heart towards God! But how?
I may only know my heart through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my heart. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14), and unless these blind eyes have the eyesalve of the Spirit I will not see my true condition (Rev. 3:18).
Exposure to the Word is the first-line means through which the Holy Spirit speaks. I can cooperate with the Holy Spirit by spending time in the Word of God. My first purpose for daily devotions is not to learn proof texts to baffle the Baptists, but to have a new sense of my need for Jesus for that day. It is when I am cognizant of my need that I can receive of His power. Ellen White says it this way: “The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength.” “The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells.” Desire of Ages, pp. 329, 300. As I prayerfully study God’s Word, asking Him to teach me about Himself and myself, He faithfully does so.
Prayer, especially regarding my heart and the things that I’m studying in the Word, prepares my heart to hear what He wants to say to me. I think we artificially separate prayer and Bible study too often. They go together! Pray about what the passage could mean for you. Ask God to show you the message for your heart for today. And be honest when there are things in your heart that are illumined by the Word as not being in harmony with His will. Only He can change our hearts! And I would propose that He cannot do this unless we are honestly giving Him permission to do so.
”By their fruits you will know them.” And I’m not just referring here to paying tithe and obeying the commandments (1 John 2:3). Yes, those are obviously indicators too. While Jesus taught much more important principles of love and justice, He also clearly did not teach that we should not be careful about proper stewardship, Sabbath observance, etc. Both are important: “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Matt. 23:23. But as Adventists I fear we’ve become good at judging the externals (especially of others) while failing miserable at the much harder task of knowing our own hearts. Here’s a few of the fruits I think I can use to examine my heart: Not willfully disobeying the Word – 1 John 2:3-6 Esteeming others better than myself – Philippians 2:1-8 Love our brothers and sisters (even the annoying ones!) – 1 John 2:7-11; 3:14-19 Exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit rather than the flesh – Gal. 5:19-26 (See DA 626)
I think this self-examination needs to be frequent not because I distrust Jesus but because I distrust my own heart. As Paul said, “we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Hebrews 6:11. Notice the assurance in the following passage: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,… Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).” Heb. 10:19-23.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 8
Response to Nick Clark – concerning Romans 5:3-5
Good blog Nick, I agree that suffering is not easy however what comes from suffering inspires hope. And yes, so many biblical heroes lived according to their faith and hope in God. We should also live according to assurances we find in the promises of God. Paul says suffering brings endurance, which means we are in it for the long haul. He says endurance brings strength but not our own strength; it is the strength that God gave in order to help us to endure. This leads to our confidence in God’s love for us as we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Pertaining to your comment on Whidden, it has always been the mission of Ellen White to shed light on particular areas that should be important to us such as ‘Free Will’. Ellen white understood the importance of our response to God’s leading. God grace does give us understanding that we need Him; and it draws us to the One who is trying to save us from sin. It is a wonderful blessing to have our lives and future in the hands of a loving Savior and God.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 9
Response to Reed Richard – concerning his thoughts from class discussion
I agree that the gospel is deep, mysterious and complex; and that we over simplify gospel by reducing it to a few elements. I agree that the gospel is many things such as the things you stated like justification, sanctification and etc… I believe the best way to sum up the gospel is by saying the Gospel is God. It is God’s character, will and purpose for humanity. The gospel is the revelation of God revealed through Jesus Christ.
Reed your definition of Jesus is one that we all can identify with. It sounds as though you were moved by the Holy Spirit in class. As I read your blog, I got the feeling that Christ revealed himself to you and it has poured out in your blog. Another thing I heard was a personal testimony concerning God in your life. I can identify with that; maybe not from the same perspective but from and through the same Spirit which moves all of us. Be blessed and I hope that you have many days where you can express the overflowing of your cup.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 10
Response to Youngkyo Suh – concerning Romans 6
Youngkyo, I agree with you that God has to judge all people according to the law which required all humanity to be condemned to die but God’s love can and does save believers from sin. However allow me to go further with your analysis and point to the fact that we need to respond to God’s love and that our response comes in several forms. One form is baptism which Paul implies as crucial because it is by baptism that we die to our sins and was buried with Christ. This uniting in death results in a uniting by being raised with Christ. We become righteous through Christ Righteousness.
I remember you raising the idea in class about it is safe to proclaim salvation using legal system of universe however; I had trouble understanding the framework behind this analysis even though I had no problem with your suggestive thinking and purpose by way or your conclusion. I would like to read more of a breakdown of your analysis because I believe there may be some buried treasure there.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 11
Response to Tyler Rosengren – concerning the question was Abraham justified by faith or works?
Tyler, I laughed at the fact that we can no longer say that verses are contradicting each other and that we should search for the light that both verses give. I have talked with other students about this concept and the feedback I received was that the bible has errors so it is possible that scriptures contradict each other. But I am with you on this one, I believe this is a good hermeneutic to apply to scriptures because this is one of many ways to allow the Holy Spirit to bring new revelation of scripture to our minds.
Your analysis of Paul and James are good however; I would like to bring a little more clarity of your analysis of both men and their purpose. Paul’s letter to the Romans dealt with the legalistic thinking of Roman Christians and James focuses on the faith and works according to the misunderstanding of the church. Paul’s message is rebuke and reproach whereas, James seems to be instructional and warnings.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 12
Response to Reed Richards – concerning the nature of Christ and Salvation
I appreciate a fellow brother who also values the mysterious nature of Christ. It appears to me that everyone wants to know everything about God or they refuse to believe the most important component in their life, which is Jesus. I also believe their doubt concerning the mysterious nature of Christ is just an excuse to serve their own purpose in life. For those like us, the mystery of the nature of Christ boggles the mind while giving us a great desire to learn more as we humble ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just listening to Hanna opens up more questions to the assumed knowledge we had of Christ and that humbles me.
Whidden shares Ellen’s position of Christ being like and unlike us is an extension of the problem early church fathers debated about. Our rich Christian heritage was founded on these very debates. You are right, that we must clean up our own hermeneutic with humility and allow the truths of the Bible to be bigger than us. Reed, you summed it all up well by saying if there was no mystery than faith becomes obsolete. Praise God for that precious truth.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 13
Response to Landon Schnabel - concerning the implications of 1888 on EGW’s view on salvation.
Hey Landon, I too love that section – ‘Christ merits make up our deficiencies’. And Ellen White is clear on the fact that only Jesus is perfect. She proves it by acknowledging the merits through the power of Christ himself. Christ righteousness is imputed to the struggling but penitent sinful human being. It is not perfection that is accomplish by humanity that brings salvation but the perfect nature of Christ that covers our sinful nature.
Although Landon, I can appreciate yours position on Ellen being semi-pelagian; according to her statement “When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness”. We still must apply a hermeneutic based on Ellen life, beliefs and positions she took concerning the gospel. Pelagianism and Arminius views carry liberal connotations behind them whereas; Ellen is proposing for Christians to yield to the power of God. She is saying that when we allow God to bring us to our best that is when He becomes our righteousness.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 15
Response to Chester Clark III – concerning Romans 9
Chester we all encounter people with radical views as it relates to God and sometimes we are the radical people ourselves. You never finished the story to how you dealt with shop owner’s view concerning predestined salvation. Roman’s 9 is only a proof-text to those of predestination. Chester you could have come from many different angles to deal with this topic. As Dr. Hanna has shown and told us repeatedly that the text must first be understood within the context, then the chapter, then the book of Romans (Paul’s purpose for writing to Roman Christians) and so on.
And as Greek students the original word does not mean hate but rejected. Although God rejects us due to our bad decisions and choices (like Esau did), he also forgives and blesses us and brings us back into His loving mercy. I would have gone back to the historical Old Testament and showed him God’s blessings upon Esau. Although God chooses whom he pleases, salvation is for all. That’s why if you look at what Paul’s message was; it was salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile world. God has chosen all to be with him in glory. So if the shop owner understood that God often chooses a people or person to serve, He is not excluding anyone from His grace of salvation. This means he did not have to worry about his little girl’s salvation, only that he needed to trust in the righteousness of the Lord.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 14
Response to Kevin Solomon – concerning Romans chapters 7 and 8.
Kevin, this is a good blog. I was blessed by every comment. Your summation of what Paul is relaying to the church is on point. You stated that Paul’s struggle had become your struggle. And I believe that Paul struggle is not only your struggle but all of ours. If it is not our struggle now or has been in the past; I am positive it will be ours in the future because Paul’s letters are his testimonies of Christ in his life. You are correct that the more we see the good in God’s law, the more sinful depravities reveal itself. The law of God is a revealing mirror of our sin.
When we look at a mirror, it show us the problems that need to be fixed; such as our uncombed hair, un-brushed teeth, unwashed faced and many more things. Then we attempt to fix everything that is wrong that is revealed by the mirror. The law does the same thing. It reveals the sin that needs to be fixed in our lives. God’s law shows the marred imperfections of our sinful disposition therefore; we must respond like we do to the mirror’s image of us and began to comb our hair, wash our face and brush our teeth. And as with God’s law we should apply the same principles; we are to stop serving others God’s (money, lust), stop coveting worldly things, and acknowledge God as Lord and Creator (all in God’s commandments).
According to Woodrow Whidden II author of Ellen White on Salvation he states "Ellen White regarded the atonement as moving in a line across the history of redempton, raather than involving just one point in history-the cross. Therefore atonement not only involved making provision for the forgivenss of sins, but also applicaton of these gracious provisions to repentant sinners". What the author say's is biblical in my opinion. When we think about atonement we focus on sinful beings being reconciled back to God, which 2 Corith 5:18 clearly affirms this fact. But what about after we accept Christ does atonement have anything to do with application. When I look at John 15:4-5 Jesus clearly is telling those who trust and follow him that all production comes from abiding in him. He say's that he is the vine; and we are the branches, and those who remain in him will be able to produce fruit but without clearly he states all will be fruitless. If you ever walk pass a tree and see its fruit fall off the vine, within a few days it will start to wither (dry up, shrivel to nothing), and if you go back may a month later that fruit is no longer in existance. Interesting enough Christ says the same about those who are to be representatives of him, that when they seperate from him, within a week they start to dry up, and in a month all the beauty, light, Christ like stature has shriveled up to nothing. So atonement seems to go alot further than just him making provision for my sin. But the atonement of Christ seems to have made application for my very survival, my living a victorious life, my peace, my strength, but most of all my becoming like Christ in every way.
The scripture goes on to say in verse John 15:6-7 Anyone who does not reamin in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. (7) but if you remain in me and my words reamin in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted (8) when you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my father. As you can see from this scripture, that Jesus has made application after atonement has been done,(himself!)-he is the connecting force to the Christians life. He is the one that produces fruit- that pleases the father- he is the one who is able to go to the father and ask anything and it is granted. So yes Jesus after his death was able to to provide provision by bring sinful human beings back into reconciliation to the Father. But he was able through his death to provide sinful humans a means of provision (himself) so that they are able to become like him and live fruitful, victorious lives.
ASSIGNMENT NO .4 Reflection on reading report E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II A Section II Chapter six-sin the human condition and salvation. Sin is transgression of God’s wills (1SM320), and a condition of depravity that involves inherited propensities, inclinations, tendencies and a bent to sin. As a result of Adam’s sin/disobedience, every human being a transgressor of God’s law, we are sold under sin. Our hearts are naturally depraved and are unable of ourselves to peruse rights things (course).Adam’s sin definitely caused his posterity to be born with inherent propensities of disobedience, but such a depravity is not total depravity, sinners still have ability to respond to God’s saving offer. We are not born with sin, but we are born with sinful nature, bent to evil and propensities to sin which lead sin and guilt. Because of this we are responsible for sins and this is the main issue that confronts not only the sinner but also the redeeming God. It has been thus since the original of in Eden –when Adam ran from God in the shame of their fig-leaf –self-righteousness, God came seeking them. When sin entered the world the will of human beings became enslaved; and through the will sin retains its holds up to humanity. There is no power in the unaided human will to oppose sin but through Jesus Christ the will of the human beings is freed. It if impossible for us to of ourselves to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness. It is only through the grace of God combined with the most earnest effort of our part, that we can obtain victory. Thus salvation is Christ –centered in all its aspects of all calling, conviction, forgiveness empowerment for obedience and glorification, but each step comprehends the humble responses of the human subject. God doesn’t force in dealing with us sinners.
Assignment no.5 Reflection on reading report E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 5-salvation, the great controversy theme, closing events, and the law Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving humanbeings.it is the divine favor which is bestowed upon man. Jesus Christ if supreme revelation of God’s grace. The law is the transcript of God’s divine nature. it is therefore the transcript of love. Man needs the law for his liberty. E.G. White declares that “it is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought in grace in grace to take the place of the law….God’s moral government and His grace is inseparable. Satan is seeking to pervert both the law and grace by denying one or both as essential to the understanding of God’s character of love. The mercy was provided by for in Christ’s death a death given forgiveness doomed sinners the bottom line is that obedience is possible ,but it is always associated with a just and a loving acceptance. Closing events To live righteously the redeemed could fulfill the threefold purpose: 1. To be prepared to meet the Lord 2. Hasten the coming of the lord, as the righteous lives of believers would witness to the world and hence 3. Cease delaying the second advent
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no.6 Reading reflection on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter no six- sin, the human condition, and salvation. Sin is defined as both the transgression of God’s law and a condition of depravity that involves inherited sinful “propensities” “inclinations” “tendencies, and a “bent” to sin. According to E.G. White, the origin of sin was not total depravity. Adam’s sin definitely caused posterity to be born with inherent propensities’ of disobedience. But such a depravity is not a total “depravity, “and sinners are still have the ability to respond to God’s saving offer. As a result of Adam’s disobedience every human being is transgressor of the law, sold under sin. We have sinful natures, born bent to evil and propensities to sin which lead to sin and guilt. Because of this sinful, humans are responsible for their sins, and this is the main issue that confronts not only the sinner but also the redeeming God. Sinners will retain their sinful nature until glorification. (ST. march 23, 1888). There is no power in the unaided human will to oppose sin, but through Jesus Christ the will of the human being freed. It impossible for us to of ourselves to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul and attract it to God, to holiness. We need Christ to declare us “perfect” all the way to the gate of glory.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no 7 Reflection on readings on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter seven: Atonement According to E.G. White, atonement is the Christ’s death on the cross and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. (7sdabc459, 460). God provided the atonement of the cross as a ransom for all, 1Ttimothy2:6. The atonement provided for all but it becomes effective only for believers who respond to God’s prior, initiating calls for repentance and surrender. (GW414). The cross is the supreme manifestation of God’s love. Through the cross man was drawn to God, and sinners were drawn to from stronghold of sin. Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be excited. God in the gift of His only begotten Son, met the both these requirements. By dyeing in man’s steady Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon. As Christ bore the sins of every transgressor so the sinner who will not believe in Christ as his personal savior will bear a penalty of his transgression.. Christ is the sinner’s substitute in that He bore the penalty to satisfy the holy retirement of God’s justice and it was in usually in this penal-substutionary context that she discussed the theme justification by faith.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no 8 Reflection on reading on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 8: the nature of Christ and salvation Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Mrs. E.G. White believed fully the full deity of Christ. She proclaimed that Christ could have done nothing during His earthly ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human. Jesus Christ took a sinful nature but only in the sense of lessened capacity because of the principle of physical inheritance. He was weak, frail, infirm, degraded, degenerate, deteriorated, wreched and defiled but somehow He was not altogether human, such a one as us for it can not be (5BC1129). Although His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin, He was a rather typical first-century human being. He was affected by sin but not infected with it.
Assignment no 9 Reflection on reading report by E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whiddden.
Chapter 9: justification by faith –before 1888. E.G. White on her understanding of justification, she said faith and works never be separated-she says faith will never save you unless it is justified by works. (2T159) faith must be sustained by works; the doers of the work are justified before God. Faith must be accompanied by works and that law and the gospel are never to be separated, even though their roles are to be clearly distinguished. E.G. White taught that our acceptance with Christ is based on totally on the merits of His life and death, which are legally, judicially accounted to us. It is not based on His death accounted to us for forgiveness and His life imparted to us so that we can make our own contribution to justification. It is both His life and death that justify the penitent believer.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. !
Assignment no.10 Reflection from the reading on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 10. Ministry after Minneapolis 1888-1902 Seventh say Adventism’s prophetic interpretations regarding the moral laws and the mark of the beast were about to be vindicated in a manifest way. At that meeting they discussed the interpretation of Galatians 3:19-25 to see whether it the ceremonial law or the moral law! The issues of holy fresh movement in Indiana advocated an emotional experience in which both the mind and the body were fully cleansed and brought back to the condition of the man before fall, so far as its life or actions are concerned. Richards reports that this sinless condition was achieved in an atmosphere in which individuals frequently fell prostrate. Once a member revived, he was declared to have passed through the garden experience, which Christ had in Gethsemane. This experience demonstrated that a person was” born “son of God, fully cleansed from sin and sinful tendencies and released fro the power of death, he was ready for translation. Those who did not have the garden experience might still be saved but as adapted sons of God. On this E.G. White says we can not claim Perfection of the flesh we may have Christian perfection of the soul. Through the sacrifice of made in our behalf , sins may be perfectly be forgiven.
Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth
Assignment no 12 Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 12: justification after Minneapolis-from late 1888 to 1892. There is a very close relationship between law and the gospel, faithand works, and the expression that sinners are saved from sin not in sin, continued with undiminished force during E.G. White’s most vigorous explanations of justification. Christ’s merits make up for deficiencies: - one any man is perfect, it is only the man Jesus Christ who is perfect. His perfect holiness atones foe our shortcomings, when we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness, and they are regarded as “obedient children”. When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish foe sin. Some one can make mistakes but he/she can hate sin that caused the suffering of the Son of Man. We are sinfull, unholy we can not perfectly keep the law .but despite past sinfulness sinners can be accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of our character and we are accepted before God just as if we had not sinned.
Assignment no 12 Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 12: justification after Minneapolis-from late 1888 to 1892. There is a very close relationship between law and the gospel, faithand works, and the expression that sinners are saved from sin not in sin, continued with undiminished force during E.G. White’s most vigorous explanations of justification. Christ’s merits make up for deficiencies: - one any man is perfect, it is only the man Jesus Christ who is perfect. His perfect holiness atones foe our shortcomings, when we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness, and they are regarded as “obedient children”. When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish foe sin. Some one can make mistakes but he/she can hate sin that caused the suffering of the Son of Man. We are sinful, unholy we can not perfectly keep the law .but despite past sinfulness sinners can be accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of our character and we are accepted before God just as if we had not sinned.
Assignment no.13 Reflection on reading report on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 13: justification after Minneapolis –maintaining gospel balance No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met at the cross of calvary.thus the cross ,in earnest appeals ,continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation…. As you come with a humble heart you find pardon, for Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins. The religious services, prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from the true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood they can never be of value with God. E.D.White said, only who through faith in Christ obey all of the commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all His precepts (MS 122, 1901, in 8MR 98, 99), perfect obedience that justifies, an obedience that can be reached though faith in Christian obedience that will through faith reproduce the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.
Assignment no 14 Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II Chapter 14: perfection before 1888. The goal and attainment of perfection We can overcome! Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every tempter, every sin, and every temptation. (1T144). The Son of God was faultless. We must aim at this perfection and overcome as He overcame. (1T336). Human being can reach a perfection of intelligence and purity of character but little lower than the perfection and purity of angels. (4T93).all His righteous demands must be fully met. Every defect of character must be overcome, or it will overcome us and become a controlling power for evil. The law demands perfect unswerving obedience. Perfection is an experience that arises out of full surrender and consecration to God’s will and guidance in the life. In attainment of perfection it needs active effort. It is not a passive affair. It is accompanied by strict obedience to the law of God. Perfect believers are still subject to temptation, one need to depend whole on God for Victory
Assignment no 15 Reflection on reading E.G. White on salvation by WoodrowW.Whidden II CHAPTER 15: Perfection and the closing events While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification , of putting away of sin , among God’s people up on the earth .when this work shall be accomplished , the followers of Christ will be ready for His coming.(GC425) The scripture says you shall be perfect and holy as He is perfect and holy. This is true if we can only remain faith and depend on Him for strength. We can not be perfect on our own till when Jesus enables us through His righteousness robe.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson. But is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12. The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet. when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson. But is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson.
But is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12.
The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet. when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet. when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
Romans chapter 9 I ask the questioin was God unfair for choosing when he chose Jacob the younger son over Esau the older son "in the scriptures say's I loved Jacob, but i rejected Esua". Or does the bible teach us that God had the freedom to choose whomever he wants. Whe I looked at the story of Abraham, Haggai, and Sarah it made me wonder is God fair or does he like us have the right of freedom of choice. Sarai Abraham's wife gives Hagar to Abraham to have children for her because she can not produce a child. Well instead of them all becoming friends Hargar depises Sarah because she can have children and Sarah can not. As the story goes on Sarah is given a child by God. Now all of a sudden the table is turned and Sarah tells Abraham to throw this bond women and her son out of the camp because Sarah saw them making fun of Isaac. Sarah no longer wants Ismael to share the inheritance with her son Isaac. Abraham is grieved, distressed by the whole thing because Ismael is his son. But God tells Abraham to listen to Sarah and do what she say's becuse Isaac is the son whom his descendants will be counted. God also promises that a nation of descendants will come from Hagar's son. But now look at this Abraham got up early the next morning prepared the food and water and sent the woman and her son away. Ismael was the first born in our eyes we would ask how is this fair. But does God have the right of freedom of choice to do what he so pleases with any of us. It seems so. Another story would be the one of Jacob and Esau why is Jacob chosen he's not so righteous in my eyes. He buys his brothers birth right for some food instead of just giving it to him isn't that the Christian thing to do. Next he tricks his blind father and steals his brothers blessing. But even with him doing all this God choose Jacob the deciever in my eyes over Esau why? maybe because he has the right to choose whom ever he wants. Even though we see it as wrong God is free and if he created his being with the right of free choice why is it that he himself does not have the right of free choice. maybe because we try to put God in a box, the same box we try to put each other in. Instead of allowing God to be God and accepting that his ways are not our own.
Paul talks about this in Romans Chapter 9 where he say's "Is God unfair" of course not "For God said to Moses I will show mercy to anyone I chooose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither chooose it nor work for it. He further goes on to say "when a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to amke one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into. In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power to whom ever he want. Even though he is very merciful to us he doesn't have to be.
Dario Ferreira Doctrine of Salvation Assignment #12
The reference to the root and branches, in Romans 11:16, Paul takes to develop his parable of the Olive Tree (11:17-24). Many argue against the use which Paul makes the process used to graft a fruit tree, demonstrating their ignorance that he was a typical city dweller, unaware of even basic phenomena in the field as he tried to use this passage. By myself, having lived through a good part of my life in the field, I know that when making a graft of a fruit tree, it uses the reverse process of what Paul quotes these verses. Usually we take the branches of a tree cultivated and graft on the trunk of a tree Silvestre. The principle used is that one should trees Silvestre is stronger and more adapted to different soil types, and also more resistant to the elements - providing a constant flow of sap to produce excellent results. And here (11:17-24) Paul speaks of a cultivated olive tree (Jews) getting the branches of a wild olive (gentiles). On the other hand, I think this process can also work, and bring their results; I do, but never used it, never even tried. However, it does not matter taking into account Paul’s goal with this illustration. It is possible that Paul was not trying to use the principles of grafting, but has adapted to his illustration that would better serve their purposes. For Paul it seems, through this comparison trying to make a warning to Gentile Christians do not boast the expense of Israel, or not to show disdain for the Jews. This image was suggested by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 11:16,17, saying that Israel was the tree that God planted. Hosea also expressed a similar thought: “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon”(ASV). This symbolic figure is similar to the vineyard (Isaiah 5:7, Psalm 88:8) that Jesus used as symbolism of the Christian church, where he is the vine and his followers the branches (John 15). The Chapter 13 of Whidden, “Justification After Minneapolis – Maintaining Gospel Balance” shows that Christ’s “merits” are intimately involved in the development of character, or rather the righteousness is active in the soul of the believer to produce works of righteousness and character. The believer can experience victory over sin to know that they are accepted by the righteousness of Christ and his merits. Whidden presents four ideas that grew out Ellen White’s conception of the high priestly intercession of Christ: 1. Christ’s Merits Make Our Obedience Acceptable; 2. Christ’s Merits Make Up for Our “Deficiencies”; 3. Fending Off Satan’s Taunting Accusations; 4. God’s Willingness to Pardon. “The late 1890s and the first three years of the new century witnessed a greater emphasis on the importance of obedience in relationship to justification.” Jan Paulsen in the twelfth document entitled Salvation on salvation by faith, presents the exciting message of justification by faith. I thoroughly enjoyed that Paulsen has used the term referring to the conclusion that when we studied the subject of salvation: ‘faith without Nothing Can Happen!’ And then he remembers that, according to Ellen White, “Faith includes only belief in but trust.” It also demonstrates that the knowledge of what God has done in Christ is essential to our salvation, because ‘we believe only because we know.’ Faith is not just looking at a distant past to a historical Jesus. Faith is the match that he called us to follow him – “Follow me.” Faith is a gift from God that can be experienced now. We are justified to live a life of liberty and purity to God and with God, now and forever. We need to look continually and exclusively to the Risen Lord, because it is only “our assurance, our rest, our fulfillment, and security, victory.”
I appreciated the remark that you made the biblical text in Romans 9. Indeed, this issue of double predestination has been the subject of much debate, resulting in a sloppy exegesis of the biblical text.
I agree with the conclusion you reached that God has not predestined that will be saved and who will lose, God is no respecter of persons and our best decision is to stand next to God with what you are and what you have. The predestination of God is your plan to save mankind. God predestined us to salvation.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 4
Works versus Faith
The discussion of being saved of justified by faith is a topic that has been argued for years between Christians. Some argue among themselves (in church fighting) and some argue with other denominations and religions (combat evangelism). No matter what conclusion is drawn from the argument, no one seems to hear God speaking to them. Christians are so busy trying to be right that they do not understand the relationship God is trying to have with them. Paul says in Romans 4:3 “What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him righteousness.”
Paul used Abraham’s relationship with God to describe how faith works. There was no physical action accomplished by Abraham nor was the something earned through deed for Abraham to be declared righteous. The bible simply states “Abraham believed God”. This ‘belief’ tells us God and Abraham had entered into a relationship; the relationship was called a ‘covenant’. Contextually, Abraham left all – his father’s house, his relatives, his homeland and most important his beliefs to follow God.
This is the “faith” Paul is referring to when he says “Abraham believed God”. Abraham’s response to God’s leading him meant that Abraham had entered into a relationship; and because of this response from their relationship, God responds back with a declaration of righteousness for Abraham. The next verses, four and five is where Paul removes all doubt and cancels the argument of justification by faith. Paul says when people work, it is not a gift but a wage they have earned (workers get what they work for) however people are declared righteous by their faith not their works.
Jesus gives us insight on this topic as well. On Judgment Day, God says He never knew some who claimed they did wonderful works in God’s name. How is this possible? It is possible because they never entered a relationship with God; so their works were dead while those who were saved were declared righteous through that same faith-relationship Abraham had with God. This righteousness given by God is bestowed upon the undeserving sinner who by faith accepts God’s offer to enter into that covenantal relationship.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 5
Faith Defined By Works and Works Being the Result of Faith.
While reading Whiddens’ Justification by Faith – Before 1888, I came across a gold nugget under the section ‘Key Elements in Expressing Justification’. The focus was on how Faith and works are never to be separated; this is not new knowledge to me however it adds emphasis to Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Ellen White’s development on this subject is expressed through her statements: “Faith must be sustained by works, the doers of the work are justified before God” Ellen clearly wants the church to understand that the law and gospel should never be separated.
So why then are we still trying to earn our way into to heaven by our works? Paying a faithful tithe and keeping the Sabbath holy does not save an Adventist; just like believing in Jesus but stuffing your belly full of pork does not save the Baptist. Everyone wants the easy route into heaven but God says that road is straight and narrow. In other words, that road is full of faith and works which is not always easy and can be very difficult at times.
If getting to heaven was easy and all a person had to do was check off laws (like a grocery list) they were obeying, than the rich young ruler would have been in great standings. He declared to God that he had kept all the commandments and God did not call him a liar; Jesus simply pointed out the commandment He was not keeping by telling him to give up his riches. The man could not do that so he walked away. The reason he walked away was because he was serving another master; his riches had become his god and the bible clearly states “thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
His faith was in the security of his wealth and now Jesus was asking him to place that faith in Him. For the rich young ruler, faith and works were separated. One of the most beautiful examples of faith and works was in the Garden; Jesus asked the Father if it is possible remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but Thy will be done. Christ demonstrated faith in the Father and demonstrated the works of that faith on the cross. Faith defined by works and works being the result of faith. This is the faith and works that defines Salvation. Let us all follow in Christ’s footsteps.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 6
Our Belief does not Cover our Sin
I had a friend that left the Adventist faith because he no longer felt that he had to obey God’s fourth commandment. Now before you start thinking “Here we go again with some conservative Adventist theology”, this is not about Adventist theology, instead it is about salvation for a friend. My friend is a third generation Adventist who every one of his relatives and associates was Adventist too. While working for his father who owned a restaurant that attracted many tourists, a pretty girl came in the restaurant and introduced him to a theology that involved only believing in Christ. He eventually would leave the faith and marry this woman.
One day we were discussing his beliefs and he told me it does not matter if he kept the Sabbath or any commandments because God was in his heart. So I asked my friend, what do you do with Romans 6? “What do you mean?” he replied. We opened the scriptures to Paul’s take on the topic. Paul says “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Paraphrasing; Paul says do not dare think that you can do whatever you want to and God will stand by and bless you in your ignorance. Paul wanted believers to understand the process of salvation by explaining to them that they had died and was baptized with Christ and therefore just as Christ was raised, so may they also live new lives through that same power.
Just as Paul explained that they were no longer under the power of sin because of what Christ had done; I had to show my friend the same thing that none of us should continue in sin because God was showing us His mercy. As we continued to study this chapter, I did not want to force anything because I could see that he was now disturbed about what was being revealed. I ended the conversation by reminding him that we were bought with a price and that our lives were no longer our own to do as we pleased. I also assured him that God loved him dearly however; all are held accountable in the Judgment. Although I am not sure which road my friend will take but as for me, a believer in Christ, being dead to sin and alive to God is an easy choice to make.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 7
Perfection, Sanctification and Justification Chapter 14 of Whidden’s book gave me a closer look at Ellen White’s views concerning Perfection, Sanctification and Justification. Ellen White believed that Perfection, Sanctification and Justification should never be separated however; they should be distinguished from one another. Whidden proposes that Ellen views those subjects this way “Justification often defined perfection and always formed the foundation of the experience of sanctification. Sanctification often defined perfection but at the same time perfection was always the goal of sanctification.” This can be taken in different ways, so I will try to explain what blessings I received through the explanations of that particular chapter. We must surrender fully to Christ because perfection is a result of one’s full surrender to God’s will and purpose. Justification is given from the Lord before we surrendered, because of what Christ done at Calvary. God’s sanctification of us results in being made perfect in Christ. So that no one can claim perfection without being made perfect in Christ. Justification explains perfection in a sense that once God justifies you, you are perfect in Him. (Now before anyone gets rattle by this analysis) Whidden proposes that perfection involves strict obedience to God’s law however it does not mean that believers cannot or will not be tempted to sin. He says the difference is that those who are “perfect” do not cherish, excuse, or indulge in sin. This means that the believers’ perfection is never absolute, only Christ perfection is absolute. The only time our perfection will be absolute is after glorification. When I think about all three words, Perfection, Justification, and Sanctification, it all has to lead to the initiation of Christ will, purpose and plan for us. Whidden simply points to Ellen’s message, explanations and warning to the Church and how they should come to understand and deal with these subjects.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 9
The Law Is Not Condemnation
I was meditating on Romans 7:8, the New Living Translation translates the text, “But sin took advantage of this law and aroused all kinds of forbidden desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.” Paul puts a face to the character of sin; he also provides the evil personality that is revealed by sin’s power. In context, the text deals with how God’s law is good however it reveals how sin takes God’s law and uses it against us.
God’s law was given for our protection, safety and guidance but sin used it to condemn us to death. I stated in a response blog to someone that the law is like a mirror. When we first wake-up in the morning and we look in the mirror; we see all the things wrong with us such as messed up hair, crusty eyes and plaque on teeth. So one by one we begin to fix all those imperfections; we combed our hair, brushed our teeth and wash our face. As we look in the mirror everything is not perfect but we look better than before.
This is what God’s law does for us. It reveals our imperfections so that we may clean ourselves up as much as we can; this is God’s law working in our favor. But sin makes us focus the things we cannot fix; it reveals for women bad hair, a big nose, or small lips, maybe short eyelashes or the dreaded bumps on the face. For men it reveals the receding hairline or increasingly gray hair or beard, small muscles and a growing stomach. Sin takes the laws (those mirrors) that God gave us to fix ourselves up and makes us hate the image we see.
This is what Paul means when he says that sin uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes. I believe we should recognize what God’s law does for us; yes, it shows us our imperfections but only for the cleansing of sin. Also God’s law still serves to protect, guide, inform and instruct because the laws ultimate goal is reconciliation and restoration to God. God’s law was not given to bring condemnation upon His people; it was given so that we may receive salvation from the condemnation of sin.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 8
Clap Your Hands
While combing through the BRI documents, I scrolled down to the Practical Christian Living section and read the article on clapping in church. You may ask what does this have to do with salvation. It may mean nothing to some of you and just curiosity to others. I remember the first time I heard someone clap after a chaplain prayed. I was about 8 years old and my entire school was in an auditorium; after the chaplain prayed everyone starting clapping. I did not know what to do; I was just looking around hoping not be noticed not clapping.
I held my hands tightly together and made sure the teacher and was not looking. Later on in life, I heard people clapping in church after a quartet of men sang a song. There were a few ‘amens’ but mostly clapping. I thought ‘what is going on here and why are people clapping’. Nowadays it is common for everyone to clap over anything anyone does in church. If a preacher makes a good point while delivering his sermon, the congregation will clap and shout. How has this secular cultural practice entered our church and how does the bible address this issue.
There are several instances in the Old Testament that deals with clapping. First, it is an expression of joy at the ascension of a king. Second, an expression of joy because of the saving action of God. Third, it shows anger and disgust and lastly it expresses malicious joy. Clapping is used both positive and negative; in one instance in Psalms 47:1 the psalmist tells everyone to clap their hands because the Lord was being proclaimed King over the earth whereas in the opposite; the Lord clapped his hands in anger and disgust as a reaction to dishonest gain and to the blood spilled out by His people in Jerusalem.
One can come to the conclusion that depending on the circumstance determines whether one should clap or not. I feel it is inappropriate to clap in church after a person expresses their appreciation for God. If there is clapping needed at any point in church, I think it should come from a non-worship type of ceremony or the ushering in of the Spirit of God from the beginning of service. I am not sure but I believe there will be some clapping of hand s when the Lord returns. The clapping of hands may not be salvific but it can express the joy of receiving salvation.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 8
Clap Your Hands
While combing through the BRI documents, I scrolled down to the Practical Christian Living section and read the article on clapping in church. You may ask what does this have to do with salvation. It may mean nothing to some of you and just curiosity to others. I remember the first time I heard someone clap after a chaplain prayed. I was about 8 years old and my entire school was in an auditorium; after the chaplain prayed everyone starting clapping. I did not know what to do; I was just looking around hoping not be noticed not clapping.
I held my hands tightly together and made sure the teacher and was not looking. Later on in life, I heard people clapping in church after a quartet of men sang a song. There were a few ‘amens’ but mostly clapping. I thought ‘what is going on here and why are people clapping’. Nowadays it is common for everyone to clap over anything anyone does in church. If a preacher makes a good point while delivering his sermon, the congregation will clap and shout. How has this secular cultural practice entered our church and how does the bible address this issue.
There are several instances in the Old Testament that deals with clapping. First, it is an expression of joy at the ascension of a king. Second, an expression of joy because of the saving action of God. Third, it shows anger and disgust and lastly it expresses malicious joy. Clapping is used both positive and negative; in one instance in Psalms 47:1 the psalmist tells everyone to clap their hands because the Lord was being proclaimed King over the earth whereas in the opposite; the Lord clapped his hands in anger and disgust as a reaction to dishonest gain and to the blood spilled out by His people in Jerusalem.
One can come to the conclusion that depending on the circumstance determines whether one should clap or not. I feel it is inappropriate to clap in church after a person expresses their appreciation for God. If there is clapping needed at any point in church, I think it should come from a non-worship type of ceremony or the ushering in of the Spirit of God from the beginning of service. I am not sure but I believe there will be some clapping of hand s when the Lord returns. The clapping of hands may not be salvific but it can express the joy of receiving salvation.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 10
Salvation of the Stomach
Is there Salvation for the drunkard? Can someone explain to me why Christians should not drink? It seems to me all throughout the Old Testament people were always getting drunk, even God’s servant. I am not suggesting that I want to drink or support drinking for others; I just want to know why Christians do not have that option. A lot of other religions serve real wine for communion and I have Baptist friends who drink all the time and believe Jesus did likewise. We all know that Noah got drunk after the flood and the bible says Jesus turn water to wine and not grape juice.
Every Adventist I know use the same few text. There are also texts that can be used to support drinking; if you do not know them then I will not give them to you. (I do want to be viewed as supporting this notion) After reading the BRI document “Beer and wine: the bible’s counsel” I am still not totally convinced but maybe I should be. Leviticus 10:9 prohibits drinking from a priest in ministry; but why not prohibit it for everyone. Scholars keep pointing to fact that it says ‘strong drink’; how do we know how strong a drink they made in olden times.
I visited Spain on a vacation a while back (that place was wine country). They claim to make wine as strong as liquor. My wife and I saw two Navy sailors get sloppy drunk off that wine in less than a couple of hours. Maybe it is the wording “strong drink” that has me confused. I believe that if it is wrong it should not have the adjective ‘strong’ in front of it. The bible does not say strong pig or strong catfish; it simply tells not to eat it or even touch it. For some of you this blog may seem silly or non-important but when I find myself dealing with old friends or non-Christian in-laws this topic becomes very relevant for salvific purposes.
Many people believe the last supper was filled with the celebration of wine between Christ and His disciples. I personally do not believe it however I would love for someone to give me extra information because I am tired of hearing people say that the Pharisees accused Jesus of hanging out with drunkards therefore Jesus himself was like them (a drunkard too) and also using Jesus own words as testimony against Him “the Son of Man came drinking and eating…” The word unfermented is tossed around a lot but is the word unfermented used in the New Testament? I would appreciate some of you guys’ wisdom of the subject.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 11
God’s Call and Gift Never Withdrawn
I cannot speak for anyone else but I have been blessed by my readings in Romans. I was reading Roman 11:25-36; and I came across one verse that made my heart leap with great joy. (If you are reading this blog, stop and look at Romans 11:29 – it is powerful) Paul is addressing the pride of the Jews. Paul is speaking to the Gentiles letting them know God’s mercy is extended to them as well. He says God appointed him to be an apostle to them. Paul goes on to explain that the Jews had rejected God and so God offered to the Gentiles that same salvation.
Paul says that some of the Jews had broken off of Abraham’s tree while the gentiles were being grafted in from a wild olive tree; however he warned them not to brag about it because they were just branches and not the root. Paul did not want them to think highly of themselves because of what was taking place in the church. The Jews did not believe God whereas the Gentiles did. The danger for the Gentiles was falling in the same pitfalls of the Jews. Paul was warning them of this. Paul also wants them to know that God’s still has a place of the Jews.
This is wonderful news for us today because Paul’s says the reason for God doing this was because of the covenant He made 2000 years ago with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That covenant is still binding today!! Now this is my favorite verse that I was referring to at the beginning of my blog (Roman 11:29). The bible says “For God gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” Hallelujah!! This means God has committed Himself to our salvation. All of us!!! He will not take away what He has given (Jesus ‘sin’ covering blood) and His call on our lives (Holy Spirit working in us the will, doing, and finishing of God’s work in our lives). In other words, God is continuously working out our salvation.
In the military, it is called “no comrade or fallen soldier left behind.” Paul reveals God’s commitment to sinful humanity despite their constant rejection of Him. Unlike human beings, once God gives, and calls us to Him, we can always be sure that invitation is forever open. I read that verse over and over again because it compliments God’s words when God says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” We can depend on the Love of God to carry us through.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 12
A Life Serving Others
When we think about salvation, we often think about our relationship with God such as praying, reading, obedience to His laws and doing some kind of ministry. When asked, ‘which is the greatest commandment in the Law’, Jesus replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself…” This means we have a great responsibility to live our lives pleasing others instead of self.
Paul brings this out in Romans 15; he takes several different approaches. First, Paul instructs believers to be considerate of the doubts and fears of others who believe they are wrong in some of the things they teach. Second, that believers must treat others with the attitude of Christ. Third, believers must accept each other because Christ has accepted us all. Lastly, believers should follow Christ’s example of being a servant. We should serve others with the same desire and mercy as given by God. Paul delivers this important message because he wanted to remind them of how Christ came as a servant to Jews to fulfill the promises He made in the covenant with their fathers and to reveal the same mercies granted to the Gentiles. Although this message was attended for the Christians in Rome; it application is still necessary and binding to all Christians.
How often do we forget how important people are to God? I, myself struggle with this part of ministry. I do not consider myself a people person. Maybe it is just past bad experiences but I feel that the people I encounter always end up trying to use me. This is not my analysis, it is my reality. Even when I am trying to minister to someone or help them out, they never seen satisfied and ask for more than they need (not what I am will to give because I can be too generous at times). I am not struggling with meeting all God’s children with the attitude of Christ but it is hard continuing in a Christian relationship when people are constantly finding ways to manipulate their situation. Paul’s model for living to please others is biblical even from the O.T. point of view, but I am still struggling with the practicality of it all.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 13 Fear and Motivation
In reading Chapter 15 of Whidden’s book, it talks about the ‘Fear and the Nearness of Christ’s Coming’. Although many Christians do not admit it, many serve God out of fear; and the hurry to be prepared for the second coming is also motivated by that same fear. Many Christians confess that they serve God because they love Him (which I do not doubt) but how many would serve God if there was no punishment for sins or reward for acceptance. If there was no punishment for crimes than our society would quickly turn into anarchy. Despite what everyone wants to believe, punishment is what straightens out our character. We punish our children when they misbehave, society punishes us when or if we break the law and God will punish those who has trampled his laws in the Judgment.
This is just a real fact. So I believe that there should be some fear as the time draws near for Christ return only it should not be the primary motive behind Christians striving for perfection. Ellen White believed that Christians should be motivated by the Pre-Advent judgment, the time of trouble and the second coming of Christ to work on perfecting their characters. But it should be our primary motive; she stated that “the shortness of time is frequently urged as an incentive for seeking righteousness and making Christ our friend,” and any other motive would be considered selfishness. The bible gives specific details of the coming of Christ even saying “men’s heart failing them from fear”. Those are terrifying words. The bible does not give a description of the time of trouble but Jesus does say that if those days were not cut short all would be killed. Those are frightening words to the unlearned and unconverted Christian.
God has always warned man of the tragedy that awaits those who reject Him and I believe that it is used to get our attention however; I also believe it is through God’s love for us that He wants us to avoid His wrath. Ellen White says God gives us a theme of love and not fear to urge us in the time of preparation. Ellen advises us how to approach those times. She said, “Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking; ‘I am afraid, I shall not stand in the great testing day’ you are to live for the present, for this day only. Tomorrow is not yours. Today you are to maintain the victory over self.” This is a wonderful statement that brought me comfort as I read it. We should all keep these words to comfort those who feel the anxiety about their salvation. Ellen White’s words are not to be used only to rebuke others and stir up arguments in the church; they should also be used to bring peace to troubled minds and hearts.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 14
Putting Back the Christ in Christmas
I have read a lot of blogs and most of them are on Romans and Whidden’s book. There has not been a lot written on the ‘BRI’ documents. I suggest to all who are reading my blog to go to through those documents; it is a ton of useful and informative information about our beliefs, backed by biblical and other great sources. I love the Christmas holidays and found an article talking about Ellen White’s views on the observance of Christmas. I found it very informative and true to the chastisement of neglecting the real purpose of Christmas even in my own home. She (Ellen) says “When the world at large celebrates the day, they show no honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge Him as their Savior, to honor Him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.”
I hate to admit this, but I am one of those people who get so caught up in the Christmas holiday season and am guilty of ignoring that it is really suppose to be a representation of the joy of our Salvation (Christ Jesus). Prayerfully with this reminder, I will approach it different this year. We all know that December 25 is not the real birth date of Christ but Ellen proposes that this date is not essential to salvation, because if it was the Lord would have given it to prophets and apostles. She also says that parents should teach their children that Jesus is the world’s redeemer and that they should bring their gifts and offerings to Him like the wise men did instead of glorifying one another with gifts. She goes to say that children should not be left to their own amusement and pleasure seeking on that day but that parents have the responsibility of teaching their children that Christ purpose and cause was for the salvation of our souls.
I believe this is extremely important because, due to our parental neglect concerning the subject; children have become ungrateful brats that give parents a laundry list of things to buy. Parents then go and spend hundreds of dollars on items kids play with for a day or two. I was guilty of this too. I urge all to read this article because it was a blessing to me. Ellen’s entire purpose for writing about Christmas is so that we would not forget God. She says our first offerings should be to God and then can give gifts of love and remembrance to one another. She said we must remember that God is our best friend; and when we give gifts to others, we should make our gifts beneficiary to the receiver. I pray that I am able to change my values this holiday season.
