What Is The Scriptural Mandate in the “Crossless Gospel” Controversy?

To My Guests:

I am still praying about this, but I have all but decided to post a series of articles on Romans 16:17 as it applies to the teaching of the “Crossless Gospel.”

Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul wrote,

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”

In recent days the advocates of the “Crossless Gospel” have expressed frustration over the significant number of Christians, who reject their theology, calling on believers to scrutinize and avoid the teaching of these men. They are frustrated that divisions have developed in the Free Grace community over the “Crossless Gospel.” Does the Bible address this matter and offer guidance?

Is right and biblical to scrutinize the theology of men who advocate the “Crossless Gospel?” Is it right and biblical to urge believers to recognize and avoid the “Crossless” interpretation of the Gospel, and the men who teach it?

My book In Defense of the Gospel contains a chapter that is dedicated to Romans 16:17-ff as it pertains to the Lordship Salvation controversy. With the growing complaints coming from the men who hold to the “Crossless Gospel,” my chapter on Romans 16 came to mind. The chapter title is: A Heart to Heart With Pastors & Christian Leaders

As I reviewed that chapter I found that if I were to pull every occurrence of “Lordship Salvation” and replace it with “Crossless Gospel” the chapter remains solid and biblical. I may make a few minor revisions, such as pull the name John MacArthur and replace his with Zane Hodges, Bob Wilkin, Jeremy Myers, Antonio da Rosa or Jim Johnson. I also delete illustrations that would only apply to the Lordship debate. Other than that the chapter remains in tact as it appears in my book.

My intention is to break the chapter into smaller sections and post them here at my blog. This way each of you can consider what the Bible says in relation to the contrary doctrine of “Crossless” theology and determine what the Scripture mandates as the response of believers to the Word of God.


LM

Bear in mind the Copyright applies to the print, and this electronic version of my book: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means---electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise--without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts in magazine articles and/or reviews.