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By Hafley, Larry Ray, on October 1st, 2001
"Rev. Mack Jones," of Baytown, Texas, writes a weekly column in his church bulletin entitled, "From Your Pastor’s Heart." From it, we extract the following:
"We are often questioned about the eternity of our belief. People want to know if God will disown them. The emphatic answer is, no! By no means will God ever disown one of his children. Heb. 7:25 states this very clearly; ‘Hence, also, he is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them’ (NAS). We are saved forever. We draw near to God through Christ, and He makes intercession for us. This gives us great assurance of our faith in Christ" (Wooster Baptist Church Messenger, Vol. 29, Number 8, 2/20/01).
Review Of Mack Jones’ Remarks
It is to be doubted that folks question "the eternity of (their) belief." Faith, like hope, is not eternal. Both shall be swallowed up in the possession of "life and immortality" brought to fruition and completion. However, we shall let that pass and deal with the main thrust of Mack’s message.
Continue reading » Hebrews 7:25 & "Once Saved, Always Saved"
By Hafley, Larry Ray, on July 1st, 2001
(A brother sent me the following “Calvinistic ‘cutsie,’” as he called it.)
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat. “Mom, I’m thinking of something.” This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. “What are you thinking?” I asked. “The rain,” he began, “is like sin and the windshield wipers are like God, wiping our sins away.” After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. “That’s really good, Matthew.” Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take this revelation? So I asked… “Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?” Matthew didn’t hesitate one moment with his answer: “We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us.” Who can drive in the rain again without thinking of this one? Thank You JESUS!
Do Saints And Sinners Have The Same Wiper Blades?
Well, since Jesus shed his blood for the lost, for the sins of those who have never believed on Christ, does the same rule apply to them (1 John 2:1, 2)? Continue reading » Contending for the Faith: Windshield Wiper Forgiveness
By Wallace, Steve, on June 1st, 2001
The belief that mankind inherits sin is widespread in what is popularly known as “Christiandom.” Indeed, it would be hard to find a church that does not believe in some form of it. The Roman Catholics teach it as “original sin.” We know of no group among the Protestant Evangelicals which would deny every form of it. Indeed, the New International Version of the Bible witnesses to this fact. Among the scholars who participated in its preparation were those from the following denominations: Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan (Preface to the Fifteenth printing of the NIV). Representative from these various religions joined in producing a translation which consistently translates the Greek word for “flesh,” when it speaks of the flesh of man, as “sinful nature(s). The NIV translates Psalms 51:5 thusly, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
In light of the pervasiveness of this teaching, it behooves those preaching in countries where English is not the mother tongue to check translations of various verses. On the topic of inherited sin, Psalms 51:5 has been a point of conflict for years, so it should surprise no one to find it so in other countries. Please notice the following examples of renderings of this verse from some Bibles of Eastern Europe: Continue reading » White Unto Harvest: Psalm 51:5, Inherited Sin and Foreign Translations
By Hafley, Larry Ray, on June 1st, 2001
Editor’s Note: The Guardian of Truth Foundation recently published a new book by Larry, entitled The Christ, The Cross, and The Church. Larry has graciously consented to our excerpting a few passages from the book for the benefit of our readers. This article is the second excerpt. Ordering information is available following the article for those who wish to purchase the book itself.
According to the creeds of men, Satan does not need to influence man. Man is “wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body … (and) we are utterly indisposed, disabled and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil.” If that truly represents the condition of man (and Calvinism says it does), then the devil can sleep until the last trump sounds reveille on the morning of the resurrection. The devil may as well spend his time calling hogs to muck and mire as to seek to influence sinners to sin. The hog, according to his nature, need not be influenced or enticed to mud. He will go there because he is “wholly defiled in all faculties and parts of soul and body and is utterly indisposed, disabled and made opposite to all cleanliness and wholly inclined to all mud.” Likewise, man, according to “this corruption of nature,” will sin; he cannot avert or avoid it; he must sin, or so Calvinism says. He will go to sin as the hog goes to mud. So, why, according to Calvinism, should Satan seek to influence us? Keeping the creeds in mind, a Calvinist needs to answer that question. Continue reading » Contending for the Faith: How Do God and Satan Influence Us?