Arthur Jennings Doctrine of Salvation Martin Hanna, Ph.D. November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 15
Living without Excuse
Paul gives us insight concerning living in the Spirit in Romans 8. Paul is referring to the freedom we received from Romans 7. Christ has broken the power of sin over us when He died. In chapter seven, Paul relates to the law to the binding of a man and woman but when one of them die, then the other one is free from that law; just as when Christ died the law no longer holds one in its power. We are crucified, baptized, experience death and raised with the Lord. We are no longer slaves to sin but free children of God. In chapter 8, Paul proposes that we should live by and in this new freedom. He says God destroyed sin’s control over us through the death of Christ so that we may no longer give into following our sinful nature but instead follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Paul says “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” How does this work? Does this mean that even though I am a believing Christian and my thoughts are sinful; am I doomed? Because Paul says if your sinful nature controls your mind there is death. The answer is No, because as Paul expressed in chapter 7, that the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. What Paul is proposing is that Christ broke the power of sin over us and that we have no obligation to continue to give in to sinful urges. I lot of Christians still say the same old things like “I cannot help myself, I am just and sinner;” others use scripture to justify their short comings. “I was born in sin and shapened in iniquity.”
Paul says they are liars and that they do not have to give in those wicked desires. Paul says that believers should not be fearful slaves but act in the boldness of God. Yet, Paul does not say that we want struggle through our Christian experience. We will struggle, but it is Christ that brings us to deliverance. Lastly, Paul does not hide the suffering of the believer; he says if we are to share in Christ glory, we must share in His suffering too. However the suffering is in no way equal to all the glory which will be given to us later. Paul says that we must wait patiently with confidence in the Lord because the Holy Spirit will help us in times of our distress. In every portion of chapter 8 Paul reveals the action of the Trinity working diligently for our Salvation.
If I was to make a prudent statement abut what i could say about the objective Justification, I will say that the promise of the good news made to all who hear it is always true whether or not it is believed, but the promise is only taken by faith.
And by saying "by faith" it does not meant that it is not really. Many think that because it is by faith then faith makes it real. It is really whether we believe i tor not. Our faith just made us to be conscious of this Salvation Giver ans it changes our relationship with Him, from our perspective. I will even go further to say that the only reality is the what God is and what He does, believing in what it does it coming to the ultimate reality.
Believing is the only way to receive a promise, as the same article paraphrases Romans 4:16; Abraham, the pattern of justification by faith, simply believed the true promise made to him (Romans 4). In fact, the objectivity of justification is what makes receiving it by faith possible. For if the gospel is that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their sins against them, then, by the gift of the Holy Spirit and on the authority of the Scriptures, I can know that I have been justified. Upon believing the good news proclaimed by the apostles, I become subjectively justified, saved from the curse of the law.
On the other hand, if the sacred writings do not promise me that Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world, then I am left asking, “What must I do to be saved?”
I have been exploring that new definition of predestination that we study in class and I have been going over and over again the text in Rom 8 just to check again what was at the core in that text... We come to a temporarily conclusion that the key word was called.
Something came to me as I was going thru it that what if God had to save us objectively before called us. Meaning there would not have been any calling if we were not saved objectively by God. and by saying 'us' I mean the whole world, as Paul put it in 2Cor. 5:19, that God was in Christ reconciling the whole world to Himself. if we see that way we will undertand better that, there could not have been people selected by God who alone would enjoy this great privilege.
in 2 Tim 1:9, we read "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" unlike in Rom, the words of Paul seems to be more specific and clearer. He actually said that we were saved to be called. And I see saved here as justified. I believe that God did a work more than a mere provision in Christ. He even destroyed the death that was destined to us, there is one death destined for Human being, and that one Jesus in dying for us destroyed. He did for anybody and everybody..but you may ask me what about the death that some will experience at the end, i will say that it will be the one destined for Satan and His angel as Jesus said in Matthew 25.
All this, depends on how we define justification. We can see as see as completed when Christ became one with us in His incarnation; we can see it as fulfilled already by Him dying for us, or by the fact that we are already reconciled with God.
But I will be prudent to see it as God sees it.As Kenneth Wuest put it, in Studies In The Vocabulary of The Greek New Testament, "God is the objective standard of which determines the content of meaning of "justification" and at the same time keep that content of meaning constant and unchanging, since He is the unchanging One."
HE said this after saying "In understanding the words justify and righteous, as they are used in the NT, it would be kept in mind that their meaning is not a subjective one but an objective one."
One of the main reason why many are reluctant on the a objective justification is that it would break the freedom of choice that He gave us.
We think always that only those who believe in Christ are the ones who are in Christ..It is true in a sense that only those who believe are found in Christ, but we shall not say no to a possibility of every one even those who do not believe to be in Christ.
I believe that when God for a body to Christ as stated in Ps. 40, he put everybody in Him, ( without excluding the also the other side of the coin that God put only those who believe the gospel). and by so doing He did not break our freedom of choice. When from the foundation of the world, when God was setting the plan of salvation in His mind, He did not also violate our freedom of choice though we were not yet created. And when He realized this in 200 years ago, He did not violate our will power neither did He tread on our freedom of choice; and these two phases are the objective justification, and the only one. I believe that the only way for us to know that He did not violate our freedom of choice He gave us the opportunity or the privilege to accept the fact that we are already accepted in the Beloved.
If I can still remember well the presentation made bad Alicia in class, where she describes the different kinds of covenants and the way she showed the uniqueness of the Abrahamic one, I see objectivity in the that covenant.
It is said that a covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.
The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. God made promises to Abraham that required nothing of Abraham. Genesis 15:18-21 describes a part of the Abrahamic Covenant, specifically dealing with the dimensions of the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The actual Abrahamic Covenant is found in Genesis 12:1-3. The ceremony recorded in Genesis 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. The only time that both parties of a covenant would pass between the pieces of animals was when the fulfillment of the covenant was dependent upon both parties keeping commitments. Concerning the significance of God alone moving between the halves of the animals, it is to be noted that it is a smoking furnace and a flaming torch, representing God, not Abraham, which passed between the pieces. Such an act, it would seem, should be shared by both parties, but in this case it is doubtless to be explained by the fact that the covenant is principally a promise by God. He is the one who binds Himself. God caused a sleep to fall upon Abraham so that he would not be able to pass between the two halves of the animals. Fulfillment of the covenant fell to God alone.
God determined to call out a special people for Himself through whom He would bring blessing to all the nations. The Abrahamic Covenant is paramount to a proper understanding of the kingdom concept and is foundational to Old Testament theology. (1) The Abrahamic Covenant is described in Genesis 12:1–3 and is an unconditional covenant. There are no conditions attached to it (no “if” clauses, suggesting its fulfillment is dependent on man). (2) It is also a literal covenant in which the promises should be understood literally. The land that is promised should be understood in its literal or normal interpretation—it is not a figure of heaven. (3) It is also an everlasting covenant. The promises that God made to Israel are eternal.
One thing We always say is that though it may be objectively done, Justification will be always presented to man that he may accept it by faith.
the Power of the doctrine of salvation resides in the unconditional the message itself. It was in God plans that we could understand that the salvation that HE wrought for man is unconditional; therefore any conditional that there could ever be in His plan has to come from man himself, that if man was not thrust t away he would not have any problem in benefiting from it.
Jesus did something for us unconditionally. He died for us, giving life to everybody, believers and unbelievers alike. and The fact that resurrection will be given to all of us, will prove that salvation had been wrought for all of us, and by that i mean the objective Justification.
I think that what Jesus wanted to make us understand when He had the covenant with Noah; notice that He had even with non-intelligent beings also. "And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 9:10 And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth."
the power of the Gospel resides in something already accomplished. and Isaiah 40 report the words of God saying:"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
There is another part of the In Christ motif that came to me when I was considering how many possibilities or how many ways we can explain the meaning of In-Christ.
Paul wrote: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. "
this gives us the idea that there is way also that Paul was not in Christ, but was hoping to be found in Him when He comes. He preached that we are risen in Christ, but he is speaking of resurrection here as something that he actually hoping to experience. We can by this see the scope of this Pauline phrase. it covers eternity past to eternity to come, and passing through the present.
We cannot limit that phrase to what God had accomplished in the pas there to what He is doing here today, by putting people who believe in Jesus.
assigment #12 Is Jesus waiting for the gospel to be spread throughtout the entire world for his return to happen? I have heard that in order for Jesus to return the gospel has to be spread throughout the world. But I have to ask hasn't the gospel already been spread throughout the entire world? also is this really what is delaying the return of Jesus? I don't know. But it seems the gospel has already been spread throughou the wolrd. the spreading of the gospel began in the Old Testament after Adam and Eve made bad choices. I would also go as far to say the Adam and Eve both I would think told Cain and Abel there first seed about the goodness, mercy, greatness, of God. who shared it with there children. population increased, began to spread out and nations were being formed, but what happened to the gospel. God's image became distorted, and the bible discribes how people began living for themselve instead of for God. God was forgotten. I don't think he was forgotten, but that people began worshiping and forming God's to fit there lifestyles and others just like today followed. Because of his image being so distorted, and because of him being forgotten nations like Eygpt had to be shown who the true God was and his mighty power. I would say that God spread the gospel in Egypt and because of all the miracles he did there his glory was known throughout the other nations. Then the Israelites begin fighting war as they traveled through the wilderness in search for the promise land. God was most certainly spreading the gospel everywhere they went.
assigment # 12 When we look at the story of Numbers 22 Balak the king of the Moabites feared the Israelites. Why? The bible say's that he was afrain of the people because they were many. but if you keep reading the story he sent for Balaam who must have been a prophet to curse them. After many discussion with God Balaam finally goes with the men that Balak sent to retrieve him. Blut once he gets there he tells him of the God that is with them, and blesses them instead of cursing them. God's gospel was spread here, Balak saw the people a multitude he couldn't even number, but also Balaam confirming the majestic power of God. My point The gospel was spread to nations, no one did not know about God.Another example would be Joshua 6:1-5 God instructs a group of fighting men and seven priests with ram horns to suround the wall of Jericho. For six days they march around this wall. And on the seventh day they along with the people yell, the priest blow the rams horns, and the wall comes tumbling down. Who do you think did not hear about this miraculous act of God. After that the Israelite people fight the people of AI and destroy the nation. It say's in Joshua 9:1 all the kings of the West of Jordan River heard about what had happen. So my point is that the gospel was spread. God showed his mighty power throughout the nations, and he even showed his mercy because he allowed provision for anyone who was willing to accept him and become apart of the Israelite nation. But what kind of gospel was this. Well I would say that God wanted to show the nations that he existed, he wanted to show them that he was mightier than all of those imatations that they were serving, I would also say that he wanted to show them that he was the real true God, but then he showed his mercy how he took a people who were slaves, the lowest of the pit, made them into a mighty nation, and gave them place of their own to call home and worship him freely. Is this gospel I would say it is. so what happened? instead of these people continuing to spread his gospel once they reached the promised land, they instead became a who rejected their God, and wanted to be like the nations, they also refused to share His gospel, they kept it to themselves and looked down on other people. And was the gospel spread throughout the nations I say it was
Even when you look at the time that Jesus was here, performing miracles, the acts of the Apostles, and Paul who spread the gospel far and wide. But let's go even further today the gospel is spread all over the world by satelite, people can hear the gospel on radio, telvision, inter-net, and the list goes on. So is it that Jesus is waiting for the gospel to be spread to the world, or is it that God is giving those time who He knows that truly love him time to really accept Jesus and his image to be formed in them.
assignment #13 what is humanity? the bible describes humanity as beings that were created by God. It addresses the fact that these beings were created in the image of God. So it would be fair to say that Adam was our first example of humanity. But searchng throughout history it has been shown that the image that was to be humanity was distorted by sin, and it(the image) was molded into something other than what was first intended to be called humanity. But I think I am fair to say Jesus showing up on the scene became our second example of humanity. His explified character of what God intended man to be like was a excellent replica of what God first intended man to display. His loyalty to God, his compassion toward his fellow beings, and his humble spirit. Not that he was weak, but only because he always knew where his strength came from, and his power. Jesus is bread of life he is the gift from God that sustains us. knowing him, following him fills our bellies til we are full. he is the light of life, knowing him frees us from any chain, shackels, habits that may be hindering his glory from shining through. Jeus is freedom, he is food, he is the resurrections that brings us back from a life that was full of death, hopeless, and despair. What is humanity it is Jesus!
assignment # 14 The gift of tongue I have heard many people speak in tongue. I myself use to speak it. Before I go into whether it is biblical or not, I want to say that some are taught to speak in tongue. They attend churches that believe the only evidence of the Holy Spirit manifested in your life is being able to speak in tongue. This I totally disagree with. But there is another class who speak in tongue through a gift from God. There are those who do not try to use this language for any other purpose than to share a relationship with God from the heart. The language spoken is only between them and God and many of times it is only spoken in the privacy of one's home or silently in the church. It this gift biblical? the Apostles on the day of Pentecost was given the gift of tongue to share the gospel in other languages so that people could understand in there own language. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor 14:22 therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers, but prophesying isnot for unbelievers but for those who believe. What doe he mean? It looks to me that he is refering to the time at Penecost when God had give the language of tongue to manifest himself, and to spread his gospel. but in 1 Cor 12:10 the Apostle speaks of of those who pocess the gift of different kinds of tonues. 1 Cor 12:29 he addresses the speaking of tongues again in verse 30 Do all speak with tongues. in Chapter 13 he say's though I speak wit the tongues of men and of angels, but have ot love, I have become sounding brass or changing cymbal. is the gift of tongue biblical, from the way I see it in the bible it is. But I would say that if it has no purpose other than to share a relationship with God and the person then, I believe it should be done in private. I could honestly say though when I did speak in tongue to God I believed in my heart that my relationship with God was at another level, do I still speak in it? No, I find there is no need for me too I believe that my relationship, and the love I have for him is manifested not by my ability to speak in another language to him but it is how I live,treat my fellow brothers/sisters and my loyalty to him. So don't be too hard on those who speak the language of tongue, some have a genuine belief that this language is bringing them closer to God, and it is a production of the Holy Spirit manifesting in their lives.
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers. I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer. For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way. I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers. I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer. For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way. I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers. I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer. For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way. I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers. I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer. I think that theology may get in the way of the simple things of Salvation sometimes but not all the times, we do need theology and the deeper thinkers in order to deal with the tough issues. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out a few weeks ago with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation x Evolution issue. I presented one of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 10 Reflection
Comment by Marco Quarteroli
The assurance of salvation Chester is one of my struggles since the day I accepted Adventism in my life. I was 18 years old and been raised Catholic I thought that all I had to do was to fulfill the sacraments and go to church that I would be saved. God showed me through Adventism that salvation came from other source Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross but how can I be sure that I am saved? That was and kind still is the question hat haunts my dreams at night. I know that there can be no doubt that Jesus provided salvation through His Sacrifice on the cross, no discussion on that matter. But how can I be sure of my own salvation is another issue. I have a hard time with some religions that profess salvation as something guaranteed, that Jesus saved us once and forever. Well I know also that I may lose my salvation along the way if I don’t do God’s will. So salvation presents two roles for two different actors: one role if acted by God, he sacrificed His Son on the cross and provided salvation for all mankind; another role is acted by the one who wants to be saved, acting upon the predetermined outlines for salvation that God provided. But still how can I be sure? I am quoting Saint Augustine now: “ when I look at myself I don’t see how I can be saved, when I look at the cross I don’t see how I can be lost”. The question still remains but somehow the deeper I go into it the more I am fascinated by God’s grace and love fro the lost.
The wrath of God is presented as an essential part of his divine character and I happen to agree on the basis of the bible that both are part of his character. His wrath is as present as His love and both are clearly presented in His Word. But I happen to disagree that because god is love he has to be also a God of wrath and to deny one is to deny the other. God is sovereign and all powerful not bound to anything human or of his own realm, I am always very fearful of putting limitations to God, God can do anything, he knows everything, he is all and all- he is knowledgeable of sin and evil, and to limit God in any aspect of to turn him into something created and not eternal. We waste so much time trying to understand God’s nature beyond what is revealed in His Word that we may run the risk of making God the way we want him to be. As we try to dissect God and make Him visible and comprehensible we run the risk also of starting a discussion that will never have and end as it is placed in the realm of speculations and not in the realm of reality. God is God and Eternal and that it. To discuss the wrath of God is very useful within the scriptures as it presents his hate for sin (and Hasel was really fortunate on this point in his article) but I disagree with the need for it. The hate for sin can lead to many reactions and one especially, brings fear to my heart: if we concentrate in God’s wrath we may forget about his love. I understand the purpose of the article and I understand it may be helpful sometimes to go about this matter with the church. I just don’t want to see my church focusing on the fear of judgment stead of the fear of God.
Dario Ferreira Doctrine of Salvation Assignment #13
In the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul addresses some aspects of Christian conduct. Verses 1-7 speak of Christian conduct concerning the ideal state. Paul wrote in order to establish general rules about what should be the attitude of believers towards the earthly rulers. The message of the apostle is that we must yield to those authorities; it is God who determines the human authorities. The statement that Paul makes in verses 1-7 about the need to pay taxes we are required by the human government, seems to have suggested that we should not be liable to men in anything, however, we must show willing to comply and pay all our debts, not prolonged unnecessarily. Paul wanted us to live within our means. Paul then says that love is the only permissible debt for the believers. Paul also shows the need for consecration in the face of the coming crisis (vv. 11-14). Paul echoed what the Lord Jesus said in Revelation 22:12-20 – “Behold I come quickly.” Paul expected the return of Jesus in his day, and advises the believers to live in such a way as to be ready for the meeting with him. This was also his hope.
In Chapter 14 Whidden deals with “Perfection Before 1888.” For Ellen White, Perfection is the goal of sanctification. She said: “We can overcome. Yes, fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation.”(1T, 144). Whidden has some distinct qualities of Perfection: Perfection is an experience that results from full surrender and consecration to God's will and His guide in life; Perfection requires an active effort; Perfection is an experience that results of sanctification; Perfection is accompanied by strict obedience; A perfect obedience must be symmetrical; Believers perfect, still being subject to temptations; Feelings and impressions are not determining factors for a genuine experience of perfection, but to move forward in faith, trusting the clear promises of God’s word. The Ellen White perfection negatively meant the absence of an attitude of excuse or cherishing sin and the performance of willful and premeditated acts of sinning. In other words, Perfection for Ellen White meant doing the best one could do. Ellen White also points to three characteristics that reflect traits of perfection in the spiritual experience of the believer: Unity, Humility and, Patience. Whidden ends this chapter with an intriguing question that makes us think more deeply at the perfection to be found in every believer: “How perfect is the perfection required of the saints who will make it through the time of trouble and will meet Jesus in peace at His second coming?
I found it very useful and enlightening the thirteenth document on salvation, entitled “Some Problems with Legal Justification.” In it, Ángel Manuel Rodríguez presents some problems so succinctly, clearly seen when studying Legal Justification Universal. Among those he has, I cite those who in my opinion are the most serious: • The misuse of the Pauline phrase “in Christ.” For if we are “in Christ” as we are “in Adam,” then we would be doing some kind of contribution to our own salvation; • The non-biblical understanding of Christ’s substitutionary death. Universal Legal Justification teaches called “Shared Substitution.” But, “Who took the other share?” The definition of “Shared substitution” is very confusing and allows a series of misunderstandings. And once again suggests that we make some kind of contribution to our salvation by being in Christ.
I thoroughly enjoyed the comments you made in chapters 7 and 8 of Romans. I found it very shocking to their placement, that Christ broke the power of sin and we do not need more compromising. This really is the message of Paul; Christ destroyed sin's control over us through the death of Christ.
Good point. Suffering is part of the believer's life. Must be something expected and according to Paul and the entire New Testament makes it clear that the Christian life is not devoid of suffering. Paul knew what it was to suffer for Christ, as you said, if we want to share the glory of Christ, we must share His suffering too.
The wrath of God is presented as an essential part of his divine character and I happen to agree on the basis of the bible that both are part of his character. His wrath is as present as His love and both are clearly presented in His Word. But I happen to disagree that because god is love he has to be also a God of wrath and to deny one is to deny the other. God is sovereign and all powerful not bound to anything human or of his own realm, I am always very fearful of putting limitations to God, God can do anything, he knows everything, he is all and all- he is knowledgeable of sin and evil, and to limit God in any aspect of to turn him into something created and not eternal. We waste so much time trying to understand God’s nature beyond what is revealed in His Word that we may run the risk of making God the way we want him to be. As we try to dissect God and make Him visible and comprehensible we run the risk also of starting a discussion that will never have and end as it is placed in the realm of speculations and not in the realm of reality. God is God and Eternal and that it. To discuss the wrath of God is very useful within the scriptures as it presents his hate for sin (and Hasel was really fortunate on this point in his article) but I disagree with the need for it. The hate for sin can lead to many reactions and one especially, brings fear to my heart: if we concentrate in God’s wrath we may forget about his love. I understand the purpose of the article and I understand it may be helpful sometimes to go about this matter with the church. I just don’t want to see my church focusing on the fear of judgment stead of the fear of God.
“Faith must be sustained by works; the doers of the work are justified before God.” I like this quote by Ellen White that Whidden points out. She says that “faith must be sustained” and the way to sustain your faith is by doing good works. It’s so easy to get hung up on one side in the whole works vs. faith debate. It’s too easy to look at a statement like the one above and say, “see works have a lot to do with our justification, possibly more than faith, because faith cannot be kept without works”. But as we have been reading this book on Ellen White and reading through Romans we have been trying to see a more holistic approach, one that doesn’t lean to heavily on one side, but seeks the balance between the two. I like the idea of sustaining faith. For me I think that I often have this attitude of either you have faith or you don’t and I don’t think enough about how to hold on to faith, how to sustain it. That’s why I like this quote because it’s a reminder that faith is something that must be held on to, not simply something that you get or have that begins the spiritual journey with God. Faith is that key element that must exist throughout your entire journey with God, without the journey stops or takes detours that are in no way helpful in getting you to the destination God has for you. Whidden also points out that “Whatever the investigative judgment meant for perfection, it is clear that Ellen White used it to assure God’s people that they have One as their high priest who gladly secures “pardon and deliverance,” despite the “sinfulness of their lives.” With Christ as our advocate, we need not cower before the accusations of the great adversary.” I like this because it points out the simple, beautiful, truth about the sanctuary doctrine and that is that we have Christ on our side and ministering on our behalf. The investigative judgment has been at the middle of some very heated debate and a subject of confusion for many, but hopefully we can begin to do better at showing the joy of having Christ as our advocate and the fact that we need not fear judgment because Christ is working to declare us innocent. I like the end of Romans 9, verses 30 -33. Paul points out that both Gentiles and Jews pursued righteousness, which is a good thing, but they each pursued it in a different way. The Jews “pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” So they both were working toward the same end, but you can only reach the goal by approaching it the right way. Righteousness must be pursued, but it must be pursued by faith, you cannot attain it by working hard. This brings balance to the first quote I noted at the beginning of this. Works have their place and faith has its place. You cannot keep one and give up on the other, both are important.
I really like that translation that you shared of Romans 7:8. And the mirror analogy is awesome too. I like how you said that sin points out all the things wrong with us that we cannot change. That's so true and definately we need to remember this because all too often we try to fix everything we see that's wrong with us rather than letting God clean us up. Thanks for the good words.
assigment # 14 Should Christians observe the Israelite Festivals? I enjoyed this article by Frank Holbrook I do not blieve that Christians today are bound to keep the festivals that were given to the Israelite people. My first would be because they were Jewish, even though God had made provision for any one who had come among the Israelites to be apart of them. I think that he had given those customs directly to the Jewish people and now that Christianity has migrated Jew and Gentile I would say those customs also were done away with when the Jews rejected God and chose to go back into slavery. Also I would sas that just like it was mandatory for the Jewish nation to be circumcised to be recognized by God, but today it is through our faith in Christ Jesus that we are recognized by God. Also as I read Acts 15: 4-21 The Apostles got to gether to talk about the Gentiles recruitment into Christianity. The issue of keeping the Law, and circumcision. When the Apostles and elders came together to consider the matter Peter made the statement that even though they were not a Jew God instilled in them the Holy Spirit through their faith, and made no distinction between them and Gentiles. During this meeting the Apostles settled the matter and only made the requirements for them to obstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality from things stngled, and blood. So I ask the question again should Christians have to observe the Festival given to the Israelite people, because we profess to be spiritual Israel? I would say no only because the Israelite nation held those festival in reguard to there custom. They were a reflection of their graditude toward God for all he had done for them. We too hold a festival toward God through our faith in Jesus Christ in graditude for all that he has done for us on the cross. Our lives should be a reflection of that graditude, and our hearts should be constantly praising God for his goodness that he pours on our lives daily. No in my opinion I don't believe we are required to still hold those festivals that were required by the Jewish people.
Paul says that “the righteousness that is by faith says. . . “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.”(Rom 10:6, 8). I was doing some thinking about this idea and it’s amazing what an impact this belief could have on a life. Paul is saying that those that seek and have a righteousness by faith have that righteousness because the word is in their mouth and in their hearts. Christ is so close that not only the belief but also the understanding of righteousness by faith is imbedded into your very life. Those that have a righteousness by faith actually walk, move, and breathe with the understanding that Christ is everything to them and does everything for them and to save them. On any given day there can be a lot of things in my heart and I can say a lot of things, but I have to ask myself if everyday and every minute do I have this understanding in my heart? Is it the source of my words to others? Does it determine how I act or react in different situations? Then Paul says in verse 13 that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And I love how he points how that in order to “call on the name of the Lord” you have to first believe, and you can’t believe without having heard the message, and you can’t hear the message without anyone having preached it. There is a sequence to these things that Paul is pointing out. It’s also cool to think back and to ask “why do I call on the name of the Lord today?” If you follow the sequence that Paul lays out for the answer to this question you end up thinking of how it is you came to believe, which then gets you thinking about who it was that you heard teaching you something about God. This sequence takes you back to the people and experience that has led you to call on God today and to live for Him today. For me it was something that a basketball coach at my high school said when I was a freshman. It’s crazy too, because what he said about God wasn’t even said to me, but I heard about and in a round about way it came full circle to find me and that coach both standing up for God in the same way over something that God had put in our hearts to do. I never told that guy what a difference he made in my life, I hope someday I will have the chance and I hope that God is still working on Him and doing good things through him. We all have a story and the story starts with how we heard and came to believe in God. And every story is amazing, because every story exists because God was the one that created that experience for you and helped you see Him just when you needed to and in the exact way you needed to see Him.
I have been struck lately with this thought: “ Human beings have a hard time forgiving themselves so how does that play in the matter of salvation?” When I think about what God has done in order to save us and the cost he paid, I often wonder if having difficulty forgiving ourselves is offensive to God. Would it be a lack of faith to not forget our bad deeds and be traumatized sometimes for life for what we did? I know God “hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea”, Micah 7:19. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” Hebrews 8:12; these verses point out that God forgives and forgets but what about humans? We tend to have a hard time forgiving and even more difficult time forgetting especially when it is about our own sins. So I struggle with the fact that as humans we fail to forget our own sins and the enemy takes advantage of that to discourage us and leads us into doubting God’s forgiveness because of our inability to forgive ourselves. The book of Romans is filled with statements about how God forgives our sins and provides redemption for a fallen race; He has no problem making us white as snow and righteous once more by the blood of Christ. Why is it so hard for us to do the same about ourselves? Is it the shame? Is it just the constant reminder that we are weak and fail? May be this is not a real theological issue but it is for certain an important one…
Whidden talks of the time of 1888 and Ellen Whites messages and points out that she “saw the Church in great crisis. This crisis had its roots in both doctrinal misconceptions about justification and obvious failure to experience what the doctrine sought to describe.” This makes me wonder which is a bigger problem for the church today: doctrinal misconceptions or failure to experience what he doctrines are describing? I’m sure it’s a little of both, but what I think people want more than understanding of doctrines is understanding of how those doctrines can change their life and be experience in a positive way by them and those they interact with day to day. I think there is longing for a practical, where the rubber meets the road, type of teaching concerning the teachings of Adventism. I do think that there are a lot of Adventist that understand just enough about our doctrines, but don’t care to know more because there is no understanding of why more needs to be known. I see a lot of Adventist claiming Adventism on one hand, but on the other they definitely know what they believe that doesn’t quite line up with Adventism. I’m not trying be negative or look at the glass half-empty, but I am just thinking of a lot of my friends and what it is that they are needing most from Adventism. I think, maybe I’m wrong, that they are wanting less explanation of rules and more evidence of lives changed by the message that Adventism teaches. I think they want to see and experience the practicality the doctrines of Adventism and how they help them experience Christ in a very real way. I think that too often when they ask questing wanting to know more about the experience with God they get answers that try to right doctrinal misunderstandings rather than receiving an initiation into a life changing experience. Just some random thoughts. Paul says something very interesting in chapter 11 verse 15 speaking of the Jews, “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” I’m not quite sure if I understand all that Paul is implying when he talks about how Israel has rejected the message and because of that the Gentiles have received salvation, but this verse I thing helps me out with getting closer to understanding. It seems as if he is saying that even though the Jews rejected righteousness by faith that was not the plan and did not need to happen, but even though it did happen and it was bad God has brought something good from it; that is salvation to the Gentiles. And so it seems like Paul says if good can come from something bad, how much more good could come from the Jews actually accepting the message.
I love Romans 12: 1, 2. The idea of worship is interesting to me. I like the picture of worship that is given here, that worship is living a life that is holy and pleasing to God. This text puts worship in everyday life, it challenges the idea that worship is something that happens on a designated hour once a week at a church building. Paul shows us that worship is more than a once a week event, it is how we live our lives all we do should be worship. At the church I was last working at there was a lot of discussion, and heated debate, over what worship was. Unfortunately the discussions and complaints all centered around the hour long event on Sabbath morning. Not once when seeking to better understand worship did someone in the congregation hint at the idea that worship was bigger than what we do on Sabbath morning. An unfortunately the things that were argued for and defended so passionately really had nothing to do with how to worship God better, but had a lot more to do with resisting change and holding on to comfort. I read this text in Romans 12 a lot during that time to help me remember that despite what others say or what others are mad at me about, God has called me to be accountable to Him and I want to always be seeking to please him and living my life as a living sacrifice. In reading this text just now I noticed some things that I didn’t put together before. Paul says “in view of God’s mercy”, basically he is saying this is the reason to offer yourself up as a “living sacrifice”. In fact in Romans 12:1 we see Paul saying that when confronted by the mercy of God we should be overwhelmed and so moved that we respond and that response should be worship. Worship is response. It is response to having experienced God. When we encounter God we should never leave and go out without the intent to do something for God. Worship is the encounter with God, but it doesn’t end there worship continues as we go and live in such a way that our day to day life is worship to God. I am guilty of the same thing, guilty of going to church for one hour and then leaving and thinking that was a good worship service and having experience true worship, but then not moving past that when I leave the church building. I am guilty of too often not letting worship be a part of my daily life. And Paul reminds us here that worship is a big and awesome thing and that we should not limit it.
This chapter opens with a question Paul is making on the doctrine of justification by faith that might have been misinterpreted, which its if we sin do we see more God’s grace? And he himself answers that question. Once conversion occurred in our lives the old self is dead, so it is impossible to keep on living on that dead self (sinful self). There is a difference between living in sin and committing occasional sin. Living in sin signifies that I like it and I don’t want to turn away from it, and don’t want to do His will. Once conversion happens and all of that dies then we are earnestly seeking His will. But of course we are humans and weak, so occasional sin will occur. Ellen G White says “In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life.” (Great Controversy p. 468) A special bond is created with Jesus, when the person is baptized. Baptism “immersion” is a public proclamation that the person has accepted and has died to the sinful life just like Jesus died for our sins. Not only died to the old self but also raised to the new life just like Jesus did. Because we are slaves for sin, we need to break that bondage that we have created with sin, and by doing that is being crucified so the bondage can break. Conversion is not just me saying I want to be change or changing some habits of my life, but it’s a complete change that happens from inside and only God can help us accomplish that. So now we become devoted to a new master. We need to make sure this is a true repentance and not just moved by the emotions. Ellen G White says “the new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.” (MS 148) I think in verse 9 is key “we are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead and he will never die again.” We believe that He will be alive forever meaning we are too going to live with Him forever and always be free from the bondage of sin. Our decisions should be based on the new person and not on the dead sinful self. The new life is now devoted to God, so everything that we do should be pleasing to Him. Even though our old life died we are still inside the human body with the same temptations. So sin is still a strong influence over us. That is why we need to have a daily conversion. “Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul is surrendered to God. The will and even the thoughts are brought into subjection to the will of Christ. The love of Jesus fills the soul, and is constantly going out in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad the hearts of others.” (Ellen G White, MS 33) Remember that the result of serving sin is death, but to have life is a gift that we don’t even need to work on just accepting it and following a new Master who sets us free from the horrible bondage of sin. We can only receive that gift by bonding to Him.
Paulo Tenorio Assignment 7 Paul starts with the illustration of marriage to show the transition from being under law to being under grace and how this changes everything. Paul’s point with the illustration is that the law is impossible to save us, only grace can bring us salvation. When we die to our old self we have no more obligation under sin and so now we have the freedom to become bonds with Jesus. The law is not the source for why we have our sinful desires but rather the function of the law its to show us that we are in sin. It doesn’t save us! Ellen G White describes it, “ judged by a human standard he had abstained from sin, but when he looked into the depths of God’s law, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation, and confessed his guilt. He did not go away from the mirror and forget what manner of man he was, but he exercised genuine repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ.” The law brings us to accept that we are too sinful and we need the free gift of salvation that Jesus is offering to us. But let’s remember that the law is good and pure, that God was the one who created it. It reveals to us the character of God and what He is like. Jesus demonstrated with His own life that the law can be kept and we saw the results of keeping the law. Because the accusation of Satan that he puts in our minds is that the law is impossible to follow and is unjust, the same accusation that Satan has on God, of being unjust. When Paul describes his struggle with sin had to be describing his present struggle not before he was converted. Firstly because the verbs are in present tense and also because he has a desire to do good and a person who is unconverted cannot be showing the desire to good. But regardless of when Paul wrote this his main point is so valid for us today. The law identifies our struggles, flaws, and sinful desires even though it does all of that we need to realize that only through Jesus we could be free of guilt and break those bonds. The intensity of our struggles varies on each person and our walk. It doesn’t mean that we got baptized we are completely free from the sinful desires but rather it is a day-by-day struggle. Paul himself was “ a constant conflict with self… His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God.” (Ellen G White MH 452-453) The Christian walk is of hard battles with our human self. In verse 14, Paul again repeats himself like verse 12 that the law is not responsible for the sins, the law is “holy, just and good.”
Paulo Tenorio Assignment 8 It begins with the good news of that Jesus came to save us from sin and not condemn us as sinners. If we commit to Him and accept the gift He has given us than we have freedom. The law only points out the right way but it doesn’t save us. We need to remember that God didn’t sent His Son to take away the law or change it. Look what Ellen G White says, “the law of God is the mirror to show man the defects in his character. But it is not pleasant to those who take pleasure in unrighteousness to see their moral deformity. They do not prize this faithful mirror, because it reveals to them their sins. Therefore, instead of instituting a war against their carnal minds, they war against the true and faithful mirror, given them by Jehovah for the very purpose that they may not be deceived, but that they may have revealed to them the defects in their character.” To only think of the gratification of those sinful desires only brings death. Our sinful mind is very hard to submitting to the law of God. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit are we able to go under submission and have total obedience to the law. When God first created us, our hearts and the law were in harmony, it was written inside of us, but after sin, it has caused a separation and now our hearts is full in rebellion against the law. That is why it is impossible for a man to obey the law by his own because his sinful self and wont let it happen. But when we surrender and we die to our old sinful self, we are giving the Holy Spirit to take control and He is the only who can make it happen. Look what Ellen G White says about what it takes place when we are restored through Jesus, “Though the moral image was almost obliterated by the sin of Adam, through the merits and power of Jesus it may be renewed. Man may stand with the moral image of God in his character, for Jesus will give it to him. Unless the moral image of God is seen in man, he can never enter the city of God as a conqueror.” This chapter finishes with beautiful words. Paul list ten things that cannot separate us from God’s love. And the last one is so broad that pretty much covers everything. Paul was trying to make the point that nothing that our minds can think, can separate a Christian from the love of God. Paul reaches the point of the letter in where salvation comes by faith. This faith is placed on the person who loves us so much that He made everything possible to offer us salvation.
Paulo Tenorio Assignment 9 Paul now turns from the happy ending in chapter 8 to something that causes Paul “bitter sorrow and unending grief.” Paul just can’t understand how the Jews, chosen to be God’s people had rejected Jesus and the gospel. The gospel was bringing salvation to them and they were rejecting it. Paul knew that for many of his people, the Jews, consider him a traitor and I think that is why he expresses this issue with such sincerity and with strong words. The statement in verse 6 can be referring to the deity of Jesus. What greater blessing was it for the people of Israel to have all of those manifestations? We see the scenario if Abraham and Sarah. Isaac was chosen as the child who will be carrying the promise even though it wasn’t Abraham’s first born, but we see that God pick us according to His plan. He already has a purpose for our lives, it is our choice to choose it or not. We can’t work or do things to win that purpose or as Paul says it “promise” but just rather accept it in our lives. God seeks salvation to all humans. No one is outside the plan of salvation. If we refuse to accept that purpose that He has for us, then he chooses others that take our place. God reserves various purposes for all kind of people from all kind of nations. Just because God had chosen Jacob’s descendants to be the people designated with the purpose of evangelizing other nations didn’t mean that Esau purpose was to be lost. We all have different purposes. Paul is trying for us to see through history with Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, that just works or just belonging to a family obligates God to bless us with a special privilege. I feel like it was important for Paul to really say this because this was misunderstood by the Jews, who thought because they were the chosen people, they had the right for everything and not with the mentality of saving others. “Thus Paul shows that God is abundantly able to transform the hearts of Jew and Gentile alike, and to grant to every believer in Christ the blessings promised to Israel. He repeats Isaiah's declaration concerning God's people: ‘Though the number of children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma and been made like unto Gomorrah.’” (Ellen White, Acts of the Apostle p 379
Paulo Tenorio Assignment 10 Predestination, Foreknowledge and Human Freedom Since Augustine and Pelagius times until now there was the belief of predestination, in where God has already determine who will be save or who will be lost. God has already predestinated our fate, in other words. Because we now can’t stop ourselves from committing sin, we need to be under God’s grace if we want to get away from sin. This grace works together with how willingly the person is to choose to do good. In contrast with the belief of Augustine and Pelagius, predestination is not a “discriminatory, sovereign act of God.” But now the issue is, if God knows everything that has happened, is happening and will happen, how can we relate this with the human having freedom to choose what he/she wants even though God already knows what will happen to that person? In Romans 8:29 shows a difference between predestination and foreknowledge. Foreknowledge is one of the attributes that God has before the foundation of this world. Also in Ephesians give us a hint that predestination is not something that is absolute and something that its automatic. To be able to get the goal of predestination is must be through the sacrifice of Jesus. Now the role of Jesus in all of this was foretold before the foundation of this world. In other words the goals of predestination were put in place even before we existed. Paul writes in Thessalonians that God choose them from the very beginning and the Holy Spirit involvement in our lives brings forth the faith in Christ that gives us salvation. In Romans 8:28 shows the involvement that we have and the response we give to the offer of salvation that God gives us. God foretold what will happen to this world but He still created it. He predestinated a plan of salvation to the fall humanity. God knows the future but doesn’t predetermines every future event, everyone is free to response to His plan of Salvation either accept it or deny it. Our destiny is not determined from the very beginning because it was God’s decision. In other words, predestination is not the cause of salvation, predestination it is part of our decision that we take when God offers us His plan of salvation. And I like how article puts it, “basically, God’s decision to put in place a plan to save His yet to be created world.”
Paulo Tenorio Assignment 11 Justification in Romans 3:21-24 Paul now is identifying the contracts between when we were in sin and condemnation and we couldn’t live a sin-free life, but now God has created a plan of salvation that He is ready to give to everyone who accepts and has faith in Jesus. Although this plan has been revealed before in the Old Testament but now it has come more with Jesus. The plan of Salvation is to every human being, whether its Jews or Gentiles, if they believe in Jesus, they have it. God makes no distinction or favoritism because we have all sinned and we can’t even come close to even is near the glory of God. Righteous doesn’t come as a reward for having faith. When we give and commit ourselves completely to Jesus then the righteous of justification is inscribe in us. As we walk more and more with Him, in obedience, in trust, increasing in faith, we are enabling to receive more and more righteousness. As the glory of God is revealed through Jesus, it shines more and more into our minds. Our sinful self has made us to fall very short from the glory of God, and it will continue to ruin our relationship with God if we don’t surrender our self and accept the need of having a Savior. Our aspiration should always be to be more and more participants in the glory of God. Since we humans can’t offer anything, justification needs to come as a free gift because there is nothing we can do to win it. When we finally admit that we can’t do anything and we have a great need of God, then by faith are we to accept the justification as a free gift. Since we all are sinners we need God’s grace. Ellen White says, “Divine grace is the great element of saving power.” “Christ gave His life to make it possible for man to be restored to the image of God. It is the power of His grace that draws men together in obedience to the truth.” This redemption saves us from our sin, from corruption and death. Through justification Jesus can save us from the consequences that sin has over us. Just like the Israelites need to have faith when they were being delivered from Egypt, we also need to participate in the plan of redemption from sin by having the faith and the acceptance of all that Jesus did for us so we could have the opportunity to have salvation and be free from sin.
Yes, I believe you are right, we do need as a Church to show how the doctrines change lives... and i do in a certain way think that the world is noticing that our life style which differs from the rest WORKS. Of course when not going to extremes... by this i mean been balanced. I somehow believe that young people in the church are not looking for more relaxed time... if they are coming to church they want reformation... and i see this with GYC... and also with Teacher Darius Jankiovics saying that people want to be more strict... they dont want relaxed "do whatever" Christianity. but again: Balance is the key I believe.
Response to: Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Assignment 9 Reflection
Thanks! it was really helpful and fun to read the story... it reminded me of my coulportering days. Anyhow, i heard an ilustration that helped me a lot two days ago. How God sees our future is like: when I could not watch a soccer match due to the fact that i was in class, then i dont want to know the score, i watch it later when i have time without knowing the score. So, i watch it as if it was happening the same moment. The same is with God, he already knows the results of our "free will" that's the consequences of OUR choices. So we are living in a soccer match that has already happened in Gods mind (He already knows the results). Hoped i explained myself... haha if not just ask me in class.
Its true, chapter 8 its an important chapter... it has served as a comforting guide to all those who have suffered and struggled. Faith and works go together... many Christians do one or the other, and criticize each other saying that one its more important than the other etc. Yet, I do believe that we should not start with works... the works come naturally after you have faith, after you believe, after you LOVE. Works should not be forced... thanks!
very true! I appreciate the reflexion on the assurance and the FALSE assurance. "As unacceptable as it may be to live without assurance, I would argue that it is much more disastrous to live with false assurance." It would be awful to be with the ones who think are saved and are not... It is true we must examine our hearts everyday... Its our choice... God, His Word, His Spirit.. they are there to help us
Thank you for sharing those thoughts on chapter 7 of Romans."Seeing sin for what it is, this is something that unfortunately is not always seen." The devil is a deciever, thats his specialty. I believe that the closer we are to God the MORE we can SEE. But the closer we are to the devil then the LESS we can SEE. We must be let ourselves be used by God to do the miracle of letting the blind SEE. Blessings! : )
True, very true... worship is not just a one hour thing... it should be through the whole week. In the morning, in your car, in school, with your wife, with your kids, etc. I have a problem with people who want you to worship the same way they do, because thats the way it SHOULD be... I have been around the world, and i see that each culture worships differently. As long as we dont go apart from the guideliness of the Bible. Amen to diversity. God created us differently, and worship to me is so powerful, it can even be more powerful than the sermon. Its the time where i thank GOd, and where i connect with Him. So much debate... worship involves fellowship too... hopefully we will come together.
"we must show willing to comply and pay all our debts, not prolonged unnecessarily." Why have debts? and if we do we should do our best to get out of them... i have been influenced when coming to this country to think that its "ok" to be in debt, that its "ok" to buy a brand new car, when i dont really have the money to afford it... i have seen too many Christians suffer and shake in their faith thanks to debts... anyhow, thanks for the summary on the Angel Rodriguez article. Blessings
Paulo I like how you point out that God predestined a plan of salvation but left room and freedom for us to respond to his plan or not. You say that predestination does not cause salvation and I like that too. It's good to know that salvation is free for anyone to accept.
Arthur i like how you point out that the gentiles though they were grafted in and found a place, but they were warned not to fall into the temptation of boasting. It's interesting that we can receive blessings from God and than boast about them rather than praise God for them. We are in danger of this. And yes, it is awesome to know that God's promise cannot be withdrawn, salvation is sure and certain. Amen.
I like how you commented that Ellen White was balanced because she is both conservative and liberal. You said the question is whether or not we would quote her in a balanced way. That makes a lot of sense. It's so easy to quote her on the points that support your views, but it would be a lot better to quote her in a more balanced way and I think that would promote more growth for people to view things differently as well.
