RECOMMENDED
Those accustomed to reading the light and
fluffy stuff that is in such abundance today will probably not be interested in
the 1,292 pages that comprise Volumes One and Two of Sin and Salvation, the 38th Annual Memphis School of
Preaching Lectures, but the material contained therein is excellent and
provides a wealth of information which can be absorbed easily by reading just 25
pages a day for two months.
Any review of all of this material must inevitably prove inadequate, and it would be difficult to even mention each of the fifty-nine chapters. Therefore, only a few of the highlights can be mentioned. As the overall theme indicates, several chapters have to do with sin: “Sin Is Man’s Greatest Problem; Salvation Is Man’s Greatest Need”; “The Origin Of Sin”; “What Is Sin?”; “Is There A Sin Which God Will Not Or Cannot Forgive?”; and “Sin’s Deceitful Appeal.” The third of these includes some terse but accurate statements, such as “Sin thrills, then kills” (305) and “Sin will not allow the sinner to be rational or reasonable” (304).
Several chapters also provide specific
information regarding salvation. Many of
these cover this subject from different aspects. “The Futility Of Man-made
Attempts To Escape Sin” is particularly relevant to the world
situation—especially the part about pretending that sin is not sin
(278-81). Many seem to glory in that
approach to life—unhealthy and unrealistic though it is. Many likewise consider that their salvation
will result from being “a good person”—as though one’s own righteousness
contained the power to save (288-89).
The “Salvation Of Man
Demands The All-Sufficient Word,” which is perfect, powerful, and pure. Worthy of the utmost consideration is “The
Cost of Salvation” and “The Hope of Salvation.”
All people need to under-stand, as completely as possible, “What It
Means To Be Lost” and “What It Means To Be
Saved.” These concepts ought not to be ignored by anyone.
In order to deal with false ideas about
salvation, it is necessary to take a look at Calvinism, a theology that has
adversely affected Christianity for nearly 500 years. Dub McClish, editor
of the Gospel Journal, wrote a
treatise in Volume One on this subject: “Calvinism And
Neo-Calvinism” (531-93). It begins with
a brief history of the doctrine, including its origins with Augustine and his
fight against Pelagius, who correctly taught that men have a free will. The next section refutes all of the five
cardinal tenets of the still-adored teaching, beginning with Total Hereditary
Depravity and continuing with Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement,
Irresistible Grace, and Perseverance of the Saints.
The next section might surprise some,
although many have observed the outrageous phenomenon occurring over the past
twenty years. Brethren (false and
faithless) have begun to espouse some of the Calvinistic positions. Quotations are provided from many associated
with the Lord’s church, including a former elder from the High-land church in
Abilene, Rubel Shelly, Denny Boultinghouse,
and Jim Hackney (558-60).
The study next turns to the subject of
errors regarding the Holy Spirit. As
long ago as 1976 E. R. Harper called attention to such errors by John Allen
Chalk and Lynn Anderson (563). More
recently, Terry Rush wrote a book titled
The Holy Spirit Makes No Earthly Sense (although it is actually the author
of that book who fits the description).
One of these quotes will serve to demonstrate this point. Rush wrote:
The Holy Spirit is the total power of the disciple. Without him, we are a dead carcass. With him, we gain strength—invisible, direct strength—to do kingdom work (565).
How does this erroneous claim relate to what Jesus told the disciples: “…without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)? Does this verse prove that we get “invisible, direct strength” from Jesus? Many are confusing what the Lord
what the Lord and the Holy Spirit do with the means by which They do it—the Word, which is able to build us up and give us an inheritance among all that are sanctified (Acts 20:32).
