On the 2nd Friday night of every month my church has a program which features lectures on Reformed Theology by various theologians, pastors, etc. (last night Os Guiness spoke)
We also have a display case set up with quite a few articles which we give out.
Last night a Pastor friend of mine from a nearby Reformed Baptist Church (and a Highway participant) expressed some concern over one of the authors whose articles we have been using for sometime. He forewarded me the E-mail which he based his concern on so I thought I would include that portion:
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I wonder if anyone has seen the latest issue of Viewpoint. I think it can safely be said that in some of his latest statements, he has, in fact, broken faith with reformation Christianity, clearly denying the doctrine of Sola Scriptura. Here are a couple of samples...
"When we ask, 'What did the church believe about this and why?' we can't stop with the sixteenth or the seventeenth centuries. We have to go back to the first centuries of Christianity...So, we ask, 'How did the early Christians understand this and why?' and, 'What did the Church conclude about this mystery of faith and how did they obey this particular command?' Evangelicals appeal to Sola Scriptura for many ideas. Somehow it has become the basis for 'believe what you will as long as you find a text.' This approach disdains the work of listening to the collective confessional voice of the Church. This doctrine of Scripture results in a Gnosticism that has little concern about how anyone read the text before we came along."
"Protestantism has often focused upon faith being found through rational encounter with the words of the Bible. (We endlessly promote the idea that if you know the Bible better you will be a better Christian!)...I believe that the whole Christian life, properly understood, is sacramental...One reason some very bright young evangelicals have moved to Rome or to Eastern Orthodoxy is to be found here. They seek a faith that is not reduced to propositions or experiences, but rather a faith that opens the heart's door to knowing and loving Jesus." (J. A. then goes on to quote one of these converts to Orthodoxy, Matthew Gallatin)
There is much that Armstrong says in critique of evangelicalism that we would all, pretty much, agree with. Unfortunately, the basis of his critique is drifting from the solid foundation of the Word. Sadly, I would not be surprised if in the next couple of years we hear that John has joined the Orthodox church. That seems to be his direction.
I tried to do a search and find this particular article but couldn't find it. I know Armstrong has at least one article on The Highway so I was wondering if any of you have heard anything bothersome about him drifting.
I don't see how one can claim so quickly that he is moving away from Sola Scriptura. Maybe I am missing something here? He could have made it much more clear that Eastern Orthodoxy is not orthodox, but I think he was just making an observation about the sentimentality/lack of doctrine in many of today's churches.
Although, I don't know why he chose to quote Donald Bloesch. But otherwise conservative teachers do quote from G. K. Chesterton too...
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
I know nothing of John Armstrong alleged "denying the doctrine of Sola Scriptura". From the quote you supplied, it would seem that Armstrong is railing against "SOLO Scriptura" in contradistinction to "SOLA Scriptura". However, after reading some of his writings and online statements concerning "Sola Fide", and noticing how his conference speakers have gone from conservative to not-so-conservative over the past few years, I canceled my subscription to his once excellent, Reformation and Revival Journal.
Dr. Armstrong has stayed in my home on a couple of occasions. I have had lengthy conversations with the man on several topics, face to face. And once had the highest respect for him. But I must confess that my heart is now very heavy and I am more than a little disturbed by his seeming move toward the teachings of such men as N.T. Wright and the NPP heresy. My deepest prayers are that this man of God man repent and turn away from these evil influences and once again become a bright light to the churches through his writings and public speaking engagements.
BTW, there are several articles on The Highway authored by Dr. Armstrong. Why you couldn't find any amazes me! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Just go here: Search The Highway, and simply type: "John Armstrong" (with "quotes").
On the same website (Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals), the schedule for the 2004 conference includes the following statement:
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The "New Perspective on Paul" is a popular teaching in Reformed and evangelical academia. Popularized by the writings of N.T. Wright, it posits a recovery of the genuine apostolic teaching. Dr. Ferguson will clarify the issues surrounding this teaching.
Is it safe to assume Sinclair Ferguson will be arguing AGAINST Wright's doctrine?
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
This is a lightly edited and expanded transcript of a presentation that was first given at the Presbyterian Church in America Convocation on Reformation and Revival, held at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Mississippi, USA in October of 2001, and then subsequently expanded and given at the Twin Lakes Fellowship Fraternal in Florence, Mississippi in April of 2002, again at the Glasgow Ministerial Fraternal (at the invitation of Sinclair B. Ferguson) held at St George's Tron Church Hall in Glasgow, Scotland in May of 2002, and again on September 4, 2003 at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi.
