Both Calvinists and Arminians agree on this point: each person needs to persevere. The oddest thing has happened in American Evangelicalism: it has taught, whether aloud or not, the idea of “once saved, always saved” as if perseverance were not needed.
In other words, it has taught that if a person has crossed the threshold by “receiving Christ” but then decides to abandon living for Christ, that person is eternally secure. This is rubbish theology. Perseverance is an indicator of what faith is all about: a relationship that continues, that is marked by steady love. No one equates marriage with a wedding day statement of intent, and no one should equate faithfulness with a decision.
<idle musing>
Amen and amen! “Once saved always saved” is used far too often to extract a magical prayer out of someone, or to count scalps in some spiritual contest. “I see that hand, God bless you brother/sister” is a cop out for real discipleship...
</idle musing>
And Alan Knox blogs about Christmas as celebrated versus Christmas as recorded in scripture. He ends with this:
But, we should recognize the difference between nice stories/traditions, and Scripture. From talking with many people, most don’t know the difference when it comes to the story of Jesus’ birth.
I wonder if this reflects people’s general knowledge and understanding of Scripture…
<idle musing>
I wonder, as well...I hope it isn't an accurate reflection, but I fear it is...
</idle musing>
2 comments:
Christmas is a Christian tradition and embedded deeply into Western culture. But although Christian, it is not a biblical tradition.
I have no objection to celebrating Christmas. But I view it as primarily a secular holiday...
Kirk,
I agree. I don't object to Christmas at all—in fact, I enjoy it. But, I see it as a secular American holiday.
James
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