Monday, April 8, 2013

Ecclesia Augustana Comments


http://ecclesiaaugustana.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-valediction-to-ecclesia-augustana.html#comment-form


    2. It's amusing to hear the idea that universal justification comes from anywhere but (recently) dead men - much more so the idea that it comes from Holy Writ! Far from it; the Scriptures are adamant that God's wrath abides on the unbelieving - indeed, that they "stand condemned already." No righteousness in God's eyes there. St. Peter is adamant that repentance and Baptism must precede the *reception* of the forgiveness of sins. No Forgiveness for all prior to faith there.

      Faith certainly does receive the gifts procured by Christ on the Cross...which is why it is a *requirement* for salvation. No faith, no salvation. As much as I hate this song, it is worth quoting in this instance: "the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives." Amen.
      Reply
    3. Daniel, I don't think you can provide me with one instance of anyone in the bible speaking of faith as a requirement of salvation. I'm not saying it couldn't be understood properly, but it's crossing onto shady grounds. Faith is neither a condition, nor a requirement, to be met. Faith is a gift, a miracle, a working of the Holy Spirit. Through that and by that, salvation comes to us. Those are the ways it is spoken of in Scripture. Paul is very careful never to use "on account of" or "because of" as prepositions concerning the relation of faith to salvation; he always uses "by" or "through."

      The language you use sounds very much like the heresy of the election controversy. It'd be good to avoid that which forces God into favoritism, and God does not show favoritism.
      Reply

      Replies
      1. St. John 1:12: "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name."

        St. John 3:18: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

        St. Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

        I could go on. That all sounds like a requirement being met for salvation to me. OBVIOUSLY faith is a gift, miracle, and working of the Holy Spirit. NO ONE has ever denied that on this blog. But that doesn't make it any less of a condition. Just like Baptism is necessary for salvation. It's not necessary because it's a human work, just as faith isn't a human work. It's necessary because it's the work of God and the vehicle of grace and forgiveness.
      2. And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” -- Luke 7:50



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