How long has Armstrong been supporting NPP? A couple days ago ordered several books off of Amazon.com written by Armstrong!
This brings up a related issue: Can we listen to what Armstrong says about other issues, such as the glory of Christ or revival, or should we brand him as a "false teacher?" Also, how can leaders, who have otherwise written or preached excellent material, drift into these things? Should we not read them until they repent?
I pray that Armstrong will see the error in the NPP doctrine and rejects it.
I still can't understand how Pinnock went from conservative Calvinist to heretical open theist. Maybe he never was a true Calvinist...
But only God knows the heart, and none of us are percffect. Still, we test the teachings of any man by what the Bible tells us.
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
Is it safe to assume Sinclair Ferguson will be arguing AGAINST Wright's doctrine?
The Banner of Truth has conference tapes of Ferguson arguing against NPP. I don't recall the year of it(2002?).The information is in my email box, but I can't find at this time.
in Christ, Carlos
"Let all that mind...the peace and comfort of their own souls, wholly apply themselves to the study of Jesus Christ, and him crucified"(Flavel)
sbc_and_reformed asked: How long has Armstrong been supporting NPP?
Marie, if you would read what I wrote about Armstrong again, you will see that I have not charged him with actually embracing NPP, although it would appear that he has, at least in my own estimation. At best, he has shown himself to be sympathetic to N.T. Wright's premises and view. Just so that I am not misconstrued as saying something I didn't write, here are my exact words:
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I actually said, But I must confess that my heart is now very heavy and I am more than a little disturbed by his seeming move toward the teachings of such men as N.T. Wright and the NPP heresy.
Can we listen to what Armstrong says about other issues . . . ? I don't see why not? His writings on other subjects up and until a few years ago were excellent. It is where issues that are somewhat related and depend upon Sola Fide and perhaps other doctrines, that one should be more careful. But we should read everyone with a discerning eye, with Bibles open, should we not?
Why God allows some notable men and women to fall into doctrinal error and/or impurity of life is ultimately known only unto Him. What I do know is that but for the grace of God, go I.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ASV) "For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, [yea] and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: that no flesh should glory before God. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
I take it because you know Armstrong personally that you have asked him to clarify what he means.
Tom
Dr. Armstrong has responded to several questions posed by others online, on this matter, from which I have been satisfied after reading them, in knowing "what he means". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
sbc_and_reformed said: What were his satisfactory answers?
Marie,
"Satisfactory", in regard to my own understanding of his interest in and movement toward NPP. See the link I added to my post previous to this one. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
I appreciate the help on this matter. I think I will mention all this to the elder in charge of "Christian Education" since that department oversees this particular program. Personally, I see no reason to remove the articles we are currently giving away...but, we probably should see which direction he goes in the future.
From Armstrong's response to the Warfield group it seems he is just trying to give everybody a fair hearing. But, if my understanding (limited as it is) of the NPP folks is close to being right, then I would get concerned about anyone who seemed to be getting to cozy with them. My understanding of sola fide does not jibe with what I understand them to be saying. Of course, I might not have read "them" enough for me to seriously enter the discussion. Going by what Dr. Armstrong told these guys, it will take me quite a while to catch up...
Armstrong said:
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Anyone who wishes to enter into this discussion "seriously" really needs to read the major writers and thinkers carefully.
Then he gave them this list:
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Therefore, read H. Ridderbos, F. F. Bruce, N. T. Wright, James D. G. Dunn, R. Gaffin, A. N. Lane, John Piper, Mark Seifrid, D. A. Carson, Daniel Fuller, Ben Witherington, Doug Moo, Thomas Schreiner, Joseph Fitzmeyer, etc. Only by these types of sources will you be able to "hear" beyond the box, if you desire to "hear" at all,
If I have to read all that just to hear above the box---it looks like I'll be hearing from within the box till sometime around '05' or '06'<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hairout.gif" alt="" />
Stucco, Here is a thread from the Puritan board that has some information you might be interested in. Phillip Way and WSW201 are both men of discernment. I thought this was worth passing on.
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![[Linked Image]](http://www.the-highway.com/Smileys/pencil.gif)
