Before you continue with this article I
would like you to be assured that both my writing and my intensions are founded
upon the love of the Scriptures and the truth of Christ Jesus. My solemn intention is to feed Jesus’ sheep and
stop the unbeliever’s attacks upon them. Let’s stop the process of
dumbing-down the believers. If you find the comments in this article a rebuke
it is not intended to be mean spirited. This article is to make the reader aware of what should be the obvious, but
apparently this is not the case in today’s world. The ‘slippery slope’
of biblical compromise for unfounded humanistic feelings sake has matured into a manifold and fragmented ‘anything goes’
system of misunderstandings with no benchmarks of guidance. Intellectualism has
been labeled ‘the enemy’ and sacrificed for a free-style type of relationship with a man-made Jesus or whomever
the ‘higher power’s’ name happens to be according to that individual or organization. In the next paragraph
we have a timely quote by David B. Curtis, pastor.
"It is not loving to cover the truth for unity sake. As believers, we must
realize how important it is to be a protector as well as a proclaimer of the
message of the gospel of salvation by faith alone. We live in a culture where people say it's loving and it's tolerant to
just allow people to define the gospel however they want. But I believe that is the most unloving thing you could ever do.
To allow someone to believe something that we know is not true, knowing in the end they will be damned by God, is as unloving
as we could possibly be." quote by David B. Curtis
Mark 8:36; [36] “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?".
Recent surveys of the future leaders of evangelicalism reveal that close to one third of our college and seminary
students think that there may be another way to eternal salvation than through
Jesus Christ (re: Evangelicalism: The Coming Generation by J.D., Hunter). The acid test of Evangelical Christian Faith has always been the absolute necessity of faith
in Jesus Christ as the sole foundation for a saving relationship with God. It
is frightening to read and hear of a subtle erosion of this central doctrine. [Note: Now that most doctrines have been eroded they are teaching and leading with out having
to be subtle. BEK]; Forward by Dr. John H. White
in REPENT OR PERISH by John H. Gerstner.
A solid, Biblically grounded Christian must be willing to be unpopular,
and willing to find himself a pilgrim in a foreign land if he is faithful to Christ and the *doctrines
found in the scriptures. (See definition of doctrine
at bottom of this article). What I mean is that if the truths of the Bible are
correctly stated that person certainly will not be at all popular with the majority of the so called in-crowd. This point
is evident as we study the lives of Christ himself, the apostles and is made abundantly clear throughout the entirety of the
Bible. Did they establish their unity by embracing the popular majority or even that of their religious leaders of that time?
I think not.
Beware of many statements that they like to use to quite us such as: “Their dogmas (our doctrines) are getting
in the way of the Holy Spirit working in our lives!” I must ask you when has the truth of God’s Holy Word, which
has been and is divinely protected and provided, bound His Holy Spirit? I wonder
what spirit they might be referring to?
Too many pastors and churches today are not willing to suffer the tribulation which would result if they took a faithful
stand against liberal theology, apostasy and compromise. They not only do not take a stand but actually, in most cases,
teach the errors. Too many believers are not willing to suffer the trials which would result if they faithfully witnessed
to their neighbors, loved ones friends. Now be honest with yourself and take this quick reality check. If you were to
stand trial for being a Christian would there be found enough evidence to convict you?
Romans 16: 17-18;
[17] Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have
learned; and avoid them. [18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (innocent).
One of the favorite ploys of the false prophets was and continues to be today is to obscure the ways of Yahweh (GOD)
and then include the practices of paganism. An extreme but all too common example
of this would be the unholy mixture of Karate, Yoga and meditations of the Eastern mystic religions being accepted and taught
in the supposed main stream Protestant churches of today. Such great offenses as these did not happen over night. Of course not all examples are this graphic, but probably just as damaging. We should
be very careful not to mix and confuse the impurities of paganism with the gift of faith given by God. Today’s modern evangelicals are proud of their efforts in ‘building bridges’ to secular
thought and to church groups with defective and erroneous theologies. When we
evangelize we are all too often guilty of emptying the Gospel of its content, to accommodate the hearers, thus removing the
offense which is inherent in the Gospels. The results are an astounding ‘false
unity’ at the price of gutting the true Gospel.
