Featured Do all christians grow spiritually in life?

There are many on this board that deny that "carnality" can exist in the believer. I think I may have read your post hastily.

Generally true, except for the thief on the cross. Only his faith sufficed.

Generally true. Not everyone grows at the same rate, and we can't judge the heart of one who is carnal or "a babe in Christ," as you rightly said in your OP. Those Corinthians did not grow. They were still right were Paul left them the day he departed. It was as if he had to start all over again. As we learn in the next epistle eventually they did grow in Christ.

--Same as above.

True, unless he dies before he has a chance to repent (thief on the cross--no opportunity; a man has a heart attack before he repents--what then?, etc.)

I simply deny the position of some on the board (that apparently you do not take), that there is a such thing as a carnal Christian, that is that a Christian can lapse into a period of carnality for a period of time, even what might be considered a lifestyle, but will come to his senses eventually and repent.

 

I do not agree with Hodge's theology. I also do not agree when his theology is so misrepresented like this.
That is not what he teaches, at least not from 2 John 9. Pick up the commentary and read it for yourself.

That is what is quoted on the website.

Now what does Hodge actually say:
Read the entire passage from verse 9-11
Come down to verse 11:

The false teacher came "in the role of a traveling teacher." That is what he believed. He doesn't define him as a believer. And it is wrong to say that he does. I don't find that in the overall teaching of these verses. It is slanderous libel on the part of the one making the accusation who didn't bother to read his entire explanation.

 

Yes, it seems like there is a general consensus here. Like I said I don't know all the teachings of Hodges. I do have the Bible Knowledge Commentary. But that is all of Hodges that I do have.

 

I want to say that if you're devoting your life to christ and constantly making room for God in your life, that you will definitely grow spiritually. People that stray away from god are constantly trying to find peace in their lives. When you are a Christian and truly believe that God is in your heart, it's easy to manage a spiritual lifestyle

 

First, nekron does not mean corpse, it simply means "dead". It is derived from "nekus" (or nekys, depending on how you desire to pronounce the upsilon).

Here is BibleHub's definition from Strong's:
*****3498 nekrós (an adjective, derived from nekys, "a corpse, a dead body") – dead; literally, "what lacks life"; dead; (figuratively) not able to respond to impulses, or perform functions ("unable, ineffective, dead, powerless," L & N, 1, 74.28); unresponsive to life-giving influences (opportunities); inoperative to the things of God.

3498 /nekrós ("corpse-like") is used as a noun in certain contexts ("the dead"), especially when accompanied by the Greek definite article. The phrase, ek nekron ("from the dead"), lacks the Greek article to give the sense "from what is of death."*****

Here is the definition from BibleStudyTools:

1. properly
   1. one that has breathed his last, lifeless
   2. deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell
   3. destitute of life, without life, inanimate
2. metaph.
   1. spiritually dead
      1. destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, because given up to trespasses and sins
      2. inactive as respects doing right
   2. destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative

You're making a giant leap from dead to nonexistent. Judging by that leap, it seems that you are not aware that James used another word to describe a faith which is without works. It's true that James used nekra in verses 17 & 26, but in verse 20 he used a different word altogether

But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

useless -Gr. arge (argos) - which means idle, useless, inoperative.

That's why James wrote in verse 14 - what USE is it...?

It goes right along with "dead"
We even use "dead" in the same way in English.

Is a dead battery nonexistent, or is it useless?
Wood is resonantly dead, meaning it does not resonate. Useless as a resonator
A dead end street is not a nonexistent street, it's simply useless as a thoroughfare
A dead electrical circuit is not nonexistent, it's useless.

Save him from what? That's what you're missing, and it's right in the text. Remember, this is the same verse in which James asks "what USE it is...?"

Back up to verse 12, and James exhorted them "so speak and act as those who will be judged by the law of liberty"

and in 3:1 he reminds them again of this future judgment....
"Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."

Brothers. judgment. Just as in verse 14, brothers.

He is telling them that believers have a judgment to look forward to, just like Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 3:10-15

If a man's work is burned up, he will stand in front of Christ with naked faith. His faith will be useless for approval and reward. He will suffer loss. Just like Paul wrote

Wrong. You're trying to put both in the same context of "saved from hell, going to heaven"

James said of Abraham in 2:22 :You see that faith was working with HIS works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected

James said nothing about Abraham's faith being validated or proved, or inevitable. Just as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:23-25

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.

