“So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (Romans 5:18).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that it is appropriate to say that we are justified by the death of Christ. They argue that “one act of righteousness” must be referring to the cross, not the law-keeping of Christ. Therefore, we are justified by the death of Christ. Obviously, this is a denial of the imputation of the active obedience of Christ.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification consists of two parts. First, we receive the forgiveness through the death of Christ. Second, we receive life through the transfer of the righteousness of Christ to us.
For justification to be Justification, you need both parts of Christ: his life and death. Forgiveness of sins is no good unless we also receive his righteousness. Thus, to say that we are justified by one act of righteousness is incomplete, at best. Rather, we are justified by many acts of righteousness.
Showing posts with label NT - Romans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NT - Romans. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Romans 2:4
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that the kindness of God leads us to repentance, which they take to mean conversion. Obviously, Federal Visionists are leaning more towards Trent than Geneva.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification does not include repentance. Justification is by faith alone. This means that repentance is part of sanctification, not justification.
Thus, when Paul wrote, “the kindness of God leads you to repentance,” he was not writing about justification or even conversion. He was writing about sanctification. The kindness of God leads you to sanctification.
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that the kindness of God leads us to repentance, which they take to mean conversion. Obviously, Federal Visionists are leaning more towards Trent than Geneva.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification does not include repentance. Justification is by faith alone. This means that repentance is part of sanctification, not justification.
Thus, when Paul wrote, “the kindness of God leads you to repentance,” he was not writing about justification or even conversion. He was writing about sanctification. The kindness of God leads you to sanctification.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Romans 5:9
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:9).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that it is adequate to say that we have been justified by the blood of Christ. Obviously, such a statement lacks any mention of merit, which is the sine qua non of the Reformed gospel.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is accomplished in two stages. First, we receive forgiveness of sins through the death of Christ. Second, and most crucially, we receive the merits of Christ through the life of Christ.
Forgiveness is important and all, but the main engine that drives the Reformed gospel is merit. Federal Visionists assert that merit is neither a Biblical word, nor a Biblical concept. However, this ignores the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping Reformed theology.
The reason that merit does not appear in the Bible is that the Greek language was incapable of expressing such a theologically potent word as merit. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth Latin, and later, the English language, allowing merit to finally take its rightful place as the cornerstone of all Reformed theology.
Indeed, merit is the most glorious word in our rich Reformed vocabulary. A gospel presentation without the word “merit” is a different gospel, which is no gospel at all.
Thus, to say that we are justified by the blood of Christ is inadequate and sloppy. No one who is truly Reformed would speak so imprecisely.
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that it is adequate to say that we have been justified by the blood of Christ. Obviously, such a statement lacks any mention of merit, which is the sine qua non of the Reformed gospel.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is accomplished in two stages. First, we receive forgiveness of sins through the death of Christ. Second, and most crucially, we receive the merits of Christ through the life of Christ.
Forgiveness is important and all, but the main engine that drives the Reformed gospel is merit. Federal Visionists assert that merit is neither a Biblical word, nor a Biblical concept. However, this ignores the role of the Holy Spirit in shaping Reformed theology.
The reason that merit does not appear in the Bible is that the Greek language was incapable of expressing such a theologically potent word as merit. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth Latin, and later, the English language, allowing merit to finally take its rightful place as the cornerstone of all Reformed theology.
Indeed, merit is the most glorious word in our rich Reformed vocabulary. A gospel presentation without the word “merit” is a different gospel, which is no gospel at all.
Thus, to say that we are justified by the blood of Christ is inadequate and sloppy. No one who is truly Reformed would speak so imprecisely.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Romans 6:1
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1).
Here is one verse that Federal Visionists hate. Paul has just finished proclaiming the gospel (Romans 1-5), and now, he faces the inevitable charge of antinomianism. Indeed, all who desire to preach JBFA will be accused of being antinomian.
Federal Visionists claim that Paul is in the middle of proclaiming the gospel and that he is only responding to a hypothetic question as a means to more fully explain the gospel.
