The Casual gospel

[Iconoclast]

We are the spiritual descendants in terms of being children of the Promise (Rom 9:8), but yes, the promised Seed is singular (Christ) and it is us in Him. I don't necessarily view things in terms of Covenant Theology...although I was looking at Reformed Baptist belief recently (an experience with a Reformed "preacher" elsewhere has pretty much dissuaded me for now), but you and I do essentially agree in terms of the identity of the Church. Which means that Ezekiel 36 is not only meant for the Church but is also looking forward to that time when this will be done.

That passage (Ezekiel 36) is one of the clearest expressions of the message of redemption, IMHO, that we can find...the gospel of course being that this redemption has indeed arrived.

Jon C
Do not let a bad experience keep you from following the truth.
Some reformed baptist men have come from other backrounds and each man is just that...a man...so there will be some strange things that go on.
We as baptists are a little late to the party when it comes to understanding the covenants.
I have been a reformed baptist for awhile.
There is soul liberty and when among other RB I can be as critical of some ideas there as well.....we each give account of ourselves to God.
I use the labels and believe they are helpful. ....but it is the truth that we are to prize more than a label.

 

[Iconoclast]

Look, I can read. It's written to ISRAEL.

It was written to Israel indeed.
They were the people of God when ezk is written,
If ezk wrote it to Mexico. ....they would have no idea who or what he was talking about.
The promised seed however was for all nations however.
That is the part Israel did not understand.
THAT Is THE Point Of MANY Of THE KINGDOM parables.

 

[DHK]

As ITL noted, Ezekiel 36 is a passage of Scripture with promises directly given to the nation of Israel.
For example,
Ezekiel 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

This is yet unfulfilled, but someday will be fulfilled, literally. The great hermeneutical mistake of some here is to deny the existence of Israel, or to teach a form of Replacement Theology, which among orthodox Christianity is a known heresy. The RCC believes that she has replaced Israel. This is a Catholic doctrine.

In salvation when a Jew becomes saved he leaves his false religion and becomes a Christian, a part of the bride of Christ, whom Christ will come for. When a Gentile is saved he leaves his paganism and becomes a Christian and becomes a part of the bride Christ whom Christ will come from. Both Jew and Gentile: we are one in Christ. There is no difference any longer.

However Israel still exists. The Christian cannot claim to be Israel, or Israel's replacement, or Israel's extension. That is absolute error and nowhere taught in Scriptures.

Consider:
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
--Paul delineates:
1. The Jews.
2. The Gentiles.
3. The church of God.
--The Jews and the Gentiles, as well as the church existed together side by side. The church had not replaced Israel, or had not become an extension of Israel by 55 A.D. when the epistle was written, or some 25 years after Pentecost had taken place.

Paul writes to the Romans:
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
--His earnest desire, even to the extent that he himself could trade places with them spiritually, was that Israel should be saved. He defines Israel--those to whom the covenants and law were given. By those ones, of the flesh, by whom Christ came. It was this nation that Paul was praying for. He was very specific. He prays for their salvation.
--Either Paul was a lunatic, a madman, perhaps even a liar, or the nation of Israel still existed, and this some 30 years after Pentecost.

He says the same thing in chapter 10:
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
--He prays for the nation of Israel to be saved.
Either they existed or they didn't. If they didn't Paul is lying and is deceived.

This is evidence enough that the church did not replace Israel nor is it an extension of Israel.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
--At this time God is calling out a nation to himself. They may be Muslims, Jews, Gentiles, Hindus, etc. But once they trust Christ they leave their religion behind: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, paganism, etc. and follow Christ. We are all one in Christ. We are that holy nation that Christ is calling out in this day and age.
Israel still exists. In 1948 the UN officially granted Israel nation status. She still exists as a nation and that cannot be denied. Ezekiel 36 contains promises for that nation. Christ will come for her.

