June 8, 2008

J. B. Hixson: “They Have Gone too Far.”


Dr. J. B. Hixson (Executive Director of the Free Grace Alliance) has written a new book, which appears to the right. I am looking forward to *receiving a copy which I have recently ordered from Dr. Hixson.

Numerous reviews I have read indicate this will be a very valuable resource for Christians across a broad spectrum of evangelical Christianity. It will help believers to recognize various false interpretations of the Gospel that plague our churches and fellowships today. It will furthermore aid them in their understanding, proclamation and defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is a portion of the book in which Dr. Hixson addresses the Crossless interpretation of the Gospel. This is a new reductionist interpretation of the Gospel, which was originated by Zane Hodges, and is perpetuated by the Grace Evangelical Society. I have been given permission to reprint that section of his book here at In Defense of the Gospel. Here is a sample from that section.

The view that one can believe in Jesus for eternal life without knowing that He died and rose again has been variously termed the ‘crossless gospel,’ the ‘promise-only gospel,’ the ‘contentless gospel,’ the ‘minimalist gospel,’ and the ‘refined gospel’… The present writer applauds the quest for precision in the content of saving faith by those who hold this view; yet, in a tragic example of a theological method gone awry, they have gone too far.”
On Tuesday morning I will be posting the entire section for your review and comments.


LM

*Getting the Gospel Wrong will be available beginning June 30th. You can pre-order through Dr. Hixson’s website: Not-by-Works. I am going to provide a link once the book is available for on-line ordering.

Please proceed to “Crossless” Advocates Have Gone too Far!

8 comments:

  1. Lou,

    Thanks for this cutting edge news. I am very happy to hear this from J.B. Hixson because this establishes "the obvious meaning" of the FGA Covenant. I am looking forward to more information about this and reading Hixson's new book.

    JP

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  2. Lou,

    Do you know who is publishing Hixson's new book?

    JP

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  3. JP:

    The meaning of the FGA Covenant (#2 & #3) is obvious, even to the men who would never agree to it, but joined the FGA.

    The publisher is XULON Press, same as for my book. I am going to provide a link once it is available, which I believe will be June 30th. You can pre-order from Dr. Hixson through his website: Not-by-Works

    Thanks,


    Lou

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  4. I want to remind guests that the “REDEFINED” Free Grace Gospel of Zane Hodges and Bob Wilkin is NOT the Free Grace Gospel!

    The Crossless/Deityless interpretation of the Gospel of the Grace Evangelical Society (GES) is the cause and reason for the necessary division in the Free Grace community. The GES has consistently slid into ever increasing errors that have isolated it as an extremist fringe element in the Free Grace community.

    Later in the month I will expand on this theme with a full article on the subject.


    LM

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  5. I'm really looking forward to this book. Went to JB's site yesterday and started the order process.

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  6. Stephen:

    I had a chance to preview portions. This is an important contribution to any discussion of the Gospel.


    Lou

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  7. Dr. Radmacher forewards the book. I am not sure if either one of these gentlemen would prefer to be known publicly as ones who consider the "crossless gospel" a "heresy." Do you know their take?

    J.B. Hixson gave his scriptural reply showing it's a false gospel but does he want to separate their work from the free grace movement?

    According to the tuesday, may 27th post by Antonio da Rosa, there is good reason to think Dr. Radmacher would have something to add or subtract to the position you present.

    Peace,
    Michele

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  8. Michele:

    Sorrry for the delayed reply. I have been busy in the more recent thread, which I want to draw your attention to.

    One of my blog partners, Rachel, posted a comment that you may find very helpful. It is comment #19 posted today (6/11 @ 3:50pm) in the most current thread.

    Rachel's comments go a long was in answering your first and third paragraphs above.

    As for Dr. Hixson, IMO he will follow the biblcial mandates to separate from any teacher of a false Gospel, even born again men who have gone into gross error. (See- 2 Cor. 6:14-ff; Gal. 1:8-9; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15)

    FYI, over the years many pastors and teachers have separated from the GES , Hodges and Wilkin over their Crossless gospel and/or other isssues.

    Thanks for the questions.


    LM

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