Obviously, this cannot be true because Paul does not mention JBFA after Romans 5. Thus, Romans 6-16 is not about the gospel. These chapters are probably important for other reasons, but Romans 1-5 is all we need for the gospel.
So, when a truly Reformed preacher declares the gospel, he can expect to find a throng of the elect surrounding the pulpit, breathlessly waiting to ask the all-important question, “Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” This is the hallmark of modern Reformed preaching.
Therefore, the entire goal of preaching is that we may be accused of antinomianism. Truly, there is no higher compliment than to be accused of being antinomian. Only then can you know that you have been faithful to sola fide.
In fact, if are not accused of antinomianism Sunday after Sunday, then you are not preaching the gospel. You are starving the sheep from the pure antinomian milk of JBFA.
Here is one verse that Federal Visionists hate. Paul has just finished proclaiming the gospel (Romans 1-5), and now, he faces the inevitable charge of antinomianism. Indeed, all who desire to preach JBFA will be accused of being antinomian.
Federal Visionists claim that Paul is in the middle of proclaiming the gospel and that he is only responding to a hypothetic question as a means to more fully explain the gospel.
Obviously, this cannot be true because Paul does not mention JBFA after Romans 5. Thus, Romans 6-16 is not about the gospel. These chapters are probably important for other reasons, but Romans 1-5 is all we need for the gospel.
So, when a truly Reformed preacher declares the gospel, he can expect to find a throng of the elect surrounding the pulpit, breathlessly waiting to ask the all-important question, “Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” This is the hallmark of modern Reformed preaching.
Therefore, the entire goal of preaching is that we may be accused of antinomianism. Truly, there is no higher compliment than to be accused of being antinomian. Only then can you know that you have been faithful to sola fide.
In fact, if are not accused of antinomianism Sunday after Sunday, then you are not preaching the gospel. You are starving the sheep from the pure antinomian milk of JBFA.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. They argue that God uses means to communicate his grace. Obviously, this is refried sacerdotalism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that God the Lord himself works by his grace immediately on the souls of men. If we add any intermediaries, channels, instruments, or means, then we are corrupting the pure supernaturalism of salvation.
Federal Visionists love to speak of the “means of grace.” This phrase is oxymoronic. If God gives grace through channels, then grace can be earned by tuning into these channels. This turns grace into merit, and pop goes the gospel!
Because Federal Visionists reject the concept of “merit” altogether, they are preaching a different gospel, which is no gospel at all. What they don’t even realize is that the Reformation was fought solely to recover the Biblical usage of the term “merit.” Have they never heard of sola scriptura?
Thus, unbelievers should not attend the preaching of the word, or attempt to secure any other so-called “means of grace.” This would be corrupting the pure supernaturalism of salvation.
Furthermore, if you preach the word of Christ to unbelievers, you are a sacerdotalist. Besides, unbelievers are dead spiritually, and they cannot understand anything about the gospel until they have been regenerated.
Therefore, Reformed evangelism means that you pray for God to strike the unsuspecting unbeliever with the pure supernaturality of regeneration. For grace to be grace, it must be alone. Praise God for sola gratia!
Federal Visionists love this verse because they think that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. They argue that God uses means to communicate his grace. Obviously, this is refried sacerdotalism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that God the Lord himself works by his grace immediately on the souls of men. If we add any intermediaries, channels, instruments, or means, then we are corrupting the pure supernaturalism of salvation.
Federal Visionists love to speak of the “means of grace.” This phrase is oxymoronic. If God gives grace through channels, then grace can be earned by tuning into these channels. This turns grace into merit, and pop goes the gospel!
Because Federal Visionists reject the concept of “merit” altogether, they are preaching a different gospel, which is no gospel at all. What they don’t even realize is that the Reformation was fought solely to recover the Biblical usage of the term “merit.” Have they never heard of sola scriptura?