 

[agedman]

As ITL noted, Ezekiel 36 is a passage of Scripture with promises directly given to the nation of Israel.
For example,
Ezekiel 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

This is yet unfulfilled, but someday will be fulfilled, literally. The great hermeneutical mistake of some here is to deny the existence of Israel, or to teach a form of Replacement Theology, which among orthodox Christianity is a known heresy. The RCC believes that she has replaced Israel. This is a Catholic doctrine.

In salvation when a Jew becomes saved he leaves his false religion and becomes a Christian, a part of the bride of Christ, whom Christ will come for. When a Gentile is saved he leaves his paganism and becomes a Christian and becomes a part of the bride Christ whom Christ will come from. Both Jew and Gentile: we are one in Christ. There is no difference any longer.

However Israel still exists. The Christian cannot claim to be Israel, or Israel's replacement, or Israel's extension. That is absolute error and nowhere taught in Scriptures.

Consider:
1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
--Paul delineates:
1. The Jews.
2. The Gentiles.
3. The church of God.
--The Jews and the Gentiles, as well as the church existed together side by side. The church had not replaced Israel, or had not become an extension of Israel by 55 A.D. when the epistle was written, or some 25 years after Pentecost had taken place.

Paul writes to the Romans:
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
--His earnest desire, even to the extent that he himself could trade places with them spiritually, was that Israel should be saved. He defines Israel--those to whom the covenants and law were given. By those ones, of the flesh, by whom Christ came. It was this nation that Paul was praying for. He was very specific. He prays for their salvation.
--Either Paul was a lunatic, a madman, perhaps even a liar, or the nation of Israel still existed, and this some 30 years after Pentecost.

He says the same thing in chapter 10:
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
--He prays for the nation of Israel to be saved.
Either they existed or they didn't. If they didn't Paul is lying and is deceived.

This is evidence enough that the church did not replace Israel nor is it an extension of Israel.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
--At this time God is calling out a nation to himself. They may be Muslims, Jews, Gentiles, Hindus, etc. But once they trust Christ they leave their religion behind: Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, paganism, etc. and follow Christ. We are all one in Christ. We are that holy nation that Christ is calling out in this day and age.
Israel still exists. In 1948 the UN officially granted Israel nation status. She still exists as a nation and that cannot be denied. Ezekiel 36 contains promises for that nation. Christ will come for her.

DHK,

There is much here were I would agree.

However, I do consider the gentiles are "grafted into" the original believing Israeli group not a separate body as some would hold.

I take that from Romans 11. There were SOME Israeli "broken off" that the gentile believers be grafted in to the bride in their place.

So, I accept that the church (the Bride) is the focus of what Christ came and what He redeems and that focus has not changed from the time of the first sacrifice by God in the garden to cloth Adam and Eve.

What I also hold is that God does not forsake the promises given to the national group in which for a time has been kept from the truth. There are prophecies that belong to that group in which we (should I tarry) will realize as being fulfilled.

Therefore, I can claim the promises by adoption that were given to the national / political group who will as it pleases God be again awakened and found in Him.

 

[DHK]

DHK,

There is much here were I would agree.

However, I do consider the gentiles are "grafted into" the original believing Israeli group not a separate body as some would hold.

I take that from Romans 11. There were SOME Israeli "broken off" that the gentile believers be grafted in to the bride in their place.

So, I accept that the church (the Bride) is the focus of what Christ came and what He redeems and that focus has not changed from the time of the first sacrifice by God in the garden to cloth Adam and Eve.

What I also hold is that God does not forsake the promises given to the national group in which for a time has been kept from the truth. There are prophecies that belong to that group in which we (should I tarry) will realize as being fulfilled.

Therefore, I can claim the promises by adoption that were given to the national / political group who will as it pleases God be again awakened and found in Him.

In Romans 9 it specifically says that the covenants were given to Israel.
In Ezekiel 36:28, Christ promises that he will bring Israel into their Promised Land.
--What promised land is that? Will you also go to Israel when they go to Israel, when their Redeemer comes? Will you even be here when that comes? How do you know?

