Evangelistic small groups
This curriculum is ideal for what GCI refers to as FaithTalk groups. GCI resources these evangelistic small groups at FaithTalk equipper.
FaithTalk groups are safe places where people discuss their spiritual interest. Over time, the opportunity typically arises to share with group members the exceedingly good news that, in Jesus, all people are loved, forgiven and accepted by God. As interest is shown, group members are invited to personally receive this good news through repentance and faith, and to commit their lives to following Jesus.
I hope readers of The Surprising God will find these FaithTalk resources helpful in their ministries.
Click on the image below to watch a video in which Jim Valekis and his wife Becky discuss their use of The Hope of Jesus and other tools in discipling followers of Jesus in the context of a Trinitarian, incarnational theology.
Comments
Excerpts include:
“Any interpretation of a particular passage must be in agreement with other passages of Scripture. Paul clearly states in Romans that justification is granted only to those who believe; (1:16-17, 3:22, 28, 5:1). See also Romans 4 which is entirely devoted to justification and righteousness being given to those who believe; NOT ALL HUMANITY” [emphasis mine].
“Convoluted and exotic interpretations have led to every cult in Christianity, as with this one.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor the drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not judged, he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
By continuing to use proper hermeneutics and exegesis of Scripture, I could go on substantiating the heresy of inclusivism; but I would rather that you all prayerfully take the time to read the short paper referred to above. This heresy will not be taught at our loosely affiliated GCI congregation as long as we have those who are committed to sound doctrine and standing firm in the faith once delivered.
I pray for the leadership at GCI, that they will at some point in the treacherous history of WCG – of which I was born and raised – turn from the wicked ways of the philosophies of man and turn to the Holy Scripture for their doctrine. My heart breaks for you and desires a time that WCG/GCI comes fully to faith, because right now, I fear you are preaching another Jesus, Galatians 1:8-9 "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
I sign this anonymous only to protect my congregation.
It is clear that Best and LeFebre have not done their homework and do not undertand the theology advanced by Barth, Torrance and others who embrace a Trinitarian, incarnational theology, which is grounded in Scripture as understood by many of the early church theologians (Athanasius, the Cappadocian fathers, etc). A key point in that theology is to understand the distinction between what is true for all humanity through what Christ has done, and what then is true for individual persons. What is universally true of all, in Christ, must be personally received. Anonymous in his post (like Best and LeFebre) quotes certain passages of Scripture that speak to the personal/individual experience. However, there are many other verses of scripture which speak to the universal (objective) reality. It is simply not biblically faithful to focus on one to the exclusion of the other. Their ability to do so is based, largely, on a flawed understanding of the nature of salvation itself.
By the way, if readers of this blog would like to read a more carefully reasoned critique of Trinitarian theology, I recommend the Christianity Today article by Roger Olson, which is titled "Election is for Everyone" (at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/january-february/election-is-for-everyone.html). Olson refers to what this blog calls "Trinitarian, incarnational theology" as "Evangelical Calvinism." Though I don't agree with Olson, I find his analysis to be careful, respectful and thus helpful. I don't find that the analysis by Best and LeFebre meets any of these criteria.
I would encourage anonymous to continue studying, and to look for authors that are respected theologians who understand what they critique and do so with a spirit of humility and grace. To refer to Trinitarian, incarnational theology as treachery, wickedness and heresy is a very serious, and in my view, unwarranted accusation. We certainly don't label brothers and sisters in Christ who embrace other Christian theologies as heretics, after all, we all embrace the same fundamental "sound doctrine"--that is the orthodox Christian doctrine set forth in the early church Creeds.