The False Gospel of Mere Assent.

[Benson]

"And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 1 Peter 4:18 [KJV]

#3433 molis, "with difficulty, hardly, scarcely, with much work."

Let's discuss and debate today's commonly spoken Evangelical Gospel.

Apostle Peter consistently writes in his epistles 1 & 2 of diligence, purposeful effort, and works to be undertaken, and dangers to be avoided, by Believers and Followers of Christ. Per the above reference, he states salvation is "scarcely" obtained. He gives many examples of specific pursuits and actions to be either accomplished or wholly avoided by Church members who would attain their eternal Grace. This Grace is stated by Peter to be a future "Grace that is to be brought unto you at the Revelation of Jesus Christ." (Ch. 1, v. 1.). It is not a Grace they already have.

From this we can easily see Peter's understanding of "Grace" is far distant from the grace penned by Paul in Ephesians 2:8, "For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Paul tries to say there is a currently possessed grace given from God, and he later states it has full security. Reformed Theologians today go further to label it as "unmerited irresistible election with perseverance."

Today, Church goers are deluded by those who preach Paul's epistles into feeling they can just jump into God's favor and salvation by giving their mental assent to the idea of "accepting God's plan of salvation." Paul's gospel is so easy to receive, just like all other consumer products people are attracted to pick and choose. And, today we have nondisciples "following Jesus."

Apostle James specifies "Faith without deeds is dead in itself," and even gave a clear definition of "pure religion" in Ch. 1:27. Paul chose to avoid saying any of this, as he worked to establish a busy network of Churches which were to remain receptive only to his teachings. And, today we have Pauline Preachers doing little else than speaking motivational sermons, devoid of any specific detail and lacking any material demonstrations of The Gospel during the church activities. They try to claim their sermons are the "Power" mentioned by Paul in 1 Cor. 4:20. Such lengthy, motivational speeches are not power, but are mere words.

[otseng]

It must hurt to think. Sorry.

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[bjs1]

Answering questions with a question was indeed the most common means Jesus conducted inquiry into matters.

This is a false statement. (You were probably thinking of Socrates.)

Jesus answered a question with a question only once.

When asked where he got his authority from in Luke 20 Jesus responded, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, John’s baptism – was it from heaven or from men?” In context, this question was used to point out that the chief priests and the teachers of the law did not really care about their own question. They were hypocrites trying to trap Jesus, not learn from Jesus.

Jesus sort of did a second time when asked about paying taxes to Caesar, but that was a simple introductory question that he followed up with an answer.

The vast majority of the time when Jesus was asked a question he gave an answer, even if it was not the kind of answer people were looking for. Jesus never used the Socratic method in the Gospels.

[Benson]

Jesus asked many questions in in response to peoples' inquiries. For example, to the Rich Young Ruler He asked, "Why do you call me good?" To the Brothers requesting His help with an inheritance issue, He asked "Who has made me judge over you?"

Do you still think Jesus answered with a question "only once?" Your imagination cannot identify what I probably think about Socrates. Agreed? Yes? No? Lol. Please do continue in presumption for a mere shred of pride.

[bjs1]

Jesus asked many questions in in response to peoples' inquiries. For example, to the Rich Young Ruler He asked, "Why do you call me good?" To the Brothers requesting His help with an inheritance issue, He asked "Who has made me judge over you?"

Do you still think Jesus answered with a question "only once?" Your imagination cannot identify what I probably think about Socrates. Agreed? Yes? No? Lol. Please do continue in presumption for a mere shred of pride.

Perhaps I made a false assumption. I assumed that you were using the natural meaning of your words, saying that Jesus answer a question with only another question. Instead, you seem to mean that Jesus included a question in his answer. For instance, Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? None one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.”

Saying that this was Jesus answering a question with a question would not be the natural meaning of the words, since the question was only a small part of the answer. However, I suppose that by pulling Jesus’ words out of context one could make it appear that Jesus was answering a question with a question.

[Benson]

Just because God has miraculously preserved, translated, and published His Scripture, and His Spirit gives understanding of it, does not mean all of the contents of His Scripture are words He has spoken.

Scripture contains God's uttered Word, as well as it authenticates references which explain and illustrate God's uttered Word. In fact, The Bible specifically cites about 50 non Biblical writings, most of which do not exist today, but some do.

[Benson]

Jesus asked many questions in in response to peoples' inquiries. For example, to the Rich Young Ruler He asked, "Why do you call me good?" To the Brothers requesting His help with an inheritance issue, He asked "Who has made me judge over you?"

Do you still think Jesus answered with a question "only once?" Your imagination cannot identify what I probably think about Socrates. Agreed? Yes? No? Lol. Please do continue in presumption for a mere shred of pride.

