The Basics of the Christian Faith

[Lotar]

In my time here I have seen many of the less knowledgable in the PRE have their faith ripped away by those who attack strawmen and misconseptions, that many unfortunately hold of their own faith. I have seen many leave, and only know of one who converted to the evangelical faith. This has made me very sad, and has prompted me to think of leaving. I have yet to decide if the course of this forum requires me to stay or to leave. But on to the subject at hand. I believe that the most lacking thing in this forum is clear and in depth explainations of the basics, that sadly many do not understand. So, I would politely ask that those who are not orthodox Protestants, ie Evangelical/Reformed, not to debate the contents of this thread.

Here is a beginning list of what I think are the most urgently needed:
Sola Scriptura - which is one of the most frequently attacked, and most frequenty misunderstood
Sola Gratia and Sola Fide
The sinful nature of man


I'm going to start on these today after I get back from school. I would really love it if the experts here would help me out. You know who you are

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

If you agree I would be happy to hit upon Sola Gratia as I am already into the doctrine pretty heavy right now in preparation for my teaching I would be glad to post on it later tonight.

 

[Lotar]

Sweet

 

[II Paradox II]

Here is a beginning list of what I think are the most urgently needed:
Sola Scriptura - which is one of the most frequently attacked, and most frequenty misunderstood
Sola Gratia and Sola Fide
The sinful nature of man

I could probably help with sola fide and sola scriptura. I've been trying to scabble some stuff together so perhaps when I'm done later this week I'll post some stuff up.

Perhaps it would be a good idea as well to pin some of these responses up so people can find them easily...

ken

 

[theseed]

My thougths on sola scriptura


1) Scripture is God breathed; God's words (2 Tim. 3.16)
2) Therefore it is infallible as God is infallible
3) Therefore it reveals who God is
4) Since is is God's word, it should be taken wholly or systematically, therefore have not contradictions


To refute this one has to attack the infallible part or the God inspired part.

 

[Terri]

I too have been very concerned about the damage I have seen done to people's faith. I have seen more people come, get frustrated and leave than I can count. I have prayed that God would send people that would state the truth plainly and that they would be allowed to do so.

Thank you all so much. I look forward to reading all of your posts.

You have made me cry from Joy. You are such an encouragement to me.

 

[theseed]

More about sola scriptara.

1) the bible is God breathed literature
2) It is infallible because God is.
3) It is God's revelation of himself.
4) Therefore, the study of God a.k.a theology, should be systematic, systematically looking at all books, verses of the bible. This is not systematic interpretation because because not every biblical writer uses terms the same way, but it is systematically theology.

For example, we should want "solid food" of theology. This is not the same milk Peter speaks of, he speaks of spiritual milk. Am I making sense?
1 Corinthians 3:2
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready


1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
(Whole Chapter: 1 Peter 2 In context: 1 Peter 2:1-3)

 

[JVAC]

I would like to touch up on the "Sinful nature of man". This intrigues me, are you specifically referring to Original Sin/Original Guilt, as well? If you would allow my two cents, I will post later tonight.

Is it all right to cite people like Luther and St. Augustine?

 

[theseed]

In my time here I have seen many of the less knowledgable in the PRE have their faith ripped away by those who attack strawmen and misconseptions, that many unfortunately hold of their own faith. I have seen many leave, and only know of one who converted to the evangelical faith. This has made me very sad, and has prompted me to think of leaving. I have yet to decide if the course of this forum requires me to stay or to leave. But on to the subject at hand. I believe that the most lacking thing in this forum is clear and in depth explainations of the basics, that sadly many do not understand. So, I would politely ask that those who are not orthodox Protestants, ie Evangelical/Reformed, not to debate the contents of this thread.

Here is a beginning list of what I think are the most urgently needed:
Sola Scriptura - which is one of the most frequently attacked, and most frequenty misunderstood
Sola Gratia and Sola Fide
The sinful nature of man


I'm going to start on these today after I get back from school. I would really love it if the experts here would help me out. You know who you are

More about Sola Scritptara.


