Today is a day of traveling: around 24 hours of it. Over the years I have had the privilege of seeing much of our world. I have visited many of the countries in Europe, as well as Asia, Australasia and North America but today I head to South America for the very first time. I will be away for 10 days which will include ministry time in north eastern Brazil. God willing, I will endeavor to continue to write here on the blog (as good internet connections allow). I would very much value your prayers for this short time away. May all God’s purposes be established.
Monthly Archives: June 2011
Is the New Testament Reliable?
Years ago, it was not very important for most Christians to be aware of the issues when it comes to textual criticism of the New Testament. The debate took place mainly in the halls of academia and the vast majority of people had no idea of the issues and they would hardly ever come up in conversation with neighbors. That is certainly not the case today. When Christians share their faith, it is very often the case (if not the norm) that they are immediately confronted with mis-information from people who have heard certain things attacking the trustworthiness and reliability of the Bible. The attacks have gone mainstream.
1 Peter 3:15 commands Christians to always be ready with an answer for the hope the lies within us. The technical term for this is “apologetics” – a defense of the Christian faith. All Christians are to engage in apologetics, though of course, some people will be more highly trained in this discipline than others. I believe it would be a right application of this Scripture to say that part of a Pastor’s job is to help God’s people know how to defend their faith.
With this in mind, and seeking to provide an answer to the skeptics, I post this lecture by my friend Dr. James White. I recommend it highly.
Work it out!
With Scripture alone as the firm and solid foundation, I affirm that justification is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, all to the glory of God alone.
The faith that justifies is a living and not a dead faith. This living faith is the fruit of a regenerated heart that wants Christ, loves Christ, and wants His will. The Reformers made it clear that justification is by faith alone and yet the faith that justifies is never alone – it is always accompanied by works. As the book of James tells us, faith without works is dead. A dead faith can save no one. Only a living faith saves. Therefore, true living (saving) faith will always display the fruit of works.
While justification (God’s declaration that a sinner is made right in His sight) is never based on sanctification (we are justified by faith alone apart from works – Romans 3:28; 4:4,5; Eph 2:8,9), the moment a person is justified, the process of sanctification begins. God has started a work in us that He will thankfully complete (Phil 1:6). That process will make all His justified children fully glorified (conformed to the image of Christ) (Romans 8:29-30).
Concerning this earthly pilgrimage towards Christ likeness, this process of sanctification requires effort on our part… actually much effort, a great deal of effort.. actually a whole lot of effort. Continue reading