The fifth chapter of Romans is a wonderfully orchestrated section in Paul’s epistle. He begins by revealing that peace with God is one of the effects of being justified by faith. What a thought! I guess peace of mind is not about being in a physical location like the mountains, the beach or the countryside, but true peace comes when one is in Christ.
He goes on to write about rejoicing in “hope” (verse 2), but what intrigued me most was his beautifully outlined steps of how he came to rejoice in “hope.” Notice the steps. “We glory in tribulations,” a.k.a. afflictions, oppressions, “because tribulations produce perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope.” Paul is essentially saying that we have hope because we have come out on the other side of troubling circumstances.
This theme of hope is very important, especially since Paul elaborates upon it later in the letter (8:24, 25) and links it with salvation. This is helpful because it gives a Christian the balanced perspective of dealing with challenging circumstance while living in a sinful world.
All of this resonated strongly with me in light of what I read in chapter five of Ellen White on Salvation where the author Woodrow Whidden II ties together salvation and the great controversy. These two themes together add greater insight about how tribulations can and should be perceived. Satan is doing all he can to deceive others about the character of God. Look at how the author states the seriousness of this topic:
If the mind can be philosophically or practically confused on the key issue of God’s character, as revealed by Christ’s person and work, then Satan wins the controversy. If the mind can be philosophically and practically won to the goodness of God in Christ, the God’s loving persuasion carries the day.” p. 37
What does all this mean? The Christian hope is essential, yet it comes with a cost. May we not lose hope!
Dario Ferreira Doctrine of Salvation Assignment #14
In chapter 14 of Romans, Paul continues speaking of the ideal Christian behavior. And now he talks about Christian love and Christian liberty on matters of conscience (vv. 1-23). We note that the overtly Christian theme of love dominates practice section of this epistle of Paul. Almost all ethical conduct is associated in one way or another, with the motivation and spiritual quality of love. Some Christians, like Paul himself, had no pangs of conscience about eating any kind of clean food; others had qualms about certain kinds of food. A day did not distinguish between more or less sacred; others thought that some days were more sacred than others. Paul reminds us that a Christian should not judge another, echoing the words of Jesus: “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Concerning these matters of conscience, Paul suggests that it is good to be strong in faith, but as Christians we must remember that individuals are not isolated, living only for ourselves, we are members of a community, and everyone has a responsibility, especially the strongest, to promote the welfare of the community.
Starting Chapter 15, Whidden said, “Whenever a discussion of Ellen White and perfection arises: It Is Almost inevitable that the subject of the character perfection of God’s people during the time of trouble will come up.” Perfection and Closing Events is the title Chapter 15. The Ellen White statement most perplexing is in Great Controversy, page 425, where Ellen White says, “the sealed believers will have to stand in the sight of a Holy God without a mediator.” But, what is to be made of such a perfection that does not need Christ’s mediator? Based on the statements of Ellen White, Whidden answers: first, retrains on all evil are removed and second, we need a qualified understanding of perfection. These are sealed so accustomed to trust in Jesus, love what is right and obey no longer commit sins that need a mediator. Jesus continues to be the mediator of them, to sustain them on their weaknesses. In his commentary in the Great Controversy, page 621, Ellen White says that believers are not sinlessy perfect During the time of trouble: “God’s love for His children during the period of their severest trial is the strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their must be consumed earthliness, that the image of Christ may be reflected perfectly.”
Edward Heppenstall does “Some Theological Considerations of Perfection” on the fourteenth document on Salvation. Heppenstall said two words that are translated “Perfect” in the NT are the words 'teleios' and 'katartizo'. 'Teleios' is derived from the noun 'telos' Usually rendered “goal,” “purpose,” “end.” The word does not sinless perfection Have in mind. Paul uses the word translated “perfect” to describe non-perfection without sin, but a stage of spiritual maturity that mark those who are steadfast in the faith under all circumstances. Katartizo means to be “fully equipped” for service in the work of the church and in the cause of God. Speaking of the saints in the time of trouble, Ellen White writes that those who exercise little faith now, “They plunged into deeper Will Be aguish distress and in the time of trouble, because They Have never made it a habit to trust in God.” Heppenstall reached some conclusions: “If sinless perfection is to be realized by saints at the close of probation, then original sin must also be eradicated. If a man is sinless then he is no longer under grace. If he is under grace, then it is because he is not yet sinless.”
I really appreciated the emphasis you gave hope. There is a proverb that says: “hope is the last to die.” Because only hope can make us persevere to the end. But if we lose hope, everything is gone.
It really is all we need in this world full of challenging circumstances, oppression and afflictions. I found it interesting that Paul considers suffering as something normal and even necessary to produce in us the patience, which results in hope and shapes our character in the likeness of Christ’s character. As a result we have peace with God.
Before I discuss about the chapter 14 in the letter to Romans, I would like to mention that in our class predestination and foreknowledge of God are seemingly hot issues. What made them so important to our discussion? As our teacher says, we as human tend to limit what God can do. With a little brain, we try to understand what God can do with his ability. If God can be perceived 100% by us, God is not God. I believe that God's ability is way beyond our understanding and human knowledge. There is practically no way that we understand the whole plan of Salvation. Even the angels of heaven are leaning onto the earth to see if how the plan of salvation come to about. For me, I have to admit that it is good to wrestle with topics of salvation especially on predestination and foreknowledge of God but we need to see something that comes from God which enables us to understand correctly.
Speaking of something that comes from God to help us to see heavenly plan of salvation. I read the chapter 14 of Romans. Among many precious words, there is this one. -Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
I'd like to think of the plan of salvation according to the legalistic theory. God's law was broken in heaven and God needed to prove that his law is still perfect and just in spite of Satan's accuse. But the problem is Adam and Eve chose to be on Satan's side. Since Adam and Eve were tricked by Satan, they've got the second chance to choose to be on God's side by exercising their free will.
Here we understand that according to the God's law, there is mercy and long suffering and second chance. Especially, for those who are deceived by initiator of Sin. Therefore, if man fulfill the law by their free will they could have salvation. However, it is impossible for man to fulfill the law because the state of man is not as perfect and good as before the sin. So, God needed to compensate to us with Love.
Love fulfills the law which Jesus Christ demonstrated for us. When we receive the love that God offered, we can truly experience the salvation.
It seems to me that in Romans 12, Paul sets out a definition of humility that can be summed up by the saying (paraphrased loosely), “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking more of others.”
He sums up his statements in chapter 11, describing those who are self-righteous and arrogant regarding their own spirituality and God’s favor. Now in chapter 12, he comes to the “therefore.” He says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” This is humility.
In v. 3, Paul says that everyone should not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom 12:3, NKJV). In the following verses, though, Paul encourages each person to live out the gifts that God has given to him or her. If we have gifts of prophecy, let us use them in accordance with our faith. If we have the gift of ministering, let us use it for ministry. If we have the gift of teaching, let us use it to teach.
So how do the use of these gifts involve humility? Don’t we often become prideful when we think that we are especially talented in a certain area? Perhaps I think that I am a skilled speaker (I’m not) and should have the pulpit in my church every Sabbath. Or perhaps I consider myself to have the gift of teaching. I might be inclined to overrun someone else who is also a teacher. How can we “not think more highly of ourselves than we ought,” and still recognize and employ the gifts that God has, in fact, given us?
I believe the answer lies in what Paul says in the verses that follow. He says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:9-11, NKJV). In other words, love honestly and serve each other. If we do this first, jealous strivings will not be able to get in the way. I will recognize that I am a part of Christ’s body, and that I have a part to play in the work Christ is doing in the world. The use of my God-given skills, talents and abilities will come from the attitude of other-centered service, not self-service. “Do not overcome by evil,” Paul says, “but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21, NKJV).
response to Landon Schnabel assignemtent #1 Ellen White's first impression of God being vidictive and unworthiness. You know Landon believe it or not many people have that same first impression God. They fear him not because of respect but because they see him as a God of vengence, and judgemental. It is only through deligent study, and personal relationship with God that I see one's attitude changed to seeing him as loving, patient, and gracious as he is. Also I enjoyed your illustrations of grace and the free ticket take care nancy
nancy thomas response to Elias Misangwi assignment #4 Elias I agree with your comment and great emphasis on our need of christ and our ability to do nothing without him. Your last comment on God not forcing us to ask for his help. is interesting to me becuase I have wondered many times even though he does not force us is he (God( instrumental in alot of our circumstances to bring us to him, and to realize our need for help.
nancy thomas response to Young Suh Romans chapter 9 I really can appreeciate your comments on chapter 9 and found myself struggling even now. I believe even myself we make God into this image that we want him to be, instead of realizing that he is what he is. As I read chapter 9 I saw a God who was free to choose who he would have mercy on and who he will have compassion on. does this make him a tyrant I think not it just makes him a god who as we are has the right to chooose what he will and will not do. A God who is a free agent like he created us to be.
nancy thomas rspomse tp Elias Misungwi assignment # 14 I can apprecieat your comment on perfection it is very encouraging. However the statement you made at the end makes me wonder are we able to keep the law even in the most strict obedience of our being. According to my understanding of Romans chapt 7 there isnothing in us that can even keep the smallest part of God's law. It is only christ himself who is able to keep the law in perfection.
nancy thomas response to Elias Misungwi assignment # 12 You made the statement that we can not keep the law, but even through our degenerate state we are still able to been seen by God as righteous. How is this possible Romans chapter 3 talks about our righteous through faith when we accept Christ God no longer see us as we are sinful and wretched, but he now is looking at us through the eyes of Jesus and see's us as his own son righteous and faithful. Praise God for his faithfulness, and thank you Jesus for what you did for us all.
nancy thomas rsponse to Elias Misungwi assignment # 15 You made a very interesting point here when you spoke about our dependance on Christ is the only means to obtaining strength and our faith in his wor will lead us to lperfection. I also want to poiint to romans chapt 5 which talks about our being justified by our faith and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. the bible also say's that whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. I really appreciate this thought and there are many times that we just need to be reminded who is really doing the work and that it is nothing within ourselves that could even come close to the mercy, goodness, righteousness, perfection of our savior Jesus Christ.
nancy thomas response to Michael Jones assignment # 5 Your theme on hope was very encouraging I also appreciated your comment here where you stated "christian hope is essential yet it comes with a cost. Maywe not lose hope". the thought you made here gave me the sense that afflicatiion is not something to always grumble and complain about but instead there are times when we should be joyous in our affliction because as you stated tribualtion produces perserverance, which produces character which produces hope so thank God for our affliction if they are going to build us into the image that Christ would have us to be.
nancy thoams raponse to Paul Tenorio on worship. Paul I can appreciate your comment on worship. and I believe also it shold lnot be limited but all throughour our day. However I have come to realize that we all are on different levels of our spiritual walk. some of us are powerful prayer warriors they can pray all the time for hours and not get tired, while others are need to hear a sermon it empowers them to higher level. Then there are those who sing praises to God they also claim that through their praise they are able to reach a higher level in God. I just say that God meets us where-ever we are and excepts those praises as long as they are genuine Praise God for that
Paolo, you’ve made a good summary of Rom 3:21-24. At first, because you were writing assignment 11, I assumed that you were responding to Romans 11, and I was very confused about your post. When I realized that you were responding to Romans 3, everything made much more sense! This was, in my opinion, the best statement in your post, “When we finally admit that we can’t do anything and we have a great need of God, then by faith are we to accept the justification as a free gift.” Accepting salvation has a lot to do with losing hope—hope in ourselves. Only then are we fully relying on God. But how hard is it to lose hope in yourself?
As I read Whidden’s chapter, “Perfection before 1888,” for this week’s assignment, I was naturally interested. Perfection in Ellen White’s writings is a topic that has grasped my attention off-and-on for a few years now. Ellen White seems to have some strong statements regarding perfection, and they have in the past caused me some amount of consternation. Especially when I had an even more limited understanding of salvation than I do now. If I didn’t understand the need to rely on Christ’s righteousness and not my own, it is possible that I might misuse some of Ellen White’s statements and become caught up in a righteousness that is based on the law. I can certainly understand how some well-meaning saints can get caught up in it, anyway.
In this chapter, Whidden points out a few quotations that even now have me seriously questioning my established understanding of justification, sanctification, and character perfection. According to Ellen White in 1T 144, “We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely.” Whidden quotes Ellen White as saying that it is “not the work of the gospel to weaken the claims of God’s holy law, but to bring men up where they can keep its precepts” (RH, Oct 5, 1886). Whidden notes that “sanctification is not an instantaneous experience,” and says, “Believers must move forward in faith at God’s command and not idly lie back waiting for some special inspiration or shock treatment to move them to a life of vigorous character development” (123). Such statements suggest that perfection is not something that one should count on God doing for them at the final crisis or at the Second Coming, but something that they must attain prior to such events. Yet how then is the thief on the cross saved? And how does salvation not break down into legalism? This must not be the correct conclusion.
Furthermore, how can perfection be both “fully attainable” and also “the work of a lifetime?”
My thought about perfection and salvation has been that perfection (ie, perfect obedience, in both actions and heart motives) is the goal I strive for. But since I have a sinful nature, and since sanctification is the work of a lifetime, I will always be striving for this goal, no matter how far I progress with God’s help. The more sanctified/perfected I become, the higher the goal will be in my new understanding of God’s supreme holiness. But when I am glorified, then my sinful nature will be taken away. I will then have perfect obedience (in both actions and heart motives), though this does not preclude the idea of continued growth of character. But I will be justified and saved not on condition of my attainment of “perfection,” but on condition of my accepting Christ’s life and substitutionary death in my place.
But then, how do I fully reconcile Whidden’s statement that perfection “is to be met in the believer’s Spirit-empowered performance, not just through the accounting of Christ’s perfect life of obedience to the penitent’s account. Obviously I’m still wrestling with this.
Young Suh, if I understand you correctly, you are pointing out that we can choose to be on God’s side by exercising our free will, but we cannot keep the law by exercising our free will. Thus, God compensates for us by giving us love. Experiencing salvation means accepting that love.
Indeed, the subject matter of perfection is that a lot of attention. So there has been much discussion about it. It is an issue that divides. The human tendency is to bring this matter to the two extremes, on one hand those who say that something is impossible and therefore not worth it either, and on the other hand, those who believe it is entirely possible and are proud of their state of holiness. Clearly this issue must be understood in the light of Christ's righteousness and our delivery "without reservation" to Christ by the Spirit. But undoubtedly, there will always be need for careful discernment of the Spirit to the right understanding of that truth.
I confess that I never clearly understood about perfection, but now I have had a broader and more balanced view about it, thanks to the lessons of Professor Martin Hanna, the readings of Whidden, and ideas from colleagues like you. Thank you all.
nancy thomas response to marco Quertroli assignment #1 Salvation: Your thought on God revealing his message through our experience. And your next pont on E.W.'s experience with God led her to a greater understanding of salvation. I would dare to say that isn't that Paul became such an active warrior for God, was from his experience on the road to Damascus. And isn't that how Mary Magdeline became such a faithful warrior of God was from her experience with Jesus compassion with her. And wasn't that how most of the Apostles became such mighty warriors is through there experience with Jesus. It never begins immediately but as we walk with Christ and experience his goodness each day. I believe our understanding of salvation through our own personal lives becomes greater and deeper. nancy
nancy thomas response to Landon Schnabel assignment # 14 Thank you for our insight on this matter landon. I particulary loved your position there is no classes in heaven. and our second pointthat when people congreate into tw camps on opposite mountain and start thowing rocks at each other somehere in the valley there might be a solid position. first I want to say that your are so very right there are no classe in heaven. And if we could realize that I believe the church would be a more inviting place instead of a battle field. If we could only realize that if we claim inheritance to the promise of Jesus we are all on the same team no matter what church or ethnic background we may come from. and yes your are right again that if we could just stop throwing rock we would see the solid position and that position is Jesus for all of us.
nancy thomas response to Author Jennings assignment #9 Law is not condemnation I really appreciated your illustratin on the law being as a mirrow it gave me a vidid revelation of what the law does for me. Also your point on the law realing our imperfections so that we may clean ourselves up as much as possible was very insightful and I would like to comment on this point. Yes the law does identify our sin, and it does reflect back to us who we really are in the eyes of God. But as far as us being able to clean our selves up as much as possible is hard for me to grasp. The law reveals my constant need for a savior. There is nothing in me that could ever clean me up enough for God to accept me on my own merit. The bible claims in Isaiah 6:64 but we are all like an unclean thing and all our rightousnesses are like filthy rags. Jesus said that he knows whats in the hearts of man, and there is not one that turns to God without a selfish motive. There is nothing in us that can even remotely clean us up to keep the law it is only Jesus that dwells within us are we able to be clean enough for God.
Dario Ferreira Doctrine of Salvation Assignment #15
In chapter 15 of Romans, verses 1-13, we have the conclusion of the practical section that emphasizes the ideal Christian behavior. Paul continues his exposition on the obligations of the believers “strong in faith” - who had a good vision of Christian liberty - to the brothers “weak in faith” - which left him to embarrass exaggerated by many scruples, mostly based on the idea that the Mosaic laws were required for ceremonial Christianity. Paul, then (15:14-33) makes a personal narrative where he assures Christians of Rome that the education given in your letter, because it was not thought to be unable to teach each other. He was aware of their spiritual and moral quality. What you wrote is just a reminder of what they already know. Paul wanted the Roman Christians greet due to its high level of spirituality (v. 14). He reminded them of their personal responsibility and his apostolic authority in the evangelizing mission among the Gentiles, and informed them about some future plans regarding the expansion of his ministry (vv. 15-24), then told them about his collection of money for the poor saints in Jerusalem and also how Gentile believers had an active role in this regard (vs. 25-29). Finally, he expressed his apprehensions about what might happen when you arrive at the Jewish territory, which was hostile towards him (vs. 30-33).
Speaking on the subject of Perfection After 1888, Whidden said that Ellen White used all the same terms she had used the previous season and that there was no essential development that distinguish this season from the previous one. The natural and spontaneous vision of the perfection that is mentioned briefly before 1888 is now expanded - believers will not normally be aware of their state of holiness. The means of perfection - as the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, received only a newsworthy development after 1888. The great emphasis on merit and justification became the basis for victory over sin. Sanctification and perfection continued to be described as the major purpose of religion and the transformation of character as the path to perfection.
Gerhard Pfandl, on the fifteenth document on salvation, presents “Some Thoughts in Original Sin.” Salvation on this document tries to clarify this theological term, “Original Sin.” There are many questions raised concerning this issue, for example: “Is the man a sinner because he sins, or does he sin because he is a sinner?” “How about children, born sinners are they or do they become sinners because he is a sinner?” “What do we inherit from Adam?” The biblical evidence indicates that sin is universal and all persons are subject to death - the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). The Bible defines sin as an act, a mistake, “to miss the mark.” Missing the mark is not just a mistake, but a voluntary act and culpable wrong. The whole human being is infected by sin. Nothing in it is exempt. Your body, your mind, your soul and your emotions have been perverted by sin. Even his will is affected by sin. The non-converted person is a true slave of sin (Romans 6:17). Pfandl, presents the history of the doctrine of Original Sin and the doctrine relating to the SDA. I want to highlight the words of M. J. Erickson that quite clear and comprehensive summarizes the message of this document: “Sin is not merely wrong acts and thoughts, but sinfulness as well, an inherent inner disposition inclining as to wrong acts and thoughts. Thus it is not simply that we are sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.”
Reed Richardi Assignment # 8 I Just read the chapter in Whidden’s book on Justification by Faith. As I often am I was really impressed by Ellen White’s balance. She doesn’t overemphasize one detail or aspect of salvation to the neglect of others. I believe she saw and helps us to see the big picture. If you have ever tried to find a place on Google maps when you are zoomed in too far you know it doesn’t work so well. Here at the seminary we look at a lot of details but we also need to remember the bigger picture. Here are some examples of balance in Ellen White’s writings that I found in the chapter. • “…Ellen White taught a powerfully objective doctrine of justification, but one that does not tolerate willful, premeditated, easy-come-easy-go attitudes toward sin.” • The sinner is “saved form his sins, but not in them”. • Accordinging to Whidden Ellen White taught that “the law and the gospel are never to be separated, even though their roles are to be clearly distinguished”. • “Objective justification is required all the way”. • The admonition against those who “trust partly to God, and partly to themselves” • “We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works….” • Yet we have a high calling to obedience • “For her, justification by faith was closely related to a proper attitude on the part of the believers toward sin, God’s requirements, and His merciful attitude toward the faithful.” Notice she emphasized not just one attitude on the part of the believer but a bigger picture of our attitudes toward God’s mercy and our sin.
I am convinced that Ellen White had a big picture and doctrinal balance that came from the Holy Spirit. This chapter on her views of justification is just one example of her understanding. What saddens me though is how unbalanced our use of her writings are. So often when someone wants to overemphasize an aspect of salvation or diminish the importance of another aspect they quote Ellen White. Well intentioned Adventists and critics alike have made her appear at times grossly imbalanced.
Ryan I am wrestling with this too. I have held a view of perfection similar to the one that you said you have held. But this still leaves many questions about Ellen White's views as described by Whidden. I too desire a better understanding of perfection especially as it pertains to the last days.
I am still wrestling with what you're talking about as well. I don't understand how we can be perfect in anything near obedience until glorification. It seems like there are such troubling statements in EGW, but then there are some pretty troubling verses in the Bible and there is much more Ellen White material than there is Bible.
Though I am still searching, I have an inkling that instead of finding answers I will find questions. I guess I can just keep my eyes on perfection (Jesus) and keep moving in that direction with His help. And though I do think we will be fully obedient after the Second Coming, I feel like we might even be as "perfect" then as some people think they are now. But maybe they're just that much better than me.
Dario Ferreira Doctrine of Salvation Assignment #16
Paul in Romans 16 first sends greetings to various friends (16:1-16). Most likely Paul sent his letter by the hands of Phoebe, a Christian lady who probably was already going there. Paul takes this opportunity to commend it to the hospitality of Christian they are writing. Then Paul makes a series of personal greetings to 26 people who were mentioned by name. In verses 17-20, Paul bursts in an urgent warning about some troublemakers from a class that he knew very well. Paul sends greetings from several friends who are with him at the time you write. Finally, in verses 25-27 we find the final doxology.
Whidden concludes his book with a personal interpretation of the whole discussion and debate on the vision of Ellen White in Justification and perfection - that is, the contribution that this study on sanctification brought to your thinking. For Ellen White, Justification is always concurrent with Sanctification. Ellen White believed that by faith every moment, believers are considered perfect in Christ Jesus, through His grace and His merits. Ellen White also shows a lot of balance in its teachings on faith, obedience and merit. For her, the believers can only be justified by faith in the merits of Christ; he transferred to us, His constant intercession. The wonderful panoramic vision of Ellen White in perfection, unfolds in six levels of experience: 1. Reckoned perfect 2. Dynamic growth seen the relative perfection 3.Loving obedience and in willful sinning 4. Perfection in the Time of Trouble 5. Sinless at glorification; 6. Constant growth throughout eternity. In short, Ellen White taught that sinners can win the victory over the sinful actions and attitudes, but they maintain their corrupt natures that are subject to the temptation to glorification. They experience victory over all the inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin, but trends will never be removed until the second coming of Christ. For Ellen White, salvation is a persistent way to the perfection of personal character.
George W. Reid, in the sixteenth document on salvation entitled “Why Did Jesus Die? How God Save Us”, presents Jesus as one who rescued us from our sins by paying the highest price of His precious blood. It was God who started our rescue, who Reached out for us (2 Cor. 5:18), and continues to Reach out to us today. Jesus paid our ransom and freed us - we were captives of sin. He showed us how God loves us.
Reed, you are absolutely right. Ellen White is Super careful and balanced in his views on salvation. Surely, if we trust in his ministry as prophetic as coming from God through the Holy Spirit, this balance shows that he really is.
You put very well your observation of inappropriate use that often make his writings. Unfortunately we tend to use the writings of Ellen White so biased according to our present interest. May God have mercy on us and help us look at the whole picture, as you said, we can see everything better and draw correct conclusions.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 13 Reflection
When Christianity is distilled into as few concepts as possible, it seems that two which necessarily rise to the top of the most-important list are 1) a knowledge of the character of God and 2) a knowledge of the nature of man (me!!).
In order for the second to be rightfully understood a third bit of knowledge is probably necessary: 3) the nature of sin. Without a right concept of sin, it is highly likely that I may not come to a right concept of salvation.
The Type A in me wants an answer that I can put in a few words and that will let me check this matter off of my “To Understand” list. Therefore I am quite pleased with the concise definition found in 1 John 3:4: “Sin is the transgression of the law.”
I find it even more gratifying to learn that Ellen White resoundingly concurs with the apostle John, repeatedly using this definition and urging the importance of understanding the nature of sin. “Ministers who exhort sinners to be converted should distinctly define what sin is and what conversion from sin is. Sin is the transgression of the law.… The apostle gives us the true definition of sin. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’” Confrontation, p. 75.
Most would have no problem with this definition – after all it is John the Beloved who gives it to us. But Ellen White goes a step beyond using this definition for sin, stating that this is the only definition of sin found in the Bible. “The only definition we find in the Bible for sin is that ‘sin is the transgression of the law’ (1 John 3:4).” Signs of the Times, December 5, 1892. This essential statement is repeated a full half-dozen different times in different periodicals, and at least once in her recorded sermons as well. “It is the privilege of every sinner to ask his teacher what sin really is. Give me a definition of sin. We have one in 1 John 3. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ Now this is the only definition of sin in the whole Bible.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 228.
The problem is that most theologians today would violently disagree with the limitation of our understanding of sin to this one definition. In fact, most Adventists would probably shirk from a wholehearted committal to the prophetess’ understanding of the matter. And I can understand their concerns, since the original languages employ more than one word to describe this human rebellion/corruption/mistaken/falling short condition. Even in the New Testament, without needing the knowledge of biblical languages, we can find other statements which seem definitive. “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. These verses seem to offer competing definitions to 1 John 3:4.
The easy, un-intellectual way out is to simply discount the “opinion” of Ellen White. I’ve met many who choose this response. “She was not a theologian,” they say. I agree, but I hasten to also add that though not a theologian, she was a prophet. Unless I misunderstand the gift of prophecy, a prophet is not instantly made faultless in character, nor prevented from making misstatements; but when they through their own human wisdom do make false statements that are of an important nature, God will correct them – seeing what weight their words rightfully carry (see 2 Samuel 7:3-17). I for one cannot brush aside these published, frequent, and forceful statements by God’s last-day prophet.
Comments on Doctrine of Salvation Chapter 14 Perfection Before 1888 Part I
Once again Whidden does a wonderful job at exploring the multifaceted perspective of Ellen White’s understanding of Christian perfection. He recognizes a seemingly symbiotic relationship between justification and sanctification, which for Whidden is the means of true perfection. He suggests a dialectical approach to Ellen White’s writing where the interpreter considers the full spectrum of her thought on the subject of perfection in her writings. “A number of different facets or characteristics go into Ellen Whites definition of perfection, and to get the full picture we need to understand each facet in its relationship to the whole.” I find this to be very consistent with and compatible to the biblical hermeneutic of relating the whole to its parts, a hermeneutic I have defined as Organic Theology or Process Theology. This concept of hermeneutics recognizes the developmental process of theological thinking and attempts to formulate a proper perspective of philosophical thinking within the framework of developmental thought resulting from a organic process, often going from a more simple to a more complex understanding of the subject. From this perspective we do not move from truth to error, but rather from seeming ambiguity to apparent clarity. From this perspective we can explore the rich diversity of Ellen White’s understanding of a given subject and give a proper exposition of her full treatment of the topic in its multifaceted perspectives. In addition to exploring the rich diversity of her thought on a given subject we also have the opportunity to evaluate her different approaches to a given subject which may also demonstrate for the interpreter the many possible ways one might approach a given subject theologically as well as philosophically. Whidden appears to utilize this approach in his organic evaluation of Ellen Whites understanding of perfection. In doing this he arrives at the concept of growing perfection. By this he seems to suggest that Ellen White’s view of perfection was one of continual development and growth that allowed for the believer to be at different stages of the perfection throughout their Christian life. According to Ellen White this would continue on throughout eternity. From this perspective the Christian would never be fully aware of their state of perfection only their continual growing in grace by the Spirit of God. This kind of perfection creates a humble realization of one’s continual need of grace.
Comments on Doctrine of Salvation Chapter 14 Perfection Before 1888 Part II
He suggests that this relative perfection acknowledges that there is a clear distinction between the believer’s perfection and God’s perfect nature thereby leading the believer to a humble recognition of their sinfulness and God’s Holiness. In other words, the believers perfection although perfect in purely human terms, does reach the full nature of perfection which God alone posses and which God alone is, therefore any state of perfection obtained by the creature is always relative to the nature of perfection possessed by the creator. I’m not sure that I fully agree with the author on this point. It seems to suggest that God has one type of perfection and gives us another. Yet the bible clearly teaches that we ought to be holy as God is holy. In my understanding this sets forth only one kind of holiness and that is not the kind that God gives but rather the holiness, which He is and which he has graciously made available to us through the life of His Son Jesus. Therefore, I believe we should think about perfection in its more personal context, namely holiness. That is that God who is Holy offers us to enter into his holiness fully and completely not partially and incompletely. The holiness that God gives is the Christian definition of perfection and means by which God may be able to declare us righteous. Thus we are made righteous through a holiness that is completely His own and which he invites us into. Therefore, it is not imparted holiness but rather inclusive holiness, hence we share in the righteousness of Christ and are made perfect in Him.
Chester Clark III Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna Week 14 Reflection
In my last post I was probing the definition of sin, particularly Ellen White’s repeated statement that 1 John 3:4 represents the only biblical definition of sin: the transgression of the law. Time and space will not permit as thorough a study as I would like to do here and now, but I want to at least share some thoughts in the interest of perhaps getting a leg up on the matter from some of my classmates. I recognize that a thorough study of the subject should include an understanding of the various Hebrew and Greek words translated as “sin” in the Bible, but for now I want to simply see if the other two verses often used in a definitive manner can be harmonized.
“And he who doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. This passage seems to make sin dependent on my knowledge or even convictions of right and wrong. More than one Christian has informed me that this passage relieves him from the biblical dietary guidelines. “As long as I eat in faith, it cannot be wrong.”
I think that the answer to this apparent problem is in understanding how Paul understands “faith.” “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Faith cannot be separated from the Word of God! “Convictions” (regardless of sincerity) that are out of harmony with the Word are not and cannot lead to faith, but to presumption and sin. Real faith is based on the Word of God!
I would argue that Paul was not in Romans 14:23 seeking to provide a new definition of sin. He obviously knew that the time would come when faith would no longer be needed – it would be eclipsed by reality. In heaven there will be little need of faith, but we will still be living in harmony with the same principles of God’s law (character) that our faith was guided by while on earth.
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. It’s amazing the way the guilt trips expand in the mind of the legalist through the improper use of this verse. Does not drinking enough water, getting enough rest, setting the thermometer at 65 degrees, or smiling at strangers actually constitute sin?
I wouldn’t want to underestimate the importance of faithfulness in the little things, or of seeking to reach God’s highest ideal. Nor do I discount the need for God’s grace for every area in which we miss the mark of that ideal. But I think 1 John 3:4 is needed for this passage to be understood in a balanced way. If “doing good” is defined by the Word as keeping the commandments, then James 4:17 becomes not a definition of sin but a clarification of when we are held accountable for sin. As Acts 17:30 tells us, God “winks” at our disobedience of the law when we don’t know better, but when we do know to obey it, we are held guilty of that sin. Both verses seem to me to be complimented by 1 John 3:4 rather than to be in tension with it. Could it be possible that the Bible’s other apparent ideas about sin could also be harmonized with this statement, and Ellen White’s use of it?
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8). I like the way Paul puts this by saying the “debt to love one another.” This is such a simple sounding command, but profound in its effects when actually lived out. Paul points out that the law is fulfilled when we love one another. After saying that love for one another fulfill the law he goes on to give examples. What’s interesting is he only gives four of the last six commandments as examples and instead of citing the other two, he simply says “and whatever other command there may be.” Why doesn’t he just go ahead and give all of the last six commandments as examples? Maybe he intentionally left no room for people to ask, “what about this command or that command?” It’s seems that Paul is emphasizing the power of the command found in Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When it comes to the commands of God it seems as if a lot of emphasis on following them is showing love for God. So we try hard to do these things and love God, but forget that we show love towards God when we love others as well. Everyone is created by God and is a son and daughter of God so we cannot say we love or respect God while disrespecting or being unloving to those He loves and calls His children. The idea that “love is the fulfillment of the law” is a beautiful thing. God is love so it’s awesome that love is what fulfills His law. I like how Paul ends the chapter too, with his contrast of night and day. How the morning is coming and we should do away with those things that are done in the night and live like it’s daytime. This goes along with the idea of “walking in the light”. I like how he says it’s time to “wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” The idea of salvation being nearer is interesting, because as we have been talking in class there is a sense of salvation being known and felt now, but another sense that it will be fully realized at Jesus return.
It's true it's good to discuss and learn more about predestination and foreknowledge. It's amazing to see how God has provided salvation and the way to salvation for us. Like you said there is nothing we can do and the beauty of the gospel is that God makes up for our weakness and provides what we need to be saved. I like how you said that when we receive the love of God we can experience salvation.
Response to Ryan Kilgore Assignment #5 I am impressed with your view of the chapter. I have to heard many people blame God for their short comings. We think that god will make us perfect and take away the tendencies to sin in our lives. Perfection I feel is not as much truly obtained here though we may claim it here. I also agree with you that the final glorification will be the time we fully obtain what we claim in a relationship with God now. We may confess and be cleansed, thus being perfect. Then the very next step may include a down fall, but to get back up again and confess we become perfect again. The process is our relationship with God and then someday we will have a Joshua experience stated in Zechariah.
Hey Nick, I really enjoyed your comment about the fulfillment of the law as love. I particularly appreciated your emphasis on the centrality of love in the fulfillment of the law, rather than any specific or particular command. I agree with your assessment concerning the nature of God as love, therefore the fulfillment of the law as love is a beautiful illustration of the revelation of God's true nature. I also appreciated your reminder that to fail to love our fellow brother demonstrates a lack of true understanding of the law since our brother is a child whom God loves, therefore to not love our brother or to act in a manner that is contrary to our brothers best interest is a misrepresentation of the character of God and betrays our claim of relationship to His Son and thus children of the Father. Finally, we must constantly remember that God through his Son Jesus Christ revealed the true nature of his law through the gift of his Son. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”Here we find the true fulfillment of the law, love so encompassing that it was willing to meet the demands of the law in order that the love of God might be more clearly revealed. Ought we not to have such a love toward the world that we too meet the demands of the law… with love one toward another.
In other words, the believers perfection although perfect in purely human terms, does not reach the full nature of perfection which God alone posses and which God alone is, therefore any state of perfection obtained by the creature is always relative to the nature of perfection possessed by the creator.
Reed Richardi Assignment # 9 I have to admit that Romans 9 is a hard passage for me. I don’t have any problems with verses 1 -10 (I appreciate the clarity in these verses on who is Israel today), but verses 11-33 are a struggle for me. Beginning with verse 11 Paul seems to be saying that God chose Jacob (whom He “ loved”) over Esau (whom He “hated”) not based on their works but on God’s own purpose. Paul also quotes God speaking through Moses as saying "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion." Further Paul seems to be saying we cannot question this apparently arbitrary decision of God’s, because God is the Potter and we are the clay, namely God is God and we are not. This seems similar to God’s response to Job that He is the Creator, in the light of Job’s questions. Honestly if I only had Romans 9 without the rest of the Bible, I would probably hold a Calvinistic view of election. It seems at face value that this is what this text is pointing toward. But in the light of the entire canon of scripture I understand this passage differently. I believe this passage is talking about God’s choice of peoples and nations rather than the salvation of individuals (cf. Deut. 7:7-8). Thinking about this chapter makes me glad for the entire Bible and the principle that we have inherited as Adventists, that scripture interprets scripture. It also reminds me that I must compare any interpretation of a passage with what the rest of scripture says. With that said, I think that there is a message here in Romans 9 that I have not grasped. I believe that when we wrestle with passages that seem contrary to our understanding God can expand and clarify our understanding. I pray for and look forward to gaining a better understanding of Romans 9 in the light of the passage itself as well as the rest of scripture.
Response to Ryan Kilgore, Hey Ryan, I really enjoyed your comment on humility. I was particularly interested with your interpretation of Romans 12:1, I’ve never quite looked at this passage in this manner, but I believe that such an interpretation deserves further consideration for its contribution to our understanding both of our humility and the humility of Christ. This type of humility is a sacrificial humility that gives of itself for another, as you have stated in your comment; it is an other-centered service. I really appreciated the different principles you brought out of this passage and the implications that such principles would have for the Christian life. Primarily that we serve one another with in the Body of Christ not for the sake of ourselves, but rather for the sake of other. This seems to be the model of Jesus life and ministry. In his final hours with the disciple Jesus lifted his head unto the Father and prayed for the disciples. According to John Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." It seems to me then that this is the example that Jesus gave for you and for me, that we should sanctify ourselves for the sake of others, in order that we might offer ourselves as a living sacrifice in the service our Lord.
As I read Romans chapter 5 I remembered the times I have used it to inspire someone on their death bed to choose Christ as their Savior. The chapter is full of the love God has for an individual who may be struggling and looking for some encouraging love. The text that first comes to mind is the text Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This text has been uplifting to my soul. It shows to me that while we were a lost people God still found it worthy option to die for us. The 10 verse of this chapter also gives a direction to this same concept of God’s love. The text states, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having ben reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. We have labeled too many types of atonement and then allowed our minds to be narrow minded in choosing only one option. This text shows two types of atonement. The main thought though is that God loves us and is willing to still work with us. IN the chapter 5 of the book on Ellen White the same view of love is expressed in salvation. I understand that love is a feeling and feelings are not important to salvation. The emotion behind the act of salvation from God is a strong pulling to accept the atonement made for us on Calvary. As for the chapter’s bottom-line says on page 39, “obedience is possible, but it is always associated with a just and loving acceptance.”
Reed Richardi Response # 9 to Chester Clark Assignments 13 & 14
I appreciated your thoughts on 1 Jn. 3:4, Ellen White, and a definition of sin. I agree with the idea that Js 4:17 and Rom. 14:23 are complementary to 1 Jn. 3:4. This may imply that our definition of the law needs expanding. I also appreciated the reminder that true faith is based on the word.
Reed Richardi Assignment # 10 I appreciated Angel Rodríguez’s short commentary on 1 Timothy 4:10. I have entered into discussions with some who hold to universal justification and use this text to support their view. I agree with Rodgriguez that understanding this text to say that God has justified everyone but saves especially the ones who believe, is problematic because it implies differing degrees of salvation. If there are degrees of salvation does this mean that the every unbeliever will receive eternal life along with the believers or that they have a lesser degree of salvation that does not result in eternal life? Rodriguez gives us two options for understanding the text biblically. The first is that the phrase “Savior of all men” in 1 Timothy 4:10 means that God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4), and that the phrase “especially those who believe” in 1 Timothy 4:10 refers to those who have accepted the offer of salvation in Christ. The second option is that the Greek word malista (especially) could be rendered “that is” or “in other words” (cf. Acts 20:38; Phil 4:22). Thus 1 Tim. 4:10 would read "Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, that is, of those who believe." Finally Rodriguez adds “The text under consideration reads, ‘the Savior of all men;’ it does not read, ‘He saved all men.’ We have a noun, ‘Savior,’ not a verb, ‘to save.’ I appreciate Rodgriguez concisely dealing with the issue. I think the two option he gives are the best ones for understanding the text. In my opinion reading legal universal justification into this text is confusing and problematic. Further I believe that if the ideas of legal universal justification are taken to their final end they are quite dangerous. I don’t believe legal universal justification is necessary in order to understand the objective side of the gospel and is causes confusion in regards to the gospel’s subjective side.
We have heard the text over and over again. The text is commonly used in the arena of evangelistic meetings. The text I am talking about is Romans 6:23 which declare, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I would like to blog on this common text. I think there is quite a bit of depth in this text alone on salvation. The great controversy message may be hung on this text. The overall picture is proclaimed in this text. The devil pays the wages of sin with death. Earlier in the chapter Paul says, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” If we obey Satan then we will be slaves to him and he rewards his followers with death. The previous chapter gave the thoughts of God on this subject, “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God.” The text here in chapter 6 pushes the envelope farther, “Eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In the book on Ellen White the chapter dealt with some things I have just recently came to know. The chapter dealt with born guilty. The book suggested we were not born guilty but we do inherit tendencies. I had never thought of this before a couple weeks ago. The second commandment does share this concept as it states, “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children.” I have recently called generational bondage. These are sins that you may be prone to because of earlier ancestors not overcoming the sins.
Reed Richardi Response # 10 to Brian Assignment # 5
Brian I couldn't agree more that Romans 5:8 is uplifting to the soul. There have been many times that God's love seemed to me distant and uncertain. But this verse has reminded me many times that God has demonstrated the depth of His love to us at the cross of Jesus.
I am not sure I understand what you meant when you said "I understand that love is a feeling and feelings are not important to salvation." I believe that true love can affect our emotions but that it is not itself an emotion but something deeper. I believe love is at the heart of salvation because it is what motivated God to save us and ultimately it is what motivates us to turn to Him. "We love Him because He first loved us." As you said it pulls us to toward the atonement.
I read the BRI article by Angel Manuel Rodriguez entitled “Justification in Romans 3:21-24.”
A large part of what Rodriguez was doing in this article is arguing against original sin. He spends a good deal of time focusing on the context of what Paul was doing in chapters 1-3 in demonstrating that all are sinful on an individual level. Since Paul has spent all this time laboriously showing how everyone has sinned and showing that the Bible also teaches that all have sinned, he is not now making a switch to saying that it’s really about the sin of Adam. In fact, Adam hasn’t even shown up yet at this point in the epistle. I think Rodriguez is right in his arguments. It is so important to interpret any writing within the flow of argumentation, especially Paul and especially Romans.
Rodriguez also says that since all are sinful, justification is to all, with no difference from one to the next. Though he didn’t say it, I think what is implied here is that since all are sinful in the judgement, all are sinful in justification. This is consistent with what Paul has argued already in Romans (chapter 2 I believe) that there is no partiality before God, that is, before his judgment. Judgement is impartial, and salvation is impartial. You didn’t get a free pass because you were an Israelite then, and you don’t get a free past because you are an Adventist, and part of “God’s remnant church” now. (To be clear, I put that in quotation marks because I don’t believe it is the institution that is the remnant, but the message.)
Another thing that Rodriguez made an excellent distinction on was in regards to the use of 3:24 to argue for universal legal justification:
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. They "are being freely justified,"
I love a good Greek explanation. I think this verse is a good example of a time when the Greek makes something crystal clear. But we are all at risk of making the same mistake the universal justification people have made. Once we get our pet theories, especially when we get excited about them, we really want to be able to prove them.
Thanks for commenting on my presentation! I love the doctrine of the covenant so much. You stirred up some more questions for me, enough that I'm going to make it another post. I did want to comment here that you stated your case slightly differently than I stated mine in the presentation. My understanding is that in the cultures of the time, both parties would not pass through, but only the inferior party would pass through. So not only did God take on all the responsibility, he broke Abraham's cultural norm and God himself stood in the place of the inferior, ready to take the consequences on himself.
A couple of thoughts/questions about the covenant especially for Wazoua. The covenant to Abraham in chapter 15 was that he would have a son and that his offspring would be as the stars. Do you think that is a reference to Israel only or to all the nations that would be blessed through Abraham's Seed (meaning Jesus)? I could go either way, though Romans chapter 4 and 9:6 lead me to believe there could be a broader meaning in this case. That seems to be one the issues that is prevalent when dealing with the covenants, many of them were for Israel, including the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-35. Are we to understand them as applying only to Israel.
Perhaps God’s intention was actually for all nations to become Israel, not for Israel to become an exclusive nation. There were provisions in the law of Moses of non-Israelites to become Israelites and they were called a nation of priests. Maybe what God really wanted to happen when the Israelites came into Canaan was for the Canaanites, seeing the power of Israel’s God, to open their land to Israel to live among them and teach them to worship their God.
I say all this in the context of covenant because I think there are some really valid reasons to apply covenant beyond Israel to encompass all those who worship the God of Israel. Of course, there are also the numerous Pauline statements on the matter in places such as Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-9 which talk about those who have faith being the true sons of Abraham.
I have another question about the Abramic covenant specifically. Though there were no conditions on the first covenant with Abraham (chapter 15) there were on the second (chapter 17, the covenant of circumcision). In chapter 17 God told Abraham to walk blamelessly before him and keep circumcisions for himself and male offspring. So can we really say the covenant did not have conditions? I suppose that depends on whether we see one covenant or two. Is circumcision only a seal of the first covenant given after the fact? Or are they separate? Paul says in Romans 4 that it was so that Abraham could be the father of both the circumcision (Israel) and the uncircumcision (Gentiles). Interestingly, it is this covenant, in chapter 17, the one with the conditions that is called the “everlasting covenant.” The chapter 15 covenant was not called everlasting. But both of them seem to be promising more or less the same thing, that he will have a whole lot of descendants. I know I’m not coming up with any answers here, but there is an awful lot to think about. I tend to think that chapters 15 & 17 aren’t really different, that 17 is more of an affirmation. Any thoughts?