If you accept their promises or covenants will you also accept the consequences of them?
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
--He is writing to the Jews. Will you be anywhere near Judea when this occurs? Even if you are alive at this event, you will probably be in America. How would you flee to Judea? And why?

 

[Iconoclast]

Studies have shown that dispensationalism kills brain cells.

Studies have also shown that dispensationalism leads people away from the truth and keeps them from verses that apply to them

 

[Martin Marprelate]

As ITL noted, Ezekiel 36 is a passage of Scripture with promises directly given to the nation of Israel.

So much to disagree with. Where to start?

However Israel still exists. The Christian cannot claim to be Israel, or Israel's replacement, or Israel's extension. That is absolute error and nowhere taught in Scriptures.

Gal. 3:7. 'Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.'
Phil. 3:3. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.
There is only one people of God- converted Jew and converted Gentile (John 10:16).

1Co 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
--Paul delineates:
1. The Jews.
2. The Gentiles.
3. The church of God.

Indeed He does: unconverted Jews, unconverted Gentiles, and the people of God.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Amen! What was conditional to Israel (Exod. 19:5-6), is unconditional to the New Covenant people of God (Heb. 8:10 etc.). Not 'Replacement Theology' but Inclusion Theology. Biggrin

 

[JonShaff]

Studies have shown that dispensationalism kills brain cells.

Studies have also shown that dispensationalism leads people away from the truth and keeps them from verses that apply to them

Do you have a link? I'd love to see proof of both claims...especially the brain cell one

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[BrotherJoseph]

It was written to Israel indeed.
They were the people of God when ezk is written,
If ezk wrote it to Mexico. ....they would have no idea who or what he was talking about.
The promised seed however was for all nations however.
That is the part Israel did not understand.
THAT Is THE Point Of MANY Of THE KINGDOM parables.

Brother Icon,

I have not read, but only a few posts here and there on this thread, ,but I believe the gospel is a simple declaration (not an offer as are Arminian brothers would have us to believe). Paul lays out exactly what it is, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scripture" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

First, the hearer must be able to "receive" the message (I do not take this to mean to "accept Jesus into their heart, but rather to only believe/have faith in the message and understand it). Second, the facts of the gospel our that Christ died for our sins, thus under the conviction of the Holy Spirit the hearer must recognize that #1 he is in need of a savior by recognizing he is a sinner with no other hope than Christ and B) trust in Jesus alone by faith that He died for their sins to save them. Third, he must by faith believe Jesus rose from for our justification.

Because faith in the gospel is a work of the Holy Spirit and not the wisdom and understanding of man, we must not limit it by saying only grown adults are capable of having true faith and repentance in the gospel due to limited mental faculties of say four year olds. Scripture attests to this, " thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts" (Psalm 22:9) and Jesus himself said, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."" (Matthew 19:14) John the Baptist had the Spirit while in his mother's womb. Also, worth keeping in mind is regeneration precedes faith in the gospel. and we do not know a precise time of how much a gap can exist before faith in the gospel comes to a regenerate (for example with Cornelius it appears to have been perhaps years before Peter came to him), but if the baby or toddler has the Holy Spirit he is still born again though he may not have yet heard the gospel

Finally, are any of the children who "say the Lords prayer" or "come forward for an altar call" due to peer pressure or to make mommy and daddy happy that as such may be false converts, I am sure there are probably many, but that is not for are place to judge, In my church, a confession of faith is necessary before baptism and subsequent acceptance as a member of the church. Who is one to question such as valid? No "offer" of salvation is ever presented, thus more than likely it wouldn't be a peer pressure response or a "save me from Hell" confession of faith as we believe only the atonement for His people and subsequent regeneration without means (including the gospel) can save one. Belief in the gospel is only an evidence of being saved, not how one becomes saved just as faith is "fruit" of the spirit and one must first have the tree (the Holy Spirit) that produces the fruit. the key is this, if the gospel is presented in the right manner as Paul laid it out, and not as an "offer", a "come forward" experience, a "sinners prayer" acceptance, or a Sunday School pressuring, I believe the amount of false converts would be greatly reduced of both the grown and non grown up variety.

