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| Conwy Castle 2001 |
Another audio sermon from Grace Baptist Church and Pastor Michael Phillips. In light of recent news of interest to my circle of influence, I reasoned this sermon on backsliding (and possible apostasy) was relevant. Again, I appreciate Pastor Phillips' reasonably academic, lecture type sermons.
November 3 1999
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Tonight, with the Lord's blessing, we'll complete our study of Richard Baxter on Backsliding.
Phillips states Baxter was a Puritan. (12 November 1615 – 8 December 1691)
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Thus, tonight, we'll learn what to do if we're not backslidden. Or, how to avoid slipping away from God. The Puritan offers twelve directions.
I will comment on 1. Know the truth
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1. KNOW THE TRUTH
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If you want to "grow in grace", you must study the Bible, think about it, and pray for understanding.
Within a Reformed tradition (and for some within other traditions), the Scripture is the final authority on spiritual and religious matters.
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Why are we so ignorant? For three reasons: 1. We don't study the Bible, 2. we receive many doctrines on the word of men, and 3. we spend too much time on secondary issues.
By God's grace, in my own academic and personal study, I emphasize studying the scripture in context. As well the use of commentaries and sources for the study of the original biblical languages, is crucial. This is done by me on a private level, but with respect for the corporate theology of the Christian Church.
(I am not a linguist but I review biblical languages when needed. In the same way, biblical scholars and linguists need to at times seek to learn reasonable biblically based theology, and perhaps even related philosophy of religion.)
Besides issue 1, issues 2 and 3 are problematic as many individual Christians do not sufficiently, prayerfully study the scripture and related disciplines, and therefore are too prone to doctrinal spin and programming from human beings.
These teachings can place too much emphasis on secondary doctrines.
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The only way to know the truth--and be convinced of it--is to study the Bible on your own, to "prove all things" men tell you (including what I say), and to spend most of your study time on "the weightier matters of the law".
2 Timothy 2:15
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
Further from the audio message:
If you don't want to backslide, digest God's Word.
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"Eternal Security" or "Once Saved Always Saved" are true doctrines. And precious ones too. But beware lest they become your only doctrines. Let no teaching ever make you forget Matthew 10:21 or Hebrews 12:14, "He who endures to the end shall be saved". "Pursue peace with all men and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord".
A sign of true regeneration (John 3, Titus 3) of a believer, within the atoning and resurrection work of Christ, is perseverance in the biblical faith.
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This, I think, is the most important thing he says. Backsliding doesn't begin with big, gross, and scandalous sins. No, it begins with not reading the Bible one day or giving into an impure thought. These sins snowball and before you know it, you're dangerously backslidden. Or lost.
The best place to prevent backsliding is at the beginning. Before it grieves the Spirit of God and builds a momentum you can't stop.
Being lost would be synonymous with apostasy. A rejection of the formerly held worldview, in this case the rejection of Christianity.
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If you're not backslidden, give thanks to God for His grace. But remember, everyone is liable to it--even you. Take the advice Baxter gives, ask God to bless it, and "Grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ".
As I noted in a recent article, edited for this entry...
July 21 2019
As all persons are finite and sinful (Romans) we all can have doubts. But doubts about Christianity do not form a reasonable worldview alone. A worldview must deal with premises and conclusions to prove as reasonable and true. In other words, rejecting Christianity in doubt, is problematic, unless a more reasonable and true worldview can be presented by premises and conclusions, in its place.
I commented on the news of Joshua Harris and his documented online, change of views. Interesting here are comments from 2005 in regard to Harris and his former views from Christian, baptist theologian, Albert Mohler.
Dr. Mohler is a very committed teacher of biblical Christianity. On that key point at least, Dr. Mohler and I are in agreement.
How relevant to Pastor Phillips' audio sermon...
Albert Mohler July 15 2005
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Not Even A Hint is a ground-breaking book of Christian candor and biblical honesty. Once again, Joshua Harris has given young Christians a great gift--a book that combines Scriptural wisdom with a sense of deep urgency. He writes with passion and credibility, and this author does not duck the hardest issues.
Note that Dr. Mohler cites Philosopher Simon Blackburn, an often quoted useful secular reference on this website.
2 Thessalonians 2 discusses a falling away (KJV) that will occur before the second advent of Jesus Christ. I reason modern backsliding and even apostasy within the Christian Church should therefore not be a shocking development.
In basic theological agreement with the audio sermon; may the Lord keep us in the gospel truth, by grace through faith for good works.
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book II, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1539)(1998) The Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Translated by Henry Beveridge, Grand Rapids, The Christian Classic Ethereal Library, Wheaton College.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (2003) What Does God Know and When Does He Know It?, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
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| Actually this is not the same photo I have shown for years. Found this second version in my photo album. Conwy Castle 2001. |
