Pope Francis Advocates Salvation Apart from Grace

In an article published at the Huffington Post, Pope Francis has gone on record to say that all men everywhere are redeemed by the finished work of Christ, even atheists. The Pontiff claims that evidence of redemption are clearly visible whenever and wherever someone performs deeds of goodness and charity. Here is the quote:

“The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord, and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us. ‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can… “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone!”.. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”

In response to this assertion Father James Martin, S.J, makes the following curious statement:

“Pope Francis is saying, more clearly than ever before, that Christ offered himself as a sacrifice for everyone. That’s always been a Christian belief. You can find St. Paul saying in the First Letter to Timothy that Jesus gave himself as a “ransom for all.” But rarely do you hear it said by Catholics so forcefully, and with such evident joy. And in this era of religious controversies, it’s a timely reminder that God cannot be confined to our narrow categories.”

A number of things come to mind that require comment:

The first, is  has Rome departed from its Soteriological position? Or, in other words, has its view of Salvation radically changed since the Counsel of Trent? At Trent, Rome affirmed that regeneration takes place at Baptism and is therefore efficacious for salvation provided no mortal sin is committed. Once a mortal sin is committed, the regeneration at Baptism is undone placing the soul in danger. It is at this point in Roman theology that Faith comes into play enabling the person to perform meritorious deeds in order to work themselves back into a place of Grace. Meritorious deeds include things such as the Rosary, indulgences, pilgrimage, acts of confession along with assorted acts of penance.

Second, if these human acts are necessary to work oneself back into a state of Grace, then how does the Atheist, or Buddhist, or whatever continue on in the road of penance? Do they avoid Purgatory? Or is their stay in Purgatory a little longer than your run of the mill good Catholic because they under the watch care of Catholic Diocese?

Third, how does this affect the so-called dialogue between Protestants and Catholics begun at ECT in the early 90′s? According to the proponents of ECT Catholics view Protestants as misguided or misinformed brothers. Curious when one considers that at ECT Rome did not repudiate Trent nor did the signatories repudiate Sola Fidei, Sola Gratia or  Solus Christos. Somehow no one recognized that you cannot have two paths of salvation when only one is clearly delineated in Scripture.

From where we sit, it appears that Rome still does not understand the Biblical teaching of Salvation that comes through the finished work of Christ by Grace through Faith. Nor does Rome appear to understand its own historical position of Salvation. What we have here is biblical vacuity and the embrace of early 20th century Liberalism. It is a form of Social Gospel dressed in vestments and administered by the most public so-called christian face on the planet.

This is not altogether a bad thing. Hopefully, there are enough conservatives within the church that will hold the Pontiff responsible for his comments. Better still would be if the church held up Pope Francis assertions in the light of Scripture and come to the conclusion that the “Wild Boar” mentioned in Exurge Domine  by Leo X had it right all along.

The Grace of Godliness – Video Interview with Matthew Barrett

The Grace of Godliness-Matthew Barrett from credomag.com on Vimeo.

In this new interview, Matthew Barrett talks about his most recent book, The Grace of Godliness: An Introduction to Doctrine and Piety in the Canons of Dort. Barrett is Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at California Baptist University (OPS) and executive editor of Credo Magazine. Michael A.G. Haykin has written the foreword to the book, and here are some of the book’s commendations as well:

By reducing the discussion of Calvinism and the doctrines of grace to the simplified acrostic T-U-L-I-P, I’m afraid we have generated far more heat than light. A book that looks deeply within, behind and around the five points of Calvinism is long overdue. Whether you find yourself saying “Yea” or “Nay” to the five points, we all need to say thank you to Dr. Barrett for his delightful, informative and light-generating book.

Stephen J. Nichols, Research Professor of Christianity and Culture, Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Wow! I really like this book. Matthew Barrett has given us history, theology, ministerial counsel and impetus to true piety in this treatment of the Synod and Canons of Dort. The brief but vibrant historical accounts are informative, his guidance in some thick theological discussion is expert, and his focus on piety leads us to the true purpose of all theology—the production of a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Dr. Barrett’s continual insistence on the necessity of monergism for a truly biblical grasp of the character of salvation from beginning to end is a much needed emphasis for contemporary evangelicalism. The appendices provide valuable source material. This is an excellent account of a vitally important subject.