Love your comments on Romans 12 and humility, especially the very practical questions you are asking about spiritual gifts. It makes me think of something Oswald Chambers said that you might find helpful, to paraphrase, he said that we should live in such a way not that we cause people to admire us, but that we cause people to long for Jesus. So maybe we shouldn't think too much about using our spiritual gifts, and more about helping other people see Jesus, and even helping other people use their gifts. It seems that much of Paul's talk on spiritual gifts is pointed to say that you should respect and appreciate the gifts of others, not that you should be all about using your own gifts. And in typical self-obsessed style, we have made the spiritual gifts all about asking "what gift do I have?"
What does faith mean? More specifically, what does Paul mean when he uses the word faith, pistis in Greek, especially in the book of Romans. It occured to me as I asked this question that we have a lot more words for faith in English than they had in Greek. While they have four words for love to our inadequate one word, we have three (that I count) wonderfully precise words which do us no good with the New Testament because Greek has only the one word pistis. Maybe someone with more Hebrew skill could enlighten me on what the situation is with Hebrew because I don’t remember. The three English words I can think of are belief, faith, and trust. And then there is also the very different connotation of faithfulness.
I was once listening to a lecture on the philosophy of religion and the professor, whose name escapes me, said that he suspects that what religious people really mean by faith is simply a misnomer for belief. He said that they are really trying to say that to them they believe that things are such-and-such. At first I thought he was on to something, but I changed my mind. Saving faith is not only a belief that things are a certain way. That is the kind of belief that the Enemy even has, but it makes him afraid. It makes him turn away from God. No, saving pistis is something more than that.
So that leaves us with the words faith and trust. Those two words are pretty similar. Faith has taken a lot of religious overtones for us which might make it more difficult to understand. But trust, that is a word we can understand. You trust someone when you have confidence in that a person can do something or that a person is something. And you exercise trust only when you realize that you need that person to do that thing or be that person for you.
In addition to taking this DOS class, I’ve also been taking a class from Dr. Choi, exegesis of Romans (by the way, I highly recommend it if you are ready to put in some serious time and effort and learn a whole lot about Romans). One of the ideas we have been talking about is a definition of faith as turning to God from a sense of need. I have fallen in love with this definition. I see it most clearly in 10:13. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” When we see our need and we know that God can fill it we trust God to do so, we have faith. That is why faith is so much more than mere belief. Faith and trust cause you to turn in hope to the one you rely on, belief could just as easily lead you to run in fear.
Reed Richardi Assignment # 11 The devotional today from My Utmost for His Highest is about Christian perfection. I just couldn’t resist blogging about it. Here are two quotes:
“It is a snare to image that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do: God’s purpose to make us one with Himself.”
“If you go off on this idea of personal holiness [i.e. Christian perfection], the dead-set of your life will not be for God, but for what you call the manifestation of God in your life.”
The point that Oswald Chambers is trying to make is that God is not after perfection of character He is after us. And likewise that what we should pursue is not perfection of character but God Himself. Chambers does not deny perfection but believes that it is not God’s final goal. I agree. Perfection may be a fruit of a perfect relationship with God but it is not the end in and of itself. God is after us. He wants us and we should want Him. It is amazing how the sinful human heart can turn something as good as perfection of character and holiness into an idol. We can seek perfection and holiness not out of a love for God but out of a love for ourselves. How holy is our pursuit of holiness if we don’t seek God Himself? I am not saying that we shouldn’t seek after righteousness and holiness but that they too must be kept in their proper place, so that God is everything. Holiness is a fruit and possibly even a means to the end but never the end itself. The one thing that is needed (Lk 10:38-42), the one thing we should desire (Ps. 27:4), the one pearl of great price (Mt. 13:44-46) is God Himself. Let us not seek the rewards and gifts only forgetting that the greatest Reward (Gen. 15:1), the greatest Gift (Jn. 3:16) is found in the person of God. I of course am preaching to myself. I find it very natural to pursue things other than God and make idols of whatever I meet. May God’s amazing love change us all that we would seek Him first. As we think about how He has sought us and loved us even more than His own life may our hearts respond and seek not the mere gifts but the Giver Himself.
I appreciate what you said about the depth and simplicity of Romans 6:23. It is so true. And there is certainly a bondage to be aware of. I would, however, suggest caution in the concept of "generational bondage." I'm not sure that Paul is getting at that idea. I think he is saying that our choices of who we will serve (think about, pay attention to) are what place us in bondage. We have the influences of our heritage as fallen humans descendant from fallen humans, but we have no bondage to them unless we serve them, unless they are what we focus on and think about. This is where I sometimes see a problem with the idea of generational bondage, the focus is placed on the sin that is passed down, what it is, how it was passed down, how to deal with it, and all the time we are really serving that sin because we are spending all our efforts on the sin. Instead we are called to behold Christ, his goodness, love and mercy, the cross, the law of God, and all the things that are of the spirit.
Alicia thanks for clarifying your position about God's role in the covenant. I loved your presentation. The thought of God humbling Himself and taking on the role of the inferior party along with its consequences is absolutely amazing. What an amazing picture of God's humility! I see God's humility as a beautiful theme that runs through the Bible especially as it pertains to our salvation. To summarize Andrew Murray: It is pride that caused sin; it is from our pride that we need to be saved; and it is humility of Jesus that brings us salvation.
I read that devotional too! It was so amazing. This is the quote that really got to me, "I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God." Thanks for sharing!
I know it is outside of what we are supposed to write on in this class, but I recently read a blog on Adventist Today that I can’t help but respond to.
The article is a criticism of the emerging church movement. In it, Cindy Tutsch states that “Emergents minimize or negate the value of Christ's blood sacrifice, and prefer to emphasize the kingdom of grace today over kingdom of glory imminence.” I have heard this argument ad nauseum from Adventists and non-Adventists alike. There is good reason for it. Let me state that clearly. Because some in the emerging church movement clearly and undeniably have this problem with the gospel, and it is a major, major problem.
People like Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and probably Rob Bell fall into the category of either denying the gospel or minimizing it until it’s just not there. Their theology looks more and more like mainline liberal social-gospel theology. And as someone who puts her faith in scripture as authority and Christ as savior from sin and not just poverty, I have a problem with that system of theology.
But they are only a small portion of the emerging church movement. People like Dan Kimball, Mark Driscoll, Alan Hirsch, Frank Viola, and many others are both a part of the emerging church and strongly affirm the gospel, propositional truth, and the whole bit. Some like Mark Driscoll do it with all the reform tradition fire-and-brimstone theology.
Cindy Tutsch is really only talking about the liberal strain of the emerging church, but she is either ignorant of this or intentionally deceives. I tend to believe she is only ignorant. Why do we do this to people? If we are right, why do we have to resort of this type of rhetoric? Why can’t we try to genuinely understand each other? Straw-man arguments and superficial attempts at understanding just don't seem to me like the way Jesus would do things.
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed through the renewal of your mind.”
Transformed, not conformed. Conformed has an outward type of a connotation to it. Transformed is an inside-out type of a change. So don’t just imitate something, don’t just try to look a certain way, but experience inner renewal beginning with your mind, the seed of thought.
This verse sounds like it applies to worldliness verses, well, whatever we place in opposition to worldliness, usually the morals and lifestyle promoted by the church. But the word used in Greek is not actually the world for world (kosmos) that is used in all those passages about the dangers of worldliness. The word is actually ainos, age. It frustrates me when translators do stuff like that, but that’s another story.
So it is really saying not to be conformed to the age. Don’t simply adopt what you see around as being good and right. This has a different connotation because it could so easily be applied inside of the church as well as outside of the church. Although, as we all know that culture inside the church usually trails the culture outside it by a couple of decades. Yet this does not make it any less conforming to the age.
But maybe it is even deeper than that. Maybe sometimes in church we just promote a kind of religious conformity to whatever Christianity happens to look like in our age. It is so hard. We don’t even know where to begin when it comes to inner transformation and renewal of the mind. The reason we don’t know where to begin is that it is really something God does for us and not something we can do ourselves. So we need to admit that all we can do is try and look good, our best is only conforming to the age. We need to ask for help.
I really appreciated what you had to say about LGT. I agree that it's a major problem and not in harmony with the gospel. I particularly love this witty quote about the guy with weird 144K theology, "Though this man seemed to have his basic arithmetic under control, he needed to check his exegesis and theology."
Assignment 2 Ellen white experienced periods in her life where she was unsure of her personal salvation. She expressed a deep desire to be filled with the spirit and an earnest hungering and thirsting after righteousness. She in no wise presented herself as a spiritual superior in fact she personally confessed f fallibility and refused to claim perfection. She personally stated that she was striving to be perfect and she wasn’t expecting others to be perfect. And if she couldn’t connect with her imperfect brothers and sisters she didn’t know what she would do. I believe that Ellen white was just a normal person who God used to tell people a message. She was a messenger of the lord. The message is perfect not the messenger. We often times critique the messenger and misapply the message.
Assignment 2 Ellen white experienced periods in her life where she was unsure of her personal salvation. She expressed a deep desire to be filled with the spirit and an earnest hungering and thirsting after righteousness. She in no wise presented herself as a spiritual superior in fact she personally confessed f fallibility and refused to claim perfection. She personally stated that she was striving to be perfect and she wasn’t expecting others to be perfect. And if she couldn’t connect with her imperfect brothers and sisters she didn’t know what she would do. I believe that Ellen white was just a normal person who God used to tell people a message. She was a messenger of the lord. The message is perfect not the messenger. We often times critique the messenger and misapply the message.
Reed Richardi Assignment # 12 I think it is amazing that not only has God perfectly provided for our salvation in Jesus Christ, but that God is the one who gives us the faith to believe in Jesus. Romans 12:3 says “…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”. Similarly Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” We cannot even claim credit for our own faith, it is put into our hands by God to be given back to Him. We never give anything original or of our own to God because we don’t have anything of our own, it all originates with God. David understood this when he prayed “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You” (1 Chr. 29:14). Just a few verses prior to Romans 12:3 Paul puts us into our place in 11:35 by asking the rhetorical question “who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” Then in the next verse Paul says “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” This is a wonderful verse to think about in regards to salvation. Everything about salvation is of God (i.e. God is the Author), is through God (i.e. God is the means), and is to God (God is the final goal and fulfillment). It could be illustrated this way. A small child wants to give his mother something for her birthday but has no money to buy a present. So the child asks his mother for money. She gives him money (and drives him to the store) and he buys her a present with it. The gift has its beginning, means, and end with the mother yet she values the gift not because her son gives her something but because of the relationship behind the gift. So God gives us the very faith to believe in Him and graciously (and gratefully) accepts “our” faith not because he values the faith but because He desires the relationship with us. He is so good! Salvation is certainly is not about me it is ALL about Him! Oh Lord forgive me for my self-focus. May I give place and glory to You as the ALL in ALL. May I always gratefully accept the faith You give me and return it to you in love.
Tyler Rosengren Assignment #9 – Romans 9 Romans 9 is probably one of the most interesting theological chapters I have ever read. This is because here Paul deals with the topic of “Israel” and he says the infamous line “for they are not all Israel who are of Israel”. I find this chapter the most interesting because I am still amazed by the movement of mainstream evangelical Christianity. It has done a lot to gain a momentum over the past two hundred years in the United States and one of their main assumptions is the theology of dispensationalism. When I first became a Christian I became and Adventist so I never had trouble with understanding Paul in Romans 9. However I have discussed this chapter with a few evangelical friends and I am still amazed at how differently they see it. To me it seems very plain and clear especially when Paul talks about the children of God being called in Isaac, who is a child of faith, not of flesh. I also like it because it is very clear when it says that those “who are children of flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as the seed”.
Alicia I really appreciated your thoughts. I hadn't thought about the word translated "world" in the greek before. You are so right that the church typically adopts the thinking of the age but at the "safe" distance of trailing behind a couple of decades. We must continually evaluate our ideas, beleifs, and attitudes. Are they a result of uncritically conforming to what the current trends sees as God's viewpoint? May we be renewed and transformed by the eternal God and His eternal Word.
As I read this chapter I really felt Paul yearning for his own “fleshly” brethren, the Jews. It is as if he knows that they have no special right to salvation other than that Jesus was coming through their lineage. When he says that his “heart’s desire” is for them to be saved I feel his emotion because I too have family that I wish will be saved as well. He even says that his family has “zeal” for God. I found this to be a challenging concept because I wonder how someone can have a zeal for God and yet not know the truth? I guess we are all at different points in our walks with him and not everyone is a Seventh-day Adventist. But sometimes in my min I struggle with the idea that truth is truth and that if you truly have a “zeal for God” then wouldn’t you logically become a Seventh-day Adventist? I do, however, understand that God is bringing people along the way to where the are at and I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing people to myself or even comparing myself to them. I sometimes ask, if it was as easy as it was for me to become a Seventh-day Adventist then why aren’t all those who have “zeal for God” following in similar footsteps? I am challenged with this as well as the fact that I have been called to live this life and am wondering why others haven’t been called to a similar life (although I do know some have because being at the Seminary for the past two years has shown me that). I also like in this chapter how Paul states in verse 12 that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him”. Paul really understands God’s will for everyone’s life. He knows that God doesn’t show any personal favoritism but loves everyone just the same. I am impressed that Paul understands this even though he was brought up with such a strong traditional Jewish background.
This was a great explanation of how the Jews relate to salvation. The idea of using a tree and how people are grafted in and out is brilliant. I do not understand how others (again thinking of my evangelical friends) cannot see what Paul is saying and that the Jews today are not the only special chosen ones of God. I have been a numerous conversations where this passage is misunderstood. I am challenged by what I perceive as people’s spiritual blindness. I do ask for understanding from God because at times I feel called to preach a specific message to people who do not want to hear it. It seems I have all this knowledge yet it cannot share it with anyone because they are not willing to hear. Is this because they have “hardened their hearts” or is it just not he right time. My challenge is still why most people do not accept the gospel call. It is as simple as this chapter explains it, just believe and you will be grafted in. Disbelieve and you will be disconnected from the tree. I like also how Paul explains that the root is Jesus Christ and not the Jewish heritage. He makes it very clear so nobody should misunderstand it.
This chapter has a special place in my life because when I was in undergrad I did a personality test and when the results came in it gave you a Bible verse that was to go along with your life. Mine was Romans 12:1, 2. What I found interesting about these two verse especially was that when reading different translation you will get totally different readings on it. I usually read form the NKJV and for the most part it is clear but there are some parts where the ideas from the text do not really come out very clearly. For example in the NKJV verse one says to present your bodies as a living sacrifice...”which is your reasonable service” but when you read that in the NIV it says that presenting your bodies is an “act of worship”. Reasonable service and act of worship seem like two totally different concepts and I find it hard to think that either author it completely right because how could you possibly come up with two totally different translations from the same Greek text? Either way, I really did like discovering the NIV text from this verse as it added a deeper meaning for me from the text. Also the second part has been a constant reminder for me as to how I should live my life. I do find it challenging with the world all around and the temptations so near to stay focused. But I have found that the Word really helps me stay focused because it is constantly reminding me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind and to test all things that come across my path.
Tyler Rosengren Assignment # 13 – The final assignment!!!
This chapter was very practical. I enjoyed the small but power section where it talked about how we ought to submit to authority because God is the one who has given them control. This is a grand concept because that means that God is in control even of the secular world, those who are professing not to follow Him. It is almost as if this is a paradox of some sort however it really paitns a big picture of who God is and what He is in control of. I do have a small question as to the overarching interpretation of this text because it says that all those who are authorities exist and are appointed by God. My question is in regards to places where gov’ts are corrupt. This could very well be our systems (as they have a little bit of corruption) however I am thinking more of systems like communism, or some of the dictators in Africa. Is God really in control of all of these people as well? I know that I can agree with this verse because I am from Canada and I agree with my gov’t for the most part and understand that they are doing the best that they can, but what about people form these other places? If they were to read the same verse would they agree with it? Hhhmmm, yet another question to be answered in heaven.
In chapter 4 of Ellen White on Salvation, Whidden explains how Ellen White’s “understanding of what constitutes and experience of sanctification and perfection would change over the years.” I wonder if we take this into account when we read Ellen White’s comments of the topic of salvation. It seems that some of her writings at times may have been more works centered and less justification centered. If that is so it would seem to be important to recognize how she grew and developed in her walk with God as we read her writings.
In chapter 4 we also learn that Ellen White never claimed to be perfect. I admire this about her. She recognized her weaknesses and yet remained steadfast to God’s work. As she put it “I do not claim to be perfect, but I am trying to be perfect.” In her eyes to be perfect meant to be “always humble, chastened by revelations of fallibility, but eager to press on in the race for the high goal of practical righteousness.” This is a stark contrast to Brother B in chapter 3 of Whidden’s book.
Balance is so very important whenever we consider salvation. This is apparent as I read chapter 5 of Whidden’s Ellen White on Salvation. It’s easy to go too far to the left or the right of the true meaning of salvation. One can be too works oriented and another can be too grace oriented which according to Ellen White is just as bad. As she explains, “it is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought grace in order to take the place of the Law….God’s moral government and His grace are inseparable.”
I know that I have struggled to find the balance at different times in my walk with God. I have dwelt on either side of salvation at times. I’ve been harsh/legalistic and at other times maybe too lenient and grace centered. Phillip Yancey talks about “grace abuse” in his book What’s So Amazing Grace. We are all in danger of abusing grace so that we might do what we please, when we please, how we please, and still experience the blessings of Salvation. I don’t want to be legalistic and at the same time I don’t want to abuse God’s grace. Ultimately, I hope that I can become more balanced as I continue to walk with Him.
In Romans 5:3 Paul says “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” I wonder how many of us actually “glory in our tribulations.” I think it’s easier said than done. I guess we have to recognize that even our trials serve a purpose in our Salvation experience. They serve the purpose of character development and spiritual growth.
In this same chapter we see Christ’s love for His enemies exemplified. The interesting thing is that we were His enemies. And yet Jesus still willingly died for us. Jesus didn’t die for us when we were good and obedient. He didn’t die for us when we were righteous and willing to follow Him. He died for us when we were unrighteous, unwilling, and ungodly.
The most controversial issue in this in this chapter is has to do with universal justification. There are some verses in Chapter 5 that could be used to support this concept. However I think verse 17 is key to understanding the issue properly. It says “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Maybe I’m wrong but it seems like the key to having the gift of salvation is receiving the gift of salvation. This fits with John 1:12 which says “as many as received him gave He the power to become the sons of God. ”
There’s a movie called Dead Man Walking. I think it would be a good title for a sermon that focused on Romans 6. In Romans 6 Paul says “consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” And when we consider 1 Corinthians 15:31we see that this is to be an ongoing experience for Paul says “I die daily.” So we could ask ourselves the following questions: am I dead right now? Have I died to sin? Have I died to self? Have I died to the unrighteous ways of the world?
I know I can’t always answer those questions in the affirmative because I think sometimes I choose not to die but to live according to my will. The thing I’ve noticed though is life is so much better when we die to sin. By losing our lives we save our lives and experience life as Christ intended. Jesus explained that in order to be truly fruitful one must die. In John 12:24 He said "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." On the contrary living in sin spells misery and mayhem.
I feel like Paul is reading my mind and sharing my sentiments in Romans chapter 7. I struggle at times to do what is right at and find myself doing what is wrong instead. Some argue that this is early in Paul’s experience and that he would never say these things later as a mature Christian. But I disagree. The fact that Paul spent his time in chapter six talking about dying to sin leads me to believe that he understood what we should be but struggled to be that at times. I love how he turns our attention to Christ at the end of this chapter. Can we be delivered from this state of sin? Can we live a victorious life? Yes!! But only through Christ and like Paul we must thank God for that.
This chapter raises the issue of whether a person can be saved while they are sinning. It would seem so by the fact that Paul says “I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Verse 17 NASB). Paul is saying this as a born again Christian. The issue seems to be that though Paul has died to sin, he still is waging war against “the flesh” as a mortal human being. In fact it seems Paul doesn’t even claim full responsibility for his sin when he says “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” It seems as long as we are in these sinful bodies we will battle sin and lose some battles but ultimately Christ will deliver us.
Romans chapter 8 is by far one of my favourite chapters in all of the Bible. I especially love verse 18 onwards. Deliverance seems to be the theme of these verses - deliverance from suffering and deliverance from sin. Nature and all of creation is longing for deliverance from the sinful state of this world. We long for deliverance unable to utter our groanings at times but relying on the Holy Spirit to interpret our prayers.
There are several things that comfort us in these verses. Romans 8:28 assures us that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (NASB). This verse isn’t saying that God bring bad things upon us but He is able to take the bad and cause it to work together for our good. He specializes in reversing the unfavourable situations and experiences of our lives. We can also find comfort in the love of God which we can never be separated from. And we can certainly find comfort in the fact that “if God be for us, who can be against us.”
A major theological issue in this chapter is the issue of predestination. We must remember that we all have a freedom of choice and we all have been predestined to be saved. John 3:16 says “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This means that that anyone can choose to believe in Christ and be saved. Likewise God does not desire for anyone to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is “not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance”
In Romans 9 Paul reveals that it takes more than an ethnic Israelite background to be considered part of the Israel of God. Quite often Jews took comfort in the fact that they were physical descendants of Abraham (see Matt.3:7-9; John 8:33-34)). However Paul dismantles this notion in Romans 9. Referring to ethnic Israelites Paul says “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants ‘Through Isaac your descendants will be named.’ That is it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God but the children of promise are regarded as descendants” (v.6-8). Being a physical Jew does not make a person a child of God. On the contrary only a child of promise is truly a child of God.
Paul sheds light on the meaning of “the children of promise” using the illustration of Isaacs’s miraculous birth (Rom.9: 9). It took faith to see the birth of Isaac. Sarah was well passed the time of her natural ability to conceive. Yet God promised that she would give birth to a son. Through faith the promise was fulfilled and Isaac was born. In like manner though faith (not ethnicity) we are counted as the children of God and partakers of the covenant promises. The promise and faith belong inseparably together, as Paul states, ‘The promise comes by faith so that it may be by grace’ (Rom.4:16).
The one thing I find challenging about this chapter is verses 17-18 which speak of God hardening Pharoah’s heart. We sometimes place the blame on Pharaoh for not accepting/obeying God. But speaking of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, verse 17 says “for this very purpose i raised you up.” Then verse 18 says God “hardens whom He desires.” It seems like God interfered with Pharoahs free choice according to these verses.
In chapter 7 of the book on Ellen White the topic is atonement. I commented on this in an earlier blog when I typed about text in Chapter 5 of Romans where it points towards a moral influence type of atonement. The other view of atonement made in this chapter is the one that is said to be the primary view of Ellen White. The view stated in this is chapter is the substitutionary theory. There were other theories of atonement that we very much like this one, but the overwhelming thought is that the atonement is the justice of God. The very act may be out of love, but the act is a form of His justice in the judgment. The two thoughts are intertwined. The book however tries to separate them. I think there is an advantage to holistically approaching these two views. The fact is that the Bible says in Psalm 85:10, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other”
I know there has been much talk about the chapter of Romans 8 in our class about foreknowledge and predestination. So I chose to blog on a different part of Romans 8. I think of the conflict of the audience as I read the chapter Romans 8. The very first verse Paul tries to comfort the people, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The people are concerned with a life or death scenario. The people must realize that the flesh is death and the spirit is life. They also seem to be confused on which one they actually have in their lives. I guess today we might still have the problem or question, “Am I worldly or spiritually minded?” Paul tried to deal with these questions they had. Paul as he came to close in the chapter asks the audience a pointed and directional question in verse 31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I know as I have lived my life I have questioned my views and actions on this earth. I know I do not want to live unto death. I know that my mind should be on God and not on earthly thoughts and concerns. Paul continued with a list of things to conclude the chapter that cannot separate us from the love of God. I found this more of an impact on my salvation that the foreknowledge of God and the predestination He has for me in this life. I especially appreciate the daily application I can take from the text and use it in my life.
In Romans 10 we find some answers to the issues of universal justification and predestination. In Romans 10:9 Paul clearly states that salvation is conditional when he says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (see also verse11). Faith in Christ is the key to the salvation and the covenant.
The issue of predestination is also addressed when Paul says “whoever will call on the name of the lord will be saved" (verse 13). This opens salvation to whoever will choose to call on the name of the Lord. The word whoever is used in verse 11 and appears throughout the New Testament in reference to accepting Christ etc. Matt 10: 32 – "Whoever… acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Matt 10:39 – Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mark 3:35 – Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
John 6:37 – whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 11:26 – whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Rev 22:17 – Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
I read the BRI document on the “Dynamics of Salvation.” The article was a well thought out and well-ordered description of the dynamics of salvation. The simplicity from the start gave the reader a sense of accomplishment as one would read through the article. The article started from a very practical point in everyone’s life. The needs of humanity in salvation are crucial to the beginning of coming to salvation. The article in some way reminded me of my proposal on the study of salvation in Romans 1 and 2. The article made the specifics of needs evident that we all we need salvation. I found the next section to be the heart of the matter of salvation. The very essence of salvation is the divine initiative. It is true from what I read in Scripture that God is the One that searches us out as the Shepherd who lost one of His sheep. Then after God does what He only can do He waits for our response. How patient of God do we have? His patience is everlasting and He pushes or coerces no one to salvation. It is amazing that He waits for our response. Once we do make the response our lives change. This change does not happen as quickly as it sounds. The change takes time with special insights though our struggles. I think the changing might start at the beginning but there are things that take longer than just a moment at our response to grace. In the end salvation is the avenue for the change and for the new life in Christ. We need it like we need air to the brain.
Paul’s parable of the olive tree illustrates the uniting of Jew and Gentile into one covenant. While it is true that there were Jews who accepted the Gospel and received Christ as their savior (e.g. day of Pentecost Acts 2) the fact is that still many did not. There were those Jews who rejected Christ and His messengers time and time again; those Jews who were “hardened” (Rom.11:7); those Jews who turned a blind eye and a deaf ear (Rom.11:8); those who “stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Rom.9:32; see also 1 Cor.1:23). Thus, eventually the Gospel was taken from them and given to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46; see also Christ’s parable in Matt.21:33-43). The Jews who refused Christ were “broken off” the olive tree of Israel “for their unbelief” (Rom.11:20). God then replaced them with believing Gentiles – “you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree” (Rom.11:17). Hence once again Paul portrays the Israel of God as consisting of both Jew and Gentile who have accepted Christ.
Still despite the evidence in Paul’s letters there are some who suggest that the Israel of God consists of believing and unbelieving Jews. They base their argument on Romans 11:26 – “and thus all Israel will be saved.” However, in the context of this passage, Paul clearly stresses that the covenant relationship and salvation are conditional to faith in Christ. He states that the only way unbelieving Jews will be grafted again into the olive tree is if “they do not continue in their unbelief” (Rom.11:23).
So is Paul contradicting himself when he says “all Israel will be saved”? No, Paul is not contradicting himself. He is simply saying that “all Israel” – a united group of believing Jews and Gentiles who have accepted the gospel “will be saved.”
In chapter 9 in the book on Ellen White by Whidden there is a discussion on the topic justification by faith. The chapter was a clarifying attempt on the term justification in relation to faith. There were some things as a former Catholic I found similar in the chapter. The statement, “once saved, always saved” was a common phrase in the Catholic Church. They even take it further with the application to baptism. They see no need for rebaptism. When I was in Green Bay, WI visiting my Grandma she took me to a seminar put on by the Catholic Church. At the end when we were visiting my Grandma asked a priest that my baptism as a Catholic meant I was always Catholic and I would not need another baptism, the priest said yes. If that was true then I would still be Catholic in their eyes. The baptism however is not my merit to salvation or denomination. It is the expression of an acceptance to the merit of Christ for my salvation. The chapter goes deeper into the concept of merits. I was clear on most of the points except the merits of Christ protect us from Satan. I have a hard time believe by having Christ’s merits I am on advantage ground before Satan. We cannot just hand the protection service to God as if He is a spiritual bodyguard. We must take the Scripture Christ has given us as a weapon against Satan and his demons. Christ Himself used the Scripture as a sword against Satan in the wilderness. I do believe we have action ourselves to perform here in the attacks of Satan. Now I know we cannot fight the devil on our own but with God’s Spirit and help.
In the BRI document “Salvation by Faith” by Elder Jan Paulsen there was a great deal that I have learned this semester in a couple of my classes here at Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. I was confronted this semester with the thought of objectivity and subjectivity. I thought before this semester nothing of the sort. The sermon by Elder Jan Paulsen put the two terms in connection with salvation in a way I have not considered before. I thought Dr. Hanna was the only one that thought this way seeing that this semester was the first time I really heard the terms with theology. The concept though was put in plain view by Elder Jan Paulsen. Now with Dr. Hanna and this sermon by Elder Paulsen I have new field to dig deeper into for a clearer understanding of salvation. The sermon after this new found knowledge went pretty much the way that most topic of salvation go. There were a couple new ideas presented in the sermon about the justification term. The term was suggested to have legality in regards to the relationship we have with God. The sermon then continued on with the clearing of our alienation we experience with God. I found that the sermon for the most part has been the same things said over and over on salvation. The sermon was good and uplifting. I am amazed that even though the words and ideas may be the same continually the impact still reaches the very soul of my heart.
In Romans 5 we read about Christ’s love for His enemies. Christ exemplified his words “love your enemies” when He died for the human race. Now in Romans 12 we are instructed to love our enemies as well. In verse 17-21 Paul says “repay no one evil for evil…do not avenge yourselves…If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink …Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Though at times it may be more naturally to fight physically we must be steadfast to fight spiritually through goodness and righteousness remembering that the words of verse 19 - “’Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”
All in all, this chapter seems to center more along the lines of sanctification and practical Christianity. Paul says we are to be “living sacrifices,” “holy, acceptable to God,” not “conformed to this world but transformed.” It speaks about how we are to live (verses 1-20), how we are to serve (3-8), and how we are to behave as Christians (9-21). Ultimately we are to be like Christ who not only died for our sins but lived to serve and love all even those who opposed and persecuted Him.
The topic of salvation takes on an urgent nature when we consider it in the context of the second coming/end times. In Romans when Paul speaks of the end of time he emphasises morality and obedience. Romans 13 urges us to live lawful, moral lives in light of the fact that our “salvation is nearer to us than when we believed” (verse 11). Paul continues in verses 12-13 saying “the night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness…Let us behave properly as in the day.” The Second Coming even influenced how Ellen White wrote about salvation at times. Woodrow Whidden explains how “some of the most challenging concepts in the vast body of her writings that deal with perfection” appear in her book The Great Controversy. If Paul and Ellen White spoke urgently in light of the second coming, how much more should we who live many years later and many years closer to the end of time.
I would like to blog about the text in Romans chapter 10 verses 1-10. The text continues with the subject of the ending of chapter 9. Paul was talking about the Jews at the end of chapter 9. Paul continues in the beginning of chapter 10 his sentiments for his fellow brethren. He even goes as far as to title it, “my heart’s desire.” He really has burning for his brethren he has spent most of his life studying with in the synagogues. I can only think it would be the same desire we have for our family and friends that are lost. This is the very desire in the heart of Paul for his fellow brethren. As Paul writes more in the chapter he describes the Jew’s misguided journey of righteousness. They place their hopes in their own righteousness and denied Jesus. Paul says in verse 9, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Paul wanted them to trust that God had sent Jesus and He was the Christ. He also continued a common thread I have heard continually in salvation. We need Jesus for salvation and our response is to believe in Him as the One who died to reconcile our relationship with God. That relationship then moves to a trust in God that comes when we, “call upon the name of the LORD" (verse 13). Those who do so shall be saved and this is the greatest desire we may have for our fellow classmates, friends, and family.
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«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 765 Newer› Newest»Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 13, 2010
Response Assignment 6
Response to Alexander Rybachech – Concerning Paul’s Epistle to Roman Christian Hypocrisy.
Should I start by saying “Preach on, preach on!” We have always thought ourselves better than others. When we review the historical records of our founding fathers, dating back to the 1800’s; we see combat evangelism as a big part of the problems with early Adventism. We are still under the influence of combating other denominations and religions as we search our way through scripture. It has been human nature to condemn man since ‘the fall’. Where are the Paul’s of 2010 to put in check the metaphoric Jewish church (SDA’s) and the Gentile church (everybody else). If Paul was alive today, would his message be any different to all of us?
Alexander, I love the metaphoric comparison of the vacuum to salvation. I would only re-word the one statement that says Paul creates... Paul does not create the vacuum – empty space in our heart – for Jesus, instead the vacuum has existed in mans’ heart since the fall of man. Paul simply points out the obvious and recommends the solution – Jesus.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 13, 2010
Response Assignment 7
Response to Nick Clark – concerning Romans 3
Paul does present a balanced and holistic approach to righteousness. The balance that Paul brings is to reconcile their former knowledge of Old Testament teachings concerning righteousness to the holistic message of faith as it relates to Christ. Righteousness was legalistic to the Christians in Rome. Paul wanted to free them from their confused and ignorant understanding of God and sin. Paul points out that even though the entire world is guilty, God remains faithful.
Nick, you make a good point about Christ providing the way for salvation, it is a gift that we must accept. You are right; it is also true that it is sometimes harder to accept a gift than to receive one. Although this is true to some degree, if you stop and think about it, it is only hard to take a gift from someone you do not have a close relationship with. When you love someone dearly and have a great relationship with them, it is exiting and joyful to receive a gift from them because whatever the gift may be you know it will be for your benefit, need and pleasure. And this is how God gives, He gave us Christ and Christ gives the gift of salvation which is for our benefit, need and pleasure.
Comment on Ellen White on Salvation Chapter 13 Gospel Balance
In this section of the book Whidden attempts to clarify what appears to be a very contentious argument in Seventh-day Adventism. This debate according to Whidden surrounds primarily around the concept of imputation vs. impartation. These two views are both contradictory and complimentary depending on which perspective one takes on the issues. Navigating through these comparative views enables the believer to better understand the challenge of maintaining balance in the ongoing debate surrounding merit obedience, faith and works, and law and grace. According to Whidden these are mutually complimentary (not contradictory) essentials of salvation. This is extremely important in any conversation concerning the Gospel since one’s understanding of these comparative views would ultimately determine ones view of personal salvation. Whidden’s careful analysis of these two concepts assists the individual believer with coming to a clearer understanding of Ellen White’s perspective on acceptance and assurance of salvation. Several of the statements cited by Whidden assists him with demonstrating how Ellen White achieves this balance throughout her writing ministry. One of the statements that accomplishes this objective with the greatest clarity states, “No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met at Calvary, Thus the cross, in earnest appeals, continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation.” This statement by Ellen White clearly demonstrates her understanding of the relationship between imputation and impartation. From this statement it is obvious that she clearly viewed one, as having an important bearing on the other, such as the one was the result of the other. In other words, imputation was Christ work at Calvary, which leads to the continual work of expiation throughout the believer’s life whereby the righteousness of Christ is imparted to the penitent sinner. This view demonstrates the importance of balance and the significance of understanding the gospel grace whereby Christ rescues the sinner from the world of sin and shame and redeems him into the Kingdom of Glory and Grace.
Chester Clark III
Response to Ryan Kilgore
I really appreciated your thoughts about Romans 11, the remnant, boasting, and Adventism. It seems that all of us – no matter which end of Christianity or Adventism we might represent – need the humility of those who recognize that their only hope for salvation is completely in Christ.
I’m wondering about your last paragraph, specifically about the remnant being scattered throughout Christendom. From a perspective of salvation and in the context of Romans 11 I agree: God has faithful souls experiencing His grace and salvation in every denomination. But do you think there is another common usage of the term remnant that is reflected in passages such as Revelation 12:17, and that denotes a visible group who have been especially entrusted with a present-truth message (and who may or may not be experiencing His grace and salvation)? Is it possible that the remnant concept might be applied to the spiritual world from more than one perspective? Could it be that among Adventism the friction regarding the term is often caused by a lack of clarity regarding which remnant is being discussed?
Chester Clark III
Response to Wayne Jamel
I really appreciated the metaphor you employed: “Justification is the transformation from rock to clay. Sanctification is the molding of that clay.” I never thought of it in those terms before, but I found it very fitting and thought-provoking. One thing is certain: It’s all by the grace and power provided for us through the blood of Jesus.
I also appreciated your emphasis on proper sequence. I think too many Adventists attempt sanctification without first experiencing justification. This behavior-modification which masquerades in the works-deceived believer’s mind as sanctification is doomed to failure from the outset. I’m so thankful that God can still work miracles in our hearts, bringing fruit through a change from the inside out.
assignment 1
Ellen White on Salvation written by Woodrow W. Whidden studies the development of Ellen whites understanding of salvation. This brief report will reflect on chapters one and two.
The author begins his study by illustrating that the subject of Ellen White’s understanding of salvation is one of great import and interest within the context of the Seventh-day Adventist church. It has caused many debates. The author holds to the opinion that E.G. Whites understanding to salvation will lift her above ridicule and reproach. He states that the main causes of controversy are over justification by faith and perfection. He then presents a resolution for the controversy which involves deep study of all that Mrs. White has to say about the topic. This book is the culmination of his deep study on the topic of salvation as presented by Ellen White.
He begins his study by recanting Ellen Whites youth and her conversion to Christ. Born into a Methodist home, Ellen White experienced a tragic event which propelled her into a state of misery and spiritual torment through which she became acquainted with Christ. It is through this acquaintance that she desires to become sanctified. This desire is thwarted by the way sanctification had been presented to her and William Miller’s lectures. The Methodist faith taught that sanctification followed the assurance of forgiveness and justification. Sanctification was a definite experience and was confirmed by the spirit.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 9 Reflection
After calling a few of the auto glass shops listed in the phone book, I found one with a lower price than the others. I ordered a new windshield for my Toyota pickup, and set up an appointment to have it installed the next week.
Arriving at the address I found that this was a home-based business. The gentleman met me in his driveway and removed my old gravel-damaged glass and began installing the new. A little four- or five-year old girl played nearby.
Soon our conversation turned to spiritual things, and before long I learned that he was an earnest proponent of Calvinistic predestination. Although I tried to be non-confrontational, and simply asked questions about Bible passages, at times his frustration with my inability to “see the light” was obvious, as his voice reached a higher pitch. “EVEN MY LITTLE GIRL CAN UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS!” he shouted. “We were reading Ephesians the other night for family worship, and she said, ‘Isn’t that need Daddy? God chooses some to be good and some to be bad.’” With a calmer, reflective tone he added, “Of course, I don’t know for sure if she will be among the elect or the damned.”
All our discussion and argument aside, I was stunned by this confession of an obviously loving father about an obviously loveable child.” How can a father countenance a God who might have arbitrarily destined his daughter to be lost? How can we love a God with a character like that?
Romans 9 contains several passages which are often used to “prove” Calvinistic predestination. “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Verse 13. Before either of the boys were born, God arbitrarily chose one over the other.
In my study of Romans 9 I’ve concluded that the subject here is not salvation, but representation. I’d like some feedback from the class because I’m not sure if this is an appropriate explanation, so feel free to share your thoughts. Here’s my basic argument:
Romans 9 is not primarily dealing with the matter of salvation. Paul has already extensively dealt with this in Romans and made it clear that salvation is impartially given to those who believe (Romans 1:16). Looking at the entire chapter, it appears to me that Paul moves from arguing (largely towards his fellow Jews) that salvation is freely available to all through the New Covenant faith-based process to arguing that it is indeed scriptural for a group of people other than the Jewish nation to be His representatives on earth (i.e. His Church). His example of Jacob and Esau, for example, cannot be taken to prove that He chose one to be lost and the other saved – but as the Old Testament record reveals, He chose one to receive the birthright (be spiritual leader of the clan, progenitor of the Messiah) arbitrarily. He has a right to do this simply because He is God.
Especially in verses 24-30 this seems to be a sensible reading. Paul seems to be arguing for the succession of Jewish selection to the Christian Church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” Verses 25-26.
Representation versus salvation. Any thoughts?
Comment on Chester Clark
I enjoyed your initial comments on the Romans chapter 9. I particularly enjoyed the illustration you shared about your experience at the window repair shop. Concerning the concept you introduced, I was a little unclear as to the hermeneutical principle you were employing when you referred to representation rather than salvation. I've always read Romans chapter 9 with an emphasis on communal salvation; particularly, the understanding of the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles as being mutual contributors and benefactors of the faith movement, "from faith to faith." I believe this is the primary focus of Romans Chapter 9. This idea of two nations that are both a part of the plan of salvation recognizes the mutual relationship between the two nations. I understand this to be the basic thrust of Paul's argument. From this perspective salvation seems to be central to the passage. However, I do see a representation dimension. I think this might best be expressed in the relationship between the nations as being mutually related to God. This view recognizes that both the Jew and the Gentile are related to God as his children. This also acknowledges that they are both representative of the same God by whom they have both been redeemed and saved, to the Jew first and then the Gentile.
Mike
Thank you for your helpful comments Mike. This is something I really need to study more. Much appreciated!
Assignment #14
Whidden chapter on perfectionism and last day events was helpful in comparing the two basic views within Adventism on this subject. It was especially interesting for me because Dr. Stefanovic talked about the issues of “Last Generation Theology” recently in the Greek exegesis class on Revelation. In Adventism we have had a special challenge with “perfectionism” that leads into more arguments than quests for a more holistic biblical and theological understanding. We tend to polarize and deal with two major surface positions rather than going into the theology beneath the poles. Sometimes we argue just because we have different understandings of the same word, such as “perfection.”
I have a hard time with people who create two separate groups of people, those who have had to rely on God’s grace and those who are in the last generation who were able to do it for themselves. There are not classes in heaven; we are all imperfect creatures who will have been saved by our Creator. I have heard presentations by people who had fanciful ideas about the 144 thousand which have been rooted in human effort much more than the character of God. It seems that one group think quantitatively and another that think qualitatively. Some see more of the same and how many good things and how few bad things you do, as being the way to “perfection” whereas others see a difference in trust and reliance on God as the way to being accounted perfect through Christ’s sacrifice. At the Adventist elementary school I went to we had a speaker come and at the end of his Week of Prayer he called us to join him in being part of the 144 thousand. And, according to him, here’s the way to be a part of the 144 thousand: have 144 minutes of devotions every day. He had a nice, tidy argument. Not only does his plan have the number 144 in it, it allows us to tithe our day as 144 minutes is 10 percent of the day. Though this man seemed to have his basic arithmetic under control, he needed to check his exegesis and theology. We all need to move away from our tidy polemic arguments against caricatures of the other position and seriously consider the possibility that when people congregate into two camps on opposite mountains and start lobbing rocks at each other somewhere in the valley in between, though incredibly dangerous, might be a more solid position.
Young Suh
Assignment #12
In the 9th chapter in the book of Romans, there is critical point in regards to so called 'double predestination'. Actually, I was not familiar with this idea until not long ago. I knew 'predestination' shown in Romans 8:28-30. But if you keep reading chapter 9, you will see that God is depicted as potter and we are clay. Paul seems to describe that God predestinated the righteous for the glory of God and at the same time God predestinated the wicked to eternal damnation. God is the maker and he decided to make two different types of vessel out of the same clay. This is not the God I want to see because if God does this, he must be tyranny without mercy and love. Then how do we need to see this idea shown in Romans. The answer will come out if we keep reading it further down the chapter.
“I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people;
and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”
This is the word of God given to Hosea. It does not say that God changes His mind often according to what he pleases. I see this in a different way. It is right that God makes us differently if you think about your life. We did not choose where we were born nor chose how much education we get. But the question is 'what do we do what we have?'. It is so critical to think about.
If we approach to this matter with human idea of fairness or equality, we are in danger to be obsessed to see God in a limited way. How does God make things fair and just. According to the book of Revealation, all the people who are saved will sing a song, singing, 'God is just and fair, he is merciful and loving'.
First of all, God did not create two different kinds of humankind deciding already who is going to die or live.
Second of all, it is not a matter who you are or what you do or even how much money you have.
Third of all, it is about choosing to be on God's side with what you have, who you are, and what you have.
Response to Michael
I may be commenting twice, I submitted a response and don't see it showing up yet.
I appreciated what you had to say about a both/and approach to impartation and imputation. You are doing a good job of recognizing Whidden's points and bringing it all together.
I wonder if part of the move people seem to be having towards holistic thought is related to the move away from modernism and its scientific approach which looks for one answer to a question. I have a feeling that people will become more and more accepting of a both/and approach, but it might take some time for the older saints, some of whom still operate from a more modern world view, to be able to accept both/and thinking to the extent in which we do in an academic setting.
Is anyone else having difficulty posting? I've been trying all week, and my post appears on the blog for a few minutes, then is gone. :/ I've made them shorter than my previous posts, but it hasn't helped. I'm going to try posting in two parts. Let me know if you have any tips.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 10 Reflection
I really enjoyed the discussion on assurance that grew out of a student presentation this week. To me this is a very much-needed topic for Adventists to understand better!
The desire to know for sure that I will be saved may be motivated by more than one factor: 1) Because I have fallen in love with Jesus and I want to know for sure that my life is in harmony with the One whose opinion matters most to me; 2) Fear of being lost and suffering the punishment for my sins; 3) A strong male-like “hunt-it-shoot-it-bag-it” or “check-list” mentality that leads us to want to complete something so as to move on to other things in life; 4) Tiring of the persistent convictions of our lost condition which (out of love, of course) the Holy Spirit brings.
The problem is that there is also such a thing as false assurance. In Jeremiah’s day the Jews were confident in their standing with God, and the prophet was called upon to rebuke this false assurance. “Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these…. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.” Jeremiah 7:4, 8.