Brother Joe

 

[agedman]

In Romans 9 it specifically says that the covenants were given to Israel.
In Ezekiel 36:28, Christ promises that he will bring Israel into their Promised Land.
--What promised land is that? Will you also go to Israel when they go to Israel, when their Redeemer comes? Will you even be here when that comes? How do you know?

These are all great questions let me answer them and from the shortness of time left, I will not give Scripture, for you know them as well as me.

I have two answers to give, the current human course in history and the future. First the future.

1. What promised land is that? The land extended to the fullest measure promised in Scriptures. Remember, that no where in the OT does Israel occupy all that God gave them. But such occupation will take place, for it was promised.
2. Will you also go to Israel when they go to Israel, when their Redeemer comes? Of course! My redeemer comes at the final days of the Great Tribulation when the final moments of the battle of the series called Armageddon is raging, and the redeemed return with the King of Kings.
   
3. Will you even be here when that comes? I will be with Him when He comes.
   
4. How do you know? The Scriptures state the matter most clearly.

The present course of history answers:

1. What promised land is that? The land promised to Abraham.
   
2. Will you also go to Israel when they go to Israel, when their Redeemer comes? Yes, I will be there.
   
3. Will you even be here when that comes? Because I hope for a pre-trib rapture, but am content to know that if such is delayed, then I can say with Job:
   “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
   And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
   
   “Even after my skin is destroyed,
   Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
   
   Whom I myself shall behold,
   And whom my eyes will see and not another.
   My heart faints within me!"
   
   
4. How do you know? The promises of God are without change.
5. If you accept their promises or covenants will you also accept the consequences of them? Not all the promises of God are given to me. Some are given to the national / political group and some to the redeemed of the national / political group. I may by adoption partake of the promises given to the redeemed.

Matthew 24:15

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
--He is writing to the Jews. Will you be anywhere near Judea when this occurs? Even if you are alive at this event, you will probably be in America. How would you flee to Judea? And why?

If things continue as they are, there will be no "America" and where can one flee to escape the wrath of God? The mountains? They offer no protection for the mountains and valleys the snow caps and the ocean depths offer no place in which God is not already abiding.

But, I understand your intent in offering the questions (rhetorical as they are).

One of the reasons why I do not adopt all that the covenant only folks embrace, just as I do not join to all the dispensational folks hang their hat upon is that neither fit Scriptures as the prophecies are being revealed.

There is one promise that I hold more precious than any other in Scripture. That first heard by the Apostles and by extension I too cherish. "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

So, wherever I am, I am with the Lord.

 

[Iconoclast]

Do you have a link? I'd love to see proof of both claims...especially the brain cell one

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I will produce such links when you answer the questions in the Romans 9 - 15 thread then I work on producing the links in the meantime just carefully observe the responses of fellow dispensationalists and how they deny the obviousWink

 

[JonShaff]

Please don't think I ignored you on the Romans thread...I want to take my time reading and discussing and I just haven't had the time yet

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[DHK]

So much to disagree with. Where to start?

Gal. 3:7. 'Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.'
Phil. 3:3. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh.
There is only one people of God- converted Jew and converted Gentile (John 10:16).

That is true. But today that people is known as the Bride of Christ.
Is it not interesting that the last of the great prophets, John the Baptist, did not consider himself as part of the Bride, but only a friend of the Bride. Christ is coming for his Bride--NT believers.

Indeed He does: unconverted Jews, unconverted Gentiles, and the people of God.

You have the right to your opinion and the right to be wrong and refuse the truth.
Paul made a distinct differentiation which you refuse to accept. He went to the Jew first and then to the Gentile. He entered into the Jewish synagogue and then he turned to the Gentile. He prayed for his nation, the nation of Israel as he then prayed for the Gentiles, as the Gentiles in the Corinthian church. He always made a distinction between the Jew and the Gentile, even when they were unsaved.
When they were saved there was no difference. We are one in Christ. We are never referred to as Israel. That is entirely a spiritual designation and that is all.