Tom J. Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Matthew Barrett offers a wonderfully simple and direct exposition of one of the more misunderstood confessions of faith. The Canons of Dort are often vilified, but under closer examination Barrett demonstrates that they are biblical and pastoral and a potent tonic for a flagging faith. Tolle et lege, take up and read!

J.V. Fesko, Academic Dean, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary California

Matthew Barrett has given us a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to and review of the history and the source documents of the Calvinist-Arminian debate. And with that he has given us a vivid reminder that a right understanding of these doctrines—in themselves considered and in the minds of the framers of the Canons of Dort—is indispensable to Christian worship and devotion. Highly recommended.

Fred G. Zaspel, Pastor, Reformed Baptist Church; Professor of Systematic Theology, Calvary Baptist Seminary, Lansdale, Pennsylvania

Christians speak freely and often about the Canons of Dort and the international synod of 1618–1619 which produced them without really knowing much about either. Matthew Barnett’s The Grace of Godliness will do much to remedy this lamentable situation. In a very accessible manner, referring to a number of important background documents, Barrett provides the historical context of the Synod of Dort. He also makes a solid case that the Canons themselves are filled with careful biblical reflection, wise pastoral application and exhortations to a warm and genuine Christian piety. Dort’s stalwart defense of divine monergism in the salvation of sinners does not produce a fear of God, lack of assurance of one’s salvation or indifference to good works—as critics often charge. When read and understood, the Canons of Dort present the so-called doctrines of grace as the foundation for a believer’s confidence in God’s mercy and, as the consequence, the basis for a life of gratitude.

Kim Riddlebarger, Senior Pastor, Christ Reformed Church (URCNA), Anaheim, California; co-host of the White Horse Inn radio broadcast

Matthew Barrett has produced an excellent and much-needed treatment of the intimate connection between the Canons of Dort and vibrant Christian piety. Whatever the readers’ attitude toward those canons, this book will reward them with greater understanding and appreciation of the spiritual richness and practical value of Reformed theology. I highly recommend it.

Steven B. Cowan, Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Louisiana College, Pineville, Louisiana

By breathing new life into historic events, documents and people, Matthew makes them speak to our culture, our churches and our hearts.

David P. Murray, Professor of Old Testament and Practical Theology, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan

New Release from Joshua Press by Matthew Barrett

To many Reformed congregations, the Canons of Dort represent a major summation of what they believe are the true representations of Christian Doctrine. Matthew Barrett’s work has three major strengths that make this a valuable tool for today.

First, it presents a succinct historical snapshot of the circumstances, people and issues that required the Synod to meet and address errant theology. Second, the doctrines are analyzed against the tapestry of Scripture. These two elements by themselves represent an excellent study of historical theology. The book excels in the fact that third, it presents these two elements as not mere exercises of sterile orthodoxy. The Canons of Dort, in the minds of the framers, believed that these doctrines were vital for Christian living. They needed to not only shape concepts of Truth but transform lives into Godly followers of Jesus Christ. This book will truly warm the heart.

To order your copy click here.

U-Turn in the Fast Lane – Author Interview – Don Heron

Several years ago Joshua Press released the biogrpahy of Don Heron entitled U-Turn in the Fast Lane. Don’s testifies that while he started life well, in a Christian home, by a father who himself was a minister of the Gospel, he like the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 fell into a life that was at total odds to his routes and upbringing. Don eventually found himself  involved with one of the largest auto theft syndicates in Canada while at the same serving as a crime prevention officer. This is an amazing story of Grace, Mercy and Redemption.

Below is a link to our YouTube channel with the full contents of Don’s miraculous story.

 

U-Turn in the Fast Lane – Author Interview – Don Heron

 

Motion 312 and My Local MP by Ian Clary

The late Christopher Hitchens once wrote, “…Anyone who has ever seen a sonogram or has spent even an hour with a textbook on embryology knows that the emotions are not the deciding factor [in abortion]. In order to terminate a pregnancy, you have to still a heartbeat, switch off a developing brain, and, whatever the method, break some bones and rupture some organs.” These words come from his “Minority Report” column in The Nation written in April 1989.