 

I am responding only to the question, do all Christians grow spiritually? I did not read the OP or any of the following posts.

No, all Christians do not grow spiritually, such as death bed conversions (the thief on the cross springs to mind). However, what about true, born anew Christians, that live sufficiently so they had an opportunity to grow? Here we must pause and consider whether growth is observable by others. Certainly some did not seem to grow out of babyhood, i.e. remained fleshy, and never seemed to mature. But an assessment is confounded by not knowing if they were really born anew or tares.

Based on our own experience, we would believe the Holy Spirit would convict us such that we became more Christ-like as we studied, evaluated and assessed our followship. Clearly some of our efforts might not reflect actual maturity, like the guy who builds on the foundation of Christ with wood and straw. But the very act of building, misguided as it might be, reflects spiritual growth in my book.

 

DHK believes in the carnal Christian teaching. ...look up his posts....you will see it.

 

he doesn't hide from it. In fact, he defended that biblical perspective in this thread

 

Hello James
I know he will defend that position, and yet these last two posts seemed to indicate he agreed with broj....
I do not think he does....hope I am wrong but just wanted to suggest to Joe what the deal is.

 

Agreed! He has also stated (dkh) that he doesn't agree with Hodges' theology.

That's not exactly true as he buys his believer/disciple false dichotomy and has argued for this in another thread.

He has also tried to bury Hodges false teachings on 1 John 3:10 under Hodges teachings on 2 John 9. But these are two differing issues, the former concerning a lifestyle of sin marking one as lost, the latter is concerning those who don't abide in the teachings of Christ. The fact is the two passages are using biblical language showing both as lost.

Nevertheless Hodges teachings are false on both accounts. One cannot erase ones doctrine on one passage by diverting someone to another, especially when they are two differing subjects. I've read Hodges on both accounts. I've also quoted Hodges own teachings, showing what he believes, all met with ridicule and ad hominem.

By the way, below is a link showing some of Hodges erroneous views. He adopted some of this teaching from Lewis Sperry Chafer whose teachings have highly influenced DTS. He was also in error.

http://www.etsjets.org/files/JETS-PDFs/30/30-4/30-4-pp457-467-JETS.pdf

Concerning the link, be aware it sometimes needs 'refreshed' a few times until it completely loads.

 

Good grief, man. I'm not trying to write a book or dissertation. There's a whole lot to discuss concerning James 2, especially since it's one of the most heavily abused passages in the NT

 

Lol
Considering Chafer founded the school, I would hope so.

You crack me up

 

WOW! What a leap of faith you have taken. Because I believe there is a difference between a new believer and a disciple you believe I am a follower of Hodges.
If I accept your logic you are a Roman Catholic because you believe the "Trinity." Correct?
That is the ridiculous logic you are following. My statement stands. I do not agree with Hodges theology, meaning most of it, just like you may not agree with the theology of the RCC. Got it?

To my recollection I said nothing about Hodge and 1John 3:10 for I don't have anything written by him on First John. I simply said that his comments on 2John 9 must be taken in the entire context of 2John 9-11, as every passage by whomever it is written by should be taken in its context. Otherwise it does not have its proper meaning.

You mean one cannot erase his doctrine by looking two verses down and see what he really means. One would rather misalign what he said. I am not defending what he said or even believes. I am defending what he didn't say!

 

You still haven't decided to believe the Bible't teaching on 1Cor.3:1-5, eh?

 

Hello DHK

The thing is I do believe the bibles teaching on 1 Cor 3:1-5. I also understand what it teaches unlike you. The reason for that is simple. I have studied the passage myself, but I am not afraid to listen to God called men who understand the original languages.
I offered the sermons to you and anyone who wanted to listen.
YOU REFUSED. Instead you repeat false teaching that in truth denies the Spirit's work in progressive sanctification. That leaves me no choice but to openly oppose those falsehoods you post. Here are the sermons again....you are welcome to listen and learn;


http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/downing/wd_carnal.mp3


http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/carnal/01am_carnal.mp3

http://www.sg-audiotreasures.org/carnal/02am_carnal.mp3


http://www.graceonlinelibrary.org/s...-carnal-christian-heresy-by-brian-schwertley/