Mac Deaver is the latest brother to advocate this heresy, although
he was opposed to it and called it a fellowship issue in 1993—just 11 years
ago. His original position is quoted in
the chapter. Only two years later Mac
said in a debate: “The Holy Spirit personally strengthens in addition to the
Word. Yes, I am willing to contend for that….” (567). Much more is written on this point
that all brethren need to read. Some
especially pertinent comments about wisdom are recorded on pages 580-81. The ten conclusions presented at the end of
the chapter are compelling and should be considered carefully by anyone who is
enamored with this false doctrine. The
material in this chapter is documented with 55 endnotes.
Other chapters
also analyze some of the teachings of Calvin: “Does Man Have A
Sinful Nature?”; “Salvation Is By Grace, But Not By Grace Only”; “Salvation Is
By Faith, But Not By Faith Only”; and “Refuting the Error of ‘Once Saved,
Always Saved.’” The first of these looks
at verses that Calvinists try to use to establish man’s supposed “sinful
nature”—Ephesians 2:3, 1 Corinthians
Related to these
matters is the lengthiest division in the book (79-205): “The Work Of The Holy Spirit And Salvation.” David Brown, editor of Contending for the Faith, has compiled nothing less than a short
course on this Person in the Godhead (and a topic of great
misunderstanding). Nevertheless, people
are continually fascinated by Him—perhaps in part due to all those who claim He
is working directly upon them.
Brother Brown also quotes
from Terry Rush and his heretical book:
It is my observation that without the Holy Spirit
the Bible makes no earthly sense. I am thoroughly persuaded that the scriptures
become nothing more than a mere book of ‘blah’ if we are not Spirit led (81).
We are in full agreement that these “comments are nothing less than
blasphemous” (82). Obviously, the man
has either never read or else forgotten the extend-ed praise of the Word of God
that is known as Psalm 119. Its 176
verses do not intimate in any way, shape, or form that the Bible is a book of
‘blah’ or that the Holy Spirit must personally interpret what He already
revealed. The Word is, rather,
honored—which is the way the New Testament also presents it (Heb.
Others are also quoted on the alleged “direct operation” of the Holy
Spirit upon the Christian, including one preacher who believes that “the Spirit
gave” him his sermon subject as he got up to speak—something we used to call a
lack of preparation (85).
Errors relating
to Holy Spirit baptism are next ad-dressed, as some are now teaching that all
Christians are baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Richard Oster of
Some excellent material is reproduced from
brethren Thomas B. Warren and Roy Deaver, which shows
conclusively that they never held such a view of Holy Spirit baptism. Brother Warren prepared debate charts for
David Lipe, in which he stated: “SINCE THERE IS NO
HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM TODAY (ONLY ONE BAPTISM IN WATER) AND NO APOSTLES
TODAY, THEN MIRACULOUS GIFTS HAVE CEASED.”
Another chart claims that baptism in the Holy Spirit ceased by A.D. 62
(114). Additional charts make the same
point (115). Roy Deaver
likewise wrote unequivocally that “it is abundantly clear that there is no such
thing today as Holy Spirit baptism” (116).
The point is that, even if Thomas Warren and Roy Deaver
did believe (as Mac claims) in a personal strengthening of the Holy Spirit, Mac
and his sympathizers have already gone far be-yond that point—and there is no
stopping place in sight. Much more
material is presented on other related subjects, such as the indwelling of the
Holy Spirit in the Christian (157-74).
Still another chapter deals with another aspect of Mac Deaver’s doctrine: “Is the Bible Sufficient Only Informationally?” Ephesians 1:18 and James 1:5—both of which are claimed by Deaver to establish his error—are both exegeted accurately—and by one who later leaped to his defense (226-31).
