| Real Reformation Ramblings by Jeremy Brown There have been so-called reformations in Christendom for centuries. Yet the question posed is what is being formed again or returned to. For instance, great Christian men like Martin Luther and John Calvin who were both raised Catholic, well-learned in Philosophy, and fully embraced the writings of the Roman Catholic Church's St. Augustine of Hippo. When drawing a comparison chart between Roman Catholicism, Augustinianism, Lutheranism, and Calvinism, we find that they parallel on varying points. Truth be known, John Calvin wrote much of his works while he was still a Roman Catholic employee. All of the said factions believe that Roman Catholicism was oiriginally of God at the Council of Nicaea, believe in infant baptism, and embrace non-canonical books and the Latin Vulgate Catholic Bible which includes the LXX, a Hellezined version of the Old Testament. Again, the question at hand is, "What are we to form back to, form again, or return to?" Truly, the reason we have so many Christian denominations is because we people disagree as to what Apostle Paul actually meant in his writings. Is there a method one could use to examine what he meant? Examining true meanings of words in their original language? Should we vote Democratically and decide as to which definition should be applied? Should we note what the Lord tells us specifically? Every Christian denomination claims to have done just that. That is what has given us a plethera of factions. We can examine history to decide as to which early church father had the truest Apostolic teaching. Justin Martyr said that God creates no man and no angel to perform evil, that no person was created to go to Hell. On the same page with Justin is Irenaeus, Ignatius of Antioch, and Jospehus. While Origen, Tertullian, Jerome, and Augustine believe the contrary. And the contrary camp asserts views expressed in the LXX and the book of Enoch to promote their doctrines of fate and destiny. To which faction shall we align ourselves?!! I believe that to say that all may come and partake of the River of Life freely, to love our neighbors as ourselves, to honor God as the Highest, and to die to ourselves daily forever proclaiming Christ and Him crucefied is the true faith. That is what makes Believers as they were in the first cetury. Shall we call ourselves Justinians? Irenaeausians? Flavius Josephians? Believers? Christians? Saved-er? HaHa. I recommend viewing the writings of early church fathers to find as to if we actually embrace an historically accurate basis for our individual sets of beliefs. Find out if FreeWill or Destiny was believed first. See: http://www.ccel.org http://www.earlychristianwritings.com As far as the real Protestant Reformation goes, you should know and realize that the Roman Catholic Church was very corrupt in Luther's day. Luther opposed many of their rituals. Luther also believed ministers should be allowed to marry. Luther was hard pressed against all sexual practices other than those practiced between a man and a wife. Luther also opposed several other things that society embraces in the 21st century. Augustinians, Lutherans, and Calvinists can only survive if they can prove if the Roman Catholic Church predating Jerome and Augustine believe as they do. However, it is well known that there have always been nonCatholic Christians before, during, and after The Council of Nicaea. There have always been nonCatholic Christians predating, during, and after the Protestant Reformation. Furthermore, Roman Catholics predating Jerome and Augustine were not preterists nor did they embrace Augustian grace. It is time to stand against travesties in the world. But first, it is time to take a stand against the corrupt practices in the church. If we truly want a return to the original, a reformation, we must forget religion, Democratic vote, modern liberalisms, and all other things made by man. Liberal Christianity has corrupted far too many Christians as is. Judgement begins in the House of God. We must no longer embrace Satan's design. That design is indicated not only in Modern Liberal Christianity but all other human philosophies. There is only one way to God and that pathway is illustrated in the Bible. The return to this truth is the only way to gain true Reformation. -Jeremy Brown 2003 __________________________________________________________________________________________ Positive Email Response from Pastor Dave Wade of California Used with permission. Interesting. The older I get in christ and years, the more content I am to accept the fact that the Bible contains things which I will not understand until I get to heaven. That being said, I believe that the "meaty" debate between pre-destination is best explained by the word of god in and of itself. There is absolutely no need to reconcile that one is right and one is wrong in that they are intricately tied to one another as can be seen in Romans 10:13-15, which states: "(13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:13-15) Indeed we, ourselves, must call out to our savior. (Romans 10:13) No one can do this for us. Next, until a person knows that Jesus is Lord, how can they call upon his name? (Romans 10:14) Then finally, who sent the preacher, but God himself? (Romans 10:15) Alternatively, look at Romans 2:13-15 which states: "(13) For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: (15) Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; (16) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Pastor David Gusik, who in his study of Romans 2:13-15 states: "People who have never heard God's word directly still have a moral compass that they are accountable to as "God is describing how He has constituted all men: there is a 'work' within them, making them morally conscious." (Newell) "He is not saying that the law is written on their hearts, as people often say, but that the work of the law, what the law requires of people, is written there." (Morris)" All that being said, God has made an invitation to all mankind, be it by sending a preacher or as is evidenced by his making them "morally conscious". After that, it is up to each person to accept this invitation, and that acceptance or declination is best evidenced by our acts and not our mouths. 1John 3:18 And as we are called to be christ like in our words acts and deeds, we should strive maintain, in ourselves, the "goodness of God [that] leadeth thee to repentance," that being "the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering" (Romans 2:4) Lastly, as far as the need for "Reformation" today. Indeed reformation of the church is needed in as much as the various denominations have departed from the clear and unambiguous word of God. Faith comes from hearing the word of God, and where/when people depart from the word of God (in its entirety) there is a need to return. So often churches "indoctrinate" people with their beliefs instead of allowing the word of God to work in the hearts of people. This leads to division, bickering and a general decay of faith. I must work at not being drawn into unhealthy debate, for I am weak. I was talking to a brother in christ the other day and was suprised to hear that he had trouble believing that the earth is less than 10,000 years old. I started talking science to him and he said that he preferred to stay away from discussing this matter because it indeed was a stumblingblock for his faith. He said he sees the glory and grace of God in all that surrounds him and that his study of God's plan for him now and in the future was sufficient for him. It was at that time, I remembered share meat with those that are able and milk with those that have not a stomach for meat, and above all things do not let non essential issues cause any man to question his faith. This started out to be a two line response to your writing. So much for brevity. In his love, Dave ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Positive Email from Terrence Chambers Thanks for writing. I call myself a disciple, which means I desire to come under the discipline of Christ by the Spirit. If someone calls me a Christian, as was done at Antioch, then I am proud to be connected to Christ. Ask some Christians if they are disciples of Christ. They usually think you are either going into a strange doctrine or that you are asking a trick question. Few disciples exist today. Most just want to call themselves a Christian and believe they will escape hell and luxuriate in heaven forever. Jesus said we had to forsake all and follow Him to be a disciple. I guess being a Christian is easier. Jesus also said that few would find the strait gate and the narrow path. I surely want to be one of those that do! You made several great points in your email. You may notice that I purposely seek to keep my articles in basic language and common study so that many people can grasp and understand my logic. This article you read was intended to cause people, who attend nominal churches and think being a protestant is their saving ideal, to wake up and seek Christ. I wanted to shake their faith in an era and philosophy, so they could be led to seek a more full and powerful experience with God. We need another reformation right now in America. A great awakening would help our children, as most of them have never been near a great move of God. Terry Chambers |
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