DAVID LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY and the CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS CONFERENCE Wayne Jackson
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October 2008 – Seek The Old Paths 73 Vol. 19, No. 10 October 2008 DAVID LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY AND THE CHRISTIAN SCHOLARS CONFERENCE Wayne Jackson he Christian Scholars Conference demonstrated how very far from New esians presents an ecclesiolo - (CSC) convened in June, 2008, on Testament teaching this aggregation gy founded on unity in Christ Tthe campus of David Lipscomb of “elitists” has strayed. rooted in the fullness of God. University in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the most startling partici - Ephesians builds on the fun - With support from several sister pants was former Abilene Christian damental truth that in schools, e.g., Pepperdine Universi - University student, Jared Cramer. Christ, God has broken down ty, Abilene Christian University, Cramer is currently affiliated with the dividing wall between Oklahoma Christian University, the Anglican (Episcopal) movement Jews and Gentiles and is cre - and Harding University, it was the (working toward priesthood). On his ating one new humanity in twenty-eighth annual gathering of blog the “Reverend Cramer” (as he place of the two. After exam - some of the most radically liberal, likes to designate himself) emphati - ining the ecclesiology of Eph - self-designated “scholars” on the cally declares he has abandoned the esians, this paper engages in planet. There were dozens of presen - ideal of “restorationism.” a case study on the place of tations (all of which were character - gay, lesbian, bisexual and ized as “high quality” productions), I don’t believe in transgendered (GLBT) delivered by both men and women, Restorationism or Primi - Christians in the Episcopal representing sixty-eight colleges and tivism. I just don’t. It’s not Church. Perhaps a deeper universities, along with twenty-four Biblical, there’s no call to it. I understanding of Paul’s mes - additional institutions. don’t care two bits if today’s sage in Ephesians can lead to The conference was a heteroge - church looks like the first a renewed perspective on the neous blend of sectarian personali - century church, and I don’t issues facing Christians ties (all of whom were identified as think God does (Becoming today. “Christian”), combined with a con - Quicksand). (www.jaredcra- glomerate of digressives who have mer.com/?p=3D297) This may represent an all-time surrendered virtually every vestige historical low as an approach to of interest in the restoration of New The most stunning thing, howev - Paul’s Ephesian letter. Testament religion. “Restorationism” er, was the topic for which Mr. The material submitted to the is not merely ignored, it is repudiat - Cramer contended, with the obvious CSC (with only a slight alteration to ed emphatically. tolerance of the CSC screening com - accommodate a transition to the The CSC platform affirms that it mittee and/or those affiliated with newer CSC format) is a regurgitation “is dedicated to the virtue of diversity this program. According to an of Cramer’s previously published which expands world-views, fosters abstract that appeared on the Lip - views. His position was set forth in collegiality, demonstrates the highest scomb University website, the an article titled Homosexuality: But quality of scholarship, and provides author’s presentation was titled “One Why? (www.jaredcramer.com/?- opportunity for all Christian schol - New Humanity: Reconsidering p=3D583) ars.” Homosexuality in Light of the Eccle - It was submitted in a more The sacred Scriptures enjoin siology of Ephesians.” The abstract unity; the emerging anti-restora - states: (Continued on page 75) tionists applaud diversity. The lineup Paul’s letter to the Eph - David Lipscomb University … 74 Seek The Old Paths – October 2008 clear that salvation is NOT BY FAITH ONLY. John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though ANSWERING QUESTIONS he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in ON SALVATION #2 me shall never die. Believest thou this?” everal passages have been set day.” This is all true, but where does it forth by “faith only” advocates in This verse demands belief and say “believeth only.” Notice that it San effort to refute what the Bible connects it to everlasting life, but it says “liveth.” That is, one keeps on teaches concerning faith and obedience. does not say “believe only.” That is living, obeying, the Lord. This is a liv - They suppose these passages support man-made doctrine — the devil’s doc - ing, active, obedient, faith. “Faith their man-made doctrine of “faith only” trine. The Bible certainly teaches sal - only” is a