The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum The Role Of Works In Our Salvation (2)

Obviously, you have rejected the scriptural doctrine justification by faith alone to pursue non-scriptural teachings born of man's reason.

(Fred) So, I can take it from the conclusion in your response that you read those two articles I linked and gave them some considerable thought? Could you at least interact with the study of historic Christian theology and biblical exegesis that the men provide to explain why you think their conclusions are non-scriptural and born of man's reason?

With regard to eternal security, I did answer the question: Romans 11:33.

(Fred) I fail to see how that passage answers my question. Romans 11:33 says,

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Could you please explain how this verse answers my question of your theological viewpoint? It says nothing of eternal security or answers whether or not your Lutheran tradition of a baptized regenerate infant can grow up to become a hellion and reject Christ and thus loose his or her salvation. It would be helpful for you to give us your personal Bible study and explanation of why YOU think Romans 11:33 seals your case.

I also said that baptism in a trinitarian formula is always efficacious but it is not always beneficial.

(Fred) How can a divine act of regeneration be efficacious but not beneficial? What does that even begin to mean? God can begin a good work of regeneration in a sinner, but it won't benefit him?

Whether infant or adult, it must be received by faith alone.

(Fred) Wait a second. In other posts you are arguing for a total inability and no freewill, yet here you are saying that regeneration can be RECEIVED by faith alone? I thought regeneration begot the person's faith to begin with?

Whether the baptized hellion ever believed is not revealed to us. We should not inquire curiously after much matters.

(Fred) What?! James entire epistle is written to inquire after such matters. So was John's first epistle. A person who is regenerated and given saving faith by a divine act of God will produce good works. The Bible makes it quite clear, with no doubt, that if a person claims to have faith in Christ, but has no love for Christ, his people, never conforms to godliness and never produces the fruits of the spirit in his life that manifests in visible, godly works, then I am authorized as a Christian to question such belief and to doubt the person's claim.

I am sorry, bud, but I see here an expression of irrationality that warps the Bible so as to maintain a favored denominational tradition, in this case, the Lutheran view of regeneration by water baptism. So far, all I see is much swinging and missing.

Fred