They explain themselves to us by saying that its okay because the Bible can be interpreted to say anything so their
opinion is as good as any. Maybe their statement is true if you consider all of the so called Bibles that are out their today
rewritten from corrupt manuscripts. But their can only be one truth. God is not a god of confusion. God has preserved his
Word for us even today. One of those good sources is known to us in the English language as the King James Version. Not the
New King James and most of the others. This is a study in itself and will not be continued in this short article.
Galatians 1:6-10;
[6] I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the
gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other
gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9]
As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed. [10] For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men?
For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
It’s a must that you stand strong for the duration remembering
that God will do the saving, not us; our job is to preach the Gospel and the Gospels truth alone. We can not coerce, convince or bribe someone into salvation. There are no ‘magical oaths’ that save. We are only the messengers
of God’s ‘good news’ and when this good news reaches the ears of the one that God is drawing and calling
unto salvation the message is clearly understood and that particular person at that moment in time always accepts his calling most perfectly. Note: The new heart of
regeneration has already been given to the individual before his or her acceptance of Christ, always.
The Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles were always in conflict due to the fact that they would
not dilute or compromise the Word of God. This is clearly seen when reading the
scriptures. God’s warning is not to mix an unholy fire with His Holy fire. [Numbers 3:4; (also: Numbers 26:61 and Lev.10:1)] Stand up for Jesus and be true to His Word! Didn’t
the Apostle Paul say that they were being killed all the day long?
So why then would you think that the building of false bridges through appeasement is being helpful or necessary
to God’s plan? Why would you participate? Have we so compromised the gospel
in our daily preaching that we no longer provoke the conflict that a true faith causes?
The
secular culture is not the major player that has devastated such fundamental doctrines as ‘original sin’. It is the modern evangelical church of today!
This evangelical/ecumenical church is leading people away from an established strong Biblical based faith into
a liberal foreign gospel. There is now an unholy alliance between a ‘watered
down’ christianity and the ever stronger insurgence of humanism. Of
course Christianity and humanism can not really ‘mix’. It becomes
humanism only and that is a cultish false gospel in the same way as mixing any amount of works with Grace only produces works.
This is how true Christianity is distinguished from all of the worlds religions of today and of yesterday.
Note
that when the main stream protestant belief system allows and incorporates 'all faiths, even those with major opposing beliefs in theology', then the only way that there can
be a so called peace is to give up the tried
and true established Protestant doctrines. In other words... the 'basic foundations of the protestant faith system
have to be discarded for an ecumenical peace! This is where truth is exchanged for personal feelings
and esoteric conditions. This is to bring GOD to our level and expectations. We
are now able to easily discern this process by observing the Protestants acceptance into such diverse theological
groups and our acceptance of them, such as Roman Catholicism and many others.
In
today’s world standards have become so twisted that even the doctrines of Roman Catholicism are viewed as normalcy.
What happened to that vast chasm between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism in which many Protestant Reformers gave their
lives in the centuries old struggle of God’s Truth? What does protestant mean? It has always meant protesting against
the dogmas of Roman Catholicism.
No,
I’m not picking on the poor Roman Catholics [RC dogmas - inventions] & [Article by D.Curtis]. In fact The Roman Catholic leaders have not and will not change any of
their doctrines. No, they never have and never will even though they promote
and allow ecumenical meetings for reasons that are obvious. Their dogmas are
still in place, upheld and intact in totality.
John, The Second Epistle 9-11;
[9] Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. [10] If there come any unto you,
and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: [11] For he that biddeth him God
speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
There is also a tremendous movement to accept and incorporate any and all of the
Eastern mystic religions and or any type of belief system in today’s superficial, generic Christianity as
I mentioned in an earlier paragraph. The Church used to have a particular process to indoctrinate these unlearned individuals into the solid body and fabric of the
fundamental conservative main line Protestant churches, but not now. Now anyone’s ideas and misconceptions go
unchallenged and in most cases are held in high esteem. In fact; we are being told by these shakers and movers that it doesn't
matter by what name you use to call upon God (a higher power) and it doesn't matter in what manner you worship Him ...just as long as you do. This is where much of the intentional misunderstanding and confusion
comes from.
