The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum "2 Ways to Live" Tract

I thought I would have to type this all in, but I don't because there is a website:

http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/

The non-NCT church uses this tract. What do you think of it?

Marie,

It is a gospel tract that is similar to The Navigator's Bridge, CCC's The 4 Spiritual Laws and some others. It appears to be updated to stress the dominion of God at the front end. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with it, albeit for sticklers to precise theology. For instance, it places more emphasis on man than with God, ignores regeneration, etc. However, it is just a tool and it depends on how someone uses it.

What do you think?

I thought some of the same things.

It does focus more on man, and yet it includes thigs like the sovereignty of God, the substitutionary atonement, and submission to Christ as Lord. I think one issue is the simplicity of language it uses. It tends to paraphrase Scripture without going right to the text. However, the choice of texts they do use are good.

The ministry that wrote this tract says they are Reformed, by the way.

Marie,

I hate to do this, but I didn't find that "presentation" acceptable. It is a "dumbed down" message that fails to speak the whole truth; e.g., God's holiness is hardly mentioned, The Fall is watered down and Original Sin is totally missing, e.g., our inherited corruption and imputed guilt, the remedy which being required is a new nature, Reconciliation is barely recognizable but which was the purpose for the coming of Christ and one of the major benefits secured and realized by those who believe on Him, etc., etc...

Perhaps it is an excellent opportunity to recommend that everyone read J.I. Packer's, Introductory Essay to the Death of Death. In that Essay, Packer makes an eye-opening comparison between these modern "gospel" presentations and the biblical "old gospel". If you haven't read Packer's "Essay" yet.... do so now. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Will do, Pilgrim.

I have to admit, though, my first reaction was just like yours but, seeing John's post, I tried to focus on the positives of it. Please forgive me for letting John's comments color mine.

Part of the reason why I mentioned the ministry reports they are reformed is because I expected more from their tract than I found. I would not use the tract. I'm concerned about this non-NCT church using it.