Amen! What was conditional to Israel (Exod. 19:5-6), is unconditional to the New Covenant people of God (Heb. 8:10 etc.). Not 'Replacement Theology' but Inclusion Theology. Biggrin

We are not included in the promises and covenants given to Israel. If that is true then you would be putting yourself under the law.
What about the covenant in Exodus 31 to keep the Sabbath?
What about the covenant of circumcision?
You have put yourself under the law, and have become no better than the Judaizers whom Paul condemned.

 

[Internet Theologian]

Please don't think I ignored you on the Romans thread...I want to take my time reading and discussing and I just haven't had the time yet

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Put down the Left Behind book and get with it dawg!

 

[Iconoclast]

Please don't think I ignored you on the Romans thread...I want to take my time reading and discussing and I just haven't had the time yet

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Take your time....enjoy the.process.....

 

[JonShaff]

I will produce such links when you answer the questions in the Romans 9 - 15 thread then I work on producing the links in the meantime just carefully observe the responses of fellow dispensationalists and how they deny the obviousWink

Why does it have to be conditional, don't you know anything about grace

 

[Iconoclast]

Why does it have to be conditional, don't you know anything about grace

Yes grace and mercy looking at the list of the recent post by fellow dispensationalist it will be a great great mercy

 

[Internet Theologian]

If today’s gospel seems casual, and certainly it does, one need only to take a look at the message stemming from Free Grace Theology and other easy-believe-ism systems to ascertain as to why this is the case. Within these systems of thought it is found that there need be no real tangible transformation in the life of the so-called believer. This teaching is not merely limited to the initial conception of the new birth, the beginnings, but extends by way of application of the teachings to the entirety of the so-called believers life. By necessity there is no transforming message to be sought in this system, as it is believed and taught by implication that none is necessary.

If one does not believe in a transforming Gospel, a Gospel that affects the person’s life with tangible evidences of new birth, that is, in all those who are truly converted, then there will be no transforming Gospel message preached.

Why should there be? Why contend that the message is transformational when in the end it is not an ascribed belief, and transformation of the believer is not to be expected? A transforming message is then not only unaccounted for, but must be deemed unnecessary, this due to the beliefs concerning what a saved person looks like accordingly. There is expected to be little to no impact on the life unless one makes a decision for it to be so, as by choosing to be a disciple. One can readily determine by this that the power is not in the message itself, contrary to 1 Cor. 1:18, but is instead in the power of personal choice.

Emotionally charged messages, life-coaching, impressive personalities may be status quo but there is no need for a transforming message, and there is then no transforming message given. At the least one who preaches this system should question as to why one would need to believe it to be transformational in the first place. There is little room or need for such a message. Why expect it?

Below are some of the things I’ve learned concerning what the casual gospel teaches persons to believe within the walls of the church:

Belief automatically means one has repented. Yet it is also taught, at the same time, that repentance is unnecessary.

There is no evidence necessary that the person actually has been born again/repented. Tricky and inconsistent? Yes.

This gospel preaches that holiness is unnecessary because it is considered a work, no matter what Hebrews 12:14 says. There are more passages, but the language and context here in Hebrews is solemn and straight forward.

Obeying Christ is considered optional as well. Yes, Jesus said His sheep follow Him and obey His voice; John 10:27, but one does not have to be one of those type of sheep.

Baptism? Optional, don’t worry about that Acts 2:41 thing. (not that there is a such thing as regeneration by water baptism, mind you, it’s just optional)

Mere mental assent to Biblical facts is all that is necessary (or, heart-felt sinc erity) and you are going to heaven when you die. One proponent taught that simply believing John 6:47, written on a piece of paper, not having any knowledge who Jesus is, what he accomplished, and having no knowledge of the cross or the Gospel is instantaneously saved.