John 14:6;
[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the
truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I
was somewhat dismayed when I recently became aware that there actually are 'workshops' which meditate, chant, and use
their music to bring the participants into a 'one mindedness' spiritually speaking! They sing and dance and give praise
to god... This 'higher power' can go by any name
they choose such as Buddha, the Great Indian spirit, Allah, Jesus or anything. The claim is that no matter what 'name'
they use they are praying to the same god! Wrong! They are then told that when they go back to their respective churches they
will become 'more self aware' and feel closer
to their god and will find their inner
peace. Be aware of this Eastern
religious based "cosmic consciousness". I stand in awe that so many 'christians' are still buying into this
heretical lie, a heresy unto damnation!
John 10:1;
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
We
should be seeking Jesus, not 'getting in touch' with our inner-self. The answers are not found within the depraved human spirit. Please keep in mind that no matter
how pure we might think we are and how good we think that our intentions are if we are listening and accepting a false gospel
(doctrine) then we are entertaining a false Jesus. Jesus said that if anyone did not come through Him that they were
thieves and robbers. These are not my words...these are the words of Jesus Himself. In your opinion is Jesus only
a prophet, the Bible just another 'book' of
many and its contents only a collection of possible suggestions?
What saith you!
Check
out the Scriptures and you will readily see that God was and is very adamant about proper worship and that His Name is the
only Name by which salvation comes... and that His Name is above all other names! God means business about this!
This is not a negotiable issue.
Exodus 34:14, 15;
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: [15] Lest thou make a covenant
with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a-whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee,
and thou eat of his sacrifice;
Their doctrine is to have no doctrine. The main rule is that under no circumstances should ‘doctrines’ be
discussed. This ecumenical entity that preaches Unity actually has no unity because each individual has his own personal
beliefs that go unchallenged and uncorrected. Each ‘member’ can live
in his own fantasy land with no set of checks and balances in truth. This is a type of ‘dysfunctional family’
that roams from church to church and from group to group spreading this infectious lie of a ‘unity’. They have a bag full of clichés, one is “Do not judge” and another is ”God hates the
sin but loves the sinner”. The only thing that I will mention quickly is
that God judges as to Heaven and Hell, but we are to have the good sense to judge those who are within the church to keep
it pure. And as far as God loving the sinner, please see the article that is
posted at the bottom of this web page. As soon as a proper system of theology
is introduced, they immediately crumble and fall. Christianity has Biblical doctrine and that is why true Christianity is the only 'religion' that is not being accepted
by this ecumenical entity that embraces all.
Enough
has been said about that for now. Lets continue. God is the author of justification and
faith. Christianity is a religion of utter reliance on God for salvation and
all things necessary to it, not on man’s self-reliance and self-efforts. In
other words man can not will to do good, for he is totally incapable, and can not add anything
to God’s plan of redemption for himself or for anyone else.
Must a man first exercise faith in order to be born again or must the rebirth occur
before a person is able to exercise faith? Regeneration does precede faith and
must precede faith. Faith is regeneration‘s fruit, not its cause; Just like our ‘good works’
are not a needed element in the process of salvation but the fruit of the new birth that has already taken place. The modern churches preach that God regenerates, but only when those who have first
responded in faith to him. They are saying that faith is an act of our ‘free
will’ cooperating with God’s offer of grace. This is Arminianism, see definition at bottom of this article. In fact this is getting the cart before the horse, so to speak. Keep in mind that one way to tell true Christianity from all of the other religions is to realize that
all religions except Christianity have a certain percentage of mandatory works in their belief systems for salvation. Christianity does not. Salvation is a
true gift from God and God alone not of our good works so that we could boast!
Galatians 3:16-17 & 21;
[16] Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works
of the law shall no flesh be justified. [21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then
Christ is dead in vain.
As mentioned a lack of proper biblical ‘standards’ is one reason why all religions are now being readily
accepted by everyone and called Christian, and be well assured that these supposed religions do not accept true Christianity, whereas they do more or less accept all other religions. This is because the truths of the Bible are opposed to these liberal and misleading teachings or better
stated, ‘anti-scriptural beliefs’ and non-biblical values. God’s
Love can not excuse and allow what His Holiness condemns. Jesus said that narrow is the way and few there are that find it
and broad is the way to destruction and many there are that enter in. Religions
demand that you perform certain works to be saved, but Christianity tells us that the works
are the proof of the regeneration or new birth, the work that Christ and Christ alone performed in us for His good purpose
and pleasure.
