Comments on: A Progressive Position: Faith and Repentance

By: Replanting a Denomination: Positive Salvation « One In Jesus.info

Replanting a Denomination: Positive Salvation « One In Jesus.info — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:01:23 +0000

[...] A Progressive Position: Faith and Repentance, by Jay Guin [...]

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 10:41:19 +0000

It truly amazes me how any Christians could call themselves anything other than a Christian. To say “I am an “Arminian” or they are a “Calvinist” instead of I am a Christian and they are a Christian. When I see this my thought is, who do they put their faith in men or God?

By: Prodigal Knot

Prodigal Knot — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:40:44 +0000

Many Baptists churches were, for a long time, largely non-Calvinist and anti-creedal.Those who were Arminian and sympathetic to ana-baptists, such as the German Brethren, were called General Baptists and the Calvinists were known as Particular Baptists. Only recently has Calvinist theology seen a resurgence in the Baptist denomination.

By: Prodigal Knot

Prodigal Knot — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:22:52 +0000

I agree with the article and the comments made prior to JR’s. Hebrews 10:26 and Matthew 13:21 show that Calvinism is a lie. In both these examples the one falling away has believed (faith alone) but, because of some testing, loses their faith.

If one cannot fall away then what is the point of “watch and pray”, “be not deceived”, or “be sober and vigilant”. None of these seem applicable to a sheep who has nothing to worry about. We must keep the faith, as Jay says in the article. We must endure until the end. Yes, God is the one who works in us the will and power to do these things. But, Matthew 13:58 and Romans 11:20-21 clearly tell us we can indeed lose the power of God and be broken off the vine, who is Christ, our only hope.

By: randall

randall — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:43:45 +0000

Anonymous, of course you are correct. You seem to be describing the doctine of Eternal Security rather than the doctrine of the Perseverance of the saints. The latter is the “P” in TULIP and should be recognized as being connected to Calvinism in a way that the doctrine of eternal security is not. Both teach that a person is saved forever if they were ever saved, but in Perseverance of the saints the emphasis is on God enabling the person to persevere to the end and in eternal security it seems that it is possible for a person to NOT persevere and still be saved anyway. The latter should not be confused with Calvinism even though it is taught in some Baptists churches. Historically, the Baptists were Calvinists but many say it is no no longer so. In fact many say the Baptists have forsaken the faith of their fathers and have traded Perseverence of the saints for the doctrine of eternal security.
Peace,
Randall

By: Jr

Jr — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:56:22 +0000

I am a member of the churches of Christ. The problem with both sides of the argument is the very fact of not believing in eternal salvation. We would do well to not think we can play hokey-pokey with the blood of Jesus. My question is: is there a sin that Christ did not die for for one who is truly a believer? If so, how truly effectual was His death in the first place?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:03:25 +0000

Just to respond to the Calvinistic comment. A person doesn’t have to be Calvinistic to believe eternal salvation. A person can read the Bible and see what Jesus said about it.

John 10:27-29 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

By: Jay Guin

Jay Guin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:59:17 +0000

Jr. and others, This site is a conversation between the conservative and progressive elements within the Churches of Christ, and neither side is Calvinistic or accepts once saved, always saved. If anyone wants to discuss the merits of the Calvinistic interpretation of salvation, I invite them to my blog to do so. A good place to chat would be at the third of these three posts -- Once Saved, Always Saved, Part 1 Once Saved, Always Saved, Part 2 Once Saved, Always Saved, Part 3

By: Jr

Jr — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:41:07 +0000

There is only salvation when God decides who to send His Spirit on and when He decides to do it. See Jesus’ discourse with Nicodemus. We have absolutely no control over when our salvation happens. It is not some intellectual decision. It is by grace we have been saved; not by grace+my superior mind to that of a non-believer.

Secondly; if one “falls away” they were never born-again to begin with. Jesus died for the sins of those He came do die for. It is impossible for this to be reversed. Either He died for someone’s sins or He didn’t. If you claim one can be saved, then not be saved, you would have to say that the Cross was ineffectual. Jesus failed to keep that which the Father had given Him and someone was able to pluck themselves out of the Hand of Jesus and God; which is contrary to Scripture.

By: graceconversation.com « Answering the Church of Christ

graceconversation.com « Answering the Church of Christ — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:31:20 +0000

[...] A Progressive Position: Faith and Repentance [...]