Subject: Christian Primer Terms? |
Bible Note: Kalos: Thanks for your reply. While I do not have a direct quote from Ryrie handy, this view is expressed clearly in his book "So Great Salvation" which I do not own but have read in its entirety. Basically, Ryrie's view seemed to be not that there would be NO fruit, but it would be possible for the believer in Christ to bear fruit that would never be detected by him or others. The way he put it in the book was merely that "some how, some way, in some fashion, some fruit would be produced." I am sorry I cannot give you a more precise quote at this time, but I will look into it and get back to you. It isn't a view that he is apologetic or cryptic about, in any case. The problem I have with the view is that it seems that we will know true believers by their fruit. The fruit is there to demonstrate the fitness of the tree to all who are in its presence. I agree that we are justified by faith alone. Where Ryrie differs from me and many others is exactly WHAT the nature of saving faith is. I hold that repentence is not a work, but the "other side of the coin" --turning from embracing ourselves and the world and turning to embrace Christ. I also see no indication that repentance in a Biblical sense is merely "changing one's mind about who Christ is." How does Ryrie support that with Scripture? Repentence always seems to be FROM sins and selfishness, never a solely intellectual exercise. One other thing: I would be interested to understand how you reconcile all of those verses I cited with Ryrie's view? Thanks again. Going to a wedding now. More later! --Joe! |