Featured How is God a Just God AND a Savior?

No, that is silly.

I am saying that we should state our position but not then say that it is the ONLY interpretation that addresses the issue.

In other words, I am saying that we should be honest men.

Had Pastor Parker not made the false statement that no other interpretation exists that presents God as just and justifier then I'd have no issue with the OP.

 

No. There is only ONE Gospel. But there are many understandings and positions about the mind of the Father and the results of the gospel.


To borrow from D.A. Carson, when asked to give the gospel of Jesus Christ most Christians can only talk about the impact of the gospel, surrounding doctrines, etc. They do not express the actual gospel, the Christ all Christians share despite differences in understanding.

 

No, I don't. I am disagreeing with your idea that your understanding equates to universal truth (I am saying you are not God).

I agree that God doesn't author confusion. We own our understanding. Perhaps that is why we are commanded not to lean on it (a command you seem to ignore).

 

Yes, that is your understanding upon which you lean.

And that is my point. Even if your understanding is correct, it is not in God's Word. So why should people treat your understanding as if you are God?

 

No, that is another silly conclusion.

We (Christians) do not espouse views that we believe false. But at the same time we do not lie to people so that they adopt our understanding.

Scripture says the sun stood still. What does that mean? The common meaning today is that the Earth stopped rotating. The common meaning to the OT audience is that the sun and moon were both in the sky midday (it was an ANE cultural omen).

I can state that the Earth stopped spinning, but if I said that is the only view that accounts for the sun standing still then I would be lying or I'd be ignorant of other views.

I'm saying we explain our views, the reasons we believe them and then note other Christians disagree and encourage the church to yest our words against scripture.

 

No, it isn't. And that is my point. That is NOT what is written in God's Word, but that is your interpretation of what the passage means.

So what? Why should I care about your understanding? Why should I rely on you rather than God?

We should explain our views but ALWAYS recognize our limitations and encourage others to Scripture rather than tell them our understanding is the only one.

 

Yes. The gospel is that the kingdom of God has drawn near and Christ is the Way men can enter this kingdom. It is His death, burial and resurrection.

That is the gospel. What you are doing is talking about the gospel. There is a difference.

Men are not saved by their own understanding. This is something I suspect you will always reject, but it is nonetheless true.

 

No.

I am saying that a preacher should teach as he believes and ALWAYS encourage the church to test his words against Scripture.

I am not saying a preacher should present every view. I am saying he should not tell the church his is the only understanding that addresses the issue.

Had Parker not made the claim that his understanding is the only one out there presenting God as just and justifier then I'd have had no problem with his words at all.

I mentioned it initially in passing- I thought it a simple overstatement. You convinced me through your posts that Parker may be lying to his church.

 

Well, that isnt what I said (I used Jesus' words snd Paul's words).

But ti answer your question, yes. IF we love Jesus then that is all that matters. If we love Him we know Him and He knows us. If we live Him we obey His commandments.