May 18, 2008

Voice of the Evangelists Publishes: What is the “Crossless” Gospel?

Dear Guests:

*Voice of the Evangelists, one of my recommended sites, has recently published an article I wrote that addresses the “Crossless” gospel. I was asked by the site’s owner, Evangelist Tom Farrell, to prepare this two part article for publishing at Voice.

Members and contributors to Voice of the Evangelists include: Dr. Chuck Phelps, Dr. Ron Comfort; Evangelists Dave Barba, Morris Gleiser, Steve Pettit, Mike Manor, Dave Young, Rich Tozour, Jim & John VanGelderen, Bryan Samms and many more.

You can find Part 1 of the two part series by scrolling down the home page. Or use this link to, What is the “Crossless” Gospel, Part 1 at Voice of the Evangelists.

Follow this link to Part Two of What is the “Crossless” Gospel?

It is my hope and prayer that this series will awaken Fundamental Baptists to the dangers of the Zane Hodges, Bob Wilkin, Grace Evangelical Society reductionist interpretation of the Gospel.

It would be a genuine tragedy if even one unsuspecting believer in Fundamental or any Evangelical circles were to fall into the trap of the “Crossless” gospel.

Yours faithfully,


Lou Martuneac

*The purpose of the VOICE OF THE EVANGELISTS is to present a unified, positive voice of independent Baptist evangelists for the cause of national and international biblical evangelism and revival in the twenty-first century through passionate and Spirit-filled praying and preaching.

11 comments:

  1. Dear Lou,

    I am very new, in fact brand new to blogging. I am thrilled to have had your site recommended to me! This comment isn't exactly a response to your article, but I didn't know how else to ask you this question.

    I've been so concerned/upset with the Grace Evangelical Society's theology in general so that in evaluating the promises to the overcomers in the letters to the seven churches, I began to reconsider the accepted teaching about crowns/rewards.

    Here are my thoughts.... And I could be totally off, but I'm really wondering if there is just one crown....that being the crown of life, which is also a crown of rejoicing, and is imperishable and is a crown of righteousness and is a crown of glory. I'm wondering if this one crown is described in five different ways. It seems possible to me that the crown which we're given can be described as life, imperishable, righteousness, rejoicing, glory. But if they're split up, then fear enters into my heart about maybe not receiving one of these which makes me think I should be mindful of them. At that instant, my heart shifts from security and joy in Christ to fear and self effort. And as I was thinking hard about all of this a few weeks ago, I realized it had the same effect on me that Lordship Salvation did!!! Absolute worry and fear. That is not of Christ!

    In the letter to the Philadelphian church Rev 3:11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. It's a singular crown. And these guys were given an 'open door' which could have been for evangelism and 'rejoicing' in the popular 'crown' vernacular. So why didn't Jesus offer them the Crown of Rejoicing as well? Wouldn't the crown of life be full of joy?

    And the Philadelphian church would have been looking for Christ since He promised to keep them 'from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world' (Rev 3:10)? Why didn't He identify the crown as the Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim 2:8)? Wouldn't the crown of life be a righteous crown?

    And what about the Crown of Life? That is for enduring trial (James 1:12) or being faithful unto death (Rev 2:10). But I wonder if the crown of life is salvation? It's certainly a requirement for being an Overcomer in the letter to Smyrna.

    The Imperishable Crown is for running a good race. In the KJV it's an incorruptible crown, in the NAS it's the imperishable crown, in the NIV it's the crown that will last forever. Seems like an eternal crown to me. Wouldn't the crown of life be imperishable?

    And then the Crown of Glory for shepherding well. Couldn't it also be for discharging the duties that Christ gives to each of us in a faithful way, no matter what tasks we've been given? wouldn't the crown of life be one of glory?

    I'm also wondering how connected rewards are to crowns, since the believer is promisesd to rule and reign with Christ. The bride adorns herself with the righteous deeds of the saints. Could it be collective/corporate? Maybe you already have some articles about this whole subject.

    Thanks for your patience with me. I look forward to your response if you have the time.

    Blessings in Christ,
    Brenda

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  2. Lou, I read your article and think you did an excellent job explaining the position of GES.

    The only way someone can say you misrepresented GES is if he is a liar. There was a man on the Sharper Iron forum who basically libeled you by claiming you misrepresented the GES position. However, it is obvious to all of us who've interacted with GES and their followers that you accurately described their position. They have a mantra, like Lordshippers, of saying their critics misrepresent them.

    I am also interested in responding to Brenda's comment, Lord willing.

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  4. Dear Brenda,

    Welcome to the blog.

    I think you asked some valid questions about the Biblical support for the categorization of the crowns, but your speculations go to far when you ponder if "the crown of life is salvation". You said:

    And what about the Crown of Life? That is for enduring trial (James 1:12) or being faithful unto death (Rev 2:10). But I wonder if the crown of life is salvation? It's certainly a requirement for being an Overcomer in the letter to Smyrna.

    About the Crown of Life, you stated: 1) it is for enduring trials or being faithful unto death (I agree); 2) you wonder if it is salvation; and 3) it (either the crown of life or faithfulness onto death) is a requirement for being an overcomer.

