"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."
~ Paul to the Roman Christians ~
Letter to the Romans 12:3-5
Ladies,
We have what we have by the mercy and grace of God and not any of our own doing. When we remember this, we can be humble .... When we realize that not only are we undeserving of His goodness toward us, but truly ill-deserving of His goodness toward us, we can't help but be humble. This is true humility; all else is pride.
One thing I left off from our Monday evening follow up:
Encouragement for summer reading!
With all the discussion Monday night about theology - especially pertaining to the theology of salvation - called soteriology (so-teary-ology) - I wanted to point you toward some resources for further study. I am also sending this e-mail to my Sister, Erin, since she is studying this as well. I will have integrity and not only recommend resources that support my particular soteriological view. (I detest that kind of 'help'.) I'm a believer in studying all the orthodox views in order to know what you believe and why you believe it. You can't possibly have a ready answer to the hope within you if you are willfully ignorant of other orthodox stands ..... Facts are, there are differing 'orthodox' stands. We are seeing through the glass dimly. (I Cor. 13:12)
Remember, God calls us to be a work(wo)man approved in the study and proclaiming of His Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) This requires our effort. Good news is - this is God's will for you. If you are alive in Him and His Spirit is within you, He will grow you in this. God will grant the desire and He will grant the effort and He will grant the greater understanding. He is GOOD that way! Do not let the enemy discourage you. You may feel behind, but God is outside of time. He will honor your efforts to learn more about Him. He can restore what the locust have eaten and grow you exponentially. (Joel 2:25) I've seen it!
You need to know that concerning our doctrine of soteriology, the battle has been on since the early Church fathers - because Truth concerning God and man matters:
Ladies,
We have what we have by the mercy and grace of God and not any of our own doing. When we remember this, we can be humble .... When we realize that not only are we undeserving of His goodness toward us, but truly ill-deserving of His goodness toward us, we can't help but be humble. This is true humility; all else is pride.
One thing I left off from our Monday evening follow up:
Encouragement for summer reading!
With all the discussion Monday night about theology - especially pertaining to the theology of salvation - called soteriology (so-teary-ology) - I wanted to point you toward some resources for further study. I am also sending this e-mail to my Sister, Erin, since she is studying this as well. I will have integrity and not only recommend resources that support my particular soteriological view. (I detest that kind of 'help'.) I'm a believer in studying all the orthodox views in order to know what you believe and why you believe it. You can't possibly have a ready answer to the hope within you if you are willfully ignorant of other orthodox stands ..... Facts are, there are differing 'orthodox' stands. We are seeing through the glass dimly. (I Cor. 13:12)
Remember, God calls us to be a work(wo)man approved in the study and proclaiming of His Word. (2 Tim. 2:15) This requires our effort. Good news is - this is God's will for you. If you are alive in Him and His Spirit is within you, He will grow you in this. God will grant the desire and He will grant the effort and He will grant the greater understanding. He is GOOD that way! Do not let the enemy discourage you. You may feel behind, but God is outside of time. He will honor your efforts to learn more about Him. He can restore what the locust have eaten and grow you exponentially. (Joel 2:25) I've seen it!
You need to know that concerning our doctrine of soteriology, the battle has been on since the early Church fathers - because Truth concerning God and man matters:
(Click on Links)
TWO ANCIENT VIEWS ON RECORD - View of Man
Augustine - Man inherited fallen sin nature from Adam, unable to do anything to aide in being made alive in Christ - God must provide regeneration. We sin because we're sinners. We are incapable of not sinning. (today called the Reformed/Calvinist view)
Pelagian - Man did not inherit fallen sin nature from Adam, able to do what it takes to be 'right' with God. We're sinners because we sin. One is capable of not sinning. (today called Pelagian view - very few people are fully this position)
VIEWS ON RECORD MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Luther - Man's will is in bondage to sin. (monergistic view)
Erasmus - Man's will is free from the bondage of sin. (synergistic/semi-Pelagian view)
Helpful mini-lesson on YouTube.
TWO VIEWS LATER ON
Calvin - Monergistic view of God's work in regeneration and keeping of those saved.