Evidently this is not a problem only in the Old Testament era, for Paul urges to “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. And Jesus said that in the final judgment, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23. As unacceptable as it may be to live without assurance, I would argue that it is much more disastrous to live with false assurance. Personally, if I am to be lost I would rather be lost knowing that I am lost than be lost thinking that I am saved. I can think of no greater deception and disappointment than this!
Continued below....
Week 10 Continued....
The matter of assurance is further complicated by the nature of the human heart. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Deception does not have to be external, for James says that we can be self-deceived. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22.
Therefore my quest becomes not to have assurance, but to answer the question, How can I most reliably experience salvation in Jesus; How can I know that today my religion is more than a profession, that it is a heart-surrendered relationship with a God that has fully and freely forgiven me and is changing my life from the inside out?
At the risk of offending those who argue for a profession-based, once-and-for-all assurance, I would propose that the Bible actually teaches that we should be daily examining our hearts to see if we are in the faith. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 11 Reflection
Last week I was thinking about this matter of self-examination as a ground for assurance, recognizing that there is also the possibility of false assurance. Paul urges us as believes to “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Perhaps this is particularly important for us as Seventh-day Adventists, with our propensity to trust in the idea that we “have the truth” or in our various lifestyle choices which distinguish us from the “world.”
Yet this is also the warning Paul is sounding in Romans 11. “You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.” Romans 11:19-22.
This command to “not be haughty, but fear, does not indicate that the Christian should live in uncertainty and doubt regarding his spiritual experience, for this would conflict with other clear passages on the topic. What it does mean is that we should pay attention to ensure we don’t slip into a false assurance, a false hope.
One thing is clear: Jesus is more than able to fully and completely “save to the uttermost” those who come to Him. Those who come to the Father through Christ He will not for any reason refuse. John 6:37. And having been accepted by God we may have peace in our hearts (Romans 5:1) and be “confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6. Nothing can separate us from the love of God – not situation or person or demons or any other power on earth or in heaven (Romans 8:35-39). Nothing, that is, except my own will, my own freedom of choice. Every Christian should rest assured that as long as my will is on the side of Christ there is absolutely no way that I can be lost.
The question then becomes, In what way can I reliably come to know the actual disposition of my (naturally deceitful) heart towards God? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’d like to share some of what I’ve learned as I’ve searched for the answer to this question. Since I’m almost out of room for this week’s character limit I’ll share this in the next post.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 12 Reflection
Since my heart is totally assured that Jesus can and will save everyone who allows Him to save them, what I need to know is, Am I allowing Him to save me? Am I trusting in my vegan diet on one hand, or in my self-perceived lack of legalism on the other, or in my good humanitarian deeds, or in any other false hope? I want to know the true attitude of my heart towards God! But how?
I may only know my heart through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in my heart. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14), and unless these blind eyes have the eyesalve of the Spirit I will not see my true condition (Rev. 3:18).
Exposure to the Word is the first-line means through which the Holy Spirit speaks. I can cooperate with the Holy Spirit by spending time in the Word of God. My first purpose for daily devotions is not to learn proof texts to baffle the Baptists, but to have a new sense of my need for Jesus for that day. It is when I am cognizant of my need that I can receive of His power. Ellen White says it this way: “The weaker and more helpless you know yourself to be, the stronger will you become in His strength.” “The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells.” Desire of Ages, pp. 329, 300. As I prayerfully study God’s Word, asking Him to teach me about Himself and myself, He faithfully does so.
Continued below....
Week 12 Continued...
Prayer, especially regarding my heart and the things that I’m studying in the Word, prepares my heart to hear what He wants to say to me. I think we artificially separate prayer and Bible study too often. They go together! Pray about what the passage could mean for you. Ask God to show you the message for your heart for today. And be honest when there are things in your heart that are illumined by the Word as not being in harmony with His will. Only He can change our hearts! And I would propose that He cannot do this unless we are honestly giving Him permission to do so.
”By their fruits you will know them.” And I’m not just referring here to paying tithe and obeying the commandments (1 John 2:3). Yes, those are obviously indicators too. While Jesus taught much more important principles of love and justice, He also clearly did not teach that we should not be careful about proper stewardship, Sabbath observance, etc. Both are important: “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Matt. 23:23. But as Adventists I fear we’ve become good at judging the externals (especially of others) while failing miserable at the much harder task of knowing our own hearts. Here’s a few of the fruits I think I can use to examine my heart:
Not willfully disobeying the Word – 1 John 2:3-6
Esteeming others better than myself – Philippians 2:1-8
Love our brothers and sisters (even the annoying ones!) – 1 John 2:7-11; 3:14-19
Exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit rather than the flesh – Gal. 5:19-26 (See DA 626)
I think this self-examination needs to be frequent not because I distrust Jesus but because I distrust my own heart. As Paul said, “we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” Hebrews 6:11. Notice the assurance in the following passage: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,… Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;).” Heb. 10:19-23.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 8
Response to Nick Clark – concerning Romans 5:3-5
Good blog Nick, I agree that suffering is not easy however what comes from suffering inspires hope. And yes, so many biblical heroes lived according to their faith and hope in God. We should also live according to assurances we find in the promises of God. Paul says suffering brings endurance, which means we are in it for the long haul. He says endurance brings strength but not our own strength; it is the strength that God gave in order to help us to endure. This leads to our confidence in God’s love for us as we feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Pertaining to your comment on Whidden, it has always been the mission of Ellen White to shed light on particular areas that should be important to us such as ‘Free Will’. Ellen white understood the importance of our response to God’s leading. God grace does give us understanding that we need Him; and it draws us to the One who is trying to save us from sin. It is a wonderful blessing to have our lives and future in the hands of a loving Savior and God.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 9
Response to Reed Richard – concerning his thoughts from class discussion
I agree that the gospel is deep, mysterious and complex; and that we over simplify gospel by reducing it to a few elements. I agree that the gospel is many things such as the things you stated like justification, sanctification and etc… I believe the best way to sum up the gospel is by saying the Gospel is God. It is God’s character, will and purpose for humanity. The gospel is the revelation of God revealed through Jesus Christ.
Reed your definition of Jesus is one that we all can identify with. It sounds as though you were moved by the Holy Spirit in class. As I read your blog, I got the feeling that Christ revealed himself to you and it has poured out in your blog. Another thing I heard was a personal testimony concerning God in your life. I can identify with that; maybe not from the same perspective but from and through the same Spirit which moves all of us. Be blessed and I hope that you have many days where you can express the overflowing of your cup.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 10
Response to Youngkyo Suh – concerning Romans 6
Youngkyo, I agree with you that God has to judge all people according to the law which required all humanity to be condemned to die but God’s love can and does save believers from sin. However allow me to go further with your analysis and point to the fact that we need to respond to God’s love and that our response comes in several forms. One form is baptism which Paul implies as crucial because it is by baptism that we die to our sins and was buried with Christ. This uniting in death results in a uniting by being raised with Christ. We become righteous through Christ Righteousness.
I remember you raising the idea in class about it is safe to proclaim salvation using legal system of universe however; I had trouble understanding the framework behind this analysis even though I had no problem with your suggestive thinking and purpose by way or your conclusion. I would like to read more of a breakdown of your analysis because I believe there may be some buried treasure there.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 11
Response to Tyler Rosengren – concerning the question was Abraham justified by faith or works?
Tyler, I laughed at the fact that we can no longer say that verses are contradicting each other and that we should search for the light that both verses give. I have talked with other students about this concept and the feedback I received was that the bible has errors so it is possible that scriptures contradict each other. But I am with you on this one, I believe this is a good hermeneutic to apply to scriptures because this is one of many ways to allow the Holy Spirit to bring new revelation of scripture to our minds.
Your analysis of Paul and James are good however; I would like to bring a little more clarity of your analysis of both men and their purpose. Paul’s letter to the Romans dealt with the legalistic thinking of Roman Christians and James focuses on the faith and works according to the misunderstanding of the church. Paul’s message is rebuke and reproach whereas, James seems to be instructional and warnings.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 12
Response to Reed Richards – concerning the nature of Christ and Salvation
I appreciate a fellow brother who also values the mysterious nature of Christ. It appears to me that everyone wants to know everything about God or they refuse to believe the most important component in their life, which is Jesus. I also believe their doubt concerning the mysterious nature of Christ is just an excuse to serve their own purpose in life. For those like us, the mystery of the nature of Christ boggles the mind while giving us a great desire to learn more as we humble ourselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just listening to Hanna opens up more questions to the assumed knowledge we had of Christ and that humbles me.
Whidden shares Ellen’s position of Christ being like and unlike us is an extension of the problem early church fathers debated about. Our rich Christian heritage was founded on these very debates. You are right, that we must clean up our own hermeneutic with humility and allow the truths of the Bible to be bigger than us. Reed, you summed it all up well by saying if there was no mystery than faith becomes obsolete. Praise God for that precious truth.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 13
Response to Landon Schnabel - concerning the implications of 1888 on EGW’s view on salvation.
Hey Landon, I too love that section – ‘Christ merits make up our deficiencies’. And Ellen White is clear on the fact that only Jesus is perfect. She proves it by acknowledging the merits through the power of Christ himself. Christ righteousness is imputed to the struggling but penitent sinful human being. It is not perfection that is accomplish by humanity that brings salvation but the perfect nature of Christ that covers our sinful nature.
Although Landon, I can appreciate yours position on Ellen being semi-pelagian; according to her statement “When we do our best, He becomes our righteousness”. We still must apply a hermeneutic based on Ellen life, beliefs and positions she took concerning the gospel. Pelagianism and Arminius views carry liberal connotations behind them whereas; Ellen is proposing for Christians to yield to the power of God. She is saying that when we allow God to bring us to our best that is when He becomes our righteousness.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 15
Response to Chester Clark III – concerning Romans 9
Chester we all encounter people with radical views as it relates to God and sometimes we are the radical people ourselves. You never finished the story to how you dealt with shop owner’s view concerning predestined salvation. Roman’s 9 is only a proof-text to those of predestination. Chester you could have come from many different angles to deal with this topic. As Dr. Hanna has shown and told us repeatedly that the text must first be understood within the context, then the chapter, then the book of Romans (Paul’s purpose for writing to Roman Christians) and so on.
And as Greek students the original word does not mean hate but rejected. Although God rejects us due to our bad decisions and choices (like Esau did), he also forgives and blesses us and brings us back into His loving mercy. I would have gone back to the historical Old Testament and showed him God’s blessings upon Esau. Although God chooses whom he pleases, salvation is for all. That’s why if you look at what Paul’s message was; it was salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile world. God has chosen all to be with him in glory. So if the shop owner understood that God often chooses a people or person to serve, He is not excluding anyone from His grace of salvation. This means he did not have to worry about his little girl’s salvation, only that he needed to trust in the righteousness of the Lord.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 20, 2010
Response Assignment 14
Response to Kevin Solomon – concerning Romans chapters 7 and 8.
Kevin, this is a good blog. I was blessed by every comment. Your summation of what Paul is relaying to the church is on point. You stated that Paul’s struggle had become your struggle. And I believe that Paul struggle is not only your struggle but all of ours. If it is not our struggle now or has been in the past; I am positive it will be ours in the future because Paul’s letters are his testimonies of Christ in his life. You are correct that the more we see the good in God’s law, the more sinful depravities reveal itself. The law of God is a revealing mirror of our sin.
When we look at a mirror, it show us the problems that need to be fixed; such as our uncombed hair, un-brushed teeth, unwashed faced and many more things. Then we attempt to fix everything that is wrong that is revealed by the mirror. The law does the same thing. It reveals the sin that needs to be fixed in our lives. God’s law shows the marred imperfections of our sinful disposition therefore; we must respond like we do to the mirror’s image of us and began to comb our hair, wash our face and brush our teeth. And as with God’s law we should apply the same principles; we are to stop serving others God’s (money, lust), stop coveting worldly things, and acknowledge God as Lord and Creator (all in God’s commandments).
According to Woodrow Whidden II author of Ellen White on Salvation he states "Ellen White regarded the atonement as moving in a line across the history of redempton, raather than involving just one point in history-the cross. Therefore atonement not only involved making provision for the forgivenss of sins, but also applicaton of these gracious provisions to repentant sinners". What the author say's is biblical in my opinion. When we think about atonement we focus on sinful beings being reconciled back to God, which 2 Corith 5:18 clearly affirms this fact. But what about after we accept Christ does atonement have anything to do with application. When I look at John 15:4-5 Jesus clearly is telling those who trust and follow him that all production comes from abiding in him. He say's that he is the vine; and we are the branches, and those who remain in him will be able to produce fruit but without clearly he states all will be fruitless. If you ever walk pass a tree and see its fruit fall off the vine, within a few days it will start to wither (dry up, shrivel to nothing), and if you go back may a month later that fruit is no longer in existance. Interesting enough Christ says the same about those who are to be representatives of him, that when they seperate from him, within a week they start to dry up, and in a month all the beauty, light, Christ like stature has shriveled up to nothing. So atonement seems to go alot further than just him making provision for my sin. But the atonement of Christ seems to have made application for my very survival, my living a victorious life, my peace, my strength, but most of all my becoming like Christ in every way.
The scripture goes on to say in verse John 15:6-7 Anyone who does not reamin in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. (7) but if you remain in me and my words reamin in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted (8) when you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my father. As you can see from this scripture, that Jesus has made application after atonement has been done,(himself!)-he is the connecting force to the Christians life. He is the one that produces fruit- that pleases the father- he is the one who is able to go to the father and ask anything and it is granted. So yes Jesus after his death was able to to provide provision by bring sinful human beings back into reconciliation to the Father. But he was able through his death to provide sinful humans a means of provision (himself) so that they are able to become like him and live fruitful, victorious lives.
ASSIGNMENT NO .4
Reflection on reading report E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II A
Section II Chapter six-sin the human condition and salvation.
Sin is transgression of God’s wills (1SM320), and a condition of depravity that involves inherited propensities, inclinations, tendencies and a bent to sin. As a result of Adam’s sin/disobedience, every human being a transgressor of God’s law, we are sold under sin. Our hearts are naturally depraved and are unable of ourselves to peruse rights things (course).Adam’s sin definitely caused his posterity to be born with inherent propensities of disobedience, but such a depravity is not total depravity, sinners still have ability to respond to God’s saving offer.
We are not born with sin, but we are born with sinful nature, bent to evil and propensities to sin which lead sin and guilt. Because of this we are responsible for sins and this is the main issue that confronts not only the sinner but also the redeeming God. It has been thus since the original of in Eden –when Adam ran from God in the shame of their fig-leaf –self-righteousness, God came seeking them.
When sin entered the world the will of human beings became enslaved; and through the will sin retains its holds up to humanity. There is no power in the unaided human will to oppose sin but through Jesus Christ the will of the human beings is freed. It if impossible for us to of ourselves to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness. It is only through the grace of God combined with the most earnest effort of our part, that we can obtain victory. Thus salvation is Christ –centered in all its aspects of all calling, conviction, forgiveness empowerment for obedience and glorification, but each step comprehends the humble responses of the human subject. God doesn’t force in dealing with us sinners.
Assignment no.5
Reflection on reading report E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 5-salvation, the great controversy theme, closing events, and the law
Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving humanbeings.it is the divine favor which is bestowed upon man. Jesus Christ if supreme revelation of God’s grace.
The law is the transcript of God’s divine nature. it is therefore the transcript of love. Man needs the law for his liberty. E.G. White declares that “it is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought in grace in grace to take the place of the law….God’s moral government and His grace is inseparable. Satan is seeking to pervert both the law and grace by denying one or both as essential to the understanding of God’s character of love. The mercy was provided by for in Christ’s death a death given forgiveness doomed sinners the bottom line is that obedience is possible ,but it is always associated with a just and a loving acceptance.
Closing events
To live righteously the redeemed could fulfill the threefold purpose:
1. To be prepared to meet the Lord
2. Hasten the coming of the lord, as the righteous lives of believers would witness to the world and hence
3. Cease delaying the second advent
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no.6
Reading reflection on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter no six- sin, the human condition, and salvation.
Sin is defined as both the transgression of God’s law and a condition of depravity that involves inherited sinful “propensities” “inclinations” “tendencies, and a “bent” to sin.
According to E.G. White, the origin of sin was not total depravity. Adam’s sin definitely caused posterity to be born with inherent propensities’ of disobedience. But such a depravity is not a total “depravity, “and sinners are still have the ability to respond to God’s saving offer.
As a result of Adam’s disobedience every human being is transgressor of the law, sold under sin. We have sinful natures, born bent to evil and propensities to sin which lead to sin and guilt. Because of this sinful, humans are responsible for their sins, and this is the main issue that confronts not only the sinner but also the redeeming God. Sinners will retain their sinful nature until glorification. (ST. march 23, 1888). There is no power in the unaided human will to oppose sin, but through Jesus Christ the will of the human being freed. It impossible for us to of ourselves to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul and attract it to God, to holiness. We need Christ to declare us “perfect” all the way to the gate of glory.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no 7
Reflection on readings on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter seven: Atonement
According to E.G. White, atonement is the Christ’s death on the cross and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. (7sdabc459, 460). God provided the atonement of the cross as a ransom for all, 1Ttimothy2:6. The atonement provided for all but it becomes effective only for believers who respond to God’s prior, initiating calls for repentance and surrender. (GW414). The cross is the supreme manifestation of God’s love. Through the cross man was drawn to God, and sinners were drawn to from stronghold of sin. Justice demands that sin be not merely pardoned, but the death penalty must be excited. God in the gift of His only begotten Son, met the both these requirements. By dyeing in man’s steady Christ exhausted the penalty and provided a pardon.
As Christ bore the sins of every transgressor so the sinner who will not believe in Christ as his personal savior will bear a penalty of his transgression.. Christ is the sinner’s substitute in that He bore the penalty to satisfy the holy retirement of God’s justice and it was in usually in this penal-substutionary context that she discussed the theme justification by faith.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth!
Assignment no 8
Reflection on reading on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 8: the nature of Christ and salvation
Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Mrs. E.G. White believed fully the full deity of Christ. She proclaimed that Christ could have done nothing during His earthly ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human. Jesus Christ took a sinful nature but only in the sense of lessened capacity because of the principle of physical inheritance. He was weak, frail, infirm, degraded, degenerate, deteriorated, wreched and defiled but somehow He was not altogether human, such a one as us for it can not be (5BC1129).
Although His spiritual nature was free from every taint of sin, He was a rather typical first-century human being. He was affected by sin but not infected with it.
Assignment no 9
Reflection on reading report by E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whiddden.
Chapter 9: justification by faith –before 1888.
E.G. White on her understanding of justification, she said faith and works never be separated-she says faith will never save you unless it is justified by works. (2T159) faith must be sustained by works; the doers of the work are justified before God. Faith must be accompanied by works and that law and the gospel are never to be separated, even though their roles are to be clearly distinguished. E.G. White taught that our acceptance with Christ is based on totally on the merits of His life and death, which are legally, judicially accounted to us. It is not based on His death accounted to us for forgiveness and His life imparted to us so that we can make our own contribution to justification. It is both His life and death that justify the penitent believer.
Was Christ human like me? Ellen White state's in a sermon on June 19, 1889 "Christ could have done nothing during His early ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been blended with the human? again I have to ask was Christ human like me? My first argument would be how could he have been if he was not born like I was from man and woman, and how could he have the same sinful traits as I have if he were divine and did not inherit them through gene defects as I have? She further goes on to say that the blending of the two natures.. can never be explained. I would say that Christ had some human tendencies has I have. Like the time when he was about to be betrayed by Judas and he prayed three times to the Father in Matthew 26:36 he prays (37) say's that he became anguished and distressed (38) say's that he told them "my sould is crushed with grief tothe point of death. stay here and keep watch with me. (39)My father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me (42) Jesus prayed a second time "my Father if this cup cannot be taken away" unless I dring it , your will be done. (44) he prayed a third time saying the same things. !
Assignment no.10
Reflection from the reading on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 10. Ministry after Minneapolis 1888-1902
Seventh say Adventism’s prophetic interpretations regarding the moral laws and the mark of the beast were about to be vindicated in a manifest way. At that meeting they discussed the interpretation of Galatians 3:19-25 to see whether it the ceremonial law or the moral law!
The issues of holy fresh movement in Indiana advocated an emotional experience in which both the mind and the body were fully cleansed and brought back to the condition of the man before fall, so far as its life or actions are concerned. Richards reports that this sinless condition was achieved in an atmosphere in which individuals frequently fell prostrate. Once a member revived, he was declared to have passed through the garden experience, which Christ had in Gethsemane. This experience demonstrated that a person was” born “son of God, fully cleansed from sin and sinful tendencies and released fro the power of death, he was ready for translation. Those who did not have the garden experience might still be saved but as adapted sons of God. On this E.G. White says we can not claim Perfection of the flesh we may have Christian perfection of the soul. Through the sacrifice of made in our behalf , sins may be perfectly be forgiven.
Yes this person in Matthew truly sounds human to me. Anyone who is about to die I believe would go through the same anguish, and Jesus truly show his humanity in these verses. But in Mattew 24 Jesus foretells the future destruction of Jerusalem, he heals the demon posssesed by, he predicts his own death, his ability to know what others are thinking when they haven't said a word, and the list goes on. Was Jesus human like me. I believe that he was to a degree human like myself, but he was not infected by his humanity as I am. I also believe that while in his humanity he had weaknesses but was not overcome by them as we are. When he was put on the cross, and they drove those nails in his hand I bet he screamed like no bodies business, and when he was in the wilderness after being tempted by Satan they bible say's he was hungry. Luke 2:7 say's he was born, Luke 2:40-50 say's he grew up, John 4:6 say's jesus was tired, Matthew 8:10 say's he marveled, and Matthew 15: 32 say;s ge had compassion, and the list goes on. Further I believe that God is fair, Jesus had to come here in the same human flesh, with the same tendencies as we have, if not the devil would have been able to make his claim true that God is a tyrant and that no has the ability to choose. So was He (Jesus) human yes he was human as we are, but was he overcome by his humanity no he was not. That is why the bible is able to make full claim that he has been given all authority in heaven and on earth
Assignment no 12
Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 12: justification after Minneapolis-from late 1888 to 1892.
There is a very close relationship between law and the gospel, faithand works, and the expression that sinners are saved from sin not in sin, continued with undiminished force during E.G. White’s most vigorous explanations of justification.
Christ’s merits make up for deficiencies: - one any man is perfect, it is only the man Jesus Christ who is perfect. His perfect holiness atones foe our shortcomings, when we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness, and they are regarded as “obedient children”. When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish foe sin. Some one can make mistakes but he/she can hate sin that caused the suffering of the Son of Man.
We are sinfull, unholy we can not perfectly keep the law .but despite past sinfulness sinners can be accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of our character and we are accepted before God just as if we had not sinned.
Assignment no 12
Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 12: justification after Minneapolis-from late 1888 to 1892.
There is a very close relationship between law and the gospel, faithand works, and the expression that sinners are saved from sin not in sin, continued with undiminished force during E.G. White’s most vigorous explanations of justification.
Christ’s merits make up for deficiencies: - one any man is perfect, it is only the man Jesus Christ who is perfect. His perfect holiness atones foe our shortcomings, when we do our best, He becomes our righteousness. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness, and they are regarded as “obedient children”. When we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, we shall have no relish foe sin. Some one can make mistakes but he/she can hate sin that caused the suffering of the Son of Man.
We are sinful, unholy we can not perfectly keep the law .but despite past sinfulness sinners can be accounted righteous. Christ’s character stands in place of our character and we are accepted before God just as if we had not sinned.
Assignment no.13
Reflection on reading report on E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 13: justification after Minneapolis –maintaining gospel balance
No sin can be committed by man for which satisfaction has not been met at the cross of calvary.thus the cross ,in earnest appeals ,continually proffers to the sinner a thorough expiation…. As you come with a humble heart you find pardon, for Christ Jesus is represented as continually standing at the altar, momentarily offering up the sacrifice for the sins.
The religious services, prayers, the praise, the penitent confession of sin ascend from the true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary, but passing through corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood they can never be of value with God.
E.D.White said, only who through faith in Christ obey all of the commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all His precepts (MS 122, 1901, in 8MR 98, 99), perfect obedience that justifies, an obedience that can be reached though faith in Christian obedience that will through faith reproduce the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.
Assignment no 14
Reflection from reading E.G. White on salvation by Woodrow W.Whidden II
Chapter 14: perfection before 1888.
The goal and attainment of perfection
We can overcome! Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every tempter, every sin, and every temptation. (1T144). The Son of God was faultless. We must aim at this perfection and overcome as He overcame. (1T336). Human being can reach a perfection of intelligence and purity of character but little lower than the perfection and purity of angels. (4T93).all His righteous demands must be fully met. Every defect of character must be overcome, or it will overcome us and become a controlling power for evil. The law demands perfect unswerving obedience.
Perfection is an experience that arises out of full surrender and consecration to God’s will and guidance in the life. In attainment of perfection it needs active effort. It is not a passive affair. It is accompanied by strict obedience to the law of God. Perfect believers are still subject to temptation, one need to depend whole on God for Victory
Assignment no 15
Reflection on reading E.G. White on salvation by WoodrowW.Whidden II
CHAPTER 15: Perfection and the closing events
While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification , of putting away of sin , among God’s people up on the earth .when this work shall be accomplished , the followers of Christ will be ready for His coming.(GC425)
The scripture says you shall be perfect and holy as He is perfect and holy. This is true if we can only remain faith and depend on Him for strength. We can not be perfect on our own till when Jesus enables us through His righteousness robe.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson. But
is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12. The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet.
when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson. But
is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12.
many of times we grumble and complain when things do not go our way. When I first accepted Christ and began to follow him I believed like most new believing Christians that all was over. There would be no more suffering, because Jesus rose with all power, and whip the devil, therefore making it all possible for me to live a life of persecution, tribulation free! Even many preachers were preaching How God loves to bless his children, and now that you're on the winning side hold on for your blessings are abundant. Well much of this is true. since I've met Jesus and began following him I have been blessed abundantly, my life has not been the same, and each day instead of waking up discouraged, full of grief, and tormented, I wake up joyful, full of peace, and strong. but there is still another side to this coin. The other side is that I had the impression that all the hardships, heart aches, head aches, all were behind me. I've even gone with others knocking on doors and heard them give this same impresson.
But
is this really biblical? To a degree yes Isaiah 26:3-4 speaks of keeping our eyes on Jesus and He will keep us in perfect peace. David speaks in Psalm 23 how the Lord leads him beside peaceful meadows, not even mentioning how he strengthens him and fights his battles for him. Yes throughout the bible we see the blessings of the Lord abundantly for those who follow and trust in him. But there is another side to this coin. The bible tells us in John that when we follow Jesus the world will not like us, therefore Satan is not going to just sit back peacefully and watch anyone who is in Christ live trouble free. Throughout the bible we see those who were in Christ suffering In Romans 8: 18 say's what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Revelation 14: 12 tells me that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently, while obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus. Paul tells me in Romans 7: 14 that we still struggle with sin. The Apostles also suffered persecution John (prisoner on the island of Patmos writes) in rev 1:9 claims he is a partner in suffering and in God;s kindome and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. The scriptures tells us that John the Baptist a servant of God was arrested and beheaded by Herod in Matthew 14:1-12.
The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet.
when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
The Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy Paul gives his final words before his death while under house arrest and the list goes on. My point is this the gospel is sweet.
when a new believe meets Jesus there hope is not to remain on this planet but on the joy to come, many want to know what can Christ do for me, but also they want to know is this all we have to look forward too. Instead of preaching and teaching only the good side of the coin why not prepare God's people for what is truly ahead of them, why not want to empower them with the strength, peace, truth, that there will be troubles, persecution, suffering, trials, but with all these things produces strength, faith, endurance, and most of all peace in knowing that there is a place for them where there will be no more suffering.
Romans chapter 9 I ask the questioin was God unfair for choosing when he chose Jacob the younger son over Esau the older son "in the scriptures say's I loved Jacob, but i rejected Esua". Or does the bible teach us that God had the freedom to choose whomever he wants. Whe I looked at the story of Abraham, Haggai, and Sarah it made me wonder is God fair or does he like us have the right of freedom of choice. Sarai Abraham's wife gives Hagar to Abraham to have children for her because she can not produce a child. Well instead of them all becoming friends Hargar depises Sarah because she can have children and Sarah can not. As the story goes on Sarah is given a child by God. Now all of a sudden the table is turned and Sarah tells Abraham to throw this bond women and her son out of the camp because Sarah saw them making fun of Isaac. Sarah no longer wants Ismael to share the inheritance with her son Isaac. Abraham is grieved, distressed by the whole thing because Ismael is his son. But God tells Abraham to listen to Sarah and do what she say's becuse Isaac is the son whom his descendants will be counted. God also promises that a nation of descendants will come from Hagar's son. But now look at this Abraham got up early the next morning prepared the food and water and sent the woman and her son away. Ismael was the first born in our eyes we would ask how is this fair. But does God have the right of freedom of choice to do what he so pleases with any of us. It seems so. Another story would be the one of Jacob and Esau why is Jacob chosen he's not so righteous in my eyes. He buys his brothers birth right for some food instead of just giving it to him isn't that the Christian thing to do. Next he tricks his blind father and steals his brothers blessing. But even with him doing all this God choose Jacob the deciever in my eyes over Esau why? maybe because he has the right to choose whom ever he wants. Even though we see it as wrong God is free and if he created his being with the right of free choice why is it that he himself does not have the right of free choice. maybe because we try to put God in a box, the same box we try to put each other in. Instead of allowing God to be God and accepting that his ways are not our own.
Paul talks about this in Romans Chapter 9 where he say's "Is God unfair" of course not "For God said to Moses I will show mercy to anyone I chooose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither chooose it nor work for it. He further goes on to say "when a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to amke one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into. In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power to whom ever he want. Even though he is very merciful to us he doesn't have to be.
Dario Ferreira
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #12
The reference to the root and branches, in Romans 11:16, Paul takes to develop his parable of the Olive Tree (11:17-24). Many argue against the use which Paul makes the process used to graft a fruit tree, demonstrating their ignorance that he was a typical city dweller, unaware of even basic phenomena in the field as he tried to use this passage. By myself, having lived through a good part of my life in the field, I know that when making a graft of a fruit tree, it uses the reverse process of what Paul quotes these verses. Usually we take the branches of a tree cultivated and graft on the trunk of a tree Silvestre. The principle used is that one should trees Silvestre is stronger and more adapted to different soil types, and also more resistant to the elements - providing a constant flow of sap to produce excellent results. And here (11:17-24) Paul speaks of a cultivated olive tree (Jews) getting the branches of a wild olive (gentiles). On the other hand, I think this process can also work, and bring their results; I do, but never used it, never even tried. However, it does not matter taking into account Paul’s goal with this illustration. It is possible that Paul was not trying to use the principles of grafting, but has adapted to his illustration that would better serve their purposes. For Paul it seems, through this comparison trying to make a warning to Gentile Christians do not boast the expense of Israel, or not to show disdain for the Jews.
This image was suggested by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 11:16,17, saying that Israel was the tree that God planted. Hosea also expressed a similar thought: “His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon”(ASV). This symbolic figure is similar to the vineyard (Isaiah 5:7, Psalm 88:8) that Jesus used as symbolism of the Christian church, where he is the vine and his followers the branches (John 15).
The Chapter 13 of Whidden, “Justification After Minneapolis – Maintaining Gospel Balance” shows that Christ’s “merits” are intimately involved in the development of character, or rather the righteousness is active in the soul of the believer to produce works of righteousness and character. The believer can experience victory over sin to know that they are accepted by the righteousness of Christ and his merits. Whidden presents four ideas that grew out Ellen White’s conception of the high priestly intercession of Christ:
1. Christ’s Merits Make Our Obedience Acceptable;
2. Christ’s Merits Make Up for Our “Deficiencies”;
3. Fending Off Satan’s Taunting Accusations;
4. God’s Willingness to Pardon.
“The late 1890s and the first three years of the new century witnessed a greater emphasis on the importance of obedience in relationship to justification.”
Jan Paulsen in the twelfth document entitled Salvation on salvation by faith, presents the exciting message of justification by faith. I thoroughly enjoyed that Paulsen has used the term referring to the conclusion that when we studied the subject of salvation: ‘faith without Nothing Can Happen!’ And then he remembers that, according to Ellen White, “Faith includes only belief in but trust.” It also demonstrates that the knowledge of what God has done in Christ is essential to our salvation, because ‘we believe only because we know.’ Faith is not just looking at a distant past to a historical Jesus. Faith is the match that he called us to follow him – “Follow me.” Faith is a gift from God that can be experienced now. We are justified to live a life of liberty and purity to God and with God, now and forever. We need to look continually and exclusively to the Risen Lord, because it is only “our assurance, our rest, our fulfillment, and security, victory.”
Response to Young Suh: Assignment 12
I appreciated the remark that you made the biblical text in Romans 9. Indeed, this issue of double predestination has been the subject of much debate, resulting in a sloppy exegesis of the biblical text.
I agree with the conclusion you reached that God has not predestined that will be saved and who will lose, God is no respecter of persons and our best decision is to stand next to God with what you are and what you have. The predestination of God is your plan to save mankind. God predestined us to salvation.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 4
Works versus Faith
The discussion of being saved of justified by faith is a topic that has been argued for years between Christians. Some argue among themselves (in church fighting) and some argue with other denominations and religions (combat evangelism). No matter what conclusion is drawn from the argument, no one seems to hear God speaking to them. Christians are so busy trying to be right that they do not understand the relationship God is trying to have with them. Paul says in Romans 4:3 “What does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him righteousness.”
Paul used Abraham’s relationship with God to describe how faith works. There was no physical action accomplished by Abraham nor was the something earned through deed for Abraham to be declared righteous. The bible simply states “Abraham believed God”. This
‘belief’ tells us God and Abraham had entered into a relationship; the relationship was called a ‘covenant’. Contextually, Abraham left all – his father’s house, his relatives, his homeland and most important his beliefs to follow God.
This is the “faith” Paul is referring to when he says “Abraham believed God”. Abraham’s response to God’s leading him meant that Abraham had entered into a relationship; and because of this response from their relationship, God responds back with a declaration of righteousness for Abraham. The next verses, four and five is where Paul removes all doubt and cancels the argument of justification by faith. Paul says when people work, it is not a gift but a wage they have earned (workers get what they work for) however people are declared righteous by their faith not their works.
Jesus gives us insight on this topic as well. On Judgment Day, God says He never knew some who claimed they did wonderful works in God’s name. How is this possible? It is possible because they never entered a relationship with God; so their works were dead while those who were saved were declared righteous through that same faith-relationship Abraham had with God. This righteousness given by God is bestowed upon the undeserving sinner who by faith accepts God’s offer to enter into that covenantal relationship.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 5
Faith Defined By Works and Works Being the Result of Faith.
While reading Whiddens’ Justification by Faith – Before 1888, I came across a gold nugget under the section ‘Key Elements in Expressing Justification’. The focus was on how Faith and works are never to be separated; this is not new knowledge to me however it adds emphasis to Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome. Ellen White’s development on this subject is expressed through her statements: “Faith must be sustained by works, the doers of the work are justified before God” Ellen clearly wants the church to understand that the law and gospel should never be separated.
So why then are we still trying to earn our way into to heaven by our works? Paying a faithful tithe and keeping the Sabbath holy does not save an Adventist; just like believing in Jesus but stuffing your belly full of pork does not save the Baptist. Everyone wants the easy route into heaven but God says that road is straight and narrow. In other words, that road is full of faith and works which is not always easy and can be very difficult at times.
If getting to heaven was easy and all a person had to do was check off laws (like a grocery list) they were obeying, than the rich young ruler would have been in great standings. He declared to God that he had kept all the commandments and God did not call him a liar; Jesus simply pointed out the commandment He was not keeping by telling him to give up his riches. The man could not do that so he walked away. The reason he walked away was because he was serving another master; his riches had become his god and the bible clearly states “thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
His faith was in the security of his wealth and now Jesus was asking him to place that faith in Him. For the rich young ruler, faith and works were separated. One of the most beautiful examples of faith and works was in the Garden; Jesus asked the Father if it is possible remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but Thy will be done. Christ demonstrated faith in the Father and demonstrated the works of that faith on the cross. Faith defined by works and works being the result of faith. This is the faith and works that defines Salvation. Let us all follow in Christ’s footsteps.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 21, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 6
Our Belief does not Cover our Sin
I had a friend that left the Adventist faith because he no longer felt that he had to obey God’s fourth commandment. Now before you start thinking “Here we go again with some conservative Adventist theology”, this is not about Adventist theology, instead it is about salvation for a friend. My friend is a third generation Adventist who every one of his relatives and associates was Adventist too. While working for his father who owned a restaurant that attracted many tourists, a pretty girl came in the restaurant and introduced him to a theology that involved only believing in Christ. He eventually would leave the faith and marry this woman.
One day we were discussing his beliefs and he told me it does not matter if he kept the Sabbath or any commandments because God was in his heart. So I asked my friend, what do you do with Romans 6? “What do you mean?” he replied. We opened the scriptures to Paul’s take on the topic. Paul says “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Paraphrasing; Paul says do not dare think that you can do whatever you want to and God will stand by and bless you in your ignorance. Paul wanted believers to understand the process of salvation by explaining to them that they had died and was baptized with Christ and therefore just as Christ was raised, so may they also live new lives through that same power.
Just as Paul explained that they were no longer under the power of sin because of what Christ had done; I had to show my friend the same thing that none of us should continue in sin because God was showing us His mercy. As we continued to study this chapter, I did not want to force anything because I could see that he was now disturbed about what was being revealed. I ended the conversation by reminding him that we were bought with a price and that our lives were no longer our own to do as we pleased. I also assured him that God loved him dearly however; all are held accountable in the Judgment. Although I am not sure which road my friend will take but as for me, a believer in Christ, being dead to sin and alive to God is an easy choice to make.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 7
Perfection, Sanctification and Justification
Chapter 14 of Whidden’s book gave me a closer look at Ellen White’s views concerning Perfection, Sanctification and Justification. Ellen White believed that Perfection, Sanctification and Justification should never be separated however; they should be distinguished from one another. Whidden proposes that Ellen views those subjects this way “Justification often defined perfection and always formed the foundation of the experience of sanctification. Sanctification often defined perfection but at the same time perfection was always the goal of sanctification.”
This can be taken in different ways, so I will try to explain what blessings I received through the explanations of that particular chapter. We must surrender fully to Christ because perfection is a result of one’s full surrender to God’s will and purpose. Justification is given from the Lord before we surrendered, because of what Christ done at Calvary. God’s sanctification of us results in being made perfect in Christ. So that no one can claim perfection without being made perfect in Christ. Justification explains perfection in a sense that once God justifies you, you are perfect in Him.
(Now before anyone gets rattle by this analysis) Whidden proposes that perfection involves strict obedience to God’s law however it does not mean that believers cannot or will not be tempted to sin. He says the difference is that those who are “perfect” do not cherish, excuse, or indulge in sin. This means that the believers’ perfection is never absolute, only Christ perfection is absolute. The only time our perfection will be absolute is after glorification. When I think about all three words, Perfection, Justification, and Sanctification, it all has to lead to the initiation of Christ will, purpose and plan for us. Whidden simply points to Ellen’s message, explanations and warning to the Church and how they should come to understand and deal with these subjects.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 9
The Law Is Not Condemnation
I was meditating on Romans 7:8, the New Living Translation translates the text, “But sin took advantage of this law and aroused all kinds of forbidden desires within me! If there were no law, sin would not have that power.” Paul puts a face to the character of sin; he also provides the evil personality that is revealed by sin’s power. In context, the text deals with how God’s law is good however it reveals how sin takes God’s law and uses it against us.
God’s law was given for our protection, safety and guidance but sin used it to condemn us to death. I stated in a response blog to someone that the law is like a mirror. When we first wake-up in the morning and we look in the mirror; we see all the things wrong with us such as messed up hair, crusty eyes and plaque on teeth. So one by one we begin to fix all those imperfections; we combed our hair, brushed our teeth and wash our face. As we look in the mirror everything is not perfect but we look better than before.
This is what God’s law does for us. It reveals our imperfections so that we may clean ourselves up as much as we can; this is God’s law working in our favor. But sin makes us focus the things we cannot fix; it reveals for women bad hair, a big nose, or small lips, maybe short eyelashes or the dreaded bumps on the face. For men it reveals the receding hairline or increasingly gray hair or beard, small muscles and a growing stomach. Sin takes the laws (those mirrors) that God gave us to fix ourselves up and makes us hate the image we see.
This is what Paul means when he says that sin uses God’s good commandment for its own evil purposes. I believe we should recognize what God’s law does for us; yes, it shows us our imperfections but only for the cleansing of sin. Also God’s law still serves to protect, guide, inform and instruct because the laws ultimate goal is reconciliation and restoration to God. God’s law was not given to bring condemnation upon His people; it was given so that we may receive salvation from the condemnation of sin.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 8
Clap Your Hands
While combing through the BRI documents, I scrolled down to the Practical Christian Living section and read the article on clapping in church. You may ask what does this have to do with salvation. It may mean nothing to some of you and just curiosity to others. I remember the first time I heard someone clap after a chaplain prayed. I was about 8 years old and my entire school was in an auditorium; after the chaplain prayed everyone starting clapping. I did not know what to do; I was just looking around hoping not be noticed not clapping.
I held my hands tightly together and made sure the teacher and was not looking. Later on in life, I heard people clapping in church after a quartet of men sang a song. There were a few ‘amens’ but mostly clapping. I thought ‘what is going on here and why are people clapping’. Nowadays it is common for everyone to clap over anything anyone does in church. If a preacher makes a good point while delivering his sermon, the congregation will clap and shout. How has this secular cultural practice entered our church and how does the bible address this issue.
There are several instances in the Old Testament that deals with clapping. First, it is an expression of joy at the ascension of a king. Second, an expression of joy because of the saving action of God. Third, it shows anger and disgust and lastly it expresses malicious joy. Clapping is used both positive and negative; in one instance in Psalms 47:1 the psalmist tells everyone to clap their hands because the Lord was being proclaimed King over the earth whereas in the opposite; the Lord clapped his hands in anger and disgust as a reaction to dishonest gain and to the blood spilled out by His people in Jerusalem.
One can come to the conclusion that depending on the circumstance determines whether one should clap or not. I feel it is inappropriate to clap in church after a person expresses their appreciation for God. If there is clapping needed at any point in church, I think it should come from a non-worship type of ceremony or the ushering in of the Spirit of God from the beginning of service. I am not sure but I believe there will be some clapping of hand s when the Lord returns. The clapping of hands may not be salvific but it can express the joy of receiving salvation.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 22, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 8
Clap Your Hands
While combing through the BRI documents, I scrolled down to the Practical Christian Living section and read the article on clapping in church. You may ask what does this have to do with salvation. It may mean nothing to some of you and just curiosity to others. I remember the first time I heard someone clap after a chaplain prayed. I was about 8 years old and my entire school was in an auditorium; after the chaplain prayed everyone starting clapping. I did not know what to do; I was just looking around hoping not be noticed not clapping.
I held my hands tightly together and made sure the teacher and was not looking. Later on in life, I heard people clapping in church after a quartet of men sang a song. There were a few ‘amens’ but mostly clapping. I thought ‘what is going on here and why are people clapping’. Nowadays it is common for everyone to clap over anything anyone does in church. If a preacher makes a good point while delivering his sermon, the congregation will clap and shout. How has this secular cultural practice entered our church and how does the bible address this issue.
There are several instances in the Old Testament that deals with clapping. First, it is an expression of joy at the ascension of a king. Second, an expression of joy because of the saving action of God. Third, it shows anger and disgust and lastly it expresses malicious joy. Clapping is used both positive and negative; in one instance in Psalms 47:1 the psalmist tells everyone to clap their hands because the Lord was being proclaimed King over the earth whereas in the opposite; the Lord clapped his hands in anger and disgust as a reaction to dishonest gain and to the blood spilled out by His people in Jerusalem.
One can come to the conclusion that depending on the circumstance determines whether one should clap or not. I feel it is inappropriate to clap in church after a person expresses their appreciation for God. If there is clapping needed at any point in church, I think it should come from a non-worship type of ceremony or the ushering in of the Spirit of God from the beginning of service. I am not sure but I believe there will be some clapping of hand s when the Lord returns. The clapping of hands may not be salvific but it can express the joy of receiving salvation.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 10
Salvation of the Stomach
Is there Salvation for the drunkard? Can someone explain to me why Christians should not drink? It seems to me all throughout the Old Testament people were always getting drunk, even God’s servant. I am not suggesting that I want to drink or support drinking for others; I just want to know why Christians do not have that option. A lot of other religions serve real wine for communion and I have Baptist friends who drink all the time and believe Jesus did likewise. We all know that Noah got drunk after the flood and the bible says Jesus turn water to wine and not grape juice.
Every Adventist I know use the same few text. There are also texts that can be used to support drinking; if you do not know them then I will not give them to you. (I do want to be viewed as supporting this notion) After reading the BRI document “Beer and wine: the bible’s counsel” I am still not totally convinced but maybe I should be. Leviticus 10:9 prohibits drinking from a priest in ministry; but why not prohibit it for everyone. Scholars keep pointing to fact that it says ‘strong drink’; how do we know how strong a drink they made in olden times.