Belief that faith is a supernatural gift has been supplanted by ‘innate’ faith. Nothing special here; even a dog has faith. Pay no mind to Romans 12:3; Php. 1:29; Eph. 1:19. One simply chooses to state belief in facts and gets to go to heaven, the other can’t come to believe these facts and so is banished to hell.

Apostatizing from the faith is allowable to the extent that to do so ones salvation is still preached as intact. Therefore 1 John 2:19 is outdated, neutralized.

Living a lifestyle of sin is allowable, accept for that one sin, most still preach against that but ‘regular’adultery is OK, you just won’t get any rewards in heaven. Matthew 7:21 and following shows living lawlessly equates to being in a lost state, yet ‘many’ on that day will feel they were entitled to heaven. This system preaches it is OK. Need anyone wonder who is preaching the truth here?

Belief to the end is considered a work, in spite of 1 Cor. 15:2; Col. 1:23; 1 Cor. 1:8. In fact a person can stop believing as soon as they say the sinner’s prayer; they’re still going to heaven. 2 Timothy 2:13 is taken out of context of the whole of Scripture on this issue, and is then used as a proof text to support this fallacy.

The casual gospel focuses on what happens when a person dies, not on the new creature, sanctification, suffering, maturing, and being transformed, of which all are partakers (2 Cor. 3:18). One gets to skip all that in this truncated version of the gospel, and can go from point A to point B unencumbered by church-going, love for God, desire for God, love of the brethren, sanctification, transformation, or any kind of change whatsoever. Yet, at the same time, and ironically so, the ‘new creature in Christ’ is a popular topic to preach.

Discipleship is for fanatics and one can choose to either be one of those or just a person who holds mental assent to facts. Let’s not really get transformed here, OK?

This gospel teaches you how very valuable and how great a person is, that this person is wonderful to God, (instead of showing the wrath of God abides on them, that they are alienated, ungodly, at enmity with God, etc) therefore, not focusing on ones lost state and unworthiness to be saved. No. In this gospel ones ego is stroked during ‘the gospel presentation’, then the person is led in a prayer. It leaves one feeling wonderful about self and wondering why in the world they even needed to be saved in the first place! Romans 5:6? That Jesus died for the ungodly, this must be speaking of other people.

What Scripture says concerning a genuine believer, and what one looks like (1 John) doesn’t matter, it’s all optional. One can love the world, walk in darkness, not love the brothers, not abide in truth, just skip all that and take 1 John 5:13 out of its intended context. The aforementioned qualifying marks of a genuine conversion are of no matter. Consider that the disciples in Acts, saved at Pentecost had a love for one another immediately, and shared times of fellowship, prayer, breaking bread.

All the above said, there is not one place within all of Scripture that even remotely teaches these things. There is no casual gospel within the pages of the Scriptures. Not one apostle taught this system, the Christ of God never taught this. None were asked if they wanted to be sure they are going to go to heaven when they die.

The above teachings in this casual gospel stem from a manmade system that truncates the true Gospel into another which is not the gospel. It propagates itself via easy-believism and has in fact trivialized the most important message to all mankind . There is no gravity or solemnity to this gospel, it’s all to be taken lightly, tongue-in-cheek. The weighty matters of the Scriptures concerning true conversion and false, of Gospel warnings, and self-examination are all trivialized, and in the end Holy God is seen as some sort of cosmic pushover.

Is it any wonder the world sees the message as some pie in the sky nonsense? The church has left off the true Gospel and traded it for a non-transforming myth, 2 Timothy 4.

 

[DHK]

But what is this so-called "casual gospel"?
The OP refuses to define it. It gives a general description but no specifics.
Some here think that the author is speaking of those who believe in dispensationalism. Do all dispensationalists preach a casual gospel? Is that what the author of the OP is inferring?
Is he speaking of Joel Osteen?
Unless he defines who he is speaking of, his OP is just hearsay.

 

[JonShaff]

Put down the Left Behind book and get with it dawg!

Wait a minute...i thought you got your theology from other men's books?