Arminius - Synergistic view of the work of salvation between God and man.
(By the way, the website: http://www.gotquestions.org/ is a very good resource and I refer to it often even though I disagree with some points from their statement of faith. I provide this website to maintain the personal conviction of not 'tossing out the baby with the bathwater." The website link below is unapologetically monergistic in conviction. Being that I am now a 'monergist', I rely on it quite a lot.)
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/monergism_grid.html
(There are people who decry, "Why not just learn from the bible?! Shouldn't we just rely on the Word and not read men." This sounds pious and sound, but it isn't. To this, I say - "yes and no". Yes - we should be Bereans in all things and reconcile Scripture with Scripture for a biblically sound understanding BUT .... No - God gave His church teachers and ministers of the Word. If you are of the notion that we should not learn from men the things of God, then to be consistent in your stated ethic, you should refuse to attend church and listen to a preacher or listen to a teacher. This of course is absurd, for God gave us Preachers and teachers for edification. This 'I'm a biblicist' position is a cop-out. That is why we must always be Bereans, for they were recognized for readily and eagerly listening to what Paul was teaching, but they confirmed it through the Word.)
Debating Calvinism: Five Points - Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White
(Product Description) A centuries-old belief system is put to the test as two prominent authors examine and debate the subject of Calvinism from opposing viewpoints. James White, author of The Potter's Freedom, takes the Calvinist position. Dave Hunt, author of What Love Is This, opposes him. The exchange is lively and at times intense as these two articulate men wrestle over what the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty and man's free will. This thought-provoking, challenging book provides potent responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.
I like this book because two prominent 'theologians' from their particular view are represented in one tidy little book.
Don't forget about Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology - Part 5 is especially helpful. You can find the section on salvation in a stand alone book titled Making Sense of Salvation.
I just found a DVD resource by Grudem on systematic theology - oh, how I'm wanting this!
Remember, I really like Grudem because he plainly states what 'take' he believes to be true to the whole counsel of the Word, but he doesn't stop there. He has integrity by teaching all the orthodox views within systematic theology. He's not a pitch-man! That is worthy of respect.
For more one-sided takes on soteriology, consider:
Why I am Not a Calvinist
Why I am Not an Arminian
That said, one of the best books I've read on the Reformed (Calvinist) theology of soteriology is by RC Sproul titled Chosen By God. It is a small but meaty book. (I really appreciate the fact that Sproul points out that BOTH Calvinism and Arminianism LIMIT the ATONEMENT. One does so in it's application and the other does so in it's power. Amen!)
ALSO -
I love, love, love Paul Washer - his Pastoral heart is so evident with this young man. Watch it. Of course, Paul Washer believes a monergistic view of God and man and of salvation, but alerting you to this, you can hear how he answers this man's very common questions according to the doctrines of sovereign grace.
Loved Ones, this is beautiful stuff. I know what I believe and why I believe it. I have precious close friends who disagree with me. We can and do have vigorous theological discussions - and that is okay. We shouldn't be scared of having passion and vigor for what we believe to be the gospel-truth. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS! We are still Sisters! We still enjoy biblical fellowship.
I love you!
Shine bright for Him! Flourish this summer for His Kingdom!
That His Name May be Revered Among the Nations ~
Jill Grier
Kingdom-MindedMoms
http://www.kingdom-mindedmoms.com/
http://www.livingwaters.com/good/
http://reformedgirlcrusader.blogspot.com/
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/NicholasWilliamBraveheart
Isaiah 58:11-12
“I am. I can. I ought. I will." ~ Charlotte Mason
TWO ANCIENT VIEWS ON RECORD - View of Man
Augustine - Man inherited fallen sin nature from Adam, unable to do anything to aide in being made alive in Christ - God must provide regeneration. We sin because we're sinners. We are incapable of not sinning. (today called the Reformed/Calvinist view)
Pelagian - Man did not inherit fallen sin nature from Adam, able to do what it takes to be 'right' with God. We're sinners because we sin. One is capable of not sinning. (today called Pelagian view - very few people are fully this position)
VIEWS ON RECORD MEDIEVAL PERIOD
Luther - Man's will is in bondage to sin. (monergistic view)
Erasmus - Man's will is free from the bondage of sin. (synergistic/semi-Pelagian view)
Helpful mini-lesson on YouTube.