I visited Spain on a vacation a while back (that place was wine country). They claim to make wine as strong as liquor. My wife and I saw two Navy sailors get sloppy drunk off that wine in less than a couple of hours. Maybe it is the wording “strong drink” that has me confused. I believe that if it is wrong it should not have the adjective ‘strong’ in front of it. The bible does not say strong pig or strong catfish; it simply tells not to eat it or even touch it. For some of you this blog may seem silly or non-important but when I find myself dealing with old friends or non-Christian in-laws this topic becomes very relevant for salvific purposes.
Continued assignment 10 blog,
Many people believe the last supper was filled with the celebration of wine between Christ and His disciples. I personally do not believe it however I would love for someone to give me extra information because I am tired of hearing people say that the Pharisees accused Jesus of hanging out with drunkards therefore Jesus himself was like them (a drunkard too) and also using Jesus own words as testimony against Him “the Son of Man came drinking and eating…” The word unfermented is tossed around a lot but is the word unfermented used in the New Testament? I would appreciate some of you guys’ wisdom of the subject.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 11
God’s Call and Gift Never Withdrawn
I cannot speak for anyone else but I have been blessed by my readings in Romans. I was reading Roman 11:25-36; and I came across one verse that made my heart leap with great joy. (If you are reading this blog, stop and look at Romans 11:29 – it is powerful) Paul is addressing the pride of the Jews. Paul is speaking to the Gentiles letting them know God’s mercy is extended to them as well. He says God appointed him to be an apostle to them. Paul goes on to explain that the Jews had rejected God and so God offered to the Gentiles that same salvation.
Paul says that some of the Jews had broken off of Abraham’s tree while the gentiles were being grafted in from a wild olive tree; however he warned them not to brag about it because they were just branches and not the root. Paul did not want them to think highly of themselves because of what was taking place in the church. The Jews did not believe God whereas the Gentiles did. The danger for the Gentiles was falling in the same pitfalls of the Jews. Paul was warning them of this. Paul also wants them to know that God’s still has a place of the Jews.
This is wonderful news for us today because Paul’s says the reason for God doing this was because of the covenant He made 2000 years ago with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That covenant is still binding today!! Now this is my favorite verse that I was referring to at the beginning of my blog (Roman 11:29). The bible says “For God gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.” Hallelujah!! This means God has committed Himself to our salvation. All of us!!! He will not take away what He has given (Jesus ‘sin’ covering blood) and His call on our lives (Holy Spirit working in us the will, doing, and finishing of God’s work in our lives). In other words, God is continuously working out our salvation.
In the military, it is called “no comrade or fallen soldier left behind.” Paul reveals God’s commitment to sinful humanity despite their constant rejection of Him. Unlike human beings, once God gives, and calls us to Him, we can always be sure that invitation is forever open. I read that verse over and over again because it compliments God’s words when God says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” We can depend on the Love of God to carry us through.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 12
A Life Serving Others
When we think about salvation, we often think about our relationship with God such as praying, reading, obedience to His laws and doing some kind of ministry. When asked, ‘which is the greatest commandment in the Law’, Jesus replied “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself…” This means we have a great responsibility to live our lives pleasing others instead of self.
Paul brings this out in Romans 15; he takes several different approaches. First, Paul instructs believers to be considerate of the doubts and fears of others who believe they are wrong in some of the things they teach. Second, that believers must treat others with the attitude of Christ. Third, believers must accept each other because Christ has accepted us all. Lastly, believers should follow Christ’s example of being a servant. We should serve others with the same desire and mercy as given by God. Paul delivers this important message because he wanted to remind them of how Christ came as a servant to Jews to fulfill the promises He made in the covenant with their fathers and to reveal the same mercies granted to the Gentiles. Although this message was attended for the Christians in Rome; it application is still necessary and binding to all Christians.
How often do we forget how important people are to God? I, myself struggle with this part of ministry. I do not consider myself a people person. Maybe it is just past bad experiences but I feel that the people I encounter always end up trying to use me. This is not my analysis, it is my reality. Even when I am trying to minister to someone or help them out, they never seen satisfied and ask for more than they need (not what I am will to give because I can be too generous at times). I am not struggling with meeting all God’s children with the attitude of Christ but it is hard continuing in a Christian relationship when people are constantly finding ways to manipulate their situation. Paul’s model for living to please others is biblical even from the O.T. point of view, but I am still struggling with the practicality of it all.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 13
Fear and Motivation
In reading Chapter 15 of Whidden’s book, it talks about the ‘Fear and the Nearness of Christ’s Coming’. Although many Christians do not admit it, many serve God out of fear; and the hurry to be prepared for the second coming is also motivated by that same fear. Many Christians confess that they serve God because they love Him (which I do not doubt) but how many would serve God if there was no punishment for sins or reward for acceptance. If there was no punishment for crimes than our society would quickly turn into anarchy. Despite what everyone wants to believe, punishment is what straightens out our character. We punish our children when they misbehave, society punishes us when or if we break the law and God will punish those who has trampled his laws in the Judgment.
This is just a real fact. So I believe that there should be some fear as the time draws near for Christ return only it should not be the primary motive behind Christians striving for perfection. Ellen White believed that Christians should be motivated by the Pre-Advent judgment, the time of trouble and the second coming of Christ to work on perfecting their characters. But it should be our primary motive; she stated that “the shortness of time is frequently urged as an incentive for seeking righteousness and making Christ our friend,” and any other motive would be considered selfishness. The bible gives specific details of the coming of Christ even saying “men’s heart failing them from fear”. Those are terrifying words. The bible does not give a description of the time of trouble but Jesus does say that if those days were not cut short all would be killed. Those are frightening words to the unlearned and unconverted Christian.
God has always warned man of the tragedy that awaits those who reject Him and I believe that it is used to get our attention however; I also believe it is through God’s love for us that He wants us to avoid His wrath. Ellen White says God gives us a theme of love and not fear to urge us in the time of preparation. Ellen advises us how to approach those times. She said, “Live the life of faith day by day. Do not become anxious and distressed about the time of trouble, and thus have a time of trouble beforehand. Do not keep thinking; ‘I am afraid, I shall not stand in the great testing day’ you are to live for the present, for this day only. Tomorrow is not yours. Today you are to maintain the victory over self.” This is a wonderful statement that brought me comfort as I read it. We should all keep these words to comfort those who feel the anxiety about their salvation. Ellen White’s words are not to be used only to rebuke others and stir up arguments in the church; they should also be used to bring peace to troubled minds and hearts.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 14
Putting Back the Christ in Christmas
I have read a lot of blogs and most of them are on Romans and Whidden’s book. There has not been a lot written on the ‘BRI’ documents. I suggest to all who are reading my blog to go to through those documents; it is a ton of useful and informative information about our beliefs, backed by biblical and other great sources. I love the Christmas holidays and found an article talking about Ellen White’s views on the observance of Christmas. I found it very informative and true to the chastisement of neglecting the real purpose of Christmas even in my own home. She (Ellen) says “When the world at large celebrates the day, they show no honor to Christ. They refuse to acknowledge Him as their Savior, to honor Him by willing obedience to his service. They show preference to the day, but none to the one for whom the day is celebrated, Jesus Christ.”
I hate to admit this, but I am one of those people who get so caught up in the Christmas holiday season and am guilty of ignoring that it is really suppose to be a representation of the joy of our Salvation (Christ Jesus). Prayerfully with this reminder, I will approach it different this year. We all know that December 25 is not the real birth date of Christ but Ellen proposes that this date is not essential to salvation, because if it was the Lord would have given it to prophets and apostles. She also says that parents should teach their children that Jesus is the world’s redeemer and that they should bring their gifts and offerings to Him like the wise men did instead of glorifying one another with gifts. She goes to say that children should not be left to their own amusement and pleasure seeking on that day but that parents have the responsibility of teaching their children that Christ purpose and cause was for the salvation of our souls.
I believe this is extremely important because, due to our parental neglect concerning the subject; children have become ungrateful brats that give parents a laundry list of things to buy. Parents then go and spend hundreds of dollars on items kids play with for a day or two. I was guilty of this too. I urge all to read this article because it was a blessing to me. Ellen’s entire purpose for writing about Christmas is so that we would not forget God. She says our first offerings should be to God and then can give gifts of love and remembrance to one another. She said we must remember that God is our best friend; and when we give gifts to others, we should make our gifts beneficiary to the receiver. I pray that I am able to change my values this holiday season.
Arthur Jennings
Doctrine of Salvation
Martin Hanna, Ph.D.
November 24, 2010
Reflection Paper/Assignment 15
Living without Excuse
Paul gives us insight concerning living in the Spirit in Romans 8. Paul is referring to the freedom we received from Romans 7. Christ has broken the power of sin over us when He died. In chapter seven, Paul relates to the law to the binding of a man and woman but when one of them die, then the other one is free from that law; just as when Christ died the law no longer holds one in its power. We are crucified, baptized, experience death and raised with the Lord. We are no longer slaves to sin but free children of God. In chapter 8, Paul proposes that we should live by and in this new freedom. He says God destroyed sin’s control over us through the death of Christ so that we may no longer give into following our sinful nature but instead follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Paul says “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.” How does this work? Does this mean that even though I am a believing Christian and my thoughts are sinful; am I doomed? Because Paul says if your sinful nature controls your mind there is death. The answer is No, because as Paul expressed in chapter 7, that the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. What Paul is proposing is that Christ broke the power of sin over us and that we have no obligation to continue to give in to sinful urges. I lot of Christians still say the same old things like “I cannot help myself, I am just and sinner;” others use scripture to justify their short comings. “I was born in sin and shapened in iniquity.”
Paul says they are liars and that they do not have to give in those wicked desires. Paul says that believers should not be fearful slaves but act in the boldness of God. Yet, Paul does not say that we want struggle through our Christian experience. We will struggle, but it is Christ that brings us to deliverance. Lastly, Paul does not hide the suffering of the believer; he says if we are to share in Christ glory, we must share in His suffering too. However the suffering is in no way equal to all the glory which will be given to us later. Paul says that we must wait patiently with confidence in the Lord because the Holy Spirit will help us in times of our distress. In every portion of chapter 8 Paul reveals the action of the Trinity working diligently for our Salvation.
If I was to make a prudent statement abut what i could say about the objective Justification, I will say that the promise of the good news made to all who hear it is always true whether or not it is
believed, but the promise is only taken by faith.
And by saying "by faith" it does not meant that it is not really. Many think that because it is by faith then faith makes it real. It is really whether we believe i tor not. Our faith just made us to be conscious of this Salvation Giver ans it changes our relationship with Him, from our perspective. I will even go further to say that the only reality is the what God is and what He does, believing in what it does it coming to the ultimate reality.
Believing is the only way to receive a promise, as
the same article paraphrases Romans 4:16; Abraham, the pattern of justification by faith, simply
believed the true promise made to him (Romans 4). In fact, the objectivity of justification is what
makes receiving it by faith possible. For if the gospel is that God was in Christ reconciling the world
to himself, not imputing their sins against them, then, by the gift of the Holy Spirit and on the
authority of the Scriptures, I can know that I have been justified. Upon believing the good news
proclaimed by the apostles, I become subjectively justified, saved from the curse of the law.
On the other hand, if the sacred writings do not promise me that Christ is the propitiation for the sins of the
whole world, then I am left asking, “What must I do to be saved?”
I have been exploring that new definition of predestination that we study in class and I have been going over and over again the text in Rom 8 just to check again what was at the core in that text... We come to a temporarily conclusion that the key word was called.
Something came to me as I was going thru it that what if God had to save us objectively before called us. Meaning there would not have been any calling if we were not saved objectively by God. and by saying 'us' I mean the whole world, as Paul put it in 2Cor. 5:19, that God was in Christ reconciling the whole world to Himself. if we see that way we will undertand better that, there could not have been people selected by God who alone would enjoy this great privilege.
in 2 Tim 1:9, we read "who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" unlike in Rom, the words of Paul seems to be more specific and clearer. He actually said that we were saved to be called. And I see saved here as justified. I believe that God did a work more than a mere provision in Christ. He even destroyed the death that was destined to us, there is one death destined for Human being, and that one Jesus in dying for us destroyed. He did for anybody and everybody..but you may ask me what about the death that some will experience at the end, i will say that it will be the one destined for Satan and His angel as Jesus said in Matthew 25.
All this, depends on how we define justification. We can see as see as completed when Christ became one with us in His incarnation; we can see it as fulfilled already by Him dying for us, or by the fact that we are already reconciled with God.
But I will be prudent to see it as God sees it.As Kenneth Wuest put it, in Studies In The Vocabulary of The Greek New Testament, "God is the objective standard of which determines the content of meaning of "justification" and at the same time keep that content of meaning constant and unchanging, since He is the unchanging One."
HE said this after saying "In understanding the words justify and righteous, as they are used in the NT, it would be kept in mind that their meaning is not a subjective one but an objective one."
One of the main reason why many are reluctant on the a objective justification is that it would break the freedom of choice that He gave us.
We think always that only those who believe in Christ are the ones who are in Christ..It is true in a sense that only those who believe are found in Christ, but we shall not say no to a possibility of every one even those who do not believe to be in Christ.
I believe that when God for a body to Christ as stated in Ps. 40, he put everybody in Him, ( without excluding the also the other side of the coin that God put only those who believe the gospel). and by so doing He did not break our freedom of choice. When from the foundation of the world, when God was setting the plan of salvation in His mind, He did not also violate our freedom of choice though we were not yet created. And when He realized this in 200 years ago, He did not violate our will power neither did He tread on our freedom of choice; and these two phases are the objective justification, and the only one. I believe that the only way for us to know that He did not violate our freedom of choice He gave us the opportunity or the privilege to accept the fact that we are already accepted in the Beloved.
If I can still remember well the presentation made bad Alicia in class, where she describes the different kinds of covenants and the way she showed the uniqueness of the Abrahamic one, I see objectivity in the that covenant.
It is said that a covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.
The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. God made promises to Abraham that required nothing of Abraham. Genesis 15:18-21 describes a part of the Abrahamic Covenant, specifically dealing with the dimensions of the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The actual Abrahamic Covenant is found in Genesis 12:1-3. The ceremony recorded in Genesis 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. The only time that both parties of a covenant would pass between the pieces of animals was when the fulfillment of the covenant was dependent upon both parties keeping commitments. Concerning the significance of God alone moving between the halves of the animals, it is to be noted that it is a smoking furnace and a flaming torch, representing God, not Abraham, which passed between the pieces. Such an act, it would seem, should be shared by both parties, but in this case it is doubtless to be explained by the fact that the covenant is principally a promise by God. He is the one who binds Himself. God caused a sleep to fall upon Abraham so that he would not be able to pass between the two halves of the animals. Fulfillment of the covenant fell to God alone.
God determined to call out a special people for Himself through whom He would bring blessing to all the nations. The Abrahamic Covenant is paramount to a proper understanding of the kingdom concept and is foundational to Old Testament theology. (1) The Abrahamic Covenant is described in Genesis 12:1–3 and is an unconditional covenant. There are no conditions attached to it (no “if” clauses, suggesting its fulfillment is dependent on man). (2) It is also a literal covenant in which the promises should be understood literally. The land that is promised should be understood in its literal or normal interpretation—it is not a figure of heaven. (3) It is also an everlasting covenant. The promises that God made to Israel are eternal.
One thing We always say is that though it may be objectively done, Justification will be always presented to man that he may accept it by faith.
the Power of the doctrine of salvation resides in the unconditional the message itself. It was in God plans that we could understand that the salvation that HE wrought for man is unconditional; therefore any conditional that there could ever be in His plan has to come from man himself, that if man was not thrust t away he would not have any problem in benefiting from it.
Jesus did something for us unconditionally. He died for us, giving life to everybody, believers and unbelievers alike. and The fact that resurrection will be given to all of us, will prove that salvation had been wrought for all of us, and by that i mean the objective Justification.
I think that what Jesus wanted to make us understand when He had the covenant with Noah; notice that He had even with non-intelligent beings also. "And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
9:10 And with every living creature that [is] with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.
And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth."
the power of the Gospel resides in something already accomplished. and Isaiah 40 report the words of God saying:"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
There is another part of the In Christ motif that came to me when I was considering how many possibilities or how many ways we can explain the meaning of In-Christ.
Paul wrote: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. "
this gives us the idea that there is way also that Paul was not in Christ, but was hoping to be found in Him when He comes. He preached that we are risen in Christ, but he is speaking of resurrection here as something that he actually hoping to experience. We can by this see the scope of this Pauline phrase. it covers eternity past to eternity to come, and passing through the present.
We cannot limit that phrase to what God had accomplished in the pas there to what He is doing here today, by putting people who believe in Jesus.
assigment #12 Is Jesus waiting for the gospel to be spread throughtout the entire world for his return to happen? I have heard that in order for Jesus to return the gospel has to be spread throughout the world. But I have to ask hasn't the gospel already been spread throughout the entire world? also is this really what is delaying the return of Jesus? I don't know. But it seems the gospel has already been spread throughou the wolrd. the spreading of the gospel began in the Old Testament after Adam and Eve made bad choices. I would also go as far to say the Adam and Eve both I would think told Cain and Abel there first seed about the goodness, mercy, greatness, of God. who shared it with there children. population increased, began to spread out and nations were being formed, but what happened to the gospel. God's image became distorted, and the bible discribes how people began living for themselve instead of for God. God was forgotten. I don't think he was forgotten, but that people began worshiping and forming God's to fit there lifestyles and others just like today followed. Because of his image being so distorted, and because of him being forgotten nations like Eygpt had to be shown who the true God was and his mighty power. I would say that God spread the gospel in Egypt and because of all the miracles he did there his glory was known throughout the other nations. Then the Israelites begin fighting war as they traveled through the wilderness in search for the promise land. God was most certainly spreading the gospel everywhere they went.
assigment # 12 When we look at the story of Numbers 22 Balak the king of the Moabites feared the Israelites. Why? The bible say's that he was afrain of the people because they were many. but if you keep reading the story he sent for Balaam who must have been a prophet to curse them. After many discussion with God Balaam finally goes with the men that Balak sent to retrieve him. Blut once he gets there he tells him of the God that is with them, and blesses them instead of cursing them. God's gospel was spread here, Balak saw the people a multitude he couldn't even number, but also Balaam confirming the majestic power of God. My point The gospel was spread to nations, no one did not know about God.Another example would be Joshua 6:1-5 God instructs a group of fighting men and seven priests with ram horns to suround the wall of Jericho. For six days they march around this wall. And on the seventh day they along with the people yell, the priest blow the rams horns, and the wall comes tumbling down. Who do you think did not hear about this miraculous act of God. After that the Israelite people fight the people of AI and destroy the nation. It say's in Joshua 9:1 all the kings of the West of Jordan River heard about what had happen. So my point is that the gospel was spread. God showed his mighty power throughout the nations, and he even showed his mercy because he allowed provision for anyone who was willing to accept him and become apart of the Israelite nation. But what kind of gospel was this. Well I would say that God wanted to show the nations that he existed, he wanted to show them that he was mightier than all of those imatations that they were serving, I would also say that he wanted to show them that he was the real true God, but then he showed his mercy how he took a people who were slaves, the lowest of the pit, made them into a mighty nation, and gave them place of their own to call home and worship him freely. Is this gospel I would say it is. so what happened? instead of these people continuing to spread his gospel once they reached the promised land, they instead became a who rejected their God, and wanted to be like the nations, they also refused to share His gospel, they kept it to themselves and looked down on other people. And was the gospel spread throughout the nations I say it was
Even when you look at the time that Jesus was here, performing miracles, the acts of the Apostles, and Paul who spread the gospel far and wide. But let's go even further today the gospel is spread all over the world by satelite, people can hear the gospel on radio, telvision, inter-net, and the list goes on. So is it that Jesus is waiting for the gospel to be spread to the world, or is it that God is giving those time who He knows that truly love him time to really accept Jesus and his image to be formed in them.
assignment #13 what is humanity? the bible describes humanity as beings that were created by God. It addresses the fact that these beings were created in the image of God. So it would be fair to say that Adam was our first example of humanity. But searchng throughout history it has been shown that the image that was to be humanity was distorted by sin, and it(the image) was molded into something other than what was first intended to be called humanity. But I think I am fair to say Jesus showing up on the scene became our second example of humanity. His explified character of what God intended man to be like was a excellent replica of what God first intended man to display. His loyalty to God, his compassion toward his fellow beings, and his humble spirit. Not that he was weak, but only because he always knew where his strength came from, and his power. Jesus is bread of life
he is the gift from God that sustains us. knowing him, following him fills our bellies til we are full. he is the light of life, knowing him frees us from any chain, shackels, habits that may be hindering his glory from shining through. Jeus is freedom, he is food, he is the resurrections that brings us back from a life that was full of death, hopeless, and despair. What is humanity it is Jesus!
assignment # 14 The gift of tongue I have heard many people speak in tongue. I myself use to speak it. Before I go into whether it is biblical or not, I want to say that some are taught to speak in tongue. They attend churches that believe the only evidence of the Holy Spirit manifested in your life is being able to speak in tongue. This I totally disagree with. But there is another class who speak in tongue through a gift from God. There are those who do not try to use this language for any other purpose than to share a relationship with God from the heart. The language spoken is only between them and God and many of times it is only spoken in the privacy of one's home or silently in the church. It this gift biblical? the Apostles on the day of Pentecost was given the gift of tongue to share the gospel in other languages so that people could understand in there own language. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor 14:22 therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers, but prophesying isnot for unbelievers but for those who believe. What doe he mean? It looks to me that he is refering to the time at Penecost when God had give the language of tongue to manifest himself, and to spread his gospel. but in 1 Cor 12:10 the Apostle speaks of of those who pocess the gift of different kinds of tonues. 1 Cor 12:29 he addresses the speaking of tongues again in verse 30 Do all speak with tongues. in Chapter 13 he say's though I speak wit the tongues of men and of angels, but have ot love, I have become sounding brass or changing cymbal.
is the gift of tongue biblical, from the way I see it in the bible it is. But I would say that if it has no purpose other than to share a relationship with God and the person then, I believe it should be done in private. I could honestly say though when I did speak in tongue to God I believed in my heart that my relationship with God was at another level, do I still speak in it? No, I find there is no need for me too I believe that my relationship, and the love I have for him is manifested not by my ability to speak in another language to him but it is how I live,treat my fellow brothers/sisters and my loyalty to him. So don't be too hard on those who speak the language of tongue, some have a genuine belief that this language is bringing them closer to God, and it is a production of the Holy Spirit manifesting in their lives.
ASSIGNMENT # 3
MARCO QUARTEROLI
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers.
I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer.
For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way.
I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
ASSIGNMENT # 3
MARCO QUARTEROLI
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers.
I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer.
For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way.
I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
ASSIGNMENT # 3
MARCO QUARTEROLI
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers.
I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer.
For example: when it come sto judgment we always say that God will jugde the wicked and the good. That one will be rewarded with Heaven and the other punished with final death. When we discussed in class about those who didn’t know God and the Gospel and that they will be judged by God in a different way, that they may also have the Holy Spirit and that according to the light they have they will face God in the final day. This is at the same time, very deep thinking, and at the same time very confusing. Think about what people can say about Evangelism or even the fact that they would like to have more light, so that they would be judged only by the light they have because it would be more comfortable that way.
I think that theology may get in the way of the simple thing s of Salvation sometimes not all the times. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out this last summer with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation teaching. I presented of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
ASSIGNMENT # 3
MARCO QUARTEROLI
It seems that the more I read and talk about salvation in class the more questions I have than answers, I confess that sometimes I get very confused with the idea. A friend of mine from Undergrad once said: “theologians are the people who complicate the simple things of salvation”; I wonder if that’s not what we are doing in class. Don’t get me wrong, I love the issues that come up and I love the fact that we are learning how to think and ponder about very difficult things from God’s word but, there are time when I think that if we keep asking questions, the questions will never end, because it is a lot easier to ask questions than to find the answers.
I have had my fair share of tough questions in the field as a pastor for 19 years; they come unexpected and people demand from the pastor an answer for them. During the Salvation Class I leaned that it is good to have my own opinion so that I can at least have something to say about these issues when they come up. But my own opinion has to be in agreement with the official position of the church and sometimes the position of the church isn’t enough to draw out an answer.
I think that theology may get in the way of the simple things of Salvation sometimes but not all the times, we do need theology and the deeper thinkers in order to deal with the tough issues. There are some issues that if brought up would cause a lot of hurt and dissention among the brethren. I tried something out a few weeks ago with some friends of mine from out of town. One of them mentioned the issues with La Sierra University and the Creation x Evolution issue. I presented one of our discussion points in class to see his reaction. The point was: we all agree that God created the world in six days but were they 24 hour days or not? That’s all it took for him to get really lost in his point of view-I am still working with him. I share this story to help my classmates in being very careful of how to talk about these issues outside the class environment as many others are not as prepared and open minded as we are during these discussions.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 10 Reflection
Comment by Marco Quarteroli
The assurance of salvation Chester is one of my struggles since the day I accepted Adventism in my life. I was 18 years old and been raised Catholic I thought that all I had to do was to fulfill the sacraments and go to church that I would be saved. God showed me through Adventism that salvation came from other source Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross but how can I be sure that I am saved? That was and kind still is the question hat haunts my dreams at night.
I know that there can be no doubt that Jesus provided salvation through His Sacrifice on the cross, no discussion on that matter. But how can I be sure of my own salvation is another issue. I have a hard time with some religions that profess salvation as something guaranteed, that Jesus saved us once and forever. Well I know also that I may lose my salvation along the way if I don’t do God’s will. So salvation presents two roles for two different actors: one role if acted by God, he sacrificed His Son on the cross and provided salvation for all mankind; another role is acted by the one who wants to be saved, acting upon the predetermined outlines for salvation that God provided. But still how can I be sure? I am quoting Saint Augustine now: “ when I look at myself I don’t see how I can be saved, when I look at the cross I don’t see how I can be lost”. The question still remains but somehow the deeper I go into it the more I am fascinated by God’s grace and love fro the lost.
ASSIGMENT # 4
ON THE ARTICLE “THE WRATH OF GOD” BY FRANK HASEL
The wrath of God is presented as an essential part of his divine character and I happen to agree on the basis of the bible that both are part of his character. His wrath is as present as His love and both are clearly presented in His Word. But I happen to disagree that because god is love he has to be also a God of wrath and to deny one is to deny the other. God is sovereign and all powerful not bound to anything human or of his own realm, I am always very fearful of putting limitations to God, God can do anything, he knows everything, he is all and all- he is knowledgeable of sin and evil, and to limit God in any aspect of to turn him into something created and not eternal. We waste so much time trying to understand God’s nature beyond what is revealed in His Word that we may run the risk of making God the way we want him to be. As we try to dissect God and make Him visible and comprehensible we run the risk also of starting a discussion that will never have and end as it is placed in the realm of speculations and not in the realm of reality. God is God and Eternal and that it.
To discuss the wrath of God is very useful within the scriptures as it presents his hate for sin (and Hasel was really fortunate on this point in his article) but I disagree with the need for it. The hate for sin can lead to many reactions and one especially, brings fear to my heart: if we concentrate in God’s wrath we may forget about his love.
I understand the purpose of the article and I understand it may be helpful sometimes to go about this matter with the church. I just don’t want to see my church focusing on the fear of judgment stead of the fear of God.
Dario Ferreira
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #13
In the thirteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, Paul addresses some aspects of Christian conduct. Verses 1-7 speak of Christian conduct concerning the ideal state. Paul wrote in order to establish general rules about what should be the attitude of believers towards the earthly rulers. The message of the apostle is that we must yield to those authorities; it is God who determines the human authorities. The statement that Paul makes in verses 1-7 about the need to pay taxes we are required by the human government, seems to have suggested that we should not be liable to men in anything, however, we must show willing to comply and pay all our debts, not prolonged unnecessarily. Paul wanted us to live within our means. Paul then says that love is the only permissible debt for the believers. Paul also shows the need for consecration in the face of the coming crisis (vv. 11-14). Paul echoed what the Lord Jesus said in Revelation 22:12-20 – “Behold I come quickly.” Paul expected the return of Jesus in his day, and advises the believers to live in such a way as to be ready for the meeting with him. This was also his hope.
In Chapter 14 Whidden deals with “Perfection Before 1888.” For Ellen White, Perfection is the goal of sanctification. She said: “We can overcome. Yes, fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation.”(1T, 144). Whidden has some distinct qualities of Perfection: Perfection is an experience that results from full surrender and consecration to God's will and His guide in life; Perfection requires an active effort; Perfection is an experience that results of sanctification; Perfection is accompanied by strict obedience; A perfect obedience must be symmetrical; Believers perfect, still being subject to temptations; Feelings and impressions are not determining factors for a genuine experience of perfection, but to move forward in faith, trusting the clear promises of God’s word. The Ellen White perfection negatively meant the absence of an attitude of excuse or cherishing sin and the performance of willful and premeditated acts of sinning. In other words, Perfection for Ellen White meant doing the best one could do. Ellen White also points to three characteristics that reflect traits of perfection in the spiritual experience of the believer: Unity, Humility and, Patience. Whidden ends this chapter with an intriguing question that makes us think more deeply at the perfection to be found in every believer: “How perfect is the perfection required of the saints who will make it through the time of trouble and will meet Jesus in peace at His second coming?
I found it very useful and enlightening the thirteenth document on salvation, entitled “Some Problems with Legal Justification.” In it, Ángel Manuel Rodríguez presents some problems so succinctly, clearly seen when studying Legal Justification Universal. Among those he has, I cite those who in my opinion are the most serious:
• The misuse of the Pauline phrase “in Christ.” For if we are “in Christ” as we are “in Adam,” then we would be doing some kind of contribution to our own salvation;
• The non-biblical understanding of Christ’s substitutionary death. Universal Legal Justification teaches called “Shared Substitution.” But, “Who took the other share?” The definition of “Shared substitution” is very confusing and allows a series of misunderstandings. And once again suggests that we make some kind of contribution to our salvation by being in Christ.
Assignment 13
Response to Arthur Jennings:
I thoroughly enjoyed the comments you made in chapters 7 and 8 of Romans. I found it very shocking to their placement, that Christ broke the power of sin and we do not need more compromising. This really is the message of Paul; Christ destroyed sin's control over us through the death of Christ.
Good point. Suffering is part of the believer's life. Must be something expected and according to Paul and the entire New Testament makes it clear that the Christian life is not devoid of suffering. Paul knew what it was to suffer for Christ, as you said, if we want to share the glory of Christ, we must share His suffering too.
ASSIGMENT # 4
ON THE ARTICLE “THE WRATH OF GOD” BY FRANK HASEL
The wrath of God is presented as an essential part of his divine character and I happen to agree on the basis of the bible that both are part of his character. His wrath is as present as His love and both are clearly presented in His Word. But I happen to disagree that because god is love he has to be also a God of wrath and to deny one is to deny the other. God is sovereign and all powerful not bound to anything human or of his own realm, I am always very fearful of putting limitations to God, God can do anything, he knows everything, he is all and all- he is knowledgeable of sin and evil, and to limit God in any aspect of to turn him into something created and not eternal. We waste so much time trying to understand God’s nature beyond what is revealed in His Word that we may run the risk of making God the way we want him to be. As we try to dissect God and make Him visible and comprehensible we run the risk also of starting a discussion that will never have and end as it is placed in the realm of speculations and not in the realm of reality. God is God and Eternal and that it.
To discuss the wrath of God is very useful within the scriptures as it presents his hate for sin (and Hasel was really fortunate on this point in his article) but I disagree with the need for it. The hate for sin can lead to many reactions and one especially, brings fear to my heart: if we concentrate in God’s wrath we may forget about his love.
I understand the purpose of the article and I understand it may be helpful sometimes to go about this matter with the church. I just don’t want to see my church focusing on the fear of judgment stead of the fear of God.
Nick Clark
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #9
“Faith must be sustained by works; the doers of the work are justified before God.” I like this quote by Ellen White that Whidden points out. She says that “faith must be sustained” and the way to sustain your faith is by doing good works. It’s so easy to get hung up on one side in the whole works vs. faith debate. It’s too easy to look at a statement like the one above and say, “see works have a lot to do with our justification, possibly more than faith, because faith cannot be kept without works”. But as we have been reading this book on Ellen White and reading through Romans we have been trying to see a more holistic approach, one that doesn’t lean to heavily on one side, but seeks the balance between the two. I like the idea of sustaining faith. For me I think that I often have this attitude of either you have faith or you don’t and I don’t think enough about how to hold on to faith, how to sustain it. That’s why I like this quote because it’s a reminder that faith is something that must be held on to, not simply something that you get or have that begins the spiritual journey with God. Faith is that key element that must exist throughout your entire journey with God, without the journey stops or takes detours that are in no way helpful in getting you to the destination God has for you.
Whidden also points out that “Whatever the investigative judgment meant for perfection, it is clear that Ellen White used it to assure God’s people that they have One as their high priest who gladly secures “pardon and deliverance,” despite the “sinfulness of their lives.” With Christ as our advocate, we need not cower before the accusations of the great adversary.” I like this because it points out the simple, beautiful, truth about the sanctuary doctrine and that is that we have Christ on our side and ministering on our behalf. The investigative judgment has been at the middle of some very heated debate and a subject of confusion for many, but hopefully we can begin to do better at showing the joy of having Christ as our advocate and the fact that we need not fear judgment because Christ is working to declare us innocent.
I like the end of Romans 9, verses 30 -33. Paul points out that both Gentiles and Jews pursued righteousness, which is a good thing, but they each pursued it in a different way. The Jews “pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.” So they both were working toward the same end, but you can only reach the goal by approaching it the right way. Righteousness must be pursued, but it must be pursued by faith, you cannot attain it by working hard. This brings balance to the first quote I noted at the beginning of this. Works have their place and faith has its place. You cannot keep one and give up on the other, both are important.
Response to Arthur Jennings
Assignment #9
I really like that translation that you shared of Romans 7:8. And the mirror analogy is awesome too. I like how you said that sin points out all the things wrong with us that we cannot change. That's so true and definately we need to remember this because all too often we try to fix everything we see that's wrong with us rather than letting God clean us up. Thanks for the good words.
assigment # 14 Should Christians observe the Israelite Festivals? I enjoyed this article by Frank Holbrook I do not blieve that Christians today are bound to keep the festivals that were given to the Israelite people. My first would be because they were Jewish, even though God had made provision for any one who had come among the Israelites to be apart of them. I think that he had given those customs directly to the Jewish people and now that Christianity has migrated Jew and Gentile I would say those customs also were done away with when the Jews rejected God and chose to go back into slavery. Also I would sas that just like it was mandatory for the Jewish nation to be circumcised to be recognized by God, but today it is through our faith in Christ Jesus that we are recognized by God. Also as I read Acts 15: 4-21 The Apostles got to gether to talk about the Gentiles recruitment into Christianity. The issue of keeping the Law, and circumcision. When the Apostles and elders came together to consider the matter Peter made the statement that even though they were not a Jew God instilled in them the Holy Spirit through their faith, and made no distinction between them and Gentiles. During this meeting the Apostles settled the matter and only made the requirements for them to obstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality from things stngled, and blood. So I ask the question again should Christians have to observe the Festival given to the Israelite people, because we profess to be spiritual Israel? I would say no only because the Israelite nation held those festival in reguard to there custom. They were a reflection of their graditude toward God for all he had done for them. We too hold a festival toward God through our faith in Jesus Christ in graditude for all that he has done for us on the cross. Our lives should be a reflection of that graditude, and our hearts should be constantly praising God for his goodness that he pours on our lives daily. No in my opinion I don't believe we are required to still hold those festivals that were required by the Jewish people.
Nick Clark
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #10
Paul says that “the righteousness that is by faith says. . . “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart.”(Rom 10:6, 8). I was doing some thinking about this idea and it’s amazing what an impact this belief could have on a life. Paul is saying that those that seek and have a righteousness by faith have that righteousness because the word is in their mouth and in their hearts. Christ is so close that not only the belief but also the understanding of righteousness by faith is imbedded into your very life. Those that have a righteousness by faith actually walk, move, and breathe with the understanding that Christ is everything to them and does everything for them and to save them. On any given day there can be a lot of things in my heart and I can say a lot of things, but I have to ask myself if everyday and every minute do I have this understanding in my heart? Is it the source of my words to others? Does it determine how I act or react in different situations?
Then Paul says in verse 13 that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” And I love how he points how that in order to “call on the name of the Lord” you have to first believe, and you can’t believe without having heard the message, and you can’t hear the message without anyone having preached it. There is a sequence to these things that Paul is pointing out. It’s also cool to think back and to ask “why do I call on the name of the Lord today?” If you follow the sequence that Paul lays out for the answer to this question you end up thinking of how it is you came to believe, which then gets you thinking about who it was that you heard teaching you something about God. This sequence takes you back to the people and experience that has led you to call on God today and to live for Him today. For me it was something that a basketball coach at my high school said when I was a freshman. It’s crazy too, because what he said about God wasn’t even said to me, but I heard about and in a round about way it came full circle to find me and that coach both standing up for God in the same way over something that God had put in our hearts to do. I never told that guy what a difference he made in my life, I hope someday I will have the chance and I hope that God is still working on Him and doing good things through him. We all have a story and the story starts with how we heard and came to believe in God. And every story is amazing, because every story exists because God was the one that created that experience for you and helped you see Him just when you needed to and in the exact way you needed to see Him.
ASSIGMENT # 5
MARCO QUARTEROLI
DOCTRINE OF SALVATION
I have been struck lately with this thought: “ Human beings have a hard time forgiving themselves so how does that play in the matter of salvation?”
When I think about what God has done in order to save us and the cost he paid, I often wonder if having difficulty forgiving ourselves is offensive to God. Would it be a lack of faith to not forget our bad deeds and be traumatized sometimes for life for what we did? I know God “hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea”, Micah 7:19. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” Hebrews 8:12; these verses point out that God forgives and forgets but what about humans? We tend to have a hard time forgiving and even more difficult time forgetting especially when it is about our own sins. So I struggle with the fact that as humans we fail to forget our own sins and the enemy takes advantage of that to discourage us and leads us into doubting God’s forgiveness because of our inability to forgive ourselves. The book of Romans is filled with statements about how God forgives our sins and provides redemption for a fallen race; He has no problem making us white as snow and righteous once more by the blood of Christ. Why is it so hard for us to do the same about ourselves? Is it the shame? Is it just the constant reminder that we are weak and fail? May be this is not a real theological issue but it is for certain an important one…
Nick Clark
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #11
Whidden talks of the time of 1888 and Ellen Whites messages and points out that she “saw the Church in great crisis. This crisis had its roots in both doctrinal misconceptions about justification and obvious failure to experience what the doctrine sought to describe.” This makes me wonder which is a bigger problem for the church today: doctrinal misconceptions or failure to experience what he doctrines are describing? I’m sure it’s a little of both, but what I think people want more than understanding of doctrines is understanding of how those doctrines can change their life and be experience in a positive way by them and those they interact with day to day. I think there is longing for a practical, where the rubber meets the road, type of teaching concerning the teachings of Adventism. I do think that there are a lot of Adventist that understand just enough about our doctrines, but don’t care to know more because there is no understanding of why more needs to be known. I see a lot of Adventist claiming Adventism on one hand, but on the other they definitely know what they believe that doesn’t quite line up with Adventism. I’m not trying be negative or look at the glass half-empty, but I am just thinking of a lot of my friends and what it is that they are needing most from Adventism. I think, maybe I’m wrong, that they are wanting less explanation of rules and more evidence of lives changed by the message that Adventism teaches. I think they want to see and experience the practicality the doctrines of Adventism and how they help them experience Christ in a very real way. I think that too often when they ask questing wanting to know more about the experience with God they get answers that try to right doctrinal misunderstandings rather than receiving an initiation into a life changing experience. Just some random thoughts.
Paul says something very interesting in chapter 11 verse 15 speaking of the Jews, “For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” I’m not quite sure if I understand all that Paul is implying when he talks about how Israel has rejected the message and because of that the Gentiles have received salvation, but this verse I thing helps me out with getting closer to understanding. It seems as if he is saying that even though the Jews rejected righteousness by faith that was not the plan and did not need to happen, but even though it did happen and it was bad God has brought something good from it; that is salvation to the Gentiles. And so it seems like Paul says if good can come from something bad, how much more good could come from the Jews actually accepting the message.
Nick Clark
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #12
I love Romans 12: 1, 2. The idea of worship is interesting to me. I like the picture of worship that is given here, that worship is living a life that is holy and pleasing to God. This text puts worship in everyday life, it challenges the idea that worship is something that happens on a designated hour once a week at a church building. Paul shows us that worship is more than a once a week event, it is how we live our lives all we do should be worship. At the church I was last working at there was a lot of discussion, and heated debate, over what worship was. Unfortunately the discussions and complaints all centered around the hour long event on Sabbath morning. Not once when seeking to better understand worship did someone in the congregation hint at the idea that worship was bigger than what we do on Sabbath morning. An unfortunately the things that were argued for and defended so passionately really had nothing to do with how to worship God better, but had a lot more to do with resisting change and holding on to comfort. I read this text in Romans 12 a lot during that time to help me remember that despite what others say or what others are mad at me about, God has called me to be accountable to Him and I want to always be seeking to please him and living my life as a living sacrifice.
In reading this text just now I noticed some things that I didn’t put together before. Paul says “in view of God’s mercy”, basically he is saying this is the reason to offer yourself up as a “living sacrifice”. In fact in Romans 12:1 we see Paul saying that when confronted by the mercy of God we should be overwhelmed and so moved that we respond and that response should be worship. Worship is response. It is response to having experienced God. When we encounter God we should never leave and go out without the intent to do something for God. Worship is the encounter with God, but it doesn’t end there worship continues as we go and live in such a way that our day to day life is worship to God. I am guilty of the same thing, guilty of going to church for one hour and then leaving and thinking that was a good worship service and having experience true worship, but then not moving past that when I leave the church building. I am guilty of too often not letting worship be a part of my daily life. And Paul reminds us here that worship is a big and awesome thing and that we should not limit it.
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 6
This chapter opens with a question Paul is making on the doctrine of justification by faith that might have been misinterpreted, which its if we sin do we see more God’s grace? And he himself answers that question. Once conversion occurred in our lives the old self is dead, so it is impossible to keep on living on that dead self (sinful self). There is a difference between living in sin and committing occasional sin. Living in sin signifies that I like it and I don’t want to turn away from it, and don’t want to do His will. Once conversion happens and all of that dies then we are earnestly seeking His will. But of course we are humans and weak, so occasional sin will occur. Ellen G White says “In the new birth the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life.” (Great Controversy p. 468) A special bond is created with Jesus, when the person is baptized. Baptism “immersion” is a public proclamation that the person has accepted and has died to the sinful life just like Jesus died for our sins. Not only died to the old self but also raised to the new life just like Jesus did. Because we are slaves for sin, we need to break that bondage that we have created with sin, and by doing that is being crucified so the bondage can break. Conversion is not just me saying I want to be change or changing some habits of my life, but it’s a complete change that happens from inside and only God can help us accomplish that. So now we become devoted to a new master. We need to make sure this is a true repentance and not just moved by the emotions. Ellen G White says “the new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.” (MS 148) I think in verse 9 is key “we are sure of this because Christ rose from the dead and he will never die again.” We believe that He will be alive forever meaning we are too going to live with Him forever and always be free from the bondage of sin. Our decisions should be based on the new person and not on the dead sinful self. The new life is now devoted to God, so everything that we do should be pleasing to Him. Even though our old life died we are still inside the human body with the same temptations. So sin is still a strong influence over us. That is why we need to have a daily conversion. “Holiness is wholeness to God. The soul is surrendered to God. The will and even the thoughts are brought into subjection to the will of Christ. The love of Jesus fills the soul, and is constantly going out in a clear, refreshing stream, to make glad the hearts of others.” (Ellen G White, MS 33) Remember that the result of serving sin is death, but to have life is a gift that we don’t even need to work on just accepting it and following a new Master who sets us free from the horrible bondage of sin. We can only receive that gift by bonding to Him.
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 7
Paul starts with the illustration of marriage to show the transition from being under law to being under grace and how this changes everything. Paul’s point with the illustration is that the law is impossible to save us, only grace can bring us salvation. When we die to our old self we have no more obligation under sin and so now we have the freedom to become bonds with Jesus. The law is not the source for why we have our sinful desires but rather the function of the law its to show us that we are in sin. It doesn’t save us! Ellen G White describes it, “ judged by a human standard he had abstained from sin, but when he looked into the depths of God’s law, and saw himself as God saw him, he bowed in humiliation, and confessed his guilt. He did not go away from the mirror and forget what manner of man he was, but he exercised genuine repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ.” The law brings us to accept that we are too sinful and we need the free gift of salvation that Jesus is offering to us. But let’s remember that the law is good and pure, that God was the one who created it. It reveals to us the character of God and what He is like. Jesus demonstrated with His own life that the law can be kept and we saw the results of keeping the law. Because the accusation of Satan that he puts in our minds is that the law is impossible to follow and is unjust, the same accusation that Satan has on God, of being unjust. When Paul describes his struggle with sin had to be describing his present struggle not before he was converted. Firstly because the verbs are in present tense and also because he has a desire to do good and a person who is unconverted cannot be showing the desire to good. But regardless of when Paul wrote this his main point is so valid for us today. The law identifies our struggles, flaws, and sinful desires even though it does all of that we need to realize that only through Jesus we could be free of guilt and break those bonds. The intensity of our struggles varies on each person and our walk. It doesn’t mean that we got baptized we are completely free from the sinful desires but rather it is a day-by-day struggle. Paul himself was “ a constant conflict with self… His will and his desires every day conflicted with duty and the will of God.” (Ellen G White MH 452-453) The Christian walk is of hard battles with our human self. In verse 14, Paul again repeats himself like verse 12 that the law is not responsible for the sins, the law is “holy, just and good.”