Because Hitchens’ words are a correct assessment of the essence of abortion, it must necessarily be banned because it is the taking of a human life. If murder is illegal, so should abortion be. In Canada, we have no abortion laws; something unheard of in western democracies. And worse, our government will not release statistics about abortion, so citizens cannot know how many occur in Canada per year, under what circumstances, and why. Under the Canadian Criminal Code, a fetus in the womb is not considered a human. And our politicians, virtually from all of the major political parties, remain adamantly non-committal.

Thankfully one Canadian MP, Steven Woodworth, has put forward Motion 312 that seeks only to put the question of abortion law back on the table for public debate. Even this bill—which is not about banning abortion—is slowly being quashed by all members of parliament including Prime Minister Harper. Not only is this a blight on Canada in terms of our country’s failure to protect our most vulnerable, but it is also a sham of free speech and public discourse.

A new website has been set up called Pass 312 that seeks to promote this bill among Canadians, and to suggest ways to help make this an issue that Canadian politicians will wake up to. The question of when human life begins, and the corresponding consequences for law, needs to be discussed both by average Canadians and by our elected officials on Parliament Hill. Please click the link, read the material, and watch the videos to get informed.

I emailed my local MP, Bob Rae, these words: “Dear Mr. Rae, I live right near your office in downtown Toronto and pass by it daily. As a member of your riding, I ask you to support Motion 312 and to defend the lives of innocent children in the womb. Thank you, Ian Hugh Clary.” I emailed something similar to Prime Minister Harper’s office. If you want to email your local MP, click here and if you want to email the Prime Minister click here. I wrote it in haste, and I now wish that I had said more about free speech and public debate. Be that as it may, my letter was sent, and here is the response that came from his office:

Dear Ian Hugh Clary:

On behalf of Liberal Leader Bob Rae, I would like thank you for your email regarding Conservative MP Stephen Woodworth’s motion, M-312, regarding Canada’s abortion laws.

It is the longstanding view of the Liberal Party of Canada that women must have the right to choose, and this party will take no step that limits, or opens the door to limiting, access to safe medical services for women across Canada.  It is for this reason that Mr. Rae will be voting against this motion when it comes before the House of Commons.

We understand this issue stirs extremely strong feelings and the Liberal Party respects the right of every Canadian to express their views freely and openly, no matter how contrary those views may seem to those of others.

Thank you for taking the time to write to the Leader of the Liberal Party.

Yours sincerely,

Colin McKone
Office of the Liberal Leader

I am glad that Rae’s office wrote back, and it doesn’t appear to be some vague automated response. Thus far I have not heard from the Prime Minister’s Office. But I must say that Mr. McKone’s reply does not at all deal with the issues at hand, and is quite frankly rather banal. Bill 312 is about bringing the issue of when human life begins up for discussion in parliament. Does Mr. Rae have a problem with that? If so, why? Maybe the result of the public discussion will result favourably to the Liberal Party position on abortion? He won’t know if it is not discussed. So much for transparency.

I wonder if he and his party fears that Canadians will become educated as to when human life begins, and whether abortion is indeed the taking of a human life. Maybe they will learn that a fetus is a human life, as says Dr. Jerome LeJeune, Professor of Genetics, University of Descartes, “After fertilization has taken place a new human being has come into being. [It] is no longer a matter of taste or opinion…it is plain experimental evidence. Each individual has a very neat beginning, at conception.” This perspective on fetal life is affirmed by a significant number in the medical community. Consider these words by C. Christopher Hook, M.D., Oncologist, Mayo Clinic, Director of Ethics Education, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine: “When fertilization is complete, a unique genetic human entity exists.” Professor Micheline Matthews-Roth, Harvard University Medical School writes, “It is incorrect to say that biological data cannot be decisive…It is scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at conception.”