Thus, unbelievers should not attend the preaching of the word, or attempt to secure any other so-called “means of grace.” This would be corrupting the pure supernaturalism of salvation.
Furthermore, if you preach the word of Christ to unbelievers, you are a sacerdotalist. Besides, unbelievers are dead spiritually, and they cannot understand anything about the gospel until they have been regenerated.
Therefore, Reformed evangelism means that you pray for God to strike the unsuspecting unbeliever with the pure supernaturality of regeneration. For grace to be grace, it must be alone. Praise God for sola gratia!
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).
Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that if they love their neighbor, then they will fulfill the law. This is a blatant denial of the most sacred of all doctrines, the IAOCNHWI (imputation of the active obedience of Christ – no hope without it).
The Reformed faith has always insisted that we cannot fulfill the law in any way, shape, or form. All we can do is rest in finished work of Christ and receive the blessed IAOCNHWI. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10); that is why we need the IAOCNHWI. All our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and so, we are dependent upon the IAOCNHWI.
If you try to love your neighbor, you are putting yourself back under the law. You are better off not even trying to love your neighbor, but rather resting in the IAOCNHWI. Thank God for IAOCNHWI! No hope without it!
Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that if they love their neighbor, then they will fulfill the law. This is a blatant denial of the most sacred of all doctrines, the IAOCNHWI (imputation of the active obedience of Christ – no hope without it).
The Reformed faith has always insisted that we cannot fulfill the law in any way, shape, or form. All we can do is rest in finished work of Christ and receive the blessed IAOCNHWI. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10); that is why we need the IAOCNHWI. All our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and so, we are dependent upon the IAOCNHWI.
If you try to love your neighbor, you are putting yourself back under the law. You are better off not even trying to love your neighbor, but rather resting in the IAOCNHWI. Thank God for IAOCNHWI! No hope without it!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Romans 3:20
“Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:20).
Federal Visionists frequently misunderstand this verse to mean that no one can be justified by works of the Law. However, this is a rejection of Covenant Theology.
The Reformed faith has always held that the Covenant of Works offers life to those who keep the law perfectly. Of course, none of us could do this, but Jesus did keep the law for us. His works of the law are credited to us. Thus, we are justified by works, that is, by the works of Christ.
Admittedly, this sounds bizarre, but it is simply the ancient sprouline gospel that the Reformed faith has always proclaimed.
Federal Visionists frequently misunderstand this verse to mean that no one can be justified by works of the Law. However, this is a rejection of Covenant Theology.
The Reformed faith has always held that the Covenant of Works offers life to those who keep the law perfectly. Of course, none of us could do this, but Jesus did keep the law for us. His works of the law are credited to us. Thus, we are justified by works, that is, by the works of Christ.
Admittedly, this sounds bizarre, but it is simply the ancient sprouline gospel that the Reformed faith has always proclaimed.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Romans 9:31-32
“But, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone” (Romans 9:31-32).
Federal Visionists love this passage because they think Paul is saying that Israel should have pursued the Mosaic Covenant by faith rather than by works. Paul allegedly argues that Israel could have “arrived” at the law through faith, but they did not “arrive” at the law because they pursued the law by works. If Israel could have “arrived” at the law through faith, then this would mean that the Mosaic Covenant was a Covenant of Grace rather than a Covenant of Works. Obviously, this is neo-Shepherdian-legalism.
The Reformed faith has unanimously insisted that the Mosaic Covenant was a republication of the Covenant of Works. The Mosaic Covenant did not require faith; it required absolute perfection. Thus, Israel was correct to pursue it by works rather than by faith. Israel failed because they were not perfect, not because they did or did not have faith. Faith has nothing to do with the Mosaic Covenant.
Federal Visionists love this passage because they think Paul is saying that Israel should have pursued the Mosaic Covenant by faith rather than by works. Paul allegedly argues that Israel could have “arrived” at the law through faith, but they did not “arrive” at the law because they pursued the law by works. If Israel could have “arrived” at the law through faith, then this would mean that the Mosaic Covenant was a Covenant of Grace rather than a Covenant of Works. Obviously, this is neo-Shepherdian-legalism.