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 8
It begins with the good news of that Jesus came to save us from sin and not condemn us as sinners. If we commit to Him and accept the gift He has given us than we have freedom. The law only points out the right way but it doesn’t save us. We need to remember that God didn’t sent His Son to take away the law or change it. Look what Ellen G White says, “the law of God is the mirror to show man the defects in his character. But it is not pleasant to those who take pleasure in unrighteousness to see their moral deformity. They do not prize this faithful mirror, because it reveals to them their sins. Therefore, instead of instituting a war against their carnal minds, they war against the true and faithful mirror, given them by Jehovah for the very purpose that they may not be deceived, but that they may have revealed to them the defects in their character.” To only think of the gratification of those sinful desires only brings death. Our sinful mind is very hard to submitting to the law of God. Only with the help of the Holy Spirit are we able to go under submission and have total obedience to the law. When God first created us, our hearts and the law were in harmony, it was written inside of us, but after sin, it has caused a separation and now our hearts is full in rebellion against the law. That is why it is impossible for a man to obey the law by his own because his sinful self and wont let it happen. But when we surrender and we die to our old sinful self, we are giving the Holy Spirit to take control and He is the only who can make it happen. Look what Ellen G White says about what it takes place when we are restored through Jesus, “Though the moral image was almost obliterated by the sin of Adam, through the merits and power of Jesus it may be renewed. Man may stand with the moral image of God in his character, for Jesus will give it to him. Unless the moral image of God is seen in man, he can never enter the city of God as a conqueror.” This chapter finishes with beautiful words. Paul list ten things that cannot separate us from God’s love. And the last one is so broad that pretty much covers everything. Paul was trying to make the point that nothing that our minds can think, can separate a Christian from the love of God. Paul reaches the point of the letter in where salvation comes by faith. This faith is placed on the person who loves us so much that He made everything possible to offer us salvation.
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 9
Paul now turns from the happy ending in chapter 8 to something that causes Paul “bitter sorrow and unending grief.” Paul just can’t understand how the Jews, chosen to be God’s people had rejected Jesus and the gospel. The gospel was bringing salvation to them and they were rejecting it. Paul knew that for many of his people, the Jews, consider him a traitor and I think that is why he expresses this issue with such sincerity and with strong words. The statement in verse 6 can be referring to the deity of Jesus. What greater blessing was it for the people of Israel to have all of those manifestations? We see the scenario if Abraham and Sarah. Isaac was chosen as the child who will be carrying the promise even though it wasn’t Abraham’s first born, but we see that God pick us according to His plan. He already has a purpose for our lives, it is our choice to choose it or not. We can’t work or do things to win that purpose or as Paul says it “promise” but just rather accept it in our lives. God seeks salvation to all humans. No one is outside the plan of salvation. If we refuse to accept that purpose that He has for us, then he chooses others that take our place. God reserves various purposes for all kind of people from all kind of nations. Just because God had chosen Jacob’s descendants to be the people designated with the purpose of evangelizing other nations didn’t mean that Esau purpose was to be lost. We all have different purposes. Paul is trying for us to see through history with Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, that just works or just belonging to a family obligates God to bless us with a special privilege. I feel like it was important for Paul to really say this because this was misunderstood by the Jews, who thought because they were the chosen people, they had the right for everything and not with the mentality of saving others. “Thus Paul shows that God is abundantly able to transform the hearts of Jew and Gentile alike, and to grant to every believer in Christ the blessings promised to Israel. He repeats Isaiah's declaration concerning God's people: ‘Though the number of children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: for He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma and been made like unto Gomorrah.’” (Ellen White, Acts of the Apostle p 379
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 10
Predestination, Foreknowledge and Human Freedom
Since Augustine and Pelagius times until now there was the belief of predestination, in where God has already determine who will be save or who will be lost. God has already predestinated our fate, in other words. Because we now can’t stop ourselves from committing sin, we need to be under God’s grace if we want to get away from sin. This grace works together with how willingly the person is to choose to do good. In contrast with the belief of Augustine and Pelagius, predestination is not a “discriminatory, sovereign act of God.” But now the issue is, if God knows everything that has happened, is happening and will happen, how can we relate this with the human having freedom to choose what he/she wants even though God already knows what will happen to that person? In Romans 8:29 shows a difference between predestination and foreknowledge. Foreknowledge is one of the attributes that God has before the foundation of this world. Also in Ephesians give us a hint that predestination is not something that is absolute and something that its automatic. To be able to get the goal of predestination is must be through the sacrifice of Jesus. Now the role of Jesus in all of this was foretold before the foundation of this world. In other words the goals of predestination were put in place even before we existed. Paul writes in Thessalonians that God choose them from the very beginning and the Holy Spirit involvement in our lives brings forth the faith in Christ that gives us salvation. In Romans 8:28 shows the involvement that we have and the response we give to the offer of salvation that God gives us.
God foretold what will happen to this world but He still created it. He predestinated a plan of salvation to the fall humanity. God knows the future but doesn’t predetermines every future event, everyone is free to response to His plan of Salvation either accept it or deny it. Our destiny is not determined from the very beginning because it was God’s decision. In other words, predestination is not the cause of salvation, predestination it is part of our decision that we take when God offers us His plan of salvation. And I like how article puts it, “basically, God’s decision to put in place a plan to save His yet to be created world.”
Paulo Tenorio
Assignment 11
Justification in Romans 3:21-24
Paul now is identifying the contracts between when we were in sin and condemnation and we couldn’t live a sin-free life, but now God has created a plan of salvation that He is ready to give to everyone who accepts and has faith in Jesus. Although this plan has been revealed before in the Old Testament but now it has come more with Jesus. The plan of Salvation is to every human being, whether its Jews or Gentiles, if they believe in Jesus, they have it. God makes no distinction or favoritism because we have all sinned and we can’t even come close to even is near the glory of God. Righteous doesn’t come as a reward for having faith. When we give and commit ourselves completely to Jesus then the righteous of justification is inscribe in us. As we walk more and more with Him, in obedience, in trust, increasing in faith, we are enabling to receive more and more righteousness. As the glory of God is revealed through Jesus, it shines more and more into our minds. Our sinful self has made us to fall very short from the glory of God, and it will continue to ruin our relationship with God if we don’t surrender our self and accept the need of having a Savior. Our aspiration should always be to be more and more participants in the glory of God. Since we humans can’t offer anything, justification needs to come as a free gift because there is nothing we can do to win it. When we finally admit that we can’t do anything and we have a great need of God, then by faith are we to accept the justification as a free gift.
Since we all are sinners we need God’s grace. Ellen White says, “Divine grace is the great element of saving power.” “Christ gave His life to make it possible for man to be restored to the image of God. It is the power of His grace that draws men together in obedience to the truth.” This redemption saves us from our sin, from corruption and death. Through justification Jesus can save us from the consequences that sin has over us. Just like the Israelites need to have faith when they were being delivered from Egypt, we also need to participate in the plan of redemption from sin by having the faith and the acceptance of all that Jesus did for us so we could have the opportunity to have salvation and be free from sin.
Response to Nick Clark.
Assignment #11
Yes, I believe you are right, we do need as a Church to show how the doctrines change lives... and i do in a certain way think that the world is noticing that our life style which differs from the rest WORKS. Of course when not going to extremes... by this i mean been balanced.
I somehow believe that young people in the church are not looking for more relaxed time... if they are coming to church they want reformation... and i see this with GYC... and also with Teacher Darius Jankiovics saying that people want to be more strict... they dont want relaxed "do whatever" Christianity.
but again: Balance is the key I believe.
Response to:
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Assignment 9 Reflection
Thanks! it was really helpful and fun to read the story... it reminded me of my coulportering days.
Anyhow, i heard an ilustration that helped me a lot two days ago.
How God sees our future is like:
when I could not watch a soccer match due to the fact that i was in class, then i dont want to know the score, i watch it later when i have time without knowing the score. So, i watch it as if it was happening the same moment. The same is with God, he already knows the results of our "free will" that's the consequences of OUR choices. So we are living in a soccer match that has already happened in Gods mind (He already knows the results).
Hoped i explained myself... haha if not just ask me in class.
Response to Matthew Shallenberger
Assignment 6:
Thanks for the comparisons between the different thoughts of the Scholars.
blessings!
Response to Dario Ferreira
Assignment #8 :
Its true, chapter 8 its an important chapter... it has served as a comforting guide to all those who have suffered and struggled.
Faith and works go together... many Christians do one or the other, and criticize each other saying that one its more important than the other etc.
Yet, I do believe that we should not start with works... the works come naturally after you have faith, after you believe, after you LOVE. Works should not be forced...
thanks!
Response to Chester
Assignment 10
very true! I appreciate the reflexion on the assurance and the FALSE assurance.
"As unacceptable as it may be to live without assurance, I would argue that it is much more disastrous to live with false assurance."
It would be awful to be with the ones who think are saved and are not...
It is true we must examine our hearts everyday... Its our choice... God, His Word, His Spirit.. they are there to help us
Response to Nick Clark
assignment 7
Thank you for sharing those thoughts on chapter 7 of Romans."Seeing sin for what it is, this is something that unfortunately is not always seen."
The devil is a deciever, thats his specialty.
I believe that the closer we are to God the MORE we can SEE. But the closer we are to the devil then the LESS we can SEE.
We must be let ourselves be used by God to do the miracle of letting the blind SEE.
Blessings! : )
Response to Nick Clark
Assignment #12
True, very true... worship is not just a one hour thing... it should be through the whole week. In the morning, in your car, in school, with your wife, with your kids, etc.
I have a problem with people who want you to worship the same way they do, because thats the way it SHOULD be... I have been around the world, and i see that each culture worships differently. As long as we dont go apart from the guideliness of the Bible. Amen to diversity. God created us differently, and worship to me is so powerful, it can even be more powerful than the sermon. Its the time where i thank GOd, and where i connect with Him.
So much debate... worship involves fellowship too... hopefully we will come together.
Response to Dario
Assigment 13
"we must show willing to comply and pay all our debts, not prolonged unnecessarily."
Why have debts? and if we do we should do our best to get out of them... i have been influenced when coming to this country to think that its "ok" to be in debt, that its "ok" to buy a brand new car, when i dont really have the money to afford it... i have seen too many Christians suffer and shake in their faith thanks to debts...
anyhow, thanks for the summary on the Angel Rodriguez article.
Blessings
Response to Paulo Tenorio
Assignment #10
Paulo I like how you point out that God predestined a plan of salvation but left room and freedom for us to respond to his plan or not. You say that predestination does not cause salvation and I like that too. It's good to know that salvation is free for anyone to accept.
Response to Arthur Jennings
Assignment #11
Arthur i like how you point out that the gentiles though they were grafted in and found a place, but they were warned not to fall into the temptation of boasting. It's interesting that we can receive blessings from God and than boast about them rather than praise God for them. We are in danger of this. And yes, it is awesome to know that God's promise cannot be withdrawn, salvation is sure and certain. Amen.
Response to Landon Schnabel
assignment #12
I like how you commented that Ellen White was balanced because she is both conservative and liberal. You said the question is whether or not we would quote her in a balanced way. That makes a lot of sense. It's so easy to quote her on the points that support your views, but it would be a lot better to quote her in a more balanced way and I think that would promote more growth for people to view things differently as well.
Assignment #5
Michael Jones
The fifth chapter of Romans is a wonderfully orchestrated section in Paul’s epistle.
He begins by revealing that peace with God is one of the effects of being justified by faith. What a thought! I guess peace of mind is not about being in a physical location like the mountains, the beach or the countryside, but true peace comes when one is in Christ.
He goes on to write about rejoicing in “hope” (verse 2), but what intrigued me most was his beautifully outlined steps of how he came to rejoice in “hope.” Notice the steps. “We glory in tribulations,” a.k.a. afflictions, oppressions, “because tribulations produce perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope.” Paul is essentially saying that we have hope because we have come out on the other side of troubling circumstances.
This theme of hope is very important, especially since Paul elaborates upon it later in the letter (8:24, 25) and links it with salvation. This is helpful because it gives a Christian the balanced perspective of dealing with challenging circumstance while living in a sinful world.
All of this resonated strongly with me in light of what I read in chapter five of Ellen White on Salvation where the author Woodrow Whidden II ties together salvation and the great controversy. These two themes together add greater insight about how tribulations can and should be perceived. Satan is doing all he can to deceive others about the character of God. Look at how the author states the seriousness of this topic:
If the mind can be philosophically or practically confused on the key issue of God’s character, as revealed by Christ’s person and work, then Satan wins the controversy. If the mind can be philosophically and practically won to the goodness of God in Christ, the God’s loving persuasion carries the day.” p. 37
What does all this mean? The Christian hope is essential, yet it comes with a cost. May we not lose hope!
Dario Ferreira
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #14
In chapter 14 of Romans, Paul continues speaking of the ideal Christian behavior. And now he talks about Christian love and Christian liberty on matters of conscience (vv. 1-23). We note that the overtly Christian theme of love dominates practice section of this epistle of Paul. Almost all ethical conduct is associated in one way or another, with the motivation and spiritual quality of love. Some Christians, like Paul himself, had no pangs of conscience about eating any kind of clean food; others had qualms about certain kinds of food. A day did not distinguish between more or less sacred; others thought that some days were more sacred than others. Paul reminds us that a Christian should not judge another, echoing the words of Jesus: “Judge not lest ye be judged.” Concerning these matters of conscience, Paul suggests that it is good to be strong in faith, but as Christians we must remember that individuals are not isolated, living only for ourselves, we are members of a community, and everyone has a responsibility, especially the strongest, to promote the welfare of the community.
Starting Chapter 15, Whidden said, “Whenever a discussion of Ellen White and perfection arises: It Is Almost inevitable that the subject of the character perfection of God’s people during the time of trouble will come up.” Perfection and Closing Events is the title Chapter 15. The Ellen White statement most perplexing is in Great Controversy, page 425, where Ellen White says, “the sealed believers will have to stand in the sight of a Holy God without a mediator.” But, what is to be made of such a perfection that does not need Christ’s mediator? Based on the statements of Ellen White, Whidden answers: first, retrains on all evil are removed and second, we need a qualified understanding of perfection. These are sealed so accustomed to trust in Jesus, love what is right and obey no longer commit sins that need a mediator. Jesus continues to be the mediator of them, to sustain them on their weaknesses. In his commentary in the Great Controversy, page 621, Ellen White says that believers are not sinlessy perfect During the time of trouble: “God’s love for His children during the period of their severest trial is the strong and tender as in the days of their sunniest prosperity; but it is needful for them to be placed in the furnace of fire; their must be consumed earthliness, that the image of Christ may be reflected perfectly.”
Edward Heppenstall does “Some Theological Considerations of Perfection” on the fourteenth document on Salvation. Heppenstall said two words that are translated “Perfect” in the NT are the words 'teleios' and 'katartizo'. 'Teleios' is derived from the noun 'telos' Usually rendered “goal,” “purpose,” “end.” The word does not sinless perfection Have in mind. Paul uses the word translated “perfect” to describe non-perfection without sin, but a stage of spiritual maturity that mark those who are steadfast in the faith under all circumstances. Katartizo means to be “fully equipped” for service in the work of the church and in the cause of God. Speaking of the saints in the time of trouble, Ellen White writes that those who exercise little faith now, “They plunged into deeper Will Be aguish distress and in the time of trouble, because They Have never made it a habit to trust in God.” Heppenstall reached some conclusions: “If sinless perfection is to be realized by saints at the close of probation, then original sin must also be eradicated. If a man is sinless then he is no longer under grace. If he is under grace, then it is because he is not yet sinless.”
Assignment 14
Response to Michael Jones:
I really appreciated the emphasis you gave hope. There is a proverb that says: “hope is the last to die.” Because only hope can make us persevere to the end. But if we lose hope, everything is gone.
It really is all we need in this world full of challenging circumstances, oppression and afflictions. I found it interesting that Paul considers suffering as something normal and even necessary to produce in us the patience, which results in hope and shapes our character in the likeness of Christ’s character. As a result we have peace with God.
Assignment #13
Youngkyo Suh
Before I discuss about the chapter 14 in the letter to Romans, I would like to mention that in our class predestination and foreknowledge of God are seemingly hot issues. What made them so important to our discussion? As our teacher says, we as human tend to limit what God can do. With a little brain, we try to understand what God can do with his ability. If God can be perceived 100% by us, God is not God. I believe that God's ability is way beyond our understanding and human knowledge. There is practically no way that we understand the whole plan of Salvation. Even the angels of heaven are leaning onto the earth to see if how the plan of salvation come to about. For me, I have to admit that it is good to wrestle with topics of salvation especially on predestination and foreknowledge of God but we need to see something that comes from God which enables us to understand correctly.
Speaking of something that comes from God to help us to see heavenly plan of salvation. I read the chapter 14 of Romans. Among many precious words,
there is this one.
-Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
I'd like to think of the plan of salvation according to the legalistic theory. God's law was broken in heaven and God needed to prove that his law is still perfect and just in spite of Satan's accuse. But the problem is Adam and Eve chose to be on Satan's side. Since Adam and Eve were tricked by Satan, they've got the second chance to choose to be on God's side by exercising their free will.
Here we understand that according to the God's law, there is mercy and long suffering and second chance. Especially, for those who are deceived by initiator of Sin. Therefore, if man fulfill the law by their free will they could have salvation. However, it is impossible for man to fulfill the law because the state of man is not as perfect and good as before the sin. So, God needed to compensate to us with Love.
Love fulfills the law which Jesus Christ demonstrated for us. When we receive the love that God offered, we can truly experience the salvation.
Assignment 12
It seems to me that in Romans 12, Paul sets out a definition of humility that can be summed up by the saying (paraphrased loosely), “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking more of others.”
He sums up his statements in chapter 11, describing those who are self-righteous and arrogant regarding their own spirituality and God’s favor. Now in chapter 12, he comes to the “therefore.” He says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” This is humility.
In v. 3, Paul says that everyone should not “think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom 12:3, NKJV). In the following verses, though, Paul encourages each person to live out the gifts that God has given to him or her. If we have gifts of prophecy, let us use them in accordance with our faith. If we have the gift of ministering, let us use it for ministry. If we have the gift of teaching, let us use it to teach.
So how do the use of these gifts involve humility? Don’t we often become prideful when we think that we are especially talented in a certain area? Perhaps I think that I am a skilled speaker (I’m not) and should have the pulpit in my church every Sabbath. Or perhaps I consider myself to have the gift of teaching. I might be inclined to overrun someone else who is also a teacher. How can we “not think more highly of ourselves than we ought,” and still recognize and employ the gifts that God has, in fact, given us?
I believe the answer lies in what Paul says in the verses that follow. He says, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Rom 12:9-11, NKJV). In other words, love honestly and serve each other. If we do this first, jealous strivings will not be able to get in the way. I will recognize that I am a part of Christ’s body, and that I have a part to play in the work Christ is doing in the world. The use of my God-given skills, talents and abilities will come from the attitude of other-centered service, not self-service. “Do not overcome by evil,” Paul says, “but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21, NKJV).
response to Landon Schnabel assignemtent #1 Ellen White's first impression of God being vidictive and unworthiness. You know Landon believe it or not many people have that same first impression God. They fear him not because of respect but because they see him as a God of vengence, and judgemental. It is only through deligent study, and personal relationship with God that I see one's attitude changed to seeing him as loving, patient, and gracious as he is. Also I enjoyed your illustrations of grace and the free ticket take care nancy
nancy thomas response to Elias Misangwi assignment #4 Elias I agree with your comment and great emphasis on our need of christ and our ability to do nothing without him. Your last comment on God not forcing us to ask for his help. is interesting to me becuase I have wondered many times even though he does not force us is he (God( instrumental in alot of our circumstances to bring us to him, and to realize our need for help.
nancy thomas response to Young Suh Romans chapter 9 I really can appreeciate your comments on chapter 9 and found myself struggling even now.
I believe even myself we make God into this image that we want him to be, instead of realizing that he is what he is. As I read chapter 9 I saw a God who was free to choose who he would have mercy on and who he will have compassion on. does this make him a tyrant I think not it just makes him a god who as we are has the right to chooose what he will and will not do. A God who is a free agent like he created us to be.
nancy thomas rspomse tp Elias Misungwi assignment # 14 I can apprecieat your comment on perfection it is very encouraging. However the statement you made at the end makes me wonder are we able to keep the law even in the most strict obedience of our being. According to my understanding of Romans chapt 7 there isnothing in us that can even keep the smallest part of God's law. It is only christ himself who is able to keep the law in perfection.
nancy thomas response to Elias Misungwi assignment # 12 You made the statement that we can not keep the law, but even through our degenerate state we are still able to been seen by God as righteous. How is this possible Romans chapter 3 talks about our righteous through faith when we accept Christ God no longer see us as we are sinful and wretched, but he now is looking at us through the eyes of Jesus and see's us as his own son righteous and faithful. Praise God for his faithfulness, and thank you Jesus for what you did for us all.
nancy thomas rsponse to Elias Misungwi assignment # 15 You made a very interesting point here when you spoke about our dependance on Christ is the only means to obtaining strength and our faith in his wor will lead us to lperfection. I also want to poiint to romans chapt 5 which talks about our being justified by our faith and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. the bible also say's that whom we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. I really appreciate this thought and there are many times that we just need to be reminded who is really doing the work and that it is nothing within ourselves that could even come close to the mercy, goodness, righteousness, perfection of our savior Jesus Christ.
nancy thomas response to Michael Jones assignment # 5 Your theme on hope was very encouraging I also appreciated your comment here where you stated "christian hope is essential yet it comes with a cost. Maywe not lose hope". the thought you made here gave me the sense that afflicatiion is not something to always grumble and complain about but instead there are times when we should be joyous in our affliction because as you stated tribualtion produces perserverance, which produces character which produces hope so thank God for our affliction if they are going to build us into the image that Christ would have us to be.
nancy thoams raponse to Paul Tenorio on worship. Paul I can appreciate your comment on worship. and I believe also it shold lnot be limited but all throughour our day. However I have come to realize that we all are on different levels of our spiritual walk. some of us are powerful prayer warriors they can pray all the time for hours and not get tired, while others are need to hear a sermon it empowers them to higher level. Then there are those who sing praises to God they also claim that through their praise they are able to reach a higher level in God. I just say that God meets us where-ever we are and excepts those praises as long as they are genuine Praise God for that
Response to Paolo Tenorio, Assignment 11
Paolo, you’ve made a good summary of Rom 3:21-24. At first, because you were writing assignment 11, I assumed that you were responding to Romans 11, and I was very confused about your post. When I realized that you were responding to Romans 3, everything made much more sense! This was, in my opinion, the best statement in your post, “When we finally admit that we can’t do anything and we have a great need of God, then by faith are we to accept the justification as a free gift.” Accepting salvation has a lot to do with losing hope—hope in ourselves. Only then are we fully relying on God. But how hard is it to lose hope in yourself?
Assignment #13
As I read Whidden’s chapter, “Perfection before 1888,” for this week’s assignment, I was naturally interested. Perfection in Ellen White’s writings is a topic that has grasped my attention off-and-on for a few years now. Ellen White seems to have some strong statements regarding perfection, and they have in the past caused me some amount of consternation. Especially when I had an even more limited understanding of salvation than I do now. If I didn’t understand the need to rely on Christ’s righteousness and not my own, it is possible that I might misuse some of Ellen White’s statements and become caught up in a righteousness that is based on the law. I can certainly understand how some well-meaning saints can get caught up in it, anyway.
In this chapter, Whidden points out a few quotations that even now have me seriously questioning my established understanding of justification, sanctification, and character perfection. According to Ellen White in 1T 144, “We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely.”
Whidden quotes Ellen White as saying that it is “not the work of the gospel to weaken the claims of God’s holy law, but to bring men up where they can keep its precepts” (RH, Oct 5, 1886). Whidden notes that “sanctification is not an instantaneous experience,” and says, “Believers must move forward in faith at God’s command and not idly lie back waiting for some special inspiration or shock treatment to move them to a life of vigorous character development” (123). Such statements suggest that perfection is not something that one should count on God doing for them at the final crisis or at the Second Coming, but something that they must attain prior to such events. Yet how then is the thief on the cross saved? And how does salvation not break down into legalism? This must not be the correct conclusion.
Furthermore, how can perfection be both “fully attainable” and also “the work of a lifetime?”
My thought about perfection and salvation has been that perfection (ie, perfect obedience, in both actions and heart motives) is the goal I strive for. But since I have a sinful nature, and since sanctification is the work of a lifetime, I will always be striving for this goal, no matter how far I progress with God’s help. The more sanctified/perfected I become, the higher the goal will be in my new understanding of God’s supreme holiness. But when I am glorified, then my sinful nature will be taken away. I will then have perfect obedience (in both actions and heart motives), though this does not preclude the idea of continued growth of character. But I will be justified and saved not on condition of my attainment of “perfection,” but on condition of my accepting Christ’s life and substitutionary death in my place.
But then, how do I fully reconcile Whidden’s statement that perfection “is to be met in the believer’s Spirit-empowered performance, not just through the accounting of Christ’s perfect life of obedience to the penitent’s account. Obviously I’m still wrestling with this.
Response to Young Suh, Assignment #13
Young Suh, if I understand you correctly, you are pointing out that we can choose to be on God’s side by exercising our free will, but we cannot keep the law by exercising our free will. Thus, God compensates for us by giving us love. Experiencing salvation means accepting that love.
Assignment 15
Response to Ryan Kilgore:
Indeed, the subject matter of perfection is that a lot of attention. So there has been much discussion about it. It is an issue that divides. The human tendency is to bring this matter to the two extremes, on one hand those who say that something is impossible and therefore not worth it either, and on the other hand, those who believe it is entirely possible and are proud of their state of holiness. Clearly this issue must be understood in the light of Christ's righteousness and our delivery "without reservation" to Christ by the Spirit. But undoubtedly, there will always be need for careful discernment of the Spirit to the right understanding of that truth.
I confess that I never clearly understood about perfection, but now I have had a broader and more balanced view about it, thanks to the lessons of Professor Martin Hanna, the readings of Whidden, and ideas from colleagues like you. Thank you all.
nancy thomas response to marco Quertroli assignment #1 Salvation: Your thought on God revealing his message through our experience. And your next pont on E.W.'s experience with God led her to a greater understanding of salvation. I would dare to say that isn't that Paul became such an active warrior for God, was from his experience on the road to Damascus. And isn't that how Mary Magdeline became such a faithful warrior of God was from her experience with Jesus compassion with her. And wasn't that how most of the Apostles became such mighty warriors is through there experience with Jesus. It never begins immediately but as we walk with Christ and experience his goodness each day. I believe our understanding of salvation through our own personal lives becomes greater and deeper. nancy
nancy thomas response to Landon Schnabel assignment # 14 Thank you for our insight on this matter landon. I particulary loved your position there is no classes in heaven. and our second pointthat when people congreate into tw camps on opposite mountain and start thowing rocks at each other somehere in the valley there might be a solid position.
first I want to say that your are so very right there are no classe in heaven. And if we could realize that I believe the church would be a more inviting place instead of a battle field. If we could only realize that if we claim inheritance to the promise of Jesus we are all on the same team no matter what church or ethnic background we may come from. and yes your are right again that if we could just stop throwing rock we would see the solid position and that position is Jesus for all of us.
nancy thomas response to Author Jennings assignment #9 Law is not condemnation
I really appreciated your illustratin on the law being as a mirrow it gave me a vidid revelation of what the law does for me. Also your point on the law realing our imperfections so that we may clean ourselves up as much as possible was very insightful and I would like to comment on this point. Yes the law does identify our sin, and it does reflect back to us who we really are in the eyes of God. But as far as us being able to clean our selves up as much as possible is hard for me to grasp. The law reveals my constant need for a savior. There is nothing in me that could ever clean me up enough for God to accept me on my own merit. The bible claims in Isaiah 6:64 but we are all like an unclean thing and all our rightousnesses are like filthy rags. Jesus said that he knows whats in the hearts of man, and there is not one that turns to God without a selfish motive. There is nothing in us that can even remotely clean us up to keep the law it is only Jesus that dwells within us are we able to be clean enough for God.
Dario Ferreira
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #15
In chapter 15 of Romans, verses 1-13, we have the conclusion of the practical section that emphasizes the ideal Christian behavior. Paul continues his exposition on the obligations of the believers “strong in faith” - who had a good vision of Christian liberty - to the brothers “weak in faith” - which left him to embarrass exaggerated by many scruples, mostly based on the idea that the Mosaic laws were required for ceremonial Christianity. Paul, then (15:14-33) makes a personal narrative where he assures Christians of Rome that the education given in your letter, because it was not thought to be unable to teach each other. He was aware of their spiritual and moral quality. What you wrote is just a reminder of what they already know. Paul wanted the Roman Christians greet due to its high level of spirituality (v. 14). He reminded them of their personal responsibility and his apostolic authority in the evangelizing mission among the Gentiles, and informed them about some future plans regarding the expansion of his ministry (vv. 15-24), then told them about his collection of money for the poor saints in Jerusalem and also how Gentile believers had an active role in this regard (vs. 25-29). Finally, he expressed his apprehensions about what might happen when you arrive at the Jewish territory, which was hostile towards him (vs. 30-33).
Speaking on the subject of Perfection After 1888, Whidden said that Ellen White used all the same terms she had used the previous season and that there was no essential development that distinguish this season from the previous one. The natural and spontaneous vision of the perfection that is mentioned briefly before 1888 is now expanded - believers will not normally be aware of their state of holiness. The means of perfection - as the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, received only a newsworthy development after 1888. The great emphasis on merit and justification became the basis for victory over sin. Sanctification and perfection continued to be described as the major purpose of religion and the transformation of character as the path to perfection.
Gerhard Pfandl, on the fifteenth document on salvation, presents “Some Thoughts in Original Sin.” Salvation on this document tries to clarify this theological term, “Original Sin.” There are many questions raised concerning this issue, for example: “Is the man a sinner because he sins, or does he sin because he is a sinner?” “How about children, born sinners are they or do they become sinners because he is a sinner?” “What do we inherit from Adam?” The biblical evidence indicates that sin is universal and all persons are subject to death - the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23). The Bible defines sin as an act, a mistake, “to miss the mark.” Missing the mark is not just a mistake, but a voluntary act and culpable wrong. The whole human being is infected by sin. Nothing in it is exempt. Your body, your mind, your soul and your emotions have been perverted by sin. Even his will is affected by sin. The non-converted person is a true slave of sin (Romans 6:17). Pfandl, presents the history of the doctrine of Original Sin and the doctrine relating to the SDA. I want to highlight the words of M. J. Erickson that quite clear and comprehensive summarizes the message of this document: “Sin is not merely wrong acts and thoughts, but sinfulness as well, an inherent inner disposition inclining as to wrong acts and thoughts. Thus it is not simply that we are sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners.”
Reed Richardi
Assignment # 8
I Just read the chapter in Whidden’s book on Justification by Faith. As I often am I was really impressed by Ellen White’s balance. She doesn’t overemphasize one detail or aspect of salvation to the neglect of others. I believe she saw and helps us to see the big picture. If you have ever tried to find a place on Google maps when you are zoomed in too far you know it doesn’t work so well. Here at the seminary we look at a lot of details but we also need to remember the bigger picture. Here are some examples of balance in Ellen White’s writings that I found in the chapter.
• “…Ellen White taught a powerfully objective doctrine of justification, but one that does not tolerate willful, premeditated, easy-come-easy-go attitudes toward sin.”
• The sinner is “saved form his sins, but not in them”.
• Accordinging to Whidden Ellen White taught that “the law and the gospel are never to be separated, even though their roles are to be clearly distinguished”.
• “Objective justification is required all the way”.
• The admonition against those who “trust partly to God, and partly to themselves”
• “We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works….”
• Yet we have a high calling to obedience
• “For her, justification by faith was closely related to a proper attitude on the part of the believers toward sin, God’s requirements, and His merciful attitude toward the faithful.” Notice she emphasized not just one attitude on the part of the believer but a bigger picture of our attitudes toward God’s mercy and our sin.
I am convinced that Ellen White had a big picture and doctrinal balance that came from the Holy Spirit. This chapter on her views of justification is just one example of her understanding. What saddens me though is how unbalanced our use of her writings are. So often when someone wants to overemphasize an aspect of salvation or diminish the importance of another aspect they quote Ellen White. Well intentioned Adventists and critics alike have made her appear at times grossly imbalanced.
Reed Richardi
Response # 8 to Ryan Kilgore's assignment 14
Ryan I am wrestling with this too. I have held a view of perfection similar to the one that you said you have held. But this still leaves many questions about Ellen White's views as described by Whidden. I too desire a better understanding of perfection especially as it pertains to the last days.
Response to Ryan
I am still wrestling with what you're talking about as well. I don't understand how we can be perfect in anything near obedience until glorification. It seems like there are such troubling statements in EGW, but then there are some pretty troubling verses in the Bible and there is much more Ellen White material than there is Bible.
Though I am still searching, I have an inkling that instead of finding answers I will find questions. I guess I can just keep my eyes on perfection (Jesus) and keep moving in that direction with His help. And though I do think we will be fully obedient after the Second Coming, I feel like we might even be as "perfect" then as some people think they are now. But maybe they're just that much better than me.
Dario Ferreira
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #16
Paul in Romans 16 first sends greetings to various friends (16:1-16). Most likely Paul sent his letter by the hands of Phoebe, a Christian lady who probably was already going there. Paul takes this opportunity to commend it to the hospitality of Christian they are writing. Then Paul makes a series of personal greetings to 26 people who were mentioned by name. In verses 17-20, Paul bursts in an urgent warning about some troublemakers from a class that he knew very well. Paul sends greetings from several friends who are with him at the time you write. Finally, in verses 25-27 we find the final doxology.
Whidden concludes his book with a personal interpretation of the whole discussion and debate on the vision of Ellen White in Justification and perfection - that is, the contribution that this study on sanctification brought to your thinking. For Ellen White, Justification is always concurrent with Sanctification. Ellen White believed that by faith every moment, believers are considered perfect in Christ Jesus, through His grace and His merits. Ellen White also shows a lot of balance in its teachings on faith, obedience and merit. For her, the believers can only be justified by faith in the merits of Christ; he transferred to us, His constant intercession. The wonderful panoramic vision of Ellen White in perfection, unfolds in six levels of experience: 1. Reckoned perfect 2. Dynamic growth seen the relative perfection 3.Loving obedience and in willful sinning 4. Perfection in the Time of Trouble 5. Sinless at glorification; 6. Constant growth throughout eternity. In short, Ellen White taught that sinners can win the victory over the sinful actions and attitudes, but they maintain their corrupt natures that are subject to the temptation to glorification. They experience victory over all the inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin, but trends will never be removed until the second coming of Christ. For Ellen White, salvation is a persistent way to the perfection of personal character.
George W. Reid, in the sixteenth document on salvation entitled “Why Did Jesus Die? How God Save Us”, presents Jesus as one who rescued us from our sins by paying the highest price of His precious blood. It was God who started our rescue, who Reached out for us (2 Cor. 5:18), and continues to Reach out to us today. Jesus paid our ransom and freed us - we were captives of sin. He showed us how God loves us.
Assignment 16
Response to Reed Richardi:
Reed, you are absolutely right. Ellen White is Super careful and balanced in his views on salvation. Surely, if we trust in his ministry as prophetic as coming from God through the Holy Spirit, this balance shows that he really is.
You put very well your observation of inappropriate use that often make his writings. Unfortunately we tend to use the writings of Ellen White so biased according to our present interest. May God have mercy on us and help us look at the whole picture, as you said, we can see everything better and draw correct conclusions.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 13 Reflection
When Christianity is distilled into as few concepts as possible, it seems that two which necessarily rise to the top of the most-important list are 1) a knowledge of the character of God and 2) a knowledge of the nature of man (me!!).
In order for the second to be rightfully understood a third bit of knowledge is probably necessary: 3) the nature of sin. Without a right concept of sin, it is highly likely that I may not come to a right concept of salvation.
The Type A in me wants an answer that I can put in a few words and that will let me check this matter off of my “To Understand” list. Therefore I am quite pleased with the concise definition found in 1 John 3:4: “Sin is the transgression of the law.”
I find it even more gratifying to learn that Ellen White resoundingly concurs with the apostle John, repeatedly using this definition and urging the importance of understanding the nature of sin. “Ministers who exhort sinners to be converted should distinctly define what sin is and what conversion from sin is. Sin is the transgression of the law.… The apostle gives us the true definition of sin. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’” Confrontation, p. 75.
Most would have no problem with this definition – after all it is John the Beloved who gives it to us. But Ellen White goes a step beyond using this definition for sin, stating that this is the only definition of sin found in the Bible. “The only definition we find in the Bible for sin is that ‘sin is the transgression of the law’ (1 John 3:4).” Signs of the Times, December 5, 1892. This essential statement is repeated a full half-dozen different times in different periodicals, and at least once in her recorded sermons as well. “It is the privilege of every sinner to ask his teacher what sin really is. Give me a definition of sin. We have one in 1 John 3. ‘Sin is the transgression of the law.’ Now this is the only definition of sin in the whole Bible.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, p. 228.
The problem is that most theologians today would violently disagree with the limitation of our understanding of sin to this one definition. In fact, most Adventists would probably shirk from a wholehearted committal to the prophetess’ understanding of the matter. And I can understand their concerns, since the original languages employ more than one word to describe this human rebellion/corruption/mistaken/falling short condition. Even in the New Testament, without needing the knowledge of biblical languages, we can find other statements which seem definitive. “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. These verses seem to offer competing definitions to 1 John 3:4.
The easy, un-intellectual way out is to simply discount the “opinion” of Ellen White. I’ve met many who choose this response. “She was not a theologian,” they say. I agree, but I hasten to also add that though not a theologian, she was a prophet. Unless I misunderstand the gift of prophecy, a prophet is not instantly made faultless in character, nor prevented from making misstatements; but when they through their own human wisdom do make false statements that are of an important nature, God will correct them – seeing what weight their words rightfully carry (see 2 Samuel 7:3-17). I for one cannot brush aside these published, frequent, and forceful statements by God’s last-day prophet.
To be continued….
Comments on Doctrine of Salvation Chapter 14 Perfection Before 1888 Part I
Once again Whidden does a wonderful job at exploring the multifaceted perspective of Ellen White’s understanding of Christian perfection. He recognizes a seemingly symbiotic relationship between justification and sanctification, which for Whidden is the means of true perfection. He suggests a dialectical approach to Ellen White’s writing where the interpreter considers the full spectrum of her thought on the subject of perfection in her writings. “A number of different facets or characteristics go into Ellen Whites definition of perfection, and to get the full picture we need to understand each facet in its relationship to the whole.” I find this to be very consistent with and compatible to the biblical hermeneutic of relating the whole to its parts, a hermeneutic I have defined as Organic Theology or Process Theology. This concept of hermeneutics recognizes the developmental process of theological thinking and attempts to formulate a proper perspective of philosophical thinking within the framework of developmental thought resulting from a organic process, often going from a more simple to a more complex understanding of the subject. From this perspective we do not move from truth to error, but rather from seeming ambiguity to apparent clarity. From this perspective we can explore the rich diversity of Ellen White’s understanding of a given subject and give a proper exposition of her full treatment of the topic in its multifaceted perspectives. In addition to exploring the rich diversity of her thought on a given subject we also have the opportunity to evaluate her different approaches to a given subject which may also demonstrate for the interpreter the many possible ways one might approach a given subject theologically as well as philosophically. Whidden appears to utilize this approach in his organic evaluation of Ellen Whites understanding of perfection. In doing this he arrives at the concept of growing perfection. By this he seems to suggest that Ellen White’s view of perfection was one of continual development and growth that allowed for the believer to be at different stages of the perfection throughout their Christian life. According to Ellen White this would continue on throughout eternity. From this perspective the Christian would never be fully aware of their state of perfection only their continual growing in grace by the Spirit of God. This kind of perfection creates a humble realization of one’s continual need of grace.
Comments on Doctrine of Salvation Chapter 14 Perfection Before 1888 Part II
He suggests that this relative perfection acknowledges that there is a clear distinction between the believer’s perfection and God’s perfect nature thereby leading the believer to a humble recognition of their sinfulness and God’s Holiness. In other words, the believers perfection although perfect in purely human terms, does reach the full nature of perfection which God alone posses and which God alone is, therefore any state of perfection obtained by the creature is always relative to the nature of perfection possessed by the creator. I’m not sure that I fully agree with the author on this point. It seems to suggest that God has one type of perfection and gives us another. Yet the bible clearly teaches that we ought to be holy as God is holy. In my understanding this sets forth only one kind of holiness and that is not the kind that God gives but rather the holiness, which He is and which he has graciously made available to us through the life of His Son Jesus. Therefore, I believe we should think about perfection in its more personal context, namely holiness. That is that God who is Holy offers us to enter into his holiness fully and completely not partially and incompletely. The holiness that God gives is the Christian definition of perfection and means by which God may be able to declare us righteous. Thus we are made righteous through a holiness that is completely His own and which he invites us into. Therefore, it is not imparted holiness but rather inclusive holiness, hence we share in the righteousness of Christ and are made perfect in Him.
Chester Clark III
Doctrine of Salvation – Dr. Hanna
Week 14 Reflection
In my last post I was probing the definition of sin, particularly Ellen White’s repeated statement that 1 John 3:4 represents the only biblical definition of sin: the transgression of the law. Time and space will not permit as thorough a study as I would like to do here and now, but I want to at least share some thoughts in the interest of perhaps getting a leg up on the matter from some of my classmates. I recognize that a thorough study of the subject should include an understanding of the various Hebrew and Greek words translated as “sin” in the Bible, but for now I want to simply see if the other two verses often used in a definitive manner can be harmonized.
“And he who doubts is damned if he eats, because he eats not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. This passage seems to make sin dependent on my knowledge or even convictions of right and wrong. More than one Christian has informed me that this passage relieves him from the biblical dietary guidelines. “As long as I eat in faith, it cannot be wrong.”
I think that the answer to this apparent problem is in understanding how Paul understands “faith.” “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Faith cannot be separated from the Word of God! “Convictions” (regardless of sincerity) that are out of harmony with the Word are not and cannot lead to faith, but to presumption and sin. Real faith is based on the Word of God!
I would argue that Paul was not in Romans 14:23 seeking to provide a new definition of sin. He obviously knew that the time would come when faith would no longer be needed – it would be eclipsed by reality. In heaven there will be little need of faith, but we will still be living in harmony with the same principles of God’s law (character) that our faith was guided by while on earth.
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17. It’s amazing the way the guilt trips expand in the mind of the legalist through the improper use of this verse. Does not drinking enough water, getting enough rest, setting the thermometer at 65 degrees, or smiling at strangers actually constitute sin?
I wouldn’t want to underestimate the importance of faithfulness in the little things, or of seeking to reach God’s highest ideal. Nor do I discount the need for God’s grace for every area in which we miss the mark of that ideal. But I think 1 John 3:4 is needed for this passage to be understood in a balanced way. If “doing good” is defined by the Word as keeping the commandments, then James 4:17 becomes not a definition of sin but a clarification of when we are held accountable for sin. As Acts 17:30 tells us, God “winks” at our disobedience of the law when we don’t know better, but when we do know to obey it, we are held guilty of that sin.
Both verses seem to me to be complimented by 1 John 3:4 rather than to be in tension with it. Could it be possible that the Bible’s other apparent ideas about sin could also be harmonized with this statement, and Ellen White’s use of it?
Nick Clark
Doctrine of Salvation
Assignment #13
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8). I like the way Paul puts this by saying the “debt to love one another.” This is such a simple sounding command, but profound in its effects when actually lived out. Paul points out that the law is fulfilled when we love one another. After saying that love for one another fulfill the law he goes on to give examples. What’s interesting is he only gives four of the last six commandments as examples and instead of citing the other two, he simply says “and whatever other command there may be.” Why doesn’t he just go ahead and give all of the last six commandments as examples? Maybe he intentionally left no room for people to ask, “what about this command or that command?” It’s seems that Paul is emphasizing the power of the command found in Leviticus 19:18, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” When it comes to the commands of God it seems as if a lot of emphasis on following them is showing love for God. So we try hard to do these things and love God, but forget that we show love towards God when we love others as well. Everyone is created by God and is a son and daughter of God so we cannot say we love or respect God while disrespecting or being unloving to those He loves and calls His children. The idea that “love is the fulfillment of the law” is a beautiful thing. God is love so it’s awesome that love is what fulfills His law.
I like how Paul ends the chapter too, with his contrast of night and day. How the morning is coming and we should do away with those things that are done in the night and live like it’s daytime. This goes along with the idea of “walking in the light”. I like how he says it’s time to “wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” The idea of salvation being nearer is interesting, because as we have been talking in class there is a sense of salvation being known and felt now, but another sense that it will be fully realized at Jesus return.
Response to Youngkyo Suh
It's true it's good to discuss and learn more about predestination and foreknowledge. It's amazing to see how God has provided salvation and the way to salvation for us. Like you said there is nothing we can do and the beauty of the gospel is that God makes up for our weakness and provides what we need to be saved. I like how you said that when we receive the love of God we can experience salvation.
