Comments on: The Gospel: News Or Instruction? http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:11:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Daniel http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-1463 Daniel Wed, 06 Dec 2006 23:33:26 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-1463 You mention Beth Moore earlier in this thread as promoting a surrendered life or "victorious life" theology. The stuff I've seen by her concerns me because she emphasizes mystical experiences, hearing the Lord tell her things, spiritualizing the scriptures and the like. (I came from a charismatic/evangelical background where that type of thing was big.) We have a number of women at our church who are going through the Beth Moore studies. I'm concerned but want to be fair and don't want to have a knee-jerk reaction. It's a little difficult to find a good critique of her work, especially from a reformational perspective. I did see a good article that Modern Reformation had a couple of years ago about her but I am curious if you know of any other sound & objective resources. I don't question the woman's sincerity and Bible knowledge but I am concerned about the type of Christianity that she promotes. The law/gospel distinction you mention is critical and is easily blurred with unsound teaching, especially if it comes from someone as likeable and persuasive as Ms. Moore. If you're able to give any direction, I thank you. By the way, the "Issues, Etc." radio program that Pat mentions is excellent. You mention Beth Moore earlier in this thread as promoting a surrendered life or “victorious life” theology.
The stuff I’ve seen by her concerns me because she emphasizes mystical experiences, hearing the Lord tell her things, spiritualizing the scriptures and the like. (I came from a charismatic/evangelical background where that type of thing was big.) We have a number of women at our church who are going through the Beth Moore studies. I’m concerned but want to be fair and don’t want to have a knee-jerk reaction. It’s a little difficult to find a good critique of her work, especially from a reformational perspective.
I did see a good article that Modern Reformation had a couple of years ago about her but I am curious if you know of any other sound & objective resources. I don’t question the woman’s sincerity and Bible knowledge but I am concerned about the type of Christianity that she promotes.
The law/gospel distinction you mention is critical and is easily blurred with unsound teaching, especially if it comes from someone as likeable and persuasive as Ms. Moore.
If you’re able to give any direction, I thank you.
By the way, the “Issues, Etc.” radio program that Pat mentions is excellent.

]]> By: Pat http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-778 Pat Wed, 01 Nov 2006 05:32:52 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-778 Kevin, Re: my 8/15 note to you-- I found Issues Etc. and its host on the KFUO website. Todd Wilken is the host who has both interviewed some of the White Horse Inn hosts, he has been on their program as well. A good Lutheran perspective on the doctrines of grace. Keep up your good work brother. Pat Kevin,
Re: my 8/15 note to you–
I found Issues Etc. and its host on the KFUO website. Todd Wilken is the host who has both interviewed some of the White Horse Inn hosts, he has been on their program as well. A good Lutheran perspective on the doctrines of grace. Keep up your good work brother.
Pat

]]> By: Johnna http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-699 Johnna Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:41:58 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-699 For a series on the 10 commandments I would heartily recommend Michael Horton's "The Law of Perfect Freedom". He has taught me so much about gospel/law distinctions! For a series on the 10 commandments I would heartily recommend Michael Horton’s “The Law of Perfect Freedom”. He has taught me so much about gospel/law distinctions!

]]> By: Kevin http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-427 Kevin Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:32:18 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-427 One thing that might help is remembering that faith connects us to Jesus, but it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the object. Practically, older writers like Colquhoun and especially William Romaine (his letters are gold) would caution to not make a Jesus out oof your faith. They would encourage us to look to Jesus rather than looking at our faith (ala Peter walking on water.) Like a dating relationship with constant dtr talks (define-the-relationship) we can focus on the relationship instead of the person and find our heart growing cold pretty easily. Jesus had perfect belief and we get credit for that and our destined for that - but until heaven we need to get used to feeling like a failure and trusting boldly in Jesus. On a related note, the higher life theology (also called surrendered life, keswick, let go and let God, or victorious life) theolgy that is very popular (taught by Beth Moore and Campus Crusade's "Blue Book" and others) puts people in the conscience bind you mention because the "work" you have to do to reieve grace is to perfectly trust and submit - but if you could do that you wouldn't need a gospel! One thing that might help is remembering that faith connects us to Jesus, but it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the object. Practically, older writers like Colquhoun and especially William Romaine (his letters are gold) would caution to not make a Jesus out oof your faith. They would encourage us to look to Jesus rather than looking at our faith (ala Peter walking on water.) Like a dating relationship with constant dtr talks (define-the-relationship) we can focus on the relationship instead of the person and find our heart growing cold pretty easily. Jesus had perfect belief and we get credit for that and our destined for that - but until heaven we need to get used to feeling like a failure and trusting boldly in Jesus.

