Monthly Archives: November 2010

Ordo Salutis (The Order of Salvation)

Posted on by
1

I am sure at some point you have seen crash dummies in a car as it hits a wall, cameras record the event to note precisely how the collision impacted both the vehicle and the dummies inside. The videos are slowed down dramatically and observations are made which reveal a great deal. As any new car is introduced into the car market, car companies (as well as outside agency safety inspectors) conduct these kind of tests as standard procedure to ascertain the level of safety for passengers.

With this idea in view, I want us to take a fresh look at salvation from several angles. We will note that although many of the things happen in an instant, if we could slow the camera down (so to speak) we will see that one thing occurred before the other, just as the car had to hit the wall before the dent in the car could be observed. In referring to a sequence with regards to time we also speak of logical and causal order, for the simple reason that although (in time) two things seemed to occur instantly, logically speaking, one thing had to happen before the other – one thing was the cause of the other thing.

Someone might ask what is the point of such a study. I would reply that the conclusions we come to on these issues have a profound impact on how one views God, the gospel, and the Bible as a whole. Continue reading →

Concerning Alleged Contradictions in the Bible

Posted on by
Reply

“The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.” (Prov 18:17 NIV)

Some Resources:
A recent graphic produced by “Fast Company” seeks to chart what it sees as contradictions in the Bible. Matt Perman provides a good short response but the critics are not. All their allegations of error in the Bible are based on some error of their own. Their mistakes fall into the following main categories.

* Assuming that the unexplained is not explainable
* Presuming the Bible guilty until proven innocent
* Confusing our fallible interpretations with God’s infallible revelation
* Failing to understand the context of the passage
* Neglecting to interpret difficult passages in the light of clear ones
* Basing a teaching on an obscure passage
* Forgetting that the Bible is a human book with human characteristics
* Assuming that a partial report is a false report
* Demanding that NT citations of the OT always be exact quotations
* Assuming that divergent accounts are false ones
* Presuming that the Bible approves of all its records
* Forgetting that the Bible uses non-technical, everyday language
* Assuming that round numbers are false
* Neglecting to note that the bible uses different literary devices
* Forgetting that only the original text, not every copy of scripture, is without error
* Confusing general statements with universal ones
* Forgetting that latter revelation supersedes previous revelation Continue reading →

What is meant by Divine Election?

Posted on by
2

Let me start by saying that although much misunderstanding and controversy surrounds this subject, the doctrine of election should not be something that divides us as Christians. To walk this out practically requires a great deal of maturity, because emotions can often be ignited when this issue is discussed. This though should be our starting point as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Here’s a quote from the Prince of Preachers, C. H. Spurgeon. “We give our hand to every man that loves the Lord Jesus Christ, be he what he may or who he may. The doctrine of election, like the great act of election itself, is intended to divide, not between Israel and Israel, but between Israel and the Egyptians, not between saint and saint, but between saints and the children of the world. A man may be evidently of God’s chosen family, and yet though elected, may not believe in the doctrine of election. I hold that there are many savingly called, who do not believe in effectual calling, and that there are a great many who persevere to the end, who do not believe the doctrine of final perseverance. We do hope the hearts of many are a great deal better than their heads. We do not set their fallacies down to any willful opposition to the truth as it is in Jesus but simply to an error in their judgments, which we pray God to correct. We hope that if they think us mistaken too, they will reciprocate the same Christian courtesy; and when we meet around the cross, we hope that we shall ever feel that we are one in Christ Jesus.”

So if the doctrine is controversial, why even discuss it? Well first of all, if you think about it, most of the doctrines at the heart of the Christian faith are controversial. Not everyone who names the name of Christ embraces the Trinity, the full Deity and humanity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, or justification by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone – but these truths need to be heralded because although they are controversial to some, and not everyone likes to hear these things, we’re convinced they are the clear doctrines of the Bible. Continue reading →