Before I get started, I have one thing to say:
Yes, Phil, you missed a few links. While you were on ten day hiatus from PyroManiac, I decided to start up Blogwatching. This is actually kinda fun 
Thanks for the idea. 
Okay, that out of the way…… here’s more sola scriptura than you can shake a wooden door at Wittenburg at:
A few days back, Phil Johnson asked the obvious question (in regard to the church growth movement and evangelism):Why not follow God’s Simple Strategy for Evangelism ? Actually, it was more in line with Spiritual Warfare, but that includes evangelism, since every ‘convert’ is one more soldier in the army to win one more convert.
Phil also chimed in 2 posts later on modern ‘prophecy’ as a supplement to or addition to scripture. He cites quite a few HORRID examples of folks who made very bold prophecies and then twisted their own words around when the prophecies failed to come to pass. Interesting is also the comments that followed Phil’s post, since his readership often adds much to the discussion in terms of clarification and ‘idea-broadening’ challenges.
The best thing about Canada, Tim Challies, blogs on confidence in the scriptures, specifically in regard to the deluge of ‘new’ translations that seek to think for you (like the NLT, CEV, The Message and others) instead of tell you what the original language actually says. His example with Romans 13 may catch a few of you off guard who’ve been using your dynamic translations because ‘they make me able to understand it easier’.
Two days prior, Tim gave a review of Sam Storms’ new book Convergence, which seeks to merge or find a ‘middle ground’ in the charismatic and non-charismatic reformed traditions. Tim’s review and the comments that follow are well worth reading.
Steve Camp, ol’ Sledgehammer himself, posts a devastating fatwa against all those who seek to undermine the authority of scripture with ANYTHING (including experience). I have about 1-2 lines of this that I disagree with, but the overall gist ? A resounding AMEN! Read with enthusiasm.
finally….
Al Mohler delivers a follow-up left hook/uppercut/knockout punch with his commentary on comments by the Bishop of the Episcopal Church regarding the authority of the scriptures. I hope folks are not just reading and saying “Oh, I’ll never go to that extreme”, but actually thinking and noticing that even tacit denials of the final authority of scripture eventually lead here. Remember: every category 5 hurricane begins as a small rainshower.
On another note, it seems that Steve and I are finally closing out our discussion on justification. I pray this has been edifying, educational and most importantly that Steve would repent and believe the gospel …… and that goes for anyone else reading too.
Keep your brainwheels turning for a while. I’m off to bed. One blogpost down, two more to go. Stay tuned.
SteveJ [Visitor]
“I pray this has been edifying, educational and most importantly that Steve would repent and believe the gospel.”
Thanks for your concern. Our discussion was edifying and educational. And I’m certainly open to modifying my views. But before I don sackcloth, I have to reiterate that justification by faith alone (regardless of whether it’s true) is not itself the gospel. By your own admission, justification by faith is not “new” (Abraham and all the OT saints were so justified). That being the case, how can it be the long-awaited good news?
As I said before, the gospel is the proclamation that the Messiah has arrived and is Lord of all. It’s not a particular dogma about how a person is justified in the court of heaven.
We’re all too prone to take our distinctives about Christianity and make them synonymous with Christianity itself (and place all who differ outside the faith).
Just for the record, I regard you as a brother in Christ, although I realize that this sentiment is not mutual. I wish it could be otherwise, but I’m realistic in my hopes.
Peace.
visitor [Visitor]
al mohler @ capitol hill baptist church, on november 14th, 2005. a henry forum, talk will be on “beauty”.
BlackCalvinist [Member]
Just being honest, Steve.
I respect you and appreciate the fact that we can have an honest conversation/disagreement. So many folks on ‘the other side’ of an issue don’t deal honestly with terms and in conversation. I applaud you for that, sir.
I would like to say, however, that how a man is made right before God is not just “a distinctive”, but the gospel and while the gospel is also the announcement of the Messiah, it is more importantly the announcement of the Messiah’s arrival to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Yes, folk in the OT were saved in the same way as folks in the NT – it’s GOOD NEWS because now instead of daily sacrifices which pointed to the one coming perfect sacrifice of Christ, the need for a temple and all of the things which foreshadowed Christ, folks now had the reality – the temple is now the body of the believer, since the Spirit of God dwells there, our offerings are ourselves – given daily (Romans 12:1) and there is no more need for a human mediator or high preist to go before God on our behalf, since our high priest and mediator is Christ the Lord Himself.
Think on these things, my friend. And turn to Christ alone apart from your works. As long as you give even a part of your works any credit in salvation or rely on them, the curse of the law hangs over your head. And to me, you’re too nice a guy (from our conversations) 🙂 to go to hell.
SteveJ [Visitor]
I can appreciate your frankness because I sense it’s tempered with sincere kindness. That’s refreshing.
Pastor Troy D. Bohn [Visitor]
Check out what this Chinese guy has to say about why America
isnt experiencing revival….. (its a short artical.) He’s on the money!! …. Amen
–Steve
NOTE: The following is an extract from a wonderful book,
‘The Heavenly Man’ by Brother Yun – one of the House-church
leaders from China who has been imprisoned and tortured for
his faith. He is speaking here of what it will take for the
Western church to see Revival:
CHINESE LEADER SPEAKS OUT – Re: “Revival in the West”
-Brother Yun.
Many pastors in Europe and America have told me they want to
see great revival. I’m frequently asked why China is experiencing
revival but most places in the West are not. This is a big question
to answer, but some reasons are very apparent to me.
When I’m in the West, I see all the mighty church buildings and all
the expensive equipment, plush carpets, and state-of-the-art sound
systems. I can assure the Western church with absolute certainty
that you don’t need any more church buildings. Church buildings
will never bring the revival you seek. The pursuit of more
possessions will never bring revival. Jesus truly stated, “A man’s
life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” -Lk 12:15.
The first thing needed for revival to return to your churches is the
Word of the Lord. God’s Word is missing. Sure, there are many
preachers and thousands of tapes and videos of Bible teaching,
but so little contains the sharp truth of God’s Word. It’s the truth
that will set you free.
Not only is knowledge of God’s Word missing, but obedience to
that Word. There’s not much action taking place.
When revival came to believers in China, the result was
thousands of evangelists being sent out to all corners of the
nation, carrying fire from the altar of God with them. When God
moves in the West, it seems you want to stop and enjoy His
presence and blessings too long, and build an altar to your experiences.
You can never really know the Scriptures until you’re willing to
be changed by them.
All genuine revivals of the Lord result in believers responding with
action and soul winning. When God truly moves in your heart you
cannot remain silent. There will be a fire in your bones, like
Jeremiah, who said, “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire
shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
Jeremiah 20:9.
Furthermore, it’s only when we step out in obedience and share
the gospel with people that we come to know God’s blessing in
every area of our lives. That is why the Apostle Paul wrote to his
co-worker Philemon, “I pray that you may be active in sharing
your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every
good thing we have in Christ.” -Philemon v.6.
I’ve seen people in Western Churches worshiping as if they’re
already in heaven. Then someone invariably brings a comforting
message, like, “My children, I love you. Don’t be afraid, I’m with
you.” I’m not opposed to such words, but why is it that nobody
seems to hear a Word from the Lord like, “My child, I want to
send you to the slums of Asia or the darkness of Africa to be my
messenger to people dying in their sin.”?
-From ‘The Heavenly Man’ – pg 296-297.
Book available from ‘Amazon.com’ and other outlets.