1) Christ gave the Apostles authority to lay the foundation for the Church
2) Another reason why there writings are Scripture (they had the Holy Spirit of course)
3)The postion they had could not be passed down
4)So, thier writings have authority over church clergy authority.
5) All Christians must therefore have the Scipture has thier authority for God's word; and recieve help with the Holy Spirit in understanding it.

 

[Lotar]

I would like to touch up on the "Sinful nature of man". This intrigues me, are you specifically referring to Original Sin/Original Guilt, as well? If you would allow my two cents, I will post later tonight.

Yes, original sin, the nature of that sin, and man's inability to do anything but sin appart from the grace of God, recieved by the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ.

Is it all right to cite people like Luther and St. Augustine?

Definately, I plan on it

 

[Lotar]

4)So, thier writings have authority over church clergy authority.

But they are not the only authority. Scripture is our one source of infallible truth, but tradition and history provide us a source of fallible truth. As has been stated many times before, without church history and tradition, how would we know what books to accept and which books to reject? Tradition is not only usefull, but vital, an example is the creeds. That does not mean that tradition is infallible and should be accepted out of hand. All tradition must be compared to scripture, and weighed by it. Any tradition that contradicts the inspired word of God, should not and cannot be accepted.

Galatians 1:6-9
I wonder that you are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.
[size=-1]Which is not another, only there are some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
[size=-1]But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema. [size=-1]
As we said before, so now I say again: If any one preach to you a gospel, besides that which you have received, let him be anathema.


And in addition to this, as theseed pointed out earlier, examination of scripture must be systematic. That means that a tradition and doctrine may not be accepted or rejected because of a vauge verse or two, scripture must be looked in context, as a whole.
[/size][/size][/size]

 

[SpiritPsalmist]

This is a good idea Lotar. . .thanks

 

[Phoebe]

I'm waiting with baited breath. (I had fish for lunch. )

 

[JVAC]

The sinful nature of man



The thing we must first focus on (as always) is the account in Genesis 2 and 3. Here, the author (presumably Moses), shows us how God prepared man and a place for him. He made man with free will and gave him dominion over creation (animals/plants/etc.). In the Garden “in” Eden man apparently ‘walks with God’. This is also mentioned later in the Scripture when Enoch “walks with God”. This must be interpreted to be as much as a lifestyle (faith) as also an action. ‘Walking with God’ is what man was intended to do. Not only man did this but so did woman. Life was joyful. Then the serpent came. (dun dun dun). The serpent provided an extra temptation to the fruit with his words to the woman. The sin here is the man’s/woman’s desire to judge what is good and bad, to attain the knowledge that God possesed. This was a great sin indeed, for Man (from now on I will refer to man and woman with the word “Man”) does not know what is best for Man, only God knows what is best for Man. Therefore, whenever Man has his idea of what is best he is also sinning against God.



One of the main themes in this book is that “The Lord will provide”. The Lord created the man and naturally knows what is best for him. The Lord provided man with the most appropriate mate (Gen 2:22-24). The Lord, after Man sinned, provided man with clothes (Gen. 3:21). The Lord provided for Abraham (Gen 22:8,13). The Lord provides! Jesus rebuffed this himself, “Look at the birds, flowers, etc. they don’t sow, harvest or worry and yet are provided for” (Matt 6:25-33). Man’s desire to choose for himself and provide for himself, denies God and doesn’t give Him glory.



Choosing what is right and wrong is an inherent trait in Man and Man is cursed for it; “dust you are and dust you shall become”. We are condemned a death, something that wasn’t supposed to happen in the Garden in Eden. Man was expelled and doomed to die. We, therefore, have this burden on us, the burden of death, for all men born under Adam, the natural way, are subject to his failing.



