Bible Question:
I need a little help with a question: My brother (great guy) tells me that "decision theology" is wrong. I disagree because I believe that everyone must make a decision about Christ. He states that a decision would be "works", and that we are spiritually dead before the renewing/rebirth therefore we can't do anything ourselves to effect salvation. I realize that we are saved by grace through faith per Ephesians 2.8,9 and Titus 3.5, but there are MANY verses in the Bible like John 1.12, 3.16, and Revelation 3.20 that talk of "receiving Christ." I tried to tell him that he is right, it's not by works BUT making a decision (or accepting Christ) is not works. Kind of like accepting a rope tossed out to you if you were drowning. The drowning person is NOT saving himself, BUT must receive the rope. He keeps telling me that decision theology "cheapens God's grace". Who is right? I'm seriously outclassed in this debate because he's got Greek lexicons/dictionaries/commontaries ad naseum, and I'm a Bible only type guy. Thanks! |
Bible Answer: Romans 10:9-10, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." to me, that pretty much explains everything. you are definately saved by faith, but when you have faith, you have to do stuff about it also, James 4:17, "Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." so i think you are both right, although a little off. i won't have time to read this forum too much in the near future, but if you have any questions about what i said, i will gladly elaborate, huntedsquirrel@eml.cc |