By Hafley, Larry Ray, on May 1st, 2001
Editor’s Note: The Guardian of Truth Foundation recently published a new book by Larry, entitled The Christ, The Cross, and The Church. Larry has graciously consented to our excerpting a few passages from the book for the benefit of our readers. These excerpts will appear this month, and next in Watchman. Ordering information is available following the article for those who wish to purchase the book itself.
Calvinism tells us three things. (1) Man is born in sin. This is the doctrine of total, hereditary depravity. Total means all, whole or complete. Hereditary means one receives it from his parents, which in this case means from Adam, hence, adamic, original sin. Depravity means bad, wicked, evil. Thus, every person born into this world is, at birth, thoroughly, utterly sinful. (2) The Holy Spirit regenerates the sinner directly. Man can do nothing to effect his deliverance from his unhappy state of depravity. Man is wholly passive in his redemption. The “enabling power” of the Spirit must regenerate the totally wicked sinner before he can respond to the call of the gospel. This “direct operation of the Holy Spirit” is performed without the subject’s will or choice. Since one is totally dead, he must be given life before he can act. Therefore, the Holy Spirit, without means or agency, regenerates, gives life, to the soul. (3) Those regenerated cannot die. Once the Spirit infuses life, that life cannot be lost — “once saved, always saved.” As man cannot undo his fleshly birth, so he cannot surrender his spiritual birth, says Calvinism. Once born of the flesh, one cannot be unborn; so, once born of the Spirit, one cannot be unborn — “once in grace, always in grace.” Continue reading » Contending for the Faith: Calvinism and Adam – A Parallel
By Cox, Stan, on October 1st, 1999
 God’s plan for redeeming man runs like a scarlet thread throughout scripture. Beginning with the promises God made to man in the Genesis account, and man’s subsequent fall from God’s favor, until the closing of the New Testament canon, where the Apostle John recorded the beautiful invitation, “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17), God’s scheme is the primary theme of scripture. It is both simple and sublime. God’s requirements for man, that he may be redeemed, can be understood even by children. At the same time, the enormity of His Son’s sacrifice and what it means for us dwarfs our comprehension. The following material in this month’s Watchman Magazine is intended to give an overview of that sublime plan. It is our intention to both document the great expression of God’s grace in sending His Son to die in our stead, and the divine requirements mandated by God that we might receive the benefits of such a gift. No study of Redemption is sufficient that does not explain both God’s part, and man’s part in securing that safety. Continue reading » The Redemption of Man in Two Parts
By Hafley, Larry Ray, on September 1st, 1999
In THE BAYTOWN SUN, 9/1/99, under the headline, “Christians must get back to the old paths,” Tim Cryer, “a lay minister at Victory Baptist Church,” commented as follows:
Jeremiah 6:16–”Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.”
This great country is a mess today because Christians have traded in the old paths of old time religion for new paths that are not getting the job done. God said in the above verse to ask for the old way, for it is a good way, and walk in this way. The old ways are what made this the greatest nation in the world and is what made our churches Holy and different from the world. But sometime back in the 1960s, parents stopped passing down the old ways to their kids, and started giving them the new ways. Continue reading » Queries and Explications: A Baptist on Jeremiah 6:16
By Roberts, Tom, on July 1st, 1999
Editor’s Note: Brother Roberts wrote this article in 1979 as a part of his and others’ efforts to battle calvinistic tendencies among brethren. Those tendencies are still present in some today, and make this study as timely now as it was 20 years ago. We commend it to you for that reason, as well as its thorough treatment of the doctrine of Imputation.
