tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post3442949143108281387..comments2024-03-10T10:40:32.319-07:00Comments on Pyromaniacs: The Bankruptcy of "Progressive" DoctrinePhil Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00649092052031518426noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-48546835746219789502008-09-02T05:23:00.000-07:002008-09-02T05:23:00.000-07:00DJP - I'm still not Phil, and I'm trying not to ha...DJP - I'm still not Phil, and I'm trying not to have a "Phil Johnson complex", but I'll offer something. <BR/><BR/>Perhaps Spurgeon isn't wrong. And neither are we. While fads, cheap grace, liberalism, man-centred theology, etc. continue to abound ever more, in the long run they <I>always</I> fail. You guys (especially Phil) have often mentioned the cyclical nature of heresy and fads. I agree with him. There's nothing the emergers haven't borrowed from the Gnostics, the Socinians, the Pelagians, the Social Gospelers, the Neo-Orthodox, the theological liberals, etc. <BR/><BR/>The thing is, if these fads and heresies had staying power, new generations wouldn't need to put them back in the microwave to serve them up again and again. They always seem fresh and new and exciting at first, but eventually the "novelty" wears off and the thing dies yet another death. Perhaps that's what Spurgeon is talking about?Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350390523818046990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-54518340342370783732008-09-02T04:16:00.000-07:002008-09-02T04:16:00.000-07:00This evening have I joined... the Knights of Refor...This evening have I joined... the Knights of Reformed Theology!<BR/><BR/>*kneeling to wash people's feet*<BR/><BR/>CharlieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-45004936758543318762008-09-01T08:47:00.000-07:002008-09-01T08:47:00.000-07:00DJP - I'm not Phil, so I won't try to answer. I no...DJP - I'm not Phil, so I won't try to answer. <BR/><BR/>I noticed the same thing in this post. He talks as though readership for heretical/watery books will continue to dwindle. Given the book sale numbers for garbage like The Shack, New Kind of Christian, Blue Like Jazz, etc., it seems that there's always a ready and large market for theological ju-jubes.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10350390523818046990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-25798215553032747122008-09-01T07:32:00.000-07:002008-09-01T07:32:00.000-07:00Phil, I've a musing/question for you, if you've th...Phil, I've a musing/question for you, if you've the time and inclination. I'm catching up in order, and see that the current article is about India, so perhaps you don't want to turn back to this, busy as you are.<BR/><BR/>As we've discussed, I've also read and loved Spurgeon for decades. I agree with everything he says about truth. There is however one little sub-theme that arises frequently that isn't so golden to me, and I wonder what your thoughts are.<BR/><BR/>CHS frequently gives the impression, in so many words, that preaching the Gospel will fill a church, but preaching like a liberal will empty it out.<BR/><BR/>Now, if churches like his and Grace were the rule, we could nod in agreement. But you know the contrary Bible verses as well as I (2 Timothy 4:3-4 is just one that springs to mind), and I fear many have had a false hope because of it. They go out, preach faithfully — and <I>their</I> church empties out, or dwindles, or holds steady. It doesn't do a Spurgeon. It doesn't do a MacArthur. It does a Jeremiah instead.<BR/><BR/>I know CHS would say the real reason to preach the truth is because it's the truth, because God is our master and lord, because pleasing Him is paramount, and because only His Word will be used to save and sanctify souls. All true and sufficient reasons, and nobody says it better than he.<BR/><BR/>But he does seem, again and again, to add "— and it will bring people in!" Which I'd say <I>may be but is not necessarily</I> true.<BR/><BR/>Have you seen the same, or do you see it differently?DJPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16471042180904855578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21212024.post-54752701093342365942008-09-01T06:07:00.000-07:002008-09-01T06:07:00.000-07:00Perhaps this comment would be more in place under ...Perhaps this comment would be more in place under another entry...but I am sure that what the professing church needs today is the simplicity we have in Christ. And that means the gospel of pure grace,and justification without works-clearly not overlaid with sanctification. We need it so that we have it's power for gospel sanctification-a 'grace for life'as well as starting the life. As to that grace,it must be free (and priceless)instead of cheap(and worthless)- whether that cheapness comes from using a substitute 'grace'as a cover-up to paper over an unregenerate heart-or from a law/grace amalgam that loses the essence of both law and grace with its mixed new covenant-and misses the essentiality of the new heart serving in a new and living way,albeit from a different angle. Feed me food of the essence of Spurgeon's 'all of grace'-because when you've tasted that gospel,there is no other. Add to that some clarification on grace as a rule of life-rather than law-my death and resurrection in Christ on the cross,to newness of life where all things are new-the indwelling Christ as my very life/ law, so that I can bring forth much fruit by the Spirit-and I will be a joyful man with a life worth living.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14063611909779154899noreply@blogger.com