Response to Ryan Kilgore Assignment #5
I am impressed with your view of the chapter. I have to heard many people blame God for their short comings. We think that god will make us perfect and take away the tendencies to sin in our lives. Perfection I feel is not as much truly obtained here though we may claim it here. I also agree with you that the final glorification will be the time we fully obtain what we claim in a relationship with God now. We may confess and be cleansed, thus being perfect. Then the very next step may include a down fall, but to get back up again and confess we become perfect again. The process is our relationship with God and then someday we will have a Joshua experience stated in Zechariah.
Response to Nick Clark
Hey Nick, I really enjoyed your comment about the fulfillment of the law as love. I particularly appreciated your emphasis on the centrality of love in the fulfillment of the law, rather than any specific or particular command. I agree with your assessment concerning the nature of God as love, therefore the fulfillment of the law as love is a beautiful illustration of the revelation of God's true nature. I also appreciated your reminder that to fail to love our fellow brother demonstrates a lack of true understanding of the law since our brother is a child whom God loves, therefore to not love our brother or to act in a manner that is contrary to our brothers best interest is a misrepresentation of the character of God and betrays our claim of relationship to His Son and thus children of the Father. Finally, we must constantly remember that God through his Son Jesus Christ revealed the true nature of his law through the gift of his Son. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believed in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).”Here we find the true fulfillment of the law, love so encompassing that it was willing to meet the demands of the law in order that the love of God might be more clearly revealed. Ought we not to have such a love toward the world that we too meet the demands of the law… with love one toward another.
Mickens Correction:
In other words, the believers perfection although perfect in purely human terms, does not reach the full nature of perfection which God alone posses and which God alone is, therefore any state of perfection obtained by the creature is always relative to the nature of perfection possessed by the creator.
Thanks
Reed Richardi
Assignment # 9
I have to admit that Romans 9 is a hard passage for me. I don’t have any problems with verses 1 -10 (I appreciate the clarity in these verses on who is Israel today), but verses 11-33 are a struggle for me. Beginning with verse 11 Paul seems to be saying that God chose Jacob (whom He “ loved”) over Esau (whom He “hated”) not based on their works but on God’s own purpose. Paul also quotes God speaking through Moses as saying "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion." Further Paul seems to be saying we cannot question this apparently arbitrary decision of God’s, because God is the Potter and we are the clay, namely God is God and we are not. This seems similar to God’s response to Job that He is the Creator, in the light of Job’s questions.
Honestly if I only had Romans 9 without the rest of the Bible, I would probably hold a Calvinistic view of election. It seems at face value that this is what this text is pointing toward. But in the light of the entire canon of scripture I understand this passage differently. I believe this passage is talking about God’s choice of peoples and nations rather than the salvation of individuals (cf. Deut. 7:7-8).
Thinking about this chapter makes me glad for the entire Bible and the principle that we have inherited as Adventists, that scripture interprets scripture. It also reminds me that I must compare any interpretation of a passage with what the rest of scripture says. With that said, I think that there is a message here in Romans 9 that I have not grasped. I believe that when we wrestle with passages that seem contrary to our understanding God can expand and clarify our understanding. I pray for and look forward to gaining a better understanding of Romans 9 in the light of the passage itself as well as the rest of scripture.
Response to Ryan Kilgore,
Hey Ryan, I really enjoyed your comment on humility. I was particularly interested with your interpretation of Romans 12:1, I’ve never quite looked at this passage in this manner, but I believe that such an interpretation deserves further consideration for its contribution to our understanding both of our humility and the humility of Christ. This type of humility is a sacrificial humility that gives of itself for another, as you have stated in your comment; it is an other-centered service. I really appreciated the different principles you brought out of this passage and the implications that such principles would have for the Christian life. Primarily that we serve one another with in the Body of Christ not for the sake of ourselves, but rather for the sake of other. This seems to be the model of Jesus life and ministry. In his final hours with the disciple Jesus lifted his head unto the Father and prayed for the disciples. According to John Jesus said, "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth." It seems to me then that this is the example that Jesus gave for you and for me, that we should sanctify ourselves for the sake of others, in order that we might offer ourselves as a living sacrifice in the service our Lord.
Assignment #5
As I read Romans chapter 5 I remembered the times I have used it to inspire someone on their death bed to choose Christ as their Savior. The chapter is full of the love God has for an individual who may be struggling and looking for some encouraging love. The text that first comes to mind is the text Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This text has been uplifting to my soul. It shows to me that while we were a lost people God still found it worthy option to die for us. The 10 verse of this chapter also gives a direction to this same concept of God’s love. The text states, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having ben reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. We have labeled too many types of atonement and then allowed our minds to be narrow minded in choosing only one option. This text shows two types of atonement. The main thought though is that God loves us and is willing to still work with us.
IN the chapter 5 of the book on Ellen White the same view of love is expressed in salvation. I understand that love is a feeling and feelings are not important to salvation. The emotion behind the act of salvation from God is a strong pulling to accept the atonement made for us on Calvary. As for the chapter’s bottom-line says on page 39, “obedience is possible, but it is always associated with a just and loving acceptance.”
Reed Richardi
Response # 9 to Chester Clark Assignments 13 & 14
I appreciated your thoughts on 1 Jn. 3:4, Ellen White, and a definition of sin. I agree with the idea that Js 4:17 and Rom. 14:23 are complementary to 1 Jn. 3:4. This may imply that our definition of the law needs expanding. I also appreciated the reminder that true faith is based on the word.
Reed Richardi
Assignment # 10
I appreciated Angel Rodríguez’s short commentary on 1 Timothy 4:10. I have entered into discussions with some who hold to universal justification and use this text to support their view. I agree with Rodgriguez that understanding this text to say that God has justified everyone but saves especially the ones who believe, is problematic because it implies differing degrees of salvation. If there are degrees of salvation does this mean that the every unbeliever will receive eternal life along with the believers or that they have a lesser degree of salvation that does not result in eternal life?
Rodriguez gives us two options for understanding the text biblically. The first is that the phrase “Savior of all men” in 1 Timothy 4:10 means that God “desires all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:4), and that the phrase “especially those who believe” in 1 Timothy 4:10 refers to those who have accepted the offer of salvation in Christ. The second option is that the Greek word malista (especially) could be rendered “that is” or “in other words” (cf. Acts 20:38; Phil 4:22). Thus 1 Tim. 4:10 would read "Because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, that is, of those who believe." Finally Rodriguez adds “The text under consideration reads, ‘the Savior of all men;’ it does not read, ‘He saved all men.’ We have a noun, ‘Savior,’ not a verb, ‘to save.’
I appreciate Rodgriguez concisely dealing with the issue. I think the two option he gives are the best ones for understanding the text. In my opinion reading legal universal justification into this text is confusing and problematic. Further I believe that if the ideas of legal universal justification are taken to their final end they are quite dangerous. I don’t believe legal universal justification is necessary in order to understand the objective side of the gospel and is causes confusion in regards to the gospel’s subjective side.
Assignment #6
We have heard the text over and over again. The text is commonly used in the arena of evangelistic meetings. The text I am talking about is Romans 6:23 which declare, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I would like to blog on this common text. I think there is quite a bit of depth in this text alone on salvation. The great controversy message may be hung on this text. The overall picture is proclaimed in this text. The devil pays the wages of sin with death. Earlier in the chapter Paul says, “Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” If we obey Satan then we will be slaves to him and he rewards his followers with death. The previous chapter gave the thoughts of God on this subject, “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God.” The text here in chapter 6 pushes the envelope farther, “Eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In the book on Ellen White the chapter dealt with some things I have just recently came to know. The chapter dealt with born guilty. The book suggested we were not born guilty but we do inherit tendencies. I had never thought of this before a couple weeks ago. The second commandment does share this concept as it states, “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children.” I have recently called generational bondage. These are sins that you may be prone to because of earlier ancestors not overcoming the sins.
Reed Richardi
Response # 10 to Brian Assignment # 5
Brian I couldn't agree more that Romans 5:8 is uplifting to the soul. There have been many times that God's love seemed to me distant and uncertain. But this verse has reminded me many times that God has demonstrated the depth of His love to us at the cross of Jesus.
I am not sure I understand what you meant when you said "I understand that love is a feeling and feelings are not important to salvation." I believe that true love can affect our emotions but that it is not itself an emotion but something deeper. I believe love is at the heart of salvation because it is what motivated God to save us and ultimately it is what motivates us to turn to Him. "We love Him because He first loved us." As you said it pulls us to toward the atonement.
Assignment 9
I read the BRI article by Angel Manuel Rodriguez entitled “Justification in Romans 3:21-24.”
A large part of what Rodriguez was doing in this article is arguing against original sin. He spends a good deal of time focusing on the context of what Paul was doing in chapters 1-3 in demonstrating that all are sinful on an individual level. Since Paul has spent all this time laboriously showing how everyone has sinned and showing that the Bible also teaches that all have sinned, he is not now making a switch to saying that it’s really about the sin of Adam. In fact, Adam hasn’t even shown up yet at this point in the epistle. I think Rodriguez is right in his arguments. It is so important to interpret any writing within the flow of argumentation, especially Paul and especially Romans.
Rodriguez also says that since all are sinful, justification is to all, with no difference from one to the next. Though he didn’t say it, I think what is implied here is that since all are sinful in the judgement, all are sinful in justification. This is consistent with what Paul has argued already in Romans (chapter 2 I believe) that there is no partiality before God, that is, before his judgment. Judgement is impartial, and salvation is impartial. You didn’t get a free pass because you were an Israelite then, and you don’t get a free past because you are an Adventist, and part of “God’s remnant church” now. (To be clear, I put that in quotation marks because I don’t believe it is the institution that is the remnant, but the message.)
Another thing that Rodriguez made an excellent distinction on was in regards to the use of 3:24 to argue for universal legal justification:
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. They "are being freely justified,"
I love a good Greek explanation. I think this verse is a good example of a time when the Greek makes something crystal clear. But we are all at risk of making the same mistake the universal justification people have made. Once we get our pet theories, especially when we get excited about them, we really want to be able to prove them.
response 9
@ Wazoua
Thanks for commenting on my presentation! I love the doctrine of the covenant so much. You stirred up some more questions for me, enough that I'm going to make it another post. I did want to comment here that you stated your case slightly differently than I stated mine in the presentation. My understanding is that in the cultures of the time, both parties would not pass through, but only the inferior party would pass through. So not only did God take on all the responsibility, he broke Abraham's cultural norm and God himself stood in the place of the inferior, ready to take the consequences on himself.
Assignment 10
A couple of thoughts/questions about the covenant especially for Wazoua. The covenant to Abraham in chapter 15 was that he would have a son and that his offspring would be as the stars. Do you think that is a reference to Israel only or to all the nations that would be blessed through Abraham's Seed (meaning Jesus)? I could go either way, though Romans chapter 4 and 9:6 lead me to believe there could be a broader meaning in this case. That seems to be one the issues that is prevalent when dealing with the covenants, many of them were for Israel, including the New Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-35. Are we to understand them as applying only to Israel.
Perhaps God’s intention was actually for all nations to become Israel, not for Israel to become an exclusive nation. There were provisions in the law of Moses of non-Israelites to become Israelites and they were called a nation of priests. Maybe what God really wanted to happen when the Israelites came into Canaan was for the Canaanites, seeing the power of Israel’s God, to open their land to Israel to live among them and teach them to worship their God.
I say all this in the context of covenant because I think there are some really valid reasons to apply covenant beyond Israel to encompass all those who worship the God of Israel. Of course, there are also the numerous Pauline statements on the matter in places such as Romans 4 and Galatians 3:6-9 which talk about those who have faith being the true sons of Abraham.
I have another question about the Abramic covenant specifically. Though there were no conditions on the first covenant with Abraham (chapter 15) there were on the second (chapter 17, the covenant of circumcision). In chapter 17 God told Abraham to walk blamelessly before him and keep circumcisions for himself and male offspring. So can we really say the covenant did not have conditions? I suppose that depends on whether we see one covenant or two. Is circumcision only a seal of the first covenant given after the fact? Or are they separate? Paul says in Romans 4 that it was so that Abraham could be the father of both the circumcision (Israel) and the uncircumcision (Gentiles). Interestingly, it is this covenant, in chapter 17, the one with the conditions that is called the “everlasting covenant.” The chapter 15 covenant was not called everlasting. But both of them seem to be promising more or less the same thing, that he will have a whole lot of descendants. I know I’m not coming up with any answers here, but there is an awful lot to think about. I tend to think that chapters 15 & 17 aren’t really different, that 17 is more of an affirmation. Any thoughts?
Response 10
@ Ryan,
Love your comments on Romans 12 and humility, especially the very practical questions you are asking about spiritual gifts. It makes me think of something Oswald Chambers said that you might find helpful, to paraphrase, he said that we should live in such a way not that we cause people to admire us, but that we cause people to long for Jesus. So maybe we shouldn't think too much about using our spiritual gifts, and more about helping other people see Jesus, and even helping other people use their gifts. It seems that much of Paul's talk on spiritual gifts is pointed to say that you should respect and appreciate the gifts of others, not that you should be all about using your own gifts. And in typical self-obsessed style, we have made the spiritual gifts all about asking "what gift do I have?"
Assignment 11
What does faith mean? More specifically, what does Paul mean when he uses the word faith, pistis in Greek, especially in the book of Romans. It occured to me as I asked this question that we have a lot more words for faith in English than they had in Greek. While they have four words for love to our inadequate one word, we have three (that I count) wonderfully precise words which do us no good with the New Testament because Greek has only the one word pistis. Maybe someone with more Hebrew skill could enlighten me on what the situation is with Hebrew because I don’t remember. The three English words I can think of are belief, faith, and trust. And then there is also the very different connotation of faithfulness.
I was once listening to a lecture on the philosophy of religion and the professor, whose name escapes me, said that he suspects that what religious people really mean by faith is simply a misnomer for belief. He said that they are really trying to say that to them they believe that things are such-and-such. At first I thought he was on to something, but I changed my mind. Saving faith is not only a belief that things are a certain way. That is the kind of belief that the Enemy even has, but it makes him afraid. It makes him turn away from God. No, saving pistis is something more than that.
So that leaves us with the words faith and trust. Those two words are pretty similar. Faith has taken a lot of religious overtones for us which might make it more difficult to understand. But trust, that is a word we can understand. You trust someone when you have confidence in that a person can do something or that a person is something. And you exercise trust only when you realize that you need that person to do that thing or be that person for you.
In addition to taking this DOS class, I’ve also been taking a class from Dr. Choi, exegesis of Romans (by the way, I highly recommend it if you are ready to put in some serious time and effort and learn a whole lot about Romans). One of the ideas we have been talking about is a definition of faith as turning to God from a sense of need. I have fallen in love with this definition. I see it most clearly in 10:13. “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” When we see our need and we know that God can fill it we trust God to do so, we have faith. That is why faith is so much more than mere belief. Faith and trust cause you to turn in hope to the one you rely on, belief could just as easily lead you to run in fear.
Reed Richardi
Assignment # 11
The devotional today from My Utmost for His Highest is about Christian perfection. I just couldn’t resist blogging about it. Here are two quotes:
“It is a snare to image that God wants to make us perfect specimens of what He can do: God’s purpose to make us one with Himself.”
“If you go off on this idea of personal holiness [i.e. Christian perfection], the dead-set of your life will not be for God, but for what you call the manifestation of God in your life.”
The point that Oswald Chambers is trying to make is that God is not after perfection of character He is after us. And likewise that what we should pursue is not perfection of character but God Himself. Chambers does not deny perfection but believes that it is not God’s final goal. I agree. Perfection may be a fruit of a perfect relationship with God but it is not the end in and of itself. God is after us. He wants us and we should want Him. It is amazing how the sinful human heart can turn something as good as perfection of character and holiness into an idol. We can seek perfection and holiness not out of a love for God but out of a love for ourselves. How holy is our pursuit of holiness if we don’t seek God Himself? I am not saying that we shouldn’t seek after righteousness and holiness but that they too must be kept in their proper place, so that God is everything. Holiness is a fruit and possibly even a means to the end but never the end itself. The one thing that is needed (Lk 10:38-42), the one thing we should desire (Ps. 27:4), the one pearl of great price (Mt. 13:44-46) is God Himself. Let us not seek the rewards and gifts only forgetting that the greatest Reward (Gen. 15:1), the greatest Gift (Jn. 3:16) is found in the person of God. I of course am preaching to myself. I find it very natural to pursue things other than God and make idols of whatever I meet. May God’s amazing love change us all that we would seek Him first. As we think about how He has sought us and loved us even more than His own life may our hearts respond and seek not the mere gifts but the Giver Himself.
Response 11
@ Brian,
I appreciate what you said about the depth and simplicity of Romans 6:23. It is so true. And there is certainly a bondage to be aware of. I would, however, suggest caution in the concept of "generational bondage." I'm not sure that Paul is getting at that idea. I think he is saying that our choices of who we will serve (think about, pay attention to) are what place us in bondage. We have the influences of our heritage as fallen humans descendant from fallen humans, but we have no bondage to them unless we serve them, unless they are what we focus on and think about. This is where I sometimes see a problem with the idea of generational bondage, the focus is placed on the sin that is passed down, what it is, how it was passed down, how to deal with it, and all the time we are really serving that sin because we are spending all our efforts on the sin. Instead we are called to behold Christ, his goodness, love and mercy, the cross, the law of God, and all the things that are of the spirit.
Reed Richardi
Response # 11 to Alicia Johnston response # 9
Alicia thanks for clarifying your position about God's role in the covenant. I loved your presentation. The thought of God humbling Himself and taking on the role of the inferior party along with its consequences is absolutely amazing. What an amazing picture of God's humility! I see God's humility as a beautiful theme that runs through the Bible especially as it pertains to our salvation. To summarize Andrew Murray: It is pride that caused sin; it is from our pride that we need to be saved; and it is humility of Jesus that brings us salvation.
Response 12
@ Reed Richardi,
I read that devotional too! It was so amazing. This is the quote that really got to me, "I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God." Thanks for sharing!
Assignment 12
I know it is outside of what we are supposed to write on in this class, but I recently read a blog on Adventist Today that I can’t help but respond to.
http://www.atoday.com/content/dangers-emergingemergent-trends-seventhday-adventist-movement-and-mission
The article is a criticism of the emerging church movement. In it, Cindy Tutsch states that “Emergents minimize or negate the value of Christ's blood sacrifice, and prefer to emphasize the kingdom of grace today over kingdom of glory imminence.” I have heard this argument ad nauseum from Adventists and non-Adventists alike. There is good reason for it. Let me state that clearly. Because some in the emerging church movement clearly and undeniably have this problem with the gospel, and it is a major, major problem.
People like Brian McLaren, Tony Jones, Doug Pagitt, and probably Rob Bell fall into the category of either denying the gospel or minimizing it until it’s just not there. Their theology looks more and more like mainline liberal social-gospel theology. And as someone who puts her faith in scripture as authority and Christ as savior from sin and not just poverty, I have a problem with that system of theology.
But they are only a small portion of the emerging church movement. People like Dan Kimball, Mark Driscoll, Alan Hirsch, Frank Viola, and many others are both a part of the emerging church and strongly affirm the gospel, propositional truth, and the whole bit. Some like Mark Driscoll do it with all the reform tradition fire-and-brimstone theology.
Cindy Tutsch is really only talking about the liberal strain of the emerging church, but she is either ignorant of this or intentionally deceives. I tend to believe she is only ignorant. Why do we do this to people? If we are right, why do we have to resort of this type of rhetoric? Why can’t we try to genuinely understand each other? Straw-man arguments and superficial attempts at understanding just don't seem to me like the way Jesus would do things.
Assignment 13
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed through the renewal of your mind.”
Transformed, not conformed. Conformed has an outward type of a connotation to it. Transformed is an inside-out type of a change. So don’t just imitate something, don’t just try to look a certain way, but experience inner renewal beginning with your mind, the seed of thought.
This verse sounds like it applies to worldliness verses, well, whatever we place in opposition to worldliness, usually the morals and lifestyle promoted by the church. But the word used in Greek is not actually the world for world (kosmos) that is used in all those passages about the dangers of worldliness. The word is actually ainos, age. It frustrates me when translators do stuff like that, but that’s another story.
So it is really saying not to be conformed to the age. Don’t simply adopt what you see around as being good and right. This has a different connotation because it could so easily be applied inside of the church as well as outside of the church. Although, as we all know that culture inside the church usually trails the culture outside it by a couple of decades. Yet this does not make it any less conforming to the age.
But maybe it is even deeper than that. Maybe sometimes in church we just promote a kind of religious conformity to whatever Christianity happens to look like in our age. It is so hard. We don’t even know where to begin when it comes to inner transformation and renewal of the mind. The reason we don’t know where to begin is that it is really something God does for us and not something we can do ourselves. So we need to admit that all we can do is try and look good, our best is only conforming to the age. We need to ask for help.
Response 13
@ Landon
I really appreciated what you had to say about LGT. I agree that it's a major problem and not in harmony with the gospel. I particularly love this witty quote about the guy with weird 144K theology, "Though this man seemed to have his basic arithmetic under control, he needed to check his exegesis and theology."
Assignment 2
Ellen white experienced periods in her life where she was unsure of her personal salvation. She expressed a deep desire to be filled with the spirit and an earnest hungering and thirsting after righteousness. She in no wise presented herself as a spiritual superior in fact she personally confessed f fallibility and refused to claim perfection. She personally stated that she was striving to be perfect and she wasn’t expecting others to be perfect. And if she couldn’t connect with her imperfect brothers and sisters she didn’t know what she would do.
I believe that Ellen white was just a normal person who God used to tell people a message. She was a messenger of the lord. The message is perfect not the messenger. We often times critique the messenger and misapply the message.
Assignment 2
Ellen white experienced periods in her life where she was unsure of her personal salvation. She expressed a deep desire to be filled with the spirit and an earnest hungering and thirsting after righteousness. She in no wise presented herself as a spiritual superior in fact she personally confessed f fallibility and refused to claim perfection. She personally stated that she was striving to be perfect and she wasn’t expecting others to be perfect. And if she couldn’t connect with her imperfect brothers and sisters she didn’t know what she would do.
I believe that Ellen white was just a normal person who God used to tell people a message. She was a messenger of the lord. The message is perfect not the messenger. We often times critique the messenger and misapply the message.
Reed Richardi
Assignment # 12
I think it is amazing that not only has God perfectly provided for our salvation in Jesus Christ, but that God is the one who gives us the faith to believe in Jesus. Romans 12:3 says “…God has dealt to each one a measure of faith”. Similarly Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” We cannot even claim credit for our own faith, it is put into our hands by God to be given back to Him. We never give anything original or of our own to God because we don’t have anything of our own, it all originates with God. David understood this when he prayed “But who am I, and who are my people, That we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, And of Your own we have given You” (1 Chr. 29:14). Just a few verses prior to Romans 12:3 Paul puts us into our place in 11:35 by asking the rhetorical question “who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?” Then in the next verse Paul says “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” This is a wonderful verse to think about in regards to salvation. Everything about salvation is of God (i.e. God is the Author), is through God (i.e. God is the means), and is to God (God is the final goal and fulfillment). It could be illustrated this way. A small child wants to give his mother something for her birthday but has no money to buy a present. So the child asks his mother for money. She gives him money (and drives him to the store) and he buys her a present with it. The gift has its beginning, means, and end with the mother yet she values the gift not because her son gives her something but because of the relationship behind the gift. So God gives us the very faith to believe in Him and graciously (and gratefully) accepts “our” faith not because he values the faith but because He desires the relationship with us. He is so good! Salvation is certainly is not about me it is ALL about Him! Oh Lord forgive me for my self-focus. May I give place and glory to You as the ALL in ALL. May I always gratefully accept the faith You give me and return it to you in love.
Tyler Rosengren
Assignment #9 – Romans 9
Romans 9 is probably one of the most interesting theological chapters I have ever read. This is because here Paul deals with the topic of “Israel” and he says the infamous line “for they are not all Israel who are of Israel”. I find this chapter the most interesting because I am still amazed by the movement of mainstream evangelical Christianity. It has done a lot to gain a momentum over the past two hundred years in the United States and one of their main assumptions is the theology of dispensationalism. When I first became a Christian I became and Adventist so I never had trouble with understanding Paul in Romans 9. However I have discussed this chapter with a few evangelical friends and I am still amazed at how differently they see it. To me it seems very plain and clear especially when Paul talks about the children of God being called in Isaac, who is a child of faith, not of flesh. I also like it because it is very clear when it says that those “who are children of flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as the seed”.
Reed Richardi
Response # 12 to Alicia Johnston assignment # 13
Alicia I really appreciated your thoughts. I hadn't thought about the word translated "world" in the greek before. You are so right that the church typically adopts the thinking of the age but at the "safe" distance of trailing behind a couple of decades. We must continually evaluate our ideas, beleifs, and attitudes. Are they a result of uncritically conforming to what the current trends sees as God's viewpoint? May we be renewed and transformed by the eternal God and His eternal Word.
Tyler Rosengren
Assignment #10 – Romans 10
As I read this chapter I really felt Paul yearning for his own “fleshly” brethren, the Jews. It is as if he knows that they have no special right to salvation other than that Jesus was coming through their lineage. When he says that his “heart’s desire” is for them to be saved I feel his emotion because I too have family that I wish will be saved as well. He even says that his family has “zeal” for God. I found this to be a challenging concept because I wonder how someone can have a zeal for God and yet not know the truth? I guess we are all at different points in our walks with him and not everyone is a Seventh-day Adventist. But sometimes in my min I struggle with the idea that truth is truth and that if you truly have a “zeal for God” then wouldn’t you logically become a Seventh-day Adventist? I do, however, understand that God is bringing people along the way to where the are at and I sometimes fall into the trap of comparing people to myself or even comparing myself to them. I sometimes ask, if it was as easy as it was for me to become a Seventh-day Adventist then why aren’t all those who have “zeal for God” following in similar footsteps? I am challenged with this as well as the fact that I have been called to live this life and am wondering why others haven’t been called to a similar life (although I do know some have because being at the Seminary for the past two years has shown me that).
I also like in this chapter how Paul states in verse 12 that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him”. Paul really understands God’s will for everyone’s life. He knows that God doesn’t show any personal favoritism but loves everyone just the same. I am impressed that Paul understands this even though he was brought up with such a strong traditional Jewish background.
Tyler Rosengren
Assignment # 11 – Romans 11
This was a great explanation of how the Jews relate to salvation. The idea of using a tree and how people are grafted in and out is brilliant. I do not understand how others (again thinking of my evangelical friends) cannot see what Paul is saying and that the Jews today are not the only special chosen ones of God. I have been a numerous conversations where this passage is misunderstood. I am challenged by what I perceive as people’s spiritual blindness. I do ask for understanding from God because at times I feel called to preach a specific message to people who do not want to hear it. It seems I have all this knowledge yet it cannot share it with anyone because they are not willing to hear. Is this because they have “hardened their hearts” or is it just not he right time. My challenge is still why most people do not accept the gospel call. It is as simple as this chapter explains it, just believe and you will be grafted in. Disbelieve and you will be disconnected from the tree. I like also how Paul explains that the root is Jesus Christ and not the Jewish heritage. He makes it very clear so nobody should misunderstand it.
Tyler Rosengren
Assignment # 12 – Romans 12
This chapter has a special place in my life because when I was in undergrad I did a personality test and when the results came in it gave you a Bible verse that was to go along with your life. Mine was Romans 12:1, 2. What I found interesting about these two verse especially was that when reading different translation you will get totally different readings on it. I usually read form the NKJV and for the most part it is clear but there are some parts where the ideas from the text do not really come out very clearly. For example in the NKJV verse one says to present your bodies as a living sacrifice...”which is your reasonable service” but when you read that in the NIV it says that presenting your bodies is an “act of worship”. Reasonable service and act of worship seem like two totally different concepts and I find it hard to think that either author it completely right because how could you possibly come up with two totally different translations from the same Greek text? Either way, I really did like discovering the NIV text from this verse as it added a deeper meaning for me from the text.
Also the second part has been a constant reminder for me as to how I should live my life. I do find it challenging with the world all around and the temptations so near to stay focused. But I have found that the Word really helps me stay focused because it is constantly reminding me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind and to test all things that come across my path.
Tyler Rosengren
Assignment # 13 – The final assignment!!!
This chapter was very practical. I enjoyed the small but power section where it talked about how we ought to submit to authority because God is the one who has given them control. This is a grand concept because that means that God is in control even of the secular world, those who are professing not to follow Him. It is almost as if this is a paradox of some sort however it really paitns a big picture of who God is and what He is in control of. I do have a small question as to the overarching interpretation of this text because it says that all those who are authorities exist and are appointed by God. My question is in regards to places where gov’ts are corrupt. This could very well be our systems (as they have a little bit of corruption) however I am thinking more of systems like communism, or some of the dictators in Africa. Is God really in control of all of these people as well? I know that I can agree with this verse because I am from Canada and I agree with my gov’t for the most part and understand that they are doing the best that they can, but what about people form these other places? If they were to read the same verse would they agree with it? Hhhmmm, yet another question to be answered in heaven.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 3
In chapter 4 of Ellen White on Salvation, Whidden explains how Ellen White’s “understanding of what constitutes and experience of sanctification and perfection would change over the years.” I wonder if we take this into account when we read Ellen White’s comments of the topic of salvation. It seems that some of her writings at times may have been more works centered and less justification centered. If that is so it would seem to be important to recognize how she grew and developed in her walk with God as we read her writings.
In chapter 4 we also learn that Ellen White never claimed to be perfect. I admire this about her. She recognized her weaknesses and yet remained steadfast to God’s work. As she put it “I do not claim to be perfect, but I am trying to be perfect.” In her eyes to be perfect meant to be “always humble, chastened by revelations of fallibility, but eager to press on in the race for the high goal of practical righteousness.” This is a stark contrast to Brother B in chapter 3 of Whidden’s book.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 4
Balance is so very important whenever we consider salvation. This is apparent as I read chapter 5 of Whidden’s Ellen White on Salvation. It’s easy to go too far to the left or the right of the true meaning of salvation. One can be too works oriented and another can be too grace oriented which according to Ellen White is just as bad. As she explains, “it is the sophistry of Satan that the death of Christ brought grace in order to take the place of the Law….God’s moral government and His grace are inseparable.”
I know that I have struggled to find the balance at different times in my walk with God. I have dwelt on either side of salvation at times. I’ve been harsh/legalistic and at other times maybe too lenient and grace centered. Phillip Yancey talks about “grace abuse” in his book What’s So Amazing Grace. We are all in danger of abusing grace so that we might do what we please, when we please, how we please, and still experience the blessings of Salvation. I don’t want to be legalistic and at the same time I don’t want to abuse God’s grace. Ultimately, I hope that I can become more balanced as I continue to walk with Him.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 5
Romans 5
In Romans 5:3 Paul says “we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” I wonder how many of us actually “glory in our tribulations.” I think it’s easier said than done. I guess we have to recognize that even our trials serve a purpose in our Salvation experience. They serve the purpose of character development and spiritual growth.
In this same chapter we see Christ’s love for His enemies exemplified. The interesting thing is that we were His enemies. And yet Jesus still willingly died for us. Jesus didn’t die for us when we were good and obedient. He didn’t die for us when we were righteous and willing to follow Him. He died for us when we were unrighteous, unwilling, and ungodly.
The most controversial issue in this in this chapter is has to do with universal justification. There are some verses in Chapter 5 that could be used to support this concept. However I think verse 17 is key to understanding the issue properly. It says “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Maybe I’m wrong but it seems like the key to having the gift of salvation is receiving the gift of salvation. This fits with John 1:12 which says “as many as received him gave He the power to become the sons of God. ”
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 6
Romans 6
There’s a movie called Dead Man Walking. I think it would be a good title for a sermon that focused on Romans 6. In Romans 6 Paul says “consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” And when we consider 1 Corinthians 15:31we see that this is to be an ongoing experience for Paul says “I die daily.” So we could ask ourselves the following questions: am I dead right now? Have I died to sin? Have I died to self? Have I died to the unrighteous ways of the world?
I know I can’t always answer those questions in the affirmative because I think sometimes I choose not to die but to live according to my will. The thing I’ve noticed though is life is so much better when we die to sin. By losing our lives we save our lives and experience life as Christ intended. Jesus explained that in order to be truly fruitful one must die. In John 12:24 He said "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." On the contrary living in sin spells misery and mayhem.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 7
Romans 7
I feel like Paul is reading my mind and sharing my sentiments in Romans chapter 7. I struggle at times to do what is right at and find myself doing what is wrong instead. Some argue that this is early in Paul’s experience and that he would never say these things later as a mature Christian. But I disagree. The fact that Paul spent his time in chapter six talking about dying to sin leads me to believe that he understood what we should be but struggled to be that at times. I love how he turns our attention to Christ at the end of this chapter. Can we be delivered from this state of sin? Can we live a victorious life? Yes!! But only through Christ and like Paul we must thank God for that.
This chapter raises the issue of whether a person can be saved while they are sinning. It would seem so by the fact that Paul says “I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Verse 17 NASB). Paul is saying this as a born again Christian. The issue seems to be that though Paul has died to sin, he still is waging war against “the flesh” as a mortal human being. In fact it seems Paul doesn’t even claim full responsibility for his sin when he says “So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” It seems as long as we are in these sinful bodies we will battle sin and lose some battles but ultimately Christ will deliver us.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 8
Romans 8
Romans chapter 8 is by far one of my favourite chapters in all of the Bible. I especially love verse 18 onwards. Deliverance seems to be the theme of these verses - deliverance from suffering and deliverance from sin. Nature and all of creation is longing for deliverance from the sinful state of this world. We long for deliverance unable to utter our groanings at times but relying on the Holy Spirit to interpret our prayers.
There are several things that comfort us in these verses. Romans 8:28 assures us that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (NASB). This verse isn’t saying that God bring bad things upon us but He is able to take the bad and cause it to work together for our good. He specializes in reversing the unfavourable situations and experiences of our lives. We can also find comfort in the love of God which we can never be separated from. And we can certainly find comfort in the fact that “if God be for us, who can be against us.”
A major theological issue in this chapter is the issue of predestination. We must remember that we all have a freedom of choice and we all have been predestined to be saved. John 3:16 says “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This means that that anyone can choose to believe in Christ and be saved. Likewise God does not desire for anyone to be lost. 2 Peter 3:9 says the Lord is “not willing that any should perish but for all to come to repentance”
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 9
Romans 9
In Romans 9 Paul reveals that it takes more than an ethnic Israelite background to be considered part of the Israel of God. Quite often Jews took comfort in the fact that they were physical descendants of Abraham (see Matt.3:7-9; John 8:33-34)). However Paul dismantles this notion in Romans 9. Referring to ethnic Israelites Paul says “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants ‘Through Isaac your descendants will be named.’ That is it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God but the children of promise are regarded as descendants” (v.6-8). Being a physical Jew does not make a person a child of God. On the contrary only a child of promise is truly a child of God.
Paul sheds light on the meaning of “the children of promise” using the illustration of Isaacs’s miraculous birth (Rom.9: 9). It took faith to see the birth of Isaac. Sarah was well passed the time of her natural ability to conceive. Yet God promised that she would give birth to a son. Through faith the promise was fulfilled and Isaac was born. In like manner though faith (not ethnicity) we are counted as the children of God and partakers of the covenant promises. The promise and faith belong inseparably together, as Paul states, ‘The promise comes by faith so that it may be by grace’ (Rom.4:16).
The one thing I find challenging about this chapter is verses 17-18 which speak of God hardening Pharoah’s heart. We sometimes place the blame on Pharaoh for not accepting/obeying God. But speaking of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart, verse 17 says “for this very purpose i raised you up.” Then verse 18 says God “hardens whom He desires.” It seems like God interfered with Pharoahs free choice according to these verses.
Assignment #7
In chapter 7 of the book on Ellen White the topic is atonement. I commented on this in an earlier blog when I typed about text in Chapter 5 of Romans where it points towards a moral influence type of atonement. The other view of atonement made in this chapter is the one that is said to be the primary view of Ellen White. The view stated in this is chapter is the substitutionary theory. There were other theories of atonement that we very much like this one, but the overwhelming thought is that the atonement is the justice of God. The very act may be out of love, but the act is a form of His justice in the judgment. The two thoughts are intertwined. The book however tries to separate them. I think there is an advantage to holistically approaching these two views. The fact is that the Bible says in Psalm 85:10, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other”
Assignment #8
I know there has been much talk about the chapter of Romans 8 in our class about foreknowledge and predestination. So I chose to blog on a different part of Romans 8. I think of the conflict of the audience as I read the chapter Romans 8. The very first verse Paul tries to comfort the people, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The people are concerned with a life or death scenario. The people must realize that the flesh is death and the spirit is life. They also seem to be confused on which one they actually have in their lives. I guess today we might still have the problem or question, “Am I worldly or spiritually minded?” Paul tried to deal with these questions they had. Paul as he came to close in the chapter asks the audience a pointed and directional question in verse 31, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I know as I have lived my life I have questioned my views and actions on this earth. I know I do not want to live unto death. I know that my mind should be on God and not on earthly thoughts and concerns. Paul continued with a list of things to conclude the chapter that cannot separate us from the love of God. I found this more of an impact on my salvation that the foreknowledge of God and the predestination He has for me in this life. I especially appreciate the daily application I can take from the text and use it in my life.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 10
Romans 10
In Romans 10 we find some answers to the issues of universal justification and predestination. In Romans 10:9 Paul clearly states that salvation is conditional when he says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (see also verse11). Faith in Christ is the key to the salvation and the covenant.
The issue of predestination is also addressed when Paul says “whoever will call on the name of the lord will be saved" (verse 13). This opens salvation to whoever will choose to call on the name of the Lord. The word whoever is used in verse 11 and appears throughout the New Testament in reference to accepting Christ etc.
Matt 10: 32 – "Whoever… acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
Matt 10:39 – Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Mark 3:35 – Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother."
John 6:37 – whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 11:26 – whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Rev 22:17 – Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.
Assignment #9
I read the BRI document on the “Dynamics of Salvation.” The article was a well thought out and well-ordered description of the dynamics of salvation. The simplicity from the start gave the reader a sense of accomplishment as one would read through the article. The article started from a very practical point in everyone’s life. The needs of humanity in salvation are crucial to the beginning of coming to salvation. The article in some way reminded me of my proposal on the study of salvation in Romans 1 and 2. The article made the specifics of needs evident that we all we need salvation. I found the next section to be the heart of the matter of salvation. The very essence of salvation is the divine initiative. It is true from what I read in Scripture that God is the One that searches us out as the Shepherd who lost one of His sheep. Then after God does what He only can do He waits for our response. How patient of God do we have? His patience is everlasting and He pushes or coerces no one to salvation. It is amazing that He waits for our response. Once we do make the response our lives change. This change does not happen as quickly as it sounds. The change takes time with special insights though our struggles. I think the changing might start at the beginning but there are things that take longer than just a moment at our response to grace. In the end salvation is the avenue for the change and for the new life in Christ. We need it like we need air to the brain.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 11
Romans 11
Paul’s parable of the olive tree illustrates the uniting of Jew and Gentile into one covenant. While it is true that there were Jews who accepted the Gospel and received Christ as their savior (e.g. day of Pentecost Acts 2) the fact is that still many did not. There were those Jews who rejected Christ and His messengers time and time again; those Jews who were “hardened” (Rom.11:7); those Jews who turned a blind eye and a deaf ear (Rom.11:8); those who “stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Rom.9:32; see also 1 Cor.1:23). Thus, eventually the Gospel was taken from them and given to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46; see also Christ’s parable in Matt.21:33-43). The Jews who refused Christ were “broken off” the olive tree of Israel “for their unbelief” (Rom.11:20). God then replaced them with believing Gentiles – “you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree” (Rom.11:17). Hence once again Paul portrays the Israel of God as consisting of both Jew and Gentile who have accepted Christ.
Still despite the evidence in Paul’s letters there are some who suggest that the Israel of God consists of believing and unbelieving Jews. They base their argument on Romans 11:26 – “and thus all Israel will be saved.” However, in the context of this passage, Paul clearly stresses that the covenant relationship and salvation are conditional to faith in Christ. He states that the only way unbelieving Jews will be grafted again into the olive tree is if “they do not continue in their unbelief” (Rom.11:23).
So is Paul contradicting himself when he says “all Israel will be saved”? No, Paul is not contradicting himself. He is simply saying that “all Israel” – a united group of believing Jews and Gentiles who have accepted the gospel “will be saved.”
Assignment #10
In chapter 9 in the book on Ellen White by Whidden there is a discussion on the topic justification by faith. The chapter was a clarifying attempt on the term justification in relation to faith. There were some things as a former Catholic I found similar in the chapter. The statement, “once saved, always saved” was a common phrase in the Catholic Church. They even take it further with the application to baptism. They see no need for rebaptism. When I was in Green Bay, WI visiting my Grandma she took me to a seminar put on by the Catholic Church. At the end when we were visiting my Grandma asked a priest that my baptism as a Catholic meant I was always Catholic and I would not need another baptism, the priest said yes. If that was true then I would still be Catholic in their eyes. The baptism however is not my merit to salvation or denomination. It is the expression of an acceptance to the merit of Christ for my salvation. The chapter goes deeper into the concept of merits. I was clear on most of the points except the merits of Christ protect us from Satan. I have a hard time believe by having Christ’s merits I am on advantage ground before Satan. We cannot just hand the protection service to God as if He is a spiritual bodyguard. We must take the Scripture Christ has given us as a weapon against Satan and his demons. Christ Himself used the Scripture as a sword against Satan in the wilderness. I do believe we have action ourselves to perform here in the attacks of Satan. Now I know we cannot fight the devil on our own but with God’s Spirit and help.
Assignment #11
In the BRI document “Salvation by Faith” by Elder Jan Paulsen there was a great deal that I have learned this semester in a couple of my classes here at Andrews Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. I was confronted this semester with the thought of objectivity and subjectivity. I thought before this semester nothing of the sort. The sermon by Elder Jan Paulsen put the two terms in connection with salvation in a way I have not considered before. I thought Dr. Hanna was the only one that thought this way seeing that this semester was the first time I really heard the terms with theology. The concept though was put in plain view by Elder Jan Paulsen. Now with Dr. Hanna and this sermon by Elder Paulsen I have new field to dig deeper into for a clearer understanding of salvation. The sermon after this new found knowledge went pretty much the way that most topic of salvation go. There were a couple new ideas presented in the sermon about the justification term. The term was suggested to have legality in regards to the relationship we have with God. The sermon then continued on with the clearing of our alienation we experience with God. I found that the sermon for the most part has been the same things said over and over on salvation. The sermon was good and uplifting. I am amazed that even though the words and ideas may be the same continually the impact still reaches the very soul of my heart.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 12
Romans 12
In Romans 5 we read about Christ’s love for His enemies. Christ exemplified his words “love your enemies” when He died for the human race. Now in Romans 12 we are instructed to love our enemies as well. In verse 17-21 Paul says “repay no one evil for evil…do not avenge yourselves…If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink …Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Though at times it may be more naturally to fight physically we must be steadfast to fight spiritually through goodness and righteousness remembering that the words of verse 19 - “’Vengeance is Mine, I will repay’ says the Lord.”
All in all, this chapter seems to center more along the lines of sanctification and practical Christianity. Paul says we are to be “living sacrifices,” “holy, acceptable to God,” not “conformed to this world but transformed.” It speaks about how we are to live (verses 1-20), how we are to serve (3-8), and how we are to behave as Christians (9-21). Ultimately we are to be like Christ who not only died for our sins but lived to serve and love all even those who opposed and persecuted Him.
Mathew Feeley
Assignment 13
Romans 13
The topic of salvation takes on an urgent nature when we consider it in the context of the second coming/end times. In Romans when Paul speaks of the end of time he emphasises morality and obedience. Romans 13 urges us to live lawful, moral lives in light of the fact that our “salvation is nearer to us than when we believed” (verse 11). Paul continues in verses 12-13 saying “the night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness…Let us behave properly as in the day.” The Second Coming even influenced how Ellen White wrote about salvation at times. Woodrow Whidden explains how “some of the most challenging concepts in the vast body of her writings that deal with perfection” appear in her book The Great Controversy. If Paul and Ellen White spoke urgently in light of the second coming, how much more should we who live many years later and many years closer to the end of time.
Assignment #12
I would like to blog about the text in Romans chapter 10 verses 1-10. The text continues with the subject of the ending of chapter 9. Paul was talking about the Jews at the end of chapter 9. Paul continues in the beginning of chapter 10 his sentiments for his fellow brethren. He even goes as far as to title it, “my heart’s desire.” He really has burning for his brethren he has spent most of his life studying with in the synagogues. I can only think it would be the same desire we have for our family and friends that are lost. This is the very desire in the heart of Paul for his fellow brethren. As Paul writes more in the chapter he describes the Jew’s misguided journey of righteousness. They place their hopes in their own righteousness and denied Jesus. Paul says in verse 9, “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Paul wanted them to trust that God had sent Jesus and He was the Christ. He also continued a common thread I have heard continually in salvation. We need Jesus for salvation and our response is to believe in Him as the One who died to reconcile our relationship with God. That relationship then moves to a trust in God that comes when we, “call upon the name of the LORD" (verse 13). Those who do so shall be saved and this is the greatest desire we may have for our fellow classmates, friends, and family.
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