On a related note, the higher life theology (also called surrendered life, keswick, let go and let God, or victorious life) theolgy that is very popular (taught by Beth Moore and Campus Crusade’s “Blue Book” and others) puts people in the conscience bind you mention because the “work” you have to do to reieve grace is to perfectly trust and submit - but if you could do that you wouldn’t need a gospel!

]]> By: Stephen M http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-423 Stephen M Thu, 17 Aug 2006 17:21:52 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-423 Does one ever reach a point of perfect belief, meaning that one will no longer flander back and forth between belief and unbelief. If not, then isn't the burden of staying in belief as weighty and heavy as the law. For a mistake in one is a damning as the other. My point is not to be confrontational, for I know in my heart the gospel is just as you say. It seems the time of "peace that surpasses all understanding" are more like fleeting moments. Perhaps sanctification is more about making me a better believer than making me more moral. I suppose the hidden face behind my statements are the wide gap between stating a dogma about God, and affectually knowing that dogma. What a wretched man I am, who will rescue from this body of death? Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. I do not not know you kevin but you have encouraged and help further my perseverence in faith. -Stephen Does one ever reach a point of perfect belief, meaning that one will no longer flander back and forth between belief and unbelief. If not, then isn’t the burden of staying in belief as weighty and heavy as the law. For a mistake in one is a damning as the other. My point is not to be confrontational, for I know in my heart the gospel is just as you say. It seems the time of “peace that surpasses all understanding” are more like fleeting moments. Perhaps sanctification is more about making me a better believer than making me more moral. I suppose the hidden face behind my statements are the wide gap between stating a dogma about God, and affectually knowing that dogma. What a wretched man I am, who will rescue from this body of death? Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ. I do not not know you kevin but you have encouraged and help further my perseverence in faith.

-Stephen

]]> By: Kevin http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-406 Kevin Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:31:56 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-406 Thanks for you encouragement. Tell me about Issues - never heard of that one... Thanks for you encouragement. Tell me about Issues - never heard of that one…

]]> By: Pat http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-403 Pat Wed, 16 Aug 2006 04:31:58 +0000 http://www.igracemusic.com/indeliblog/?p=19#comment-403 Kevin, Wonderful words and wonderful comfort. The gospel is my only hope. Jesus the spotless lamb is my only hope. The law looks so delicious and enticing, but it can only lead me to (and still continually) my solid ground in the work of Christ for sinners like me. Thank you Kevin, the gospel is the great news, the great proclamation. It is not another instruction to be followed as we (myself included)are so quick to make of it. I am so thankful to the Lord for ministries like yours, White Horse Inn, Issues Etc., and others that seek to elevate the pure, gracious gospel of Christ. Sinners like me drink and are satisfied. Thanks, Pat W. Kevin,

Wonderful words and wonderful comfort. The gospel is my only hope. Jesus the spotless lamb is my only hope. The law looks so delicious and enticing, but it can only lead me to (and still continually) my solid ground in the work of Christ for sinners like me. Thank you Kevin, the gospel is the great news, the great proclamation. It is not another instruction to be followed as we (myself included)are so quick to make of it.

I am so thankful to the Lord for ministries like yours, White Horse Inn, Issues Etc., and others that seek to elevate the pure, gracious gospel of Christ. Sinners like me drink and are satisfied.
Thanks,
Pat W.

]]>