Please define 'easy believism", as isn't it faith alone in Christ that does save?

This may simplify the issue, and that may need to be done, but this issue was divided into 9 different issues. They were:

Repentance
Faith
Faith's Object
Faith's effects
Salvation's Extent
Christ's Lordship
Holy Desire
Assurance
Perseverance

Perseverance: I used the statement by both Hodge and Ryrie that belief is a one time event, and may not continue into the future as representing a part of easy believism. On the other hand, LS says that if you believe you will continue to believe into the future.

In assurrance, Ryrie and Hodge focuses on a one time decision and the Bible. However, LS often turns to I John and notes the use of fruit to help us "know" if we are in the kingdom of God.

Holy Desire- Hodge points out that a Christian may never love the disciples or exhibit love. LS states that Christians will love the saints.

Christ's Lordship- Faith in Christ involves surrender to God as being God, whereas Hodge believes you can "believe" without submitting to God.

Salvation's extent- Easy believism believes salvation only extends to getting eternal life. LS says it involves all of life and godliness, we don't believe it is just a ticket into heaven.

Faith- many point that faith is merely a belief in certain facts about God (MacArthur called this a form of creedalism). LS says that faith is a work of God that God will complete.

Repentance- Some say repentance has nothing to do with salvation, some just say it is not supposed to be a part of the Gospel message but only a change of mind about something. LS sees repentance as turning from sin, not a work but an outgrowth of faith.

 

What do you do with the many passages that speak of salvation but do not mention faith or belief??? Lk 24:47 is the one I keep bringing up, but there are tons.

 

A poor editing of Paul's words"

Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

 

Easy believism is the attempt to obtain a Savior with no real heart for God. a believer is a disciple, a disciple is a believer you cannot have one without the other.

 

Or...

easy believism is to dumb down and water down the message so much that the emphasis is man centered. Do you want to go to heaven? Yes! You don't want to go to hell??? Great! Just ask Jesus into your heart!!! Prayer this prayer... well, brother, you are on your way.

If faith truly is a result of regeneration, then the above is easy to "believe". But Jesus message was so dificult, that only a regenerate heart would accept those words. Faith is hard... that is a faith that hears the full comprehensive gospel message.

 

Scripture no where suggests in the slightest that regeneration comes before salvation.

 

Not going to hijack this thread so we can talk about that somewhere else.

 

Regeneration starts when we hear the words of Jesus which is Spirit and life, but only those who listen and learn will receive the benefit of the regeneration. Regeneration has start with the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

 

Jesus said to Andrew and Peter, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." They were believers but not disciples. Notice the words carefully, "I will make you." They had to become disciples. Every believer does. It is part of the Great Commission. First they get saved, then baptized, and then discipled--"teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Paul said in 1Cor.3 that the believers were babes in Christ and could only take milk. They were believers, but not yet adults, fully committed to following Christ. They could not take the meat of God's word that Paul wanted to feed them. They were yet carnal Christians and could not be fed the meat of God's word.

 

Easy believism embraces a theology that as long as you said a prayer, "asked Jesus into your heart" (an unbiblical man-made phrase) that you are now going to heaven, no matter what you do afterwards, even if you live in sin afterwards, rebellious toward God, (which includes all of the sins of the flesh; drunkeness, adultery, anger, malice, sodomite lifestyle and the such like) whom, by the way Paul says will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and this is true no matter how a person tries to twist it today.

You know, because you said a prayer, you're still going. This is false teaching.

 

Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin.

This is well demonstrated in Acts 17, when Paul preached to the philosophers on Mars Hill.

His message is capsulized in 17:30 ".....God commands all men everywhere to repent."
The response in 17:36 "....and some men believed."

 

Easy believism is a teaching where some claim a person can get saved by just beliving the facts about Jesus. No repentance, no change has to follow the claimed salvation, just believe.

 

Greektim, I get your point about "man centered", but I must confess each time (or most times) I see it employed around here, it is usually pejorative in nature meant to imply someone does not accept or acknowledge the Sovereignty of God. Much is "man centered" such as "this great saviour" and this entire redemption story.

Blessings

 

Where do you get your definitions from? The street?
It seems that you deny sola fide. That is the doctrine we uphold, contrary to LS advocates.

 

LS advocates don't adhere to what you state they adhere to. You're incorrect.

They just happen to know what "sola fide" produces as evidence. In other words, they take in the whole counsel of God on this "sola fide."

So, the LS proponents have a better grasp on sola fide.

Not only this, but you totally misrepresent and assume what LS means.

 

1. You don't know what I believe. That is apparent.
2. You slandered me, saying I believe what I don't believe.
3. I do believe in sola fide.
4. LS advocates present "another" gospel, which Gal.1:8 calls accursed.
They have denied the very basics of the simple gospel as presented in 1Cor.15:1-4. I think you would even agree to that. Can you stick to the gospel as presented by Paul in 1Cor.15:1-4 and be saved? or is more required? Please explain.