During one of the most difficult seasons of Paul’s life and ministry he had many opportunities to despair. He had multiple chances to switch his tactics and pursue something more pragmatic. Each time he refused. We began talking about the foundation of his confidence last week, and we continue doing so this week, but with an emphasis is on the glory of the New Covenant.
Whether Paul experienced encouragement and perceived success during his missionary trials, or whether he was chained in a Roman prison, he had one confidence, one thing to boast in: Jesus Christ. And his boasting in Christ and the glory of the New Covenant did not diminish when it would have been so easy to believe the church was failing and would be destroyed by the power of Rome.
Of course, we know the church wasn’t destroyed by Rome. Paul wasn’t able to see the things we see, but he never wavered from the fact that Jesus is faithful and will accomplish His good purpose.
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Grace and Law XII: 20 Errors of Antinomianism
Throughout this podcast series, we have been following the flow of thought in Ernie Reisinger’s book The Law and the Gospel. In his discussion on antinomianism, Reisigner gives 20 errors connected to this heretical understanding of God’s law in the Christian life.
This week, we share most of those 20 ideas and stop to discuss a few of them. To help you better keep up with the flow of ideas, we wanted to write out the list here for you:
The law is made void by grace. Justification by faith alone renders good works unnecessary.
Since good works are unnecessary, obedience to the law is not required of justified persons.
God sees no sin in the justified, who are no longer bound by the law, and is not displeased with them if they sin.
God therefore does not chastise justified persons for sin.
Nor can sin in any way injure the justified.
Since no duties or obligations are admitted in the gospel, faith and repentance are not commanded.
The Christian need not repent in order to receive par-don of sin.
Nor need he mortify sin; Christ has mortified sin for him.
Nor ought he be distressed in conscience upon back-sliding, but he should hold fast to a full assurance of his salvation in the midst of the vilest sins.
Justifying faith is the assurance that one is already justified.
The elect are actually justified before they believe, even from all eternity.
Therefore they were never children of wrath or under condemnation.
Their sin, as to its very being, was imputed to Christ so as not to be theirs, and His holiness is imputed to them as their sanctification.
Sanctification is no evidence of justification, for assurance is the fruit of an immediate revelation that one is an elect person.
No conviction by the law precedes the sinner’s closing with Christ, inasmuch as Christ is freely offered to sinners as sinners.
Repentance is produced not by the law, but by the gospel only.
The secret counsel of God is the rule of man’s conduct.
God is the author and approver of sin, for sin is the accomplishment of His will.
Unless the Spirit works holiness in the soul, there is no obligation to be holy or to strive toward that end.
All externals are useless or indifferent, since the Spirit alone gives life.
Ernest Kevin’s book The Law and the Gospel- https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Law-Puritan-Theology-Puritanism/dp/1877611638
Get your copy of Reisinger’s book here: https://press.founders.org/shop/the-law-and-the-gospel/
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You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app -
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 – 09:37) Did Pope Francis Really Give Blessing to Same-Sex Couples? The Complicated Disaster of the News Coming Out of the VaticanWhat ‘Fiducia supplicans’ declares about papal power by The Pillar (Edward Condon)Part II (09:37 – 16:56) Progressing the Sexual Revolution By a Wink: The Strategy of Pope Francis to Blur the Lines of “Union” Ceremonies with WeddingsVatican Issues Guidelines for Same-Sex Blessings by Wall Street Journal (Francis X. Rocca)Pope Francis Allows Priests to Bless Same-Sex Couples by New York Times (Jason Horowitz)Part III (16:56 – 20:40) Sacramentalizing Sodomy: The Bottom Line of the Roman Catholic Church’s Blessing of Same-Sex UnionsPart IV (20:40 – 26:15) The Political Effect of Sacramentalized Sodomy: How the Vatican’s Blessing of Same-Sex Couples Will Impact Faithful Protestant Christians Across the GlobeSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.
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Thursday, February 29, 2024
This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 – 07:40)Garland v. Cargill is About Much More Than Bump Stocks: Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Case That Is Really About the Overreach of Administrative StateGun ‘Bump Stocks’ at the Supreme Court by The Wall Street Journal (The Editorial Board)Part II (07:40 – 14:01)Government’s Proper Role Made Clear: FDA Rightly Responds to Lead Exposure in ChildrenWhat to Know about Lead Exposure in Children by The New York Times (Christina Jewett)Part III (14:01 – 18:15)Words Matter: French President Macron Goes Out of Bounds With NATO Allies — Contra France’s President, NATO Does Not Need to Put Ground Troops in UkrainePart IV (18:15 – 22:11)Germany Decriminalizes Cannabis: The Liberal Legal Move Preceded by Generational and Political ShiftGermany legalises cannabis for personal use by Financial Times (Sam Jones)Part V (22:11 – 24:52)Senator Mitch McConnell Announces Forthcoming Step Down: November 2024 Will Bring a New Party Leader for RepublicansSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.
