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: Huron, Tell him that life itself is a gift or grace from God and so is our ability to respond to God. How could he deny that? Our very existence and everything associated with it, even our ability to "work" however you define it, is pure grace. Emmaus |