If I Were the Devil – By Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey (1918-2009) was a long-time common sense radio conservatie commentator who developed a loyal following of listeners through his long running radio program The Rest of the Story as well as though his daily show on ABC News and Comments. Below is a link to a poignant three minute broadcast called If I Were the Devil. A prophetic piece in many ways yet as relevant today as it was when it first aired in 1965.

 

If I were the Devil – by Paul Harvey

Book Review – Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview

We just received our first book review on Dr. Jerry Bergman’s latest book through Joshua Press. I think it is going to be a block buster.

 

Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview by Dr. Jerry Bergman
A Review

By Karl Priest ([...]) November 15, 2012)

Dr. Bergman should be nick-named “Babe” after Babe Ruth because he continues to hit home runs with every publication. His latest book should earn him the Triple Crown because it surpasses attempts by others to expose the evils of Darwinism, Nazism, and racism. Throughout the highly documented book there is an obvious thread of Darwinian dogma intertwined in the hearts, minds, and practices of the Nazis.

Creationists and conservatives often point out the connection of Darwinism to Hitler and his henchmen. Too many times, that logical point is silenced by statements that claim that Hitler was a Christian. Dr. Bergman pounds the final nail into the coffin of any claim of connections between Hitler’s ventures and biblical values. Chapter 3 definitely debunks such claims made by Richard Dawkins and other deluded Darwinists. Chapters 5-15 describe the religious leanings of Nazi leaders. Historical facts confirm that top Nazis hated Christianity as much as they hated Jews. It was a matter of practicality to put off dealing with the former until the latter was liquidated.

Nazis counted on Christians choosing to compromise. Bergman does not excuse churches for turning a blind eye to what the evolutionists were doing. There were far too few Christians who criticized or challenged the carnage. Referring to pastors, Hitler said, “They will betray anything for the sake of their miserable jobs and incomes.” (p. 70) “Even many active Christians, some who were ordained Christian clergy and held at some level to Jewish ethics, were deceived by Darwinism…The very groups that should have strenuously opposed Darwinism and eugenics, on the grounds that it is blatantly contrary to basic Christian teaching, all too often rejected biblical teaching and accepted the so-called `scientific’ theory of Darwinism.” (p. 301-302)

Many of the decisions made leading to the horrors of the Holocaust are similar to those being made in America during recent years and continuing now.

There is one tiny flaw in Bergman’s book. He wrote, “Almost every high-school student knows one of Hitler’s primary goals was producing a superior race based on the Darwinian idea of ever-advancing progression of life, upward from molecules to humans, caused by natural selection.” (p. 1) The percentage of public school students who know much about Hitler is problematic, but it is a certainly that such students are not exposed to the connection between evolutionism and Nazism because few teachers comprehend that fact. Just as American students are now being brain-washed, so were German children.

“Cutting-edge ideas are often introduced to cultures through the educational system and that was certainly the case when it came to nurturing the seeds of anti-Semitism and eugenics in the land that would ultimately become Nazi Germany: (p. 8) “The content of textbooks played a critical part in the goal of spreading Nazi ideology and Darwinian theory throughout Germany. This is indicated by a statement attributed to Hitler: `Let me control the textbooks and I will control the state.’” (p. 265) “The Nazis aggressively pushed the teaching of Darwinism in their schools during the entire time that they ruled Germany, just as is now being done in America and other nations.” (p. 294)

“During World War II, Germany had the highest level of education of any nation in the world. The Nazis also valued education…” (P. 205) The education of children will determine the future. That is why we must rescue our children from American indoctrination centers ([...]).

I highly recommend reading Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview and sharing what is disclosed–especially with the next generation of Americans.

A Curious Incident at the Border

SSMI imports a great deal of books and resources from U.S. partners. To make it cost effective we maintain a small office in Niagara Falls, that receives all our shipments. Once a week one of us travels to the U.S. in order to collect all our books and do our own Customs clearance. This saves the ministry about $35,000 annually in brokerage and other importation related costs.

Coming back into Canada with a truck load of books is usually an uneventful enterprise. The Canadian government requires that we present detailed commercial invoices that contain the titles of the books we are importing. Usually we are met with indifference. Sometimes we get a snide remark, a glowering stare or an occasional obscene comment about where we can place our religious beliefs. Last week we had a very interesting exchange.