    If the Crown of Life is salvation (i.e., the entrance into eternal life/glory), then salvation is ultimately only given to those who faithfully live for Christ to the end. I think Scripture contradicts that idea, and if that is your question, we could look at relevant verses. But first I am concerned about the inconsistency behind your comments when you simultaneously state:

    It seems possible to me that the crown which we're given can be described as life, imperishable, righteousness, rejoicing, glory. But if they're split up, then fear enters into my heart about maybe not receiving one of these which makes me think I should be mindful of them. At that instant, my heart shifts from security and joy in Christ to fear and self effort. And as I was thinking hard about all of this a few weeks ago, I realized it had the same effect on me that Lordship Salvation did!!!

    In this second statement, you indicate that the desire for "security and joy" affects your interpretation of these issues. Your openness to interpretation is limited by not wanting to worry about loosing a reward. I do not think that is an honest way of interpreting the Bible in the first place. But not only that, after arguing that the "splitting up" of the crowns leads to subjectivism in regards to rewards, you suggest an interpretation that leads to subjectivism in regards to salvation! Please explain to me, Brenda, how "splitting up" or identifying the "crown" as a reward leads to subjectivism but identifying it as "salvation" does not lead to subjectivism!?

    If you're willing to have uncertainty in regards to salvation, how can you use the issue of uncertainty as a priori argument to discount the categorization of the crowns or the identification of the crowns as a reward?

    Now, none of my points really support one view or another in regards to the issues raised by your post. But I don't see any point dealing on those individual issues when you're already starting with this inconsistent and unfair approach to Scripture.

    I believe eternal life is given to a person the moment he simply believes in Jesus Christ to reconcile him to God forever. That means the person believes the true Jesus Christ--the Son of God who came in the flesh--paid for all our sins and rose again so that we could be reconciled to God forever when we trust in Him. The moment a person believes this message (i.e., the gospel), he is saved forever. Do you agree with this?

    -- Greg

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  5. Brenda & Greg:

    Thanks for the notes here. I have been away all day and will try to respond more fully later this evening.

    Thanks for your patience.

    Yours in Him,


    Lou

    PS: A special welcome to you Brenda. I see Greg has undertaken your good question. I appreciate that very much.

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  6. To All:

    This afternoon I received the following note from an American missionary on the foreign field.

    "I enjoyed and appreciated your article on the crossless gospel. Your continued research and exposure on this subject has provided a needed source for clarity and awareness."

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  7. I just noticed a typo in my post: I meant "an a priori argument".

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  8. Greg:

    You wrote, “The only way someone can say you misrepresented GES is if he is a liar. There was a man on the Sharper Iron forum who basically libeled you by claiming you misrepresented the GES position. However, it is obvious to all of us who've interacted with GES and their followers that you accurately described their position. They have a mantra, like Lordshippers, of saying their critics misrepresent them.”

    Yes, he did, but this morning that man posted another even more libelous and actually defamatory remark at SI against any one who has openly rejected the Crossless gospel.

    This is what happens since their theology has been thoroughly refuted. They have nothing left except unsubstantiated charges of “misrepresentation,” and worse. I tend to let it slide because absolute truth is the best defense against reckless charges like these.

    By the way, he is indicting any one, including you, who have taken a biblical militant stand against the egregious errors coming from Hodges and Wilkin. His target has not been only pastors Rokser, Stegall and me (I’m not a pastor).

    Thanks for the support and encouragement.


    Lou

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  9. Brenda:

    Again, it is a pleasure to have you visit my site. Greg gave some helpful things to consider. I have precious little time for a detailed answer. May I, however, add a few thoughts in regard to this portion of your extended comment?

    You wrote, “At that instant, my heart shifts from security and joy in Christ to fear and self effort. And as I was thinking hard about all of this a few weeks ago, I realized it had the same effect on me that Lordship Salvation did!!! Absolute worry and fear. That is not of Christ!”

    No, those thoughts are not from the Lord. The Devil will do all he can to keep you from serving the Lord in joy and with power from on high. Meditate on these Bible truths.

    For God hath not given us the sprit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,” (2 Tim. 1:7).

    Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear (reverence) and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure,” (Phil 2:12).

    Eternal security of every believer: See John 10:28-ff; 1 John 5:11-13; Romans 1:12; Eph. 1:13.

    God bless you,


    LM

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  11. Brenda, I was wondering if you're still interested in corresponding on this topic?

    My belief is that a believer can be certain of possessing eternal life. I also believe certainty of salvation is inherent to believe the gospel.

    At the same time, however, he cannot be certain of the extent to which God will approve of his life at the Judgment Seat of Christ (e.g. 1Cor. 4:3-5; 9:27-30; 1John 2:28) because, for one thing, he has not yet finished the course.

    And so, Scripture teaches that both assurance of salvation and fear of pending judgment of works (for approval/reward) are valid motivations in the Christian life. An excellent passage to see both concepts is 2Cor. 5:1-11.

    Related to this, yes, I believe the fear of the Lord is reverence for God. And that consideration of God's righteous character certainly involves fear of negative judgment in the Christian life (cf. Acts 5:10-11; 1Cor. 11:32; Heb. 12:9) and at the judgment seat of Christ (cf. 1Cor. 3:12-15, 2Cor. 5:9-11; 1John 2:28). But this fear is surrounded by the certainty of the believer's permanent relationship with the Father.

    It is not valid to cast off the teaching that a crown is a reward just because you feel sad or scared about the possibility of not receiving one!

    -- Greg

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