dead, lifeless, inert faith. Of or “faith alone.” We take in hand a brief vation by faith, but not by faith only. course, this verse says nothing about examination of these passages as was All Bible believers accept that faith is “faith only,” making it so that a per - set forth in a letter we received some essential to being saved, but where son will never die. months ago. The following was written does the Bible say one is saved by in answer to this letter. “faith only?” Please list the verse. John 20:31, “But these are writ - —————————————- ten, that ye might believe that Jesus John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say is the Christ, the Son of God; and that them, I am the bread of life: he that unto you, He that believeth on me believing ye might have life through cometh to me shall never hunger; and hath everlasting life.” his name.” he that believeth on me shall never One must believe on Jesus to This is true. I don’t know anyone thirst.” have everlasting life, but nothing is who denies any of these verses. But, The word “faith” or “believeth” is said about believe only. The word this verse makes it clear that life used for everything that is necessary “only” or “alone” is added by man through his name comes only to in obeying Jesus. It sums up one’s and; therefore, stands condemned by those who keep on believing through total involvement in being saved. To God. The word “believeth” is used to his name. When one keeps on believ - tie the word “only” or “alone” to it, is include ALL that is involved in man’s ing, he keeps on obeying, only then is adding to God’s word. Faith in Jesus response. there life in his name. “Faith only” is is essential to salvation, but nothing not found in this verse. “Faith only” is said in this verse about “faith John 7:38-39, “He that won’t bring life through his name. alone.” Where do you read that in the believeth on me, as the scripture “Faith only” keeps people from ever verse? Multiple verses are offered to hath said, out of his belly shall flow enjoying life through his name. support and defend the man-made rivers of living water. (But this spake “Faith only” is a tragedy to mankind. doctrine of “faith alone,” but not a one he of the Spirit, which they that It nullifies the Lord’s suffering and of them says anything about “faith believe on him should receive: for the death on the old rugged cross. It pre - alone.” These verses make clear that Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; vents one from ever being raised “faith” is essential in being saved, but because that Jesus was not yet glori - with the Lord (in baptism) to walk a they say nothing about “faith only.” fied.)” newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6). “Faith If you are going to teach “faith This verse says nothing about only” keeps people in their sins only”, then why don’t you give the “believe only.” That is man-made. It’s (James 2:24). verse that says it? You and I both not in the verse. Those who keep on know such a verse is not in the Bible. believing on Jesus, AS THE SCRIP - Acts 10:43, “To him give all the The only time you find the words TURE HATH SAID, out of his belly prophets witness, that through his “faith only” in the Bible is in James shall flow rivers of living water. I’ve name whosoever believeth in him 2:24 and it has the word NOT in never seen rivers of living water shall receive remission of sins.” front of it. What would God have to come out of one’s belly, nor has any - This verse is so true. What a com - say to get you to believe that salva - one else. The phrase “rivers of living fort it is to know that Jesus cares and tion is NOT BY FAITH ONLY? God water” is a figure of speech, where that we can have forgiveness by plainly says it, but you don’t believe one thing is said but something else believing in him. But, this verse does - it. You insist the Bible teaches “faith is intended. In this case, the phrase n’t say anything about “believing alone,” but won’t give the verse that indicates salvation. All should under - only.” This verse says “believeth.” says so. stand that. That is, one who keeps on believing. But notice that Jesus said that It is a faith that performs, acts, obeys. John 6:40, “And this is the will one will only experience salvation if It is a living faith. “Faith only” is a of him that sent me, that every one he DOES what the Scripture says. dead faith. It does not perform, act, which seeth the Son, and believeth The Scripture nowhere says any - obey. One will never receive remis - on him, may have everlasting life: thing about “faith only” except in sion of sins by “faith only.” and I will raise him up at the last James 2:17,24 and there it makes it October 2008 – Seek The Old Paths 75 Acts 11:17, “Forasmuch then as they believed only, they would not Tim.