Joshua Press has a new book out called Hitler and the Nazi Darwinian Worldview. On this day we were importing the initial printing of this release. The Customs agent stared long and hard at the title and asked at first if were producing “Hate Literate”. I jokingly responded, “if by that you mean do we hate Darwin’s view on creation, well yes we are guilty as charged”. The agent wanted to know if we were Nazis or members of some other white supremist organization. “Not at all” I assured him. Nazism is a despicable evil and should not be part of any civilized society.

We then engaged in a friendly discussion about Darwin’s views and its short comings. I explained that our book chronicles the fact that Darwin was the driving moral influence behind Adolf Hitler and the entire Nazi Regime. In Darwin, Hitler found a kindred philosophical spirit and took Natural Selection to its logical conclusion.

I am happy to say that this particular was fascinated by our Christian reasoning and has ordered a book for himself to read and enjoy.

 

I Grieve for the United States

My condolences to all my friends in the United States. I grieve for your country today. America has historically been a beacon of liberty and independence. Countless millions, my family and I included, flocked to its shores in the hopes of living in a nation where you could become whatever it is you wanted to be under God. Your founding documents provide a blue print for freedom of the individual and a minimal incursion of government in the day to life of the nation’s citizenry.

I fear that with this reelection, it is not merely a rejection of Mitt Romney that is evidenced but rather a rejection of the very core of what it means to be American. There seems to be a growing portion of the population that prefer to live under the governance of Central Planners rather than take responsibility for their own life style choices. They are willing to throw away their freedom as citizens for some temporal token. They are willing to take the prosperity from one group of citizens and give it to those who refuse to pay their own way in this world.

What makes this election even more tragic, is that in the past four years, your President has shown his true colors. You have record unemployment, spiraling debt, deflated housing prices, falling household incomes, an unsecure border and a foreign policy that fails to recognize that there are people out there that want to destroy you. You knew this going in to tonight and yet there are enough of you that are willing to put up with four more years with a President that hates your country as founded.

Are you suitably depressed? Don’t be.

There is good news in all this!

We live in a universe that is owned, created and controlled by a Sovereign God who neither slumbers nor sleeps. His opinion is forever settled in Heaven and pays no deference to pollsters. He cannot be swayed by market trends, shifting demographics or by party politics. He is neither Republican or Democrat. He is however, Truly Independent. And whatever election outcomes might be His will is not thwarted by that outcome.

Perhaps sometimes we need to step back for a moment and try in some small way to see the world as God sees it. No small feat I am sure. Israel wanted a King at one point, just like the surrounding pagan nations. They rejected their covenant keeping God in the misguided notion that somehow a human leader could accomplish for the nation that which only God can do.

God granted them their wish and gave them Saul. His reign proved to be an unmitigated disaster. It was only when God appointed David, ” a man after God’s own heart” that Israel had its Golden Age.

Despite the changing fortunes of Israel’s turbulent United Monarchy, the only true constant was that God was always in control. His will would not be thwarted by any humanly engineered folly. This fact still remains in effect today.

May we all humbly seek His face. Ask for forgiveness for own frailty and failures. Seek His redeeming grace in the life of the nation. And praise His name that His will would be done.

For a God that can create ex-nihilo changing the hearts and minds of His fallen creatures is not too big a thing to ask for.

Soli deo Gloria

“The Dungeon Flamed with Light”: The Story of Revival

This month marks an historic month in the life of the ministry. We just finished our Vancouver Conference on October 19-20, 2012. That is not really remarkable. We have been doing West Coast events for a number of years now. What does make this event remarkable is that we were able to harness the internet and live stream this conference over the internet. Not only were we able to live stream, but Jonathan Hall of Free Grace Baptist Church was able to capture the event in HiRes. As a result we can now offer the conference to viewers on YouTube. This has been a long standing goal of ours and the first is now ready for viewing.

Session 1: Featuring Mark Jones – The Biblical Pattern of Revival is only a click away. Press on the link below and enjoy.

The Biblical Pattern of Revival