TWO VIEWS LATER ON
Calvin - Monergistic view of God's work in regeneration and keeping of those saved.
Arminius - Synergistic view of the work of salvation between God and man.
(By the way, the website: http://www.gotquestions.org/ is a very good resource and I refer to it often even though I disagree with some points from their statement of faith. I provide this website to maintain the personal conviction of not 'tossing out the baby with the bathwater." The website link below is unapologetically monergistic in conviction. Being that I am now a 'monergist', I rely on it quite a lot.)
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/monergism_grid.html
(There are people who decry, "Why not just learn from the bible?! Shouldn't we just rely on the Word and not read men." This sounds pious and sound, but it isn't. To this, I say - "yes and no". Yes - we should be Bereans in all things and reconcile Scripture with Scripture for a biblically sound understanding BUT .... No - God gave His church teachers and ministers of the Word. If you are of the notion that we should not learn from men the things of God, then to be consistent in your stated ethic, you should refuse to attend church and listen to a preacher or listen to a teacher. This of course is absurd, for God gave us Preachers and teachers for edification. This 'I'm a biblicist' position is a cop-out. That is why we must always be Bereans, for they were recognized for readily and eagerly listening to what Paul was teaching, but they confirmed it through the Word.)
Debating Calvinism: Five Points - Two Views by Dave Hunt and James White
(Product Description) A centuries-old belief system is put to the test as two prominent authors examine and debate the subject of Calvinism from opposing viewpoints. James White, author of The Potter's Freedom, takes the Calvinist position. Dave Hunt, author of What Love Is This, opposes him. The exchange is lively and at times intense as these two articulate men wrestle over what the Scriptures tell us about God's sovereignty and man's free will. This thought-provoking, challenging book provides potent responses to the most frequently asked questions about Calvinism.
I like this book because two prominent 'theologians' from their particular view are represented in one tidy little book.
Don't forget about Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology - Part 5 is especially helpful. You can find the section on salvation in a stand alone book titled Making Sense of Salvation.
I just found a DVD resource by Grudem on systematic theology - oh, how I'm wanting this!
Remember, I really like Grudem because he plainly states what 'take' he believes to be true to the whole counsel of the Word, but he doesn't stop there. He has integrity by teaching all the orthodox views within systematic theology. He's not a pitch-man! That is worthy of respect.
For more one-sided takes on soteriology, consider:
Why I am Not a Calvinist
Why I am Not an Arminian
That said, one of the best books I've read on the Reformed (Calvinist) theology of soteriology is by RC Sproul titled Chosen By God. It is a small but meaty book. (I really appreciate the fact that Sproul points out that BOTH Calvinism and Arminianism LIMIT the ATONEMENT. One does so in it's application and the other does so in it's power. Amen!)
ALSO -
I love, love, love Paul Washer - his Pastoral heart is so evident with this young man. Watch it. Of course, Paul Washer believes a monergistic view of God and man and of salvation, but alerting you to this, you can hear how he answers this man's very common questions according to the doctrines of sovereign grace.
Loved Ones, this is beautiful stuff. I know what I believe and why I believe it. I have precious close friends who disagree with me. We can and do have vigorous theological discussions - and that is okay. We shouldn't be scared of having passion and vigor for what we believe to be the gospel-truth. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. WE ARE STILL FRIENDS! We are still Sisters! We still enjoy biblical fellowship.
I love you!
Shine bright for Him! Flourish this summer for His Kingdom!
That His Name May be Revered Among the Nations ~
Jill Grier
Kingdom-MindedMoms
http://www.kingdom-mindedmoms.com/
http://www.livingwaters.com/good/
http://reformedgirlcrusader.blogspot.com/
http://www.carepages.com/carepages/NicholasWilliamBraveheart
Isaiah 58:11-12
“I am. I can. I ought. I will." ~ Charlotte Mason