Matthew 7:13-15;
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there
be that find it. [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
There are many Christians today that hold to these very important *doctrines
of the Bible that the reformers of old preached that do not attend church now. The
major reason they don’t attend church is that a false Gospel is being preached in almost all of the modern day churches. If you think that you can stay in the corrupt church and change it from within I believe
that history will show that the corrupt church will weaken you and change you. The
Lord said to come out of her, my people. The preaching of today is ‘easy listening’ and easy-believeism! The Cross
of Christ is no longer a stumbling block or an offense for anyone. Instead of
preaching truths, the preaching is all about ‘what feels good and what is pleasing to MAN and God just has to find a
way and a place to fit into this man-made theology somehow and somewhere.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is GOD. Jesus preached the doctrine of
Eternal Punishment more than any other known doctrine hands down. That doctrine
was preached and held to in the vast majority of the known protestant churches and is found in all of their confessional
statements of these churches. In fact you were not considered or allowed to be
a church member if you didn’t believe in this doctrine. Now, when is the
last time you witnessed a sermon on hell, damnation, and/ or eternal punishment? And
if you did was it presented in general, weak and liberal terms? I rest my case.
If your regeneration and faith is not totally God’s work then you are causing faith to become a meritorious work. Remember, we are not saved by works. In fact if you were able to add just the smallest pinch of your works to God’s grace, which is infinite,
it would no longer be grace but works of man. It would be wages, not a gift at all!
Romans 11:5-7;
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. [6] And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace; otherwise work is no more work. [7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election
hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. [8] (According as it is written,
God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
If you are incorrect in your doctrines it does not necessarily mean
that you are not a Christian. We all miss the mark, but we should not continue
in errors such as these especially where the major Biblical truths are concerned. However if we are Christians despite our errors it is only by the Grace of God. Let us thank God now that the new birth does not depend on our ‘free will’
and system of works! Let us hold to the ‘tried and true’ cornerstone
doctrines of the prophets, apostles, early Reformers and not continue down the road towards humanism, paganism or worse.
Philippians 2:13;
[13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure
If man’s ‘free will’ is part of the salvation process
then why are some saved and others are not? Are some more righteous? No! Are
some more intelligent? No! Does
your salvation depend on some righteous act of your will that you have performed? Yes? If so you have just added merit to the merit of Christ. Are your works and Christ’s works both needed? Are ALL men saved as the cultists claim? Maybe you have become
most liberal and now do not believe that there is even a real Hell promising an eternal damnation. What saith you?
Romans 9:11-16;
[11] (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according
to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) [12] It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.
[13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. [14] What shall we say then?
Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. [15] For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on
whom I will have compassion. [16] So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth
mercy. ...
God is not limited by human decisions. Please muse on that fact for
a moment. Did God have to look down the long corridor of time to make sure that
someone would accept Him before he came to die on the cross for our sins? If
salvation depends on man’s free will, it is then a possibility that Christ
could have died on the cross and no one would have chosen him for their salvation! In fact, the truth is, if salvation was
dependant on man’s free
will, Christ most certainly would have died on the Cross in vain!
Ephesians 1:4-7 & 11;
[4] According as he hath chosen us, in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without
blame before him in love: [5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein
he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through
his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [11] In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
God can not be just a partial percentage of the equation and man the
other percentage. God is sovereign. Totally
sovereign! God’s sovereignty is not
limited by human freedoms. Biblical truths are all important. They are the
benchmark that we use to navigate through life, provided and preserved by our sovereign almighty God Himself!
John 1:1-3;
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning
with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not nay thing made that was made. ...
John 6:37;
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out
If God is not in complete control of everything...then we are
subject to 'luck' and logically speaking there is no such thing as 'luck' or at best a 'hap-hazard' cause and effect existence but that is another study for another time. Do you calculate that
God is just some 'higher power' always trying to keep ahead of changing events? No, God is in absolute total control and we should find tremendous peace in this knowledge. Let go and let God!