The theological system known as Calvinism originated in the voluminous works of John Calvin entitled “Institutes of the Christian Religion.” This man popularized concepts expounded earlier by Martin Luther and others dating back to Augustine (354-430 A.D.). In order to reduce these massive works to proportions that the average student can understand, Calvinism has been summarized into five major points that are usually represented by the acronym “TULIP.” Each of these letters represents one of the five major points taught by John Calvin in his explanation of man’s fall and his redemption. They are: Total hereditary depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace and Perseverance of the saints. The reduction of these concepts into the simplified five points has encouraged many to study this basis of the Protestant Reformation who would not otherwise have been able to do so. Current events within the church of Christ, as well as a revival of Calvinism among Protestant churches, has caused a further study of another of Calvin’s concepts: the imputation of the personal righteousness of Christ to the believer. Without a doubt, Calvin’s idea about imputation is the glue that holds the five points together which were mentioned earlier. Since he denied the ability of man to do anything good due to his inherited depravity, Calvin was convinced that in some manner the personal righteousness of Christ, His moral excellence (in today’s vernacular, the “doing and dying of Jesus”) was transferred to the sinner so that, as man was lost due to Adam’s sin, he was saved due to Christ’s perfection. In this view, Adam’s sin was a corporate sin (involving the whole race and not just himself) while Christ’s perfection was corpporate perfection (involving all believers, not just Himself). As Adam was the fountainhead of sin for lost mankind, Jesus was the fountainhead of righteousness for all believers. And, Calvin taught, since the guilt of Adam became our guilt (by inheritance through the flesh), the righteousness of Christ became our righteousness through a process known as imputation. To be sure, the Bible speaks of imputation and the scheme of redemption includes this as an integral part of our salvation. But there is a vast difference between the scriptural doctrine of imputation and Calvin’s doctrine. We need to be able to grasp the difference between what Calvin taught and what the Bible teaches. To do this, Calvin’s concept of imputation has been summarized in to three main points even as his “Institutes” have been summarized into five points. The three-fold imputations of John Calvin are:
- the imputation of the sins of Adam to mankind,
- the imputation of the sins of mankind to Christ, and
- the imputation of the personal righteousness of Christ to believers. Continue reading » Solid Food: Calvinism’s Three Fold Imputation
By Roberts, Tom, on February 1st, 1999
1. Looking for a Perfect Church in an Imperfect World
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
But We Have:
Perfect Head
Perfect Revelation
Perfect Law
Perfect Foundation
Perfect Plan of Salvation
That We May Become Perfect Continue reading » Charts: Understanding Christ and the Church (Gospel and Doctrine)
By Roberts, Tom, on February 1st, 1999
1. UNIVERSAL NEED OF GRACE
(Never Tire of Preaching It!)
Perfect Law-keeping Cannot Save Jew or Gentile: “All have sinned”
Introduction to Gospel of Grace: AbrahamGospel of Grace:PERFECTING
REMEDIAL
REDEMPTIVE
ATONING
RECONCILING
IMPUTES RIGHTEOUSNESS Continue reading » Charts: Misuse of Grace to Cover Sin
By Roberts, Tom, on February 1st, 1999
Outline of Lesson, December 4, 1998
Forest Hills church of Christ
Intro: The pioneer preachers who blazed the trails in truth that we have come to regard as the “Restoration Movement” were able to do so only as they wrestled with sectarian doctrines and creeds and returned to the “old paths” of Bible truth. Much of the religious error of early America with which Barton W. Stone, Walter Scott, James O’Kelley; the Campbells, Ben Franklin and other noble preachers contended was that known as Calvinism.