The Church
Since the church is the body of Christ, it
is difficult to talk about one and not the other. The following relevant material is in the
book: “Must One Be A Faithful Member Of The Church Of
Christ In Order To Be Saved?”; “Sins Against The Church”; “Sin Keeps The Church
From Growing”; “With Whom Do The Saved Have Fellowship?” (note
the lists of those from whom the church must withdraw fellowship, p. 484);
“What Must Brethren Do When A Brother Sins?”; “The Sin of Perverted
Worship.” This last one informs the
reader of services for pets and also describes Wednesday night services at one
of “our” congregations in
Additional topics related to salvation are: “The Savior’s Invitation,” “Forgiveness,” “Confession of Sin,” “Ye Must Be Born Again,” “Cases of Conversion,” and “Cases of Non-Conversion,” and “Is The World Really Lost Without The Gospel?” Below are some just a few interesting citations from these excellent chapters.
…someone characterized an excuse as “the skin off a
reason stuffed full of lies” (907).
Mark
There are NOT
two new births, one of water and one of Spirit, but one. However, both water
and Spirit are required in the one new birth (958).
Forgiveness is not cheap, but it is freely given to
those who will obey God (981).
Also included in this portion of the book is a listing of different descriptions of faith (1005) a chart of conversions (1042-45), and a discussion of seven reasons why people choose not to obey the Gospel (1063-67).
As one ponders salvation, it is difficult not to think of the second coming, heaven, and hell. Concerning the first of these, Winford Claiborne relates that about sixty years ago an Adventist assured him that the Lord’s re-turn would occur within twenty years. He also cites others equally certain (and wrong) about this event, such as Edgar Whisenant, who arrogantly and erroneously asserted: “Only if the Bible is in error am I wrong, and I say that unequivocally” (1094). Unequivocally, the Bible is still right—even if man presumes too much. Claiborne also cites R. Kirby Godsey, who also suffers from an inflated ego—some liberals in the church could probably get along well with him; he affirms: “Sound doctrine is arrogant theological nonsense” (1105). One wonder why Christians in the first century wasted their time (according to him) by continuing steadfastly in it!
“What Will We Do In Heaven” is an interesting section (1137-39), as is the discussion that God is just to punish the ungodly eternally (1153-54). (The eternality of hell has long been, and still is, protested loudly by some who would advise God on the subject.)
Some specific sins are given examination: worldliness (an excellent definition is provided, p. 774), indifference and neglect, the works of the flesh, fear, and homosexuality. A case study of neglect on the part of leaders shows how a congregation can slip over the edge. One cannot imagine how a church could be so nonchalant and foolish (804-10).
Perhaps it is
some of the current immorality that gives rise to the question: “Will God
Always Bless
The final eight chapters of the book were
written by ladies, who did some excellent research (55 endnotes in all). “The Sin Of A
Self-Centered Life” includes a thoughtful poem, called “Property Laws of a
Toddler” (1173). “Sins Of A Prayerless Life” discusses
three contributing factors to a lack of prayer.
“The Sin Of An Adulterous Marriage” is always a
timely subject. “Sin’s Deceitful Appeal”
covers several subjects, one of which is “the rapid increase in gambling
addiction in teen-agers and college students" (1219).
“Saved At Home—Lost At
School?” is a provocative study, to say the least. We have often said that evolution is based
upon the presumption of uniformitarianism, and
provided here is a quotation from a 1993 biology text: “Uniformity in space and
time is especially vital to biology…” (1230). The
authors go on to say that they cannot disprove creationism! But then they add: “Creationism, however, is
contrary to both natural causality and uniformity in time” (1231). Parents need to be aware of the contents of
their children’s textbooks.
“How Should A Christian Look At Sin?” deals with several moral issues and the need for proper values and discipline. A telling admission about why so many men are interested in supporting abortion is found in Endnote Six (1267). “The Great Physician” and “Sin Brings Sorrow, Pain, and Death” complete this section.
This 2004 set
of volumes provides excellent material on sin, salvation, and a variety of related
topics; it is well worth the $31 for the two volumes. The Outback Steakhouse will cost more for two
people, and the nourishment will not last nearly as long. This set of two volumes may be ordered from
the Memphis School of Preaching,
For addition
information on this specific topic, click here: http://www.spiritualperspectives.org/articles/documents/jesusinbaptism
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