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While we have to accept Paul’s teaching of justification by faith on the strength of the inspiration and authority of scripture, we should pause to consider why the rule would be that adding works — any works — to faith/faithfulness as justifying the Christian creates a different gospel and causes the Christian to fall away. [...]

We’ve gone halfway around the world to make a point. You see, being penitent and being led by the Spirit all lead to the same place — a devout life of love and fruits of the Spirit. It all ties together in a perfect, beautiful unity. But there is a very real concern here. Paul [...]

Chapter 5 is a critical passage in understanding Paul’s doctrine of faith vs. works. You see, Paul believes that those who’ve been saved receive the Spirit, and that the Spirit leads to a changed life. Thus, his logic is: faith (which include faithfulness/penitence) => salvation (at the point of baptism) => receipt of Spirit => [...]

Paul returns to the question of why grace doesn’t lead to license in chapter 5. To follow his argument, we’ll need to work through most of the chapter – (Gal 5:1) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke [...]

Now, with Paul’s use of “law” properly defined, let’s take a fresh look at the passage previously quoted – (Gal 5:2-4) Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself [...]

This brings us to Galatians, where Paul wrote, (Gal 4:9-11) But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days [...]

Of course, I don’t really think that Romans and Galatians contradict each other. But we in the Churches of Christ often argue and act as though they do. You see, we’ve never really wrestled with the paradox of Romans 14 and Galatians. Let me explain. In Romans 14, Paul deals with Christians who insist that [...]

Although Phil and Mac have left this conversation, we feel it’s important to present and explain the third of the three ways that we believe a Christian can fall from grace — A Christian falls away when he seeks to be justified other than by faith in Jesus. This is a vitally important topic to [...]

by Jay Guin Newbert never let anyone call him “Newbert,” for obvious reasons. He just went by “Newbie.” And Newbie had been an orphan all his life. He was born in the usual way, of course, but his parents — if you could call them that — were much more in love with the drugs [...]