The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum I don't want to annoy anyone but...

Anna,

Here are a few of my thoughts on this subject:

1) At face value, what your Pastor said is correct. However, without judging him since I don't know him nor anything about him, usually when people make a statement like that, the extent to which they apply it is incorrect. "Believing on Jesus" is a very pregnant phrase and it excludes the simple recitation of the words, which is what 90% of so-called churches today are teaching/preaching. This is historically known as "Sandemanianism", aka: "Easy Believism", which is applicable to ALL theological systems, whether Arminian, semi-Pelagian, or Calvinist.

2) Yes, it is possible and definitely exists this bifurcation of the head and heart. In fact, I would say we are ALL guilty of possessing this phenomena. Even the Apostle Paul confessed that his life exemplified this strangeness, cf. Romans 7. What is important is in regard to what the inconsistency pertains to..... justification or sanctification. If the former, then the issue of salvation is at stake. If the latter, then salvation is not at stake.

3) Picking up on #2, and this is my firm belief: IF <------ an Arminian/semi-Pelagian (it makes no matter if this is consciously known or not) truly believes in their heart what they profess with their mouth (theologically), then there is little reason to believe that they are regenerate. However, it is possible that a person does not truly believe what they profess. And this sword cuts both ways, e.g., a person can have all their theological ducks in a row and yet be unregenerate and contrariwise, a person to some extent can profess bad theology but be regenerate and possess saving faith. The difficulty comes when someone tries to discern the truth of where another person is spiritually; dead or alive. There is no fool-proof, infallible method of doing this, yet the Church is called to make that judgment. Individual believers may not officially pronounce a judgment, but they are to be discerning and they are called to be "fruit inspectors". <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

The conundrum can be somewhat resolved through communication and interaction with others. And to this end I came up with a simple tool as an aid found here: Do You REALLY Believe that Salvation is by Grace Alone?. Again, I cannot stress enough that this is just a tool; a fallible tool to be sure, but one which I have found to be quite effective to open the minds of those I have had the opportunity to speak with about God's sovereign grace in salvation (Sola Gratia). The ONLY sure thing is that if the Holy Spirit works in the mind and heart of an individual, whatever He does will effect the change that was purposed for that person at that time. (1Cor 3:7, 8; Isa 55:10, 11) All we can do is to proclaim and explain the truth of God. And in fact, that is all we are called to do; contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.

What I personally believe is that the vast majority of professing Christians throughout the world are yet dead in sins and are enemies of God despite the fact that they profess to believe in Jesus Christ. One of the most needy mission fields, IMHO, is the modern church, for rarely will one hear the true gospel of salvation by grace, through faith in Christ alone preached and/ or taught.

In His grace,