John 10: 25-30;
[25] Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear
witness of me. [26] But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and
I know them, and they follow me: [28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand. [29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of
my Father’s hand. [30] I and my Father are one.
Truly man is not just a little sin-sick and in need of some help to get well.
No! Man is totally DEAD in his sin (Eph. 2) and needs a total work of
redemption - regeneration in order to be born again by our sovereign God. If
we regard these doctrines as trivial we then are demeaning the full character
of God as revealed in the Scriptures.
Remember we are not sinners because we sin, although we certainly do sin. No! We are sinners because of the ‘sin nature’ due to the fall. This important doctrine is known as the ‘original sin’ doctrine. (See the explanation of this doctrine posted below this article in the Westminster Confession of 1649).
We are not able because of this sin nature to do anything that is good or even
to will to do good. We are totally
dead in our sins before God performs the new birth according to His good will and pleasure and His alone. Let God be GOD and let man be his subservient creation.
Romans 5: 12-21 & 6:1-2…;
[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: [13] (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. [14] Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude
of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. [15]
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God,
and the gift by grace, which is by one man Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. [16]
And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of
many offences unto justification. [17] For if by one man’s offence death
reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one,
Jesus Christ.) [18] Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all
men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. [19]
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. [20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: [21] That
as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:1-2 [1] What shall we say then? Shall
we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid…
Do we still believe in Satan’s lie that we will be as gods? Is that where your efforts are, hopefully unwittingly, being directed rather than giving
God the honor and glory? Who is the ‘bridge builder’ you or God? What saith you?
Genesis 3:5; [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall
be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Keep in mind that the topics
discussed in this very brief article are bold and clear and in black and in white but in the real world misconceptions and
deceit are rampant and usually very subtle. You must become aware and properly make use of the scriptures for your spiritual
guidance and not rely on personal feelings, mystical renderings and the dogmas of men.
Romans 10: 14-18;
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have
not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they
preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring
glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For
E-sai-as saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh
by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of
the world.
How then do we progress in our Christian walk...? When we are given
a nugget of truth and understanding we must then be true and act responsibly to that knowledge and then if we do, our eyes
will be opened a little more and so on and so on; building solid principle upon solid principle for we are continually
progressing or regressing in either truth or error. If we proceed in this manner we will not have to depend upon closing our
eyes, flipping the Bible open and randomly pointing to some text in order to receive a message from God. This type of a "fortune cookie" exercise can actually make the Bible say anything and does. This is not a healthy or proper implementation of hermeneutics. The Bible does not contradict itself! If it does then we have a problem within our understanding. We start
with the easily understood and obvious verses and build on them until the obscure and most difficult to understand texts have
a correct basis and direction of interpretation. What sayith you?
Praying is talking to God, but reading the Word is
hearing from God. The whole Bible fits together perfectly, both the Old Testament
and the New. The First book in the O.T. sheds much light on the last book in the N.T. Revelations and visa-versa. Reading allows
you to be guided by the Lord, not asking His approval on your own will or performing under a false gospel of man and
organizations. The Bible is not written by just men, but by special hand-picked godly men guided by God the
Holy Spirit. See the article on this web site (PreteristPlanet.com) entitled
“Is Scripture of man or of GOD?”.
Psalms 12:6, 7;
[6] The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. [7] Thou shalt
keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Article by: B. E. Kimball of the PreteristPlanet.com
Music: I Surrender All
For References to Issues in this Article:
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH 1646
and What About The Creeds by Walt Hibbard
also; What If The Creeds Are Wrong by Edward E. Stevens; pres. IPA
Use the links above for any further explanations and in depth study materials.
To be very general in explanation: PUPPETS ?
It seems that I'm forever hearing the same comments coming from the Arminian camp saying;
What! Your telling
me that we are just puppets on a string!
That we do not have our free wills?!
To this I will only state that Adam, being our very best possible representative of
mankind, legally gave this world over to Satan by the act of sinning against God Himself. He legally changed gods from God to Satan. We are the children
and heirs of Adam. [Note: see posting below: Westminster Confession of Faith 1646]
We are then still
responsible for our decisions which are the exercising of our 'free will', but the difference now is that
our supposed 'free will' is not able
to 'will' to that which is 'good'. At best our will is always corrupted with evil to some degree even when we do
good things.
