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brandon said:
Murray's exposition does adequately refute Engelsma's exegesis, but it doesn't even address the exegesis of Piper and Boice (and others I am sure).

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I don't understand what you mean when you claim it becomes an unpardonable sin. Roll your eyes and blow it off if you want, but I don't think you're doing justice to the exegesis offered.
Brandon,

Let me first say that I have dealt with such arguments as offered by Piper on many occasions over the years. At this point in my life, with some regret, I will admit I am disinterested in entering into such debates again; perhaps I'm too old to take any further interest in never-ending disputes?

Secondly, Piper is not one I would have confidence in to exegete Scripture given his dubious conclusions reached on such matters as justification by faith alone, women in office (deacons) and the non-cessation of the ecstatic gifts. My objection to the article referenced to is his faulty hermeneutic, i.e., pitting particular passages against others rather than seeing them as complementary. Many an error has been held by men in regard to other issues/doctrines for the same reason.

Thirdly, re: "unpardonable sin" - Should a person who has been divorced on biblical grounds, e.g., adultery and/or desertion remarry, then according to your position, this person AND the partner are guilty of adultery. Being that this adultery is not a one-time affair but rather a life-long condition, they would be subject to excommunication and deemed "outside the camp" lest they repent. To repent of the remarriage would demand a divorce on non-biblical grounds (some of course claim there is absolutely no biblical grounds), which puts them both into the same irreversible situation from which there is no possibility of repentance . . . thus: Unpardonable Sin. Thankfully, such views are NOT of the truth but rather ALL sin is pardonable and restoration an unassailable blessing. (cf. King David, et al).

I bid you peace and growth in grace according to the truth that is in Christ Jesus.

In His grace,


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simul iustus et peccator

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