So far as the churches of Christ are concerned, the fundamental teaching of truth during the Restoration Movement was so effective (cf: “The Scheme of Redemption,” by Robert Milligan) that it eradicated practically every vestige of Calvinism among Christians. From the early 1800′s until our generation, classic Calvinism (Tulip) has been recognized as the error it is and has not been a source of internal strife (must less a cause of division) within local congregations. However, history will record that it has become the task of our generation to combat these errors again. Continue reading » Misuse of Grace to Cover Sin
By Roberts, Tom, on February 1st, 1999
Some issues are so taken for granted that common acceptance belies their intrinsic value and native importance. Such an issue is the subject of free will. Among brethren, until fairly recent dates, free will has been an accepted doctrine, figuring unobtrusively in conclusions drawn from Biblical principles. Events of recent date in which some have taught that man has a corrupted nature have led to the recognition that we may have taken too much for granted, in fact. Theologians have debated God’s sovereignty and man’s free will for centuries, churning out volumes of commentaries from Augustine onward. Since most of us do not pretend to be theologians, we have allowed simple Bible exegesis to determine our approach to the subject more than philosophical reasoning. I have personally done little preaching on free will as a separate topic, choosing rather to include it by reference in related matters. With this discussion, I hope to stimulate others to further writing and preaching on what I believe to be a vital subject. Free will has far-reaching implications relating to human nature, ethics, moral responsibility, social issues, and theology, including the question as to whether or not man is able to respond to his Creator’s will so as to exercise choice among moral contingencies. The particular view one espouses will determine attitudes and actions in “every issue of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Continue reading » Solid Food: Free Will
By Roberts, Tom, on December 1st, 1998
Introduction:
The pioneer preachers who blazed the trails in truth that we have come to regard as the “Restoration Movement” were able to do so only as they wrestled with sectarian doctrines and creeds and returned to the “old paths” of Bible truth. Much of the religious error of early America with which Barton W. Stone, Walter Scott, James O’Kelley; the Campbells, Ben Franklin and other noble preachers contended was that known as Calvinism.
So far as the churches of Christ are concerned, the fundamental teaching of truth during the Restoration Movement was so effective (cf: “The Scheme of Redemption,” by Robert Milligan) that it eradicated practically every vestige of Calvinism among Christians. From the early 1800′s until our generation, classic Calvinism (TULIP) has been recognized as the error it is and has not been a source of internal strife (must less a cause of division) within local congregations. However, history will record that it has become the task of our generation to combat these errors again. Continue reading » Solid Food: Misuse of “Grace” to Cover Sin
By Deaton, Steven, on November 1st, 1998
Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.
- Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
- Deny: Steven Deaton
Second Negative
Regarding the questions:
1. Adam was made in the image of God, free of sin, which God called “good” (Gen. 1:26-27, 31). Yet, Adam sinned. The same is true today–we are created free of sin, “good,” then chose to willfully disobey.
2. Read again Hebrews 2:14-17. We wonder if Mr. Vaughn thinks a person does not exist until they are born and how that may affect his view on abortion?
3. If both, then all babies are born alienated from God and doomed if they die in infancy. Jesus redeemed us by his physical death–sacrificing his body and shedding his blood (Matt. 26:26-28; Heb. 10:5-7). Continue reading » Debate: Inherited Sin (Second Negative)
By Vaughn, R.L., on November 1st, 1998
Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.
- Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
- Deny: Steven Deaton
Second Affirmative
Answers to Mr. Deaton’s Questions
- The serpent deceived Eve, but Adam willfully disobeyed (Gen. 3:1-6; 1 Tim. 2:14).
- No. His body was created in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost. He existed BEFORE He was born.
- Both physical and spiritual death. By what death did Jesus redeem us? Physical or spiritual?
- They are born sinners before they sin. However, being born sinners, they immediately begin to transgress God’s law. They lie “AS SOON AS they are born” (Psalm 58:3).
- All are saved from Adamic sin; this is not universal salvation because all who do not believe on the Son of God are condemned. Continue reading » Debate: Inherited Sin (Second Affirmative)
By Deaton, Steven, on November 1st, 1998
Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.
- Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
- Deny: Steven Deaton
First Negative
Mr. Vaughn states at the beginning that this is about the NATURE of man. So, this discussion is NOT about whether or not man sins, and it is NOT about whether or not men die a physical death as the result of Adam’s fall. It is about whether or not men are born with a depraved, sinful nature inherited from Adam.
Re: Romans 5:12, 18: These verses do not say, “All men have sinned in Adam.” They give a comparison and contrast of the actions and results of Adam and those of Christ. Adam introduced sin into the world, like AS Christ introduced a way of escape from sin. Notice Romans 5:19, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were MADE sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be MADE righteous.” Consider: Thomas Paine MADE many infidels, but was his infidelity transferred to them? No, by his actions he influenced many to reject the belief of God. Likewise, by the actions of Adam, many have been influenced to commit sin because he introduced it into the world. Continue reading » Debate: Inherited Sin (First Negative)
By Vaughn, R.L., on November 1st, 1998
Proposition: The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.