Perhaps I made a false assumption. I assumed that you were using the natural meaning of your words, saying that Jesus answer a question with only another question. Instead, you seem to mean that Jesus included a question in his answer. For instance, Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? None one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: Do not murder, not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.”

Saying that this was Jesus answering a question with a question would not be the natural meaning of the words, since the question was only a small part of the answer. However, I suppose that by pulling Jesus’ words out of context one could make it appear that Jesus was answering a question with a question.

So glad you figured this out. Have a lovely time reading Scripture.

[2timothy316]

Just because God has miraculously preserved, translated, and published His Scripture, and His Spirit gives understanding of it, does not mean all of the contents of His Scripture are words He has spoken.

This still doesn't answer my question. I know not every word in the Bible is God's dictated words, but tell me from your point of view, is there anything false in the Bible? Yes or no? Please, please, give a yes or no answer.

If you will not answer my question with a yes or no, then tell us why you will not answer the question plainly. On your own thread that you started that says there is a 'false gospel'. Perhaps if you can't answer the other questions perhaps you can answer this one: Is their a false gospel in the Bible? Again this requires a yes or no answer.

[Benson]

Your question is valid.

I see some things in Scripture which may not necessarily be wholly false, but represent thoughts which are not entirely God's Will. The Book of Eccliastes makes most of its statements from a viewpoint of sheer human perception, expressing hopelessness, shallow discernments, no sense of God's immense love, no view of Salvation, nothing found in Jesus. Therefore, that book shows very incomplete conclusions and dangerous recommendations for people. Apparently, God included it in Scripture because it was written by Wise King Solomon, who in fact sinned greatly.

The Song of Solomon, strangely written as well by King Solomon, also cannot be true for us. No person can follow it's meaning and example either literally or figuratively. I am sure it is Truth, but it is of very limited use as we would serve God.

The Book of Genesis causes falsehood in its readers. No collective consent exists upon the Cosmology it contains. It is Truth, but has unknowable significance. For instance, The Imputed Sin Nature Doctrine, where all humans are infected with a sin nature because of Adam & Eve, was not held by the historic Hebrews who had the Torah. Sin Nature did not become Doctrine until Paul wrote about it. Also, the supposed 7000 year age of the Earth suggested by Genesis cannot account for the immense age shown in geology and human artifacts. Does God misrepresent what He has created when He states His creation speaks of His glory, truth, and power?

In my view, the real fact is that no part of Scripture is held in agreement. Every tenet of doctrine is disputed and argued about to the greatest degree by Believers. I have concluded the only authentic meaning of any Scripture to be understood is shown by whatever the Awesome Power of the Holy Spirit materially enacts in the life of any given Believer. Jesus said "By their works shall you know them." James repeatedly said "Faith without deeds is dead." Paul said "The kingdom of heaven is not in words, but in power."

[2timothy316]

Your question is valid.

I see some things in Scripture which may not necessarily be wholly false, but represent thoughts which are not entirely God's Will. The Book of Eccliastes makes most of its statements from a viewpoint of sheer human perception, expressing hopelessness, shallow discernments, no sense of God's immense love, no view of Salvation, nothing found in Jesus. Therefore, that book shows very incomplete conclusions and dangerous recommendations for people. Apparently, God included it in Scripture because it was written by Wise King Solomon, who in fact sinned greatly.

The Song of Solomon, strangely written as well by King Solomon, also cannot be true for us. No person can follow it's meaning and example either literally or figuratively. I am sure it is Truth, but it is of very limited use as we would serve God.

The Book of Genesis causes falsehood in its readers. No collective consent exists upon the Cosmology it contains. It is Truth, but has unknowable significance. For instance, The Imputed Sin Nature Doctrine, where all humans are infected with a sin nature because of Adam & Eve, was not held by the historic Hebrews who had the Torah. Sin Nature did not become Doctrine until Paul wrote about it. Also, the supposed 7000 year age of the Earth suggested by Genesis cannot account for the immense age shown in geology and human artifacts. Does God misrepresent what He has created when He states His creation speaks of His glory, truth, and power?

In my view, the real fact is that no part of Scripture is held in agreement. Every tenet of doctrine is disputed and argued about to the greatest degree by Believers. I have concluded the only authentic meaning of any Scripture to be understood is shown by whatever the Awesome Power of the Holy Spirit materially enacts in the life of any given Believer. Jesus said "By their works shall you know them." James repeatedly said "Faith without deeds is dead." Paul said "The kingdom of heaven is not in words, but in power."

You keep saying my question is valid but not answering it. Is there a false gospel in the Bible? Yes or no. Stop with the evasion. Or you can say "I don't know". If I don't see a yes or not I don't read anything else in your replies. I only care about your yes or no answer.

[Benson]

Do your best to understand the question is not a yes/no issue.

Maybe you could ask your Mom.