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God-willing, the Courson text, often in parallel with his online preaching will be my biblical and theological book review, now that I am finished with the Pirie, philosophical text.
I am thinking that some readers (and listeners) will be pleased that I will focus more on bible after approximately two years of the Pirie, fallacy, text. I need to focus on my marketable academic skills (regardless of work status) which will at times be under the umbrella of philosophy. My worldview does remain the same...
The Courson commentary is three volumes and will not be page by page as the Pirie and Langer reviews.
I will continue with the review of Langer, and symbolic logic.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
In his recent online sermon on Luke 14-15-35, Pastor Courson emphatically stated (paraphrased) that there is a difference between being a saved, born-again Christian and an actual Christian disciple.
From his commentary:
'...there is a difference between being a Christian and being a disciple. 'Disciple means 'disciplined one'-one who is committed to the cause of the kingdom.' (371).
Luke 14: 27 is referenced:
Luke 14:27 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV)
27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27 King James Version (KJV) 27
And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
Pastor Courson, opines that to carry one's cross is not the typical modern, western sufferings such as a 'noisy neighbor' or 'arthritis'. (371). The way of the cross is to die to self, and to live in Christ, for others. (371). To put aside 'rights and privileges' (371) in order to see others do well. There is cost in discipleship. (371).
I can agree that a biblical, Christian, disciple, may find self at odds with society, certain family, friends, and co-workers. Certainly, many that claim the name of Jesus Christ for salvation today are not disciples.
Frankly, there is plenty of room for theological debate on whether or not a Christian that is not a disciple is actually regenerated (Titus 3) and born again (John 3). This has been a subject for research and analysis on my websites for years.
But Pastor Courson stated (paraphrased) in the recent sermon that salvation and justification was totally up to God, but being consecrated was up to us, as in those under the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ via the triune, biblical, God.
Browning explains that consecration is the act of separating persons from the profane and instead dedicating self to God. (76). It is to render things to God. (76).
The concept of consecration is associated with sanctification. The 'Pocket Dictionary' opines that sanctification is two-fold: One, it is an aspect of salvation via Jesus Christ. Two, those in Christ are to strive for holiness through the Holy Spirit. (105).
As sanctification is an aspect of New Testament salvation, the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ is applied to believers by grace through faith, not by works, but for good works (Ephesians 1-2). Within Reformed theology, by grace alone, through faith alone.
Titus 3:5-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs [a]according to the hope of eternal life.
This means salvific sanctification, biblically, is up to God alone, and not by human means. But, having listened to Pastor Courson since 1987, I reason he knows this theology as fact and accepts it.
The difference in view will be with the second proposed aspect of sanctification, which would include Pastor Courson's theology on consecration.
Today's typical evangelical, libertarian free will theology will assume this must be left entirely up to the persons in Christ, without simultaneous influence from God or any external force.
Within a Reformed theology and in my case, also via theistic philosophy within philosophy of religion, I reason that as God is infinite, eternal and omnipotent, God wills and causes all things as the primary cause, whether within his perfect will or his permissible will.
Within my Reformed view, God within either perfect or permissible will, would decide, noting Courson's theological idea, for my premise, which Christians would be disciples as opposed to saved believers only, and to what degree. But again, it is theologically debatable whether or not a true regenerated Christian could avoid being a disciple, at least of some sort.
Rest assured, limited free will does exist, within my Reformed theology:
Human beings embrace, as secondary cause (s) what God has caused and willed, or else this would be forced and/or coerced and would not include significant, human moral responsibility.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.
