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Archive for the ‘Evangelism’ Category

Decision Theology and the Pelagian Heresy

Posted by Cory Tucholski on April 23, 2009

Chris Roseburgh is not a Calvinist, but he is against the Pelagian heresy same as we are. Chris runs two excellent blogs, A Little Leaven and Extreme Theology. Extreme Theology has had two posts (here and here) that offer a great commentary on what is wrong with churches today. The first talks about “decision theology” and the second talks directly about free will and its connection to sin.

Again, Chris isn’t a Calvinist so he doesn’t speak of predestination to glory or shame when he speaks of decision theology, which is what the Calvinist would speak of. However, his post highlights some excellent Bible verses that show that we don’t have the free will to accept or deny Christ; in fact, it is the Holy Spirit moving within us that makes that decision possible. The Calvinist would call this “Irresistible Grace”–the “I” in TULIP. By denying the total depravity of man, even to accepting eternal life, churches today are preaching sermons that are not used by God to draw his elect to himself. And that is a tragedy.

We are to preach the gospel and repentance, but the sermons found in modern, seeker-driven churches are little better than self-help pop-psychology.

While the Calvinist believes that God’s elect will be found by him eventually, it is perhaps tragic that God won’t draw them sooner because modern preachers have the message all wrong.

In the second post, Chris makes the point that those set in the flesh cannot please God. Since the seeker-driven churches aren’t preaching biblical messages that will be used by God to draw his elect to himself, the people in those churches are very likely unregenerate. That isn’t to say that they aren’t trying to love God with all their heart, minds, and souls. But that isn’t what the Gospel is; that’s what the Law is. Since they are trying to follow God through works of Law, they are, in effect, displeasing to God.

Trying to make it to God on your own merit is the old Pelagian heresy coming back to haunt the church.

Posted in Evangelism, Theology | 7 Comments »

Terrible Advice from Atheist Revolution

Posted by Cory Tucholski on June 5, 2008

VJack from Atheist Revolution has given some terrible advice about witnessing to atheists.  He says not to do it.  I advocate ignoring that advice completely.  VJack says:

I know your church says you are supposed to do this and that you’ll win friends and magic Jesus points for your efforts. I know your bible makes you think that this is what your god wants. I even know that your failures are more important than your successes because they reinforce your persecution complex. But don’t do it.

First, Jesus–not the church–says that we are supposed to do this (see Mt 28:19-20).  As disciples of Him, I don’t see us disobeying the words of our Lord because VJack says so.

Second, what exactly are these “magic Jesus points” and how do I earn them?  The last time I checked, the Bible teaches that it is Jesus who saves us and we cannot earn salvation.  Following His commands are done out of love and free choice rather than some sort of compulsion or game.

The best witness to atheists, I think, doesn’t come from words but the way we live our lives.   As St. Francis of Assisi said, “It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.”  Along the same lines, he said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”  Living the Word of God to the best of your ability (Rom 12:9-21) will show the atheists that our chosen lifestyle is superior to their own.  The atheists will want what we have.  The words that VJack hates so much won’t even be necessary.

Recap: Witnessing to atheists?  Do it with enthusiasm!

Posted in Apologetics, Atheism, Evangelism, Jesus, Morality | 9 Comments »