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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | The Theology of the Cross | 1 Pet 5:11 | DocTrinsograce | 243787 | ||
"Most of the errors and heresies that have plagued American Christianity have been re-runs of earlier errors. Most such errors have been reflections of the surrounding culture and the most distinctive American error is no exception: the health and wealth theology. It teaches that if we do x (have the right quality of faith or write a sufficiently large check), God will be obligated to reward us with prosperity. "American civil and economic life has offered a remarkably successful path to social and economic mobility. Dirt-poor farmers and the sons of alcoholics have become presidents, memorialized on currency and in statues. One of our great temptations, however, has been to turn the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Triune God, who spoke creation into existence ex nihilo (from nothing) and into nothing, who out of His free, sovereign grace, has redeemed his people from destruction, into a cosmic slot machine. "Because Americans are so industrious and busy we are not great readers of history. After more than 50 years of chipping away at the American educational system, most of us probably lack a strong sense of the uniqueness of the American political, social, and economic experiment. We also probably lack a clear sense that the prosperity and civil liberties that we have enjoyed are quite unique in human history. To the degree we lack the sense of the uniqueness of the American experience, we might assume that Christians have always enjoyed the sorts of freedoms that we enjoy (most of the time). Such an assumption would be false. Certainly when the Apostle Peter wrote these two epistles to the churches of Asia Minor, those believers enjoyed none of the liberties that we know and may take for granted. The believers to whom Peter wrote were largely made up of the underclass of Greco-Roman society. They were not prosperous. Many of them were not free. They were not influential. They were objects of misunderstanding, derision, and hostility. ...they were likely aware that some of their brothers and sisters had been covered with pitch and set afire in Rome simply because Caesar needed a scapegoat and the Christians, a despised, powerless minority, were to hand. "Here Peter begins to conclude the epistle just as he began it: with a stirring reminder that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. For Christ’s sake God is favorable toward believers. This is Peter’s understanding of grace. It is not a medicinal substance with which we are infused. It is only God’s favor, his approval, his unconditional reception of his people, through faith alone, for Christ’s sake alone." --R. Scott Clark (2016) |
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2 | The Theology of the Cross | 1 Pet 5:11 | EdB | 243790 | ||
Doc last night a respected general was asked if he felt our army was the caliber of those that fought in World War 2. His answer I believe touches what you are saying. His answer was of those that are currently enlisted, yes they are every bit as dedicated, brave and noble of those that won freedom in World War two but if the draft would ever have to be used the men drafted would destroy our army. He went on to explain the soldiers of World War 2 were products of the great depression, that they were forced to learn and appreciate the meaning of life and liberty. They learned to survive through hard work and sacrifice. They toiled not just for themselves but for fellow man that this country could emerge for the depression. This has been lost to following generations. I think most know or understand history and see that our direction is in a downward spiral but few have the backbone to stand and try to change it. It is easier to float down the water that carries this country into the cesspool we find ourselves, where Christianity can be openly mocked while to do likewise to Islam would show intolerance and bigotry. Pastors can be belittled and vilified but celebrities are sought for wisdom and advice. We are now letting actors advise us on our political picks as if they have wisdom we do not possess. As I said in my previous post on another subject what we pay nothing for, we hold not value of, nor are we willing to protect it. We only treasure what costs us and what we have worked for. That is how we are wired as humans and God is well aware of that and I believe, even though this may fly in the face of free grace, true salvation requires much of us. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 1 Pet 5:11 | Author | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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EdB |