- Affirm: R.L. Vaughn
- Deny: Steven Deaton
First Affirmative
ARE YOU BORN IN SIN? Or are you born without sin? Mr. Steven Deaton and I invite you to consider the following proposition:
The Scriptures teach that, as a result of Adam’s fall, all men are born sinners.
DEFINITION OF THE PROPOSITION
- The Scriptures – 66 books inspired by God, often called the Holy Bible [quotations are from the King James Version].
- Teach – cause to know
- Result – something that arises as a consequence of
- Adam’s fall – Adam’s disobedience to God’s command (Genesis 2:16,17) and his subsequent separation from God (Gen. 3).
- All men – the whole number of the human race.
- Born – having certain characteristics from birth.
- Sinner – one that sins. Continue reading » Debate: Inherited Sin (First Affirmative)
By Roberts, Tom, on November 1st, 1998
Some issues are so taken for granted that common acceptance belies their intrinsic value and native importance. Such an issue is the subject of free will. Among brethren, until fairly recent dates, free will has been an accepted doctrine, figuring unobtrusively in conclusions drawn from Biblical principles. Events of recent date in which some have taught that man has a corrupted nature have led to the recognition that we may have taken too much for granted, in fact. Theologians have debated God’s sovereignty and man’s free will for centuries, churning out volumes of commentaries from Augustine onward. Since most of us do not pretend to be theologians, we have allowed simple Bible exegesis to determine our approach to the subject more than philosophical reasoning. Most have done little preaching on free will as a separate topic, choosing rather to include it by reference in related matters. But free will has far-reaching implications relating to human nature, ethics, moral responsibility, social issues and theology, including the question of man’s ability to respond to his Creator’s will so as to exercise choice among moral contingencies. The particular view one espouses will determine attitudes and actions in “every issue of life” (Prov. 4:23). Continue reading » Associate Editorial: Free Will
By Roberts, Tom, on November 1st, 1998
“Imputation” describes a process that takes place in the mind of God, without which none of us could ever be judged sinner or saint. What may be known about this process must be known only by revelation through the scriptures, since God speaks through the Spirit to reveal His thoughts (1 Cor. 2:6-13). Difficulty in understanding our subject lies not in its obscurity or ambiguity; rather, generations of faulty exposition by sectarians and brethren alike have hidden its wonderful message. It will be our goal to learn proper definitions, relate this subject to other salvation terminology in a harmonious way, properly applying the truth to our situation.
It is true that our study of imputation is not “milk” but “meat” (Heb. 5:12-13). One cannot fully understand imputation without being cognizant of the entire scope of human redemption. Thus, imputation is related to the revelation of the divine wisdom of God, human nature (free will and responsibility), the nature of sin and of righteousness, justification, gospel and law, faith and works, the plan of salvation and, not in the least to be considered, grace. It encompasses the concept of how a righteous God can bring about the salvation of His sinful creature, man, and yet retain His own righteous nature (Rom. 3:21-26). Continue reading » Solid Food: Imputed for Righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
By Shropshire, Ben, on October 1st, 1998
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor. 1:20,21). The wisdom of this world often finds itself in conflict with the wisdom of God. What is pleasing to God is often considered foolishness by the wisdom of the world. God chose to save the world by means of the preaching of the gospel, but the story of the gospel is often considered by men to be foolish. The plan of salvation revealed in the gospel is often regarded as foolish, while the plans of men are thought to be wise and good.
The Jews of the first century could not see in the wisdom of God as revealed in the gospel the power of God unto their salvation. Instead, they insisted on some greater sign to authenticate the gospel before they would accept it. Likewise, the Greeks could not appreciate the wisdom of God in the beautiful story of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. It had no relevance to their lives because it was contrary to all that was declared to be “wise” by the philosophies of men to which they were so attracted and loved to hear (Acts 17:21). Continue reading » The Foolishness of Preaching Salvation
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