The tendencies of this “Will of Man”, inherited from our line, are that of the flesh, so talked in the New Testament. For our will is to please our flesh (Gal 5:19-21), and that is not the will of the Spirit, i.e. God (Gal 5:22-23). We only have a Carnal Mind, a mind that deals with the flesh and wants for the profit of itself. Paul taught this in his epistle to the Galatians where he continually stated that the spirit is opposite the flesh. Jesus taught, “he who wants to preserve his life, will lose it, and those who lose it will keep it” (Matt 10:39, Matt 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, Luke 17:33). One can think of this as, he who does his own will, will lose his life, but the one who does the will of God, will live eternally and be forever joyful in His presence.



Man is unable to break his carnal thoughts. He is obsessed with choosing the right and wrong things, with judging what is best for him. Until man can let go, receive the Holy Spirit and rely on God, he cannot escape his carnal thought. Therefore, we must “Walk with God” by virtue of the Holy Spirit, if not we will surely perish. The fruits of men fail, but the fruits of God abound always. Proverbs 3:5 says it best “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart”!



-James

(PS this can be further discussed as to its roots with respect to infant baptism, etc.)

 

[Col]

Great idea Lotar, well done and thankyou. I am looking forward to reading this thread.

Bless Ya
Col <><

 

[JOYfulbeliever]

I'm waiting with baited breath. (I had fish for lunch. )

LOL! I'm still chuckling at this Phoebe...and I'm gonna have to remember that one!

This thread is a real encouragement in here! Great thread, Lotar...

Keep the posts coming - I'm eager to read...and always hoping to learn something new!

 

[theseed]

All tradition must be compared to scripture, and weighed by it. Any tradition that contradicts the inspired word of God, should not and cannot be accepted

I agree

 

[Lotar]

More on the sinful nature of man.


"If faith does not enlighten man and love does not make him free, then he is incapable of willing anything that is good. He can do only what is evil, even when he does that which is good."
Martin Luther



Romans 5:12
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Romans 2:25-29
For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
[size=-1]Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
[size=-1]And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
[size=-1]For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither [is that] circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
[size=-1]But he [is] a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision [is that] of the heart, in the spirit, [and] not in the letter; whose praise [is] not of men, but of God.
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We are all born as sinners, completely unable to anything but sin. Without the Holy Spirit we sin when we do good works. This is because God judges not only what we do, but why we do it. Without the Holy Spirit we do not obey the Law because we want to or because we love the law, but we obey it because we are compelled to, and we would happily do otherwise if the law was not there, so it is not to our merit when we do obey.



Romans 6:20-23
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.[size=-1]
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.[size=-1]
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
[size=-1]For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[/size][/size][/size]
This I believe is one of the greatest arguements for faith alone, because without the grace of God, we cannot do good works. We can do works of the Law, but not works of the Spirit. Only by loving the Law and obeying it because you want to, and having the will to gladly do it if there were no Law, could one truely perform any good works, but we cannot do this without the grace of God. One cannot do good works without the Spirit of God already residing within us.



Galatians 5:17
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.


Once God has imparted His grace upon us, we then have the war between the flesh/Carnal mind and the spirit, while the unregenerated man can only follow his flesh.

 

[EdmundBlackadderTheThird]

My piece of Sola Gratia is a little longer than I first thought it would be and I have had some stuff come up at work. Bear with me I will get it posted very soon.

 

[A. believer]

(PS this can be further discussed as to its roots with respect to infant baptism, etc.)

I strongly urge you not to discuss infant baptism in this thread or it will become a debate thread among Protestants. Since the point of this thread, as I understand it, is to lay out the essentials of the faith according to the evangelical Protestant tradition, then I don't think it would be wise to bring in debateable issues about which evangelicals have differing viewpoints. That can be done on other threads. Those who are confused about the faith need to understand the difference between the essentials, over which there must be unity, and the non-essentials, over which there is liberty.