The Reformed faith has unanimously insisted that the Mosaic Covenant was a republication of the Covenant of Works. The Mosaic Covenant did not require faith; it required absolute perfection. Thus, Israel was correct to pursue it by works rather than by faith. Israel failed because they were not perfect, not because they did or did not have faith. Faith has nothing to do with the Mosaic Covenant.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Romans 13:8
“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that it is possible for sinners to fulfill the law. However, this is thinly-disguised Pelagianism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that the law requires absolute perfection. Since we have all sinned, it is impossible for any mere man to fulfill the law.
Furthermore, no one loves his neighbor perfectly, and so, no one “fulfills” the law. Only Jesus loves perfectly, and thus, only Jesus can fulfill the law. Paul must be referring to the fact that we receive Jesus’ law keeping in the imputation the active obedience of Christ. Thus, we should be moved to love out of gratitude, knowing that love does not fulfill the law.
Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that it is possible for sinners to fulfill the law. However, this is thinly-disguised Pelagianism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that the law requires absolute perfection. Since we have all sinned, it is impossible for any mere man to fulfill the law.
Furthermore, no one loves his neighbor perfectly, and so, no one “fulfills” the law. Only Jesus loves perfectly, and thus, only Jesus can fulfill the law. Paul must be referring to the fact that we receive Jesus’ law keeping in the imputation the active obedience of Christ. Thus, we should be moved to love out of gratitude, knowing that love does not fulfill the law.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Romans 4:23-25
"Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification" (Romans 4:23-25).
Federal Visionists love this passage because they think that the resurrection has something to do with justification. However, this is utterly Tridentine.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification only involves the life and death of Jesus. Jesus’ life (law-keeping) is given to us in the imputation of the active obedience of Christ. Jesus’ death (payment for sin) is given to us in the imputation of passive obedience of Christ.
The resurrection has nothing to do with justification. The resurrection is probably important for other reasons, but it has no place in the Reformed doctrine of justification.
Federal Visionists love this passage because they think that the resurrection has something to do with justification. However, this is utterly Tridentine.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification only involves the life and death of Jesus. Jesus’ life (law-keeping) is given to us in the imputation of the active obedience of Christ. Jesus’ death (payment for sin) is given to us in the imputation of passive obedience of Christ.
The resurrection has nothing to do with justification. The resurrection is probably important for other reasons, but it has no place in the Reformed doctrine of justification.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Romans 6:17
"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed" (Romans 6:17).
Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds like Paul is saying that obedience can come from our hearts. This is sheer Arminianism.
Our hearts are “more deceitful than all else and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). This is total depravity. To suggest that our hearts can be obedient is to contradict historic Calvinism.
Notice that Paul does not say, “you became obedient from your heart.” He says, “you became obedient from the heart.” Obviously, this is referring to the heart of Christ because only Jesus’ heart can be obedient.
Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds like Paul is saying that obedience can come from our hearts. This is sheer Arminianism.
Our hearts are “more deceitful than all else and desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9). This is total depravity. To suggest that our hearts can be obedient is to contradict historic Calvinism.
Notice that Paul does not say, “you became obedient from your heart.” He says, “you became obedient from the heart.” Obviously, this is referring to the heart of Christ because only Jesus’ heart can be obedient.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Romans 1:5
"Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake" (Romans 1:5).
Federal Visionists verses like this because they think that Paul is saying that faith can obey. This is sheer Romanism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that faith is not a work. Faith does nothing but rest in the active obedience of Christ. If you try to get your faith to obey, then you are failing to rest in Christ. Christ has done it all so that you can do nothing!
Federal Visionists verses like this because they think that Paul is saying that faith can obey. This is sheer Romanism.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that faith is not a work. Faith does nothing but rest in the active obedience of Christ. If you try to get your faith to obey, then you are failing to rest in Christ. Christ has done it all so that you can do nothing!
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