Steve, could you explain points 1 and 2 in more detail please as you are more familiar with Metcalfe than any here ?
Most North Americans have never heard of him .
The only book I have read by Metcalfe was :Deliverance from the law; Westminster Confession Exploded.His style is somewhat rude to say the least so I have read nothing else by the man- nor do I intend to. I prefer the way in which Gadsby deals with the law/gospel issue to which none here seem to be able to answer IMHO.
I'm sorry, Mark... But I really don't feel disposed to publicize Metcalfe's teachings any more than I have.
All I will say is this: Metcalfe's technique is typical of false teachers. He takes a verse of Scripture and stretches it far beyond its legitimate meaning. For example, Gal 2:16: 'For by [the] works of [the] law no flesh shall be justified'. Metcalfe takes this verse out of its rightful context of justification and claims that it applies to sanctification also. He then goes even further and insists that Christ's obedience to the law has no significance (See Rom 5:19). The unwary reader, having accepted his first premise is drawn by his false logic into his cultic teaching.
I finally realised that he was actually two verses short of a full chapter when I was reading him on 1Timothy. He pointed out that Paul told Timothy and Titus to appoint elders and deacons and then said that therefore congregations or Presbyteries have no right to appoint such men; only Timothy and Titus can do it. Who is Timothy or Titus? Why, John Metcalfe, of course!
Steve, I realise you are new to the board but if you accuse Metcalfe of heresy would you please give us more detail about Metcalfes total rejection of the imputation of the active obedience of Christ and his belief that the personal faith of Christ is somehow imputed to the believer instead. Heresy is a very serious charge to dismiss lightly. Thanks .
To Susan, Yes, you are quite right. N.T. (Tom) Wright is now Bishop of Durham and is an improvment on some previous incumbents in that he appears to believe in God. He is part of this 'New Perspective on Paul' movement, which is quite different from Metcalfe's views. Interestingly, I have never come across anyone who claims to be a Wright supporter, while Metcalfites seem to plague me.
Petty heresies seem to be as common as muck these days. Perhaps we're in the days of Rev 20:7: 'Now when the 1,000 years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations.....'.
