Tom,

I think your article is pretty good. I would enjoy hearing some of the reactions you receive once you start handing it out.


Quote
1. Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth, not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ's sake alone; not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ's active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in His death for their whole and sole righteousness, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith, which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.

I think the the "infusing righteousness" idea is from the Catholic side of things (if I remember correctly). It might be something that Protestants aren't too familiar with. In fact, I asked a question about this very thing a while back, and I've already forgotten exactly what it entails. I know you don't want to make your article too long, but you may want to consider explaining that idea a little better for the benefit of those who aren't familiar with it.

Quote
Why is this doctrine so important and what in particular am I so concerned about?
What I am so concerned about is the fact that today, many Christians talk as though they believe that the differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants are trivial at best. What they believe to be more important is whether or not people believe in Jesus Christ. I have also heard it said by some that they believe what is important to them is not whether or not someone understands doctrine itself, but whether or not they actually live out their faith or not.
On the surface there is some good logic in this, for it I indeed true that unless one lives out what they believe, their doctrine is useless. However, what people who trivialize the doctrine of ‘imputed righteousness’ fail to realize, is the fact that incorrect doctrine brings incorrect belief no matter how sincere the person is. This of course means that they can’t live out what the Bible actually teaches.

I really like this part. It reminds of when Josiah found the books of the law and after reading them realized how much the nation was sinning. Before he read the "correct doctrine" he had no idea that they were disobeying God even though they thought they were obeying him.

John

Last edited by john; Wed Sep 08, 2004 8:54 PM.