by Susan McCreary, Stevensville
Of late I have been using the hermeneutic method of studying the Christian dispensations of the Bible.
Dispensation: 1. Is the plan of God by which He administers His rule within a given era in His eternal program. Dispensations are not periods of time, but different administrations in the eternal outworking of God’s purpose. It is especially crucial to note that the way of salvation – by grace through faith – is the same in every dispensation.
H. A. Ironside (1876-1951) began the study of dispensations, and gave warnings against antinomianism. (“Claim Him as Savior while refusing Him as Lord. Justification is severed from sanctification, legitimizing the notion of salvation without transformation. Mere believers are segregated from disciples, making 2 classes of Christians, carnal and spiritual. Faith is pitted against obedience, nullifying the moral aspect of believing. Grace becomes the antithesis of law, providing the basis for a system that is antinomian.”)
Antinomian (dictionary.com) is a Greek word that literally means “against law”; it is one who holds that, under the gospel dispensation of grace, the moral law is of no use or obligation, faith alone being necessary to salvation. In other words, an antinomian sees oneself as under no obligation to follow any type of moral code; one is completely free. (“Liberty”)
A believer must always counter antinomianism with the sinful nature of man (Romans 7:19-25). Scripture teaches that, after faith, there must be a corresponding way of life that pleases God and is filled with good works (Colossians 1:10-13). Ephesians 4:14-32 gives an obvious moral code and the antinomian cannot simply ignore the directives (v 25 Put off falsehood). Other helpful scriptures (Romans 6:15, James 2:8, 18, 24, I John 2:3-6).
Gomez says
Until you can prove that your god is anything other than the figment of men’s imaginations (something no one in the entire history of mankind has been able to do for any god, let alone yours specifically), there is not much point in opining about what you personally think that this god wants of us.
Hsabin says
Gomez. There is a story that goes around about a college professor who was lecturing about God, and that he did not believe in him. He challenged his class with these words; if there is a God let him strike me down soon. A young Marine in the class walked up to the professor And gave him a hard right hook, taking him to the floor. When he woke up he asked the marine why he hit him. The marine replied, God sent me because he was busy. You better watch out what you say and question. A right hook might be coming your way soon.
Gomez says
You already told me this dumb story a month or so ago. Perhaps you were drinking or something & you forgot. It was dumb then, and it’s still dumb now. That you feel the need to threaten anyone who even questions the existence of your god with violence shows how incredibly weak your actual confidence in his existence must be. It’s straight out of the Taliban’s playbook. “Worship my god or I’ll threaten you with violence!” Even I, a non-believer, can not recall a time when Jesus cracked anyone in the jaw for doubting that he was the son of god.
Do better Helen, do better.
Helen Sabin says
Gomez. Hey thanks for remembering this dumb story. I laugh every time I hear it. But here’s a better one for you. A golfer was on the golf course and every shot he made, his ball would roll by the hole, or end up in the sand trap, etc. The man just kept complaining and complaining to himself about what a lousy day he was having.
All of a sudden a bolt of lightning came down and struck He was lying on the ground, his skin sizzling from being on fire and he looked up at the skies and said why me god why me? And a voice out of the heavens came down and said because you piss me off. How’s that
Gomez says
So, are you saying that this is evidence that Thor exists?
Seriously, your material is so weak. Your evidence for your god basically seems to be “Believe me or I’ll punch you in the head”.
Seriously, if you have evidence that your god is real I’d love to see it, we all would. The only caveat is that you can not ask us to accept any type of evidence that your god is real that you would not also accept as valid proof from someone else that their (different) god was real.
No more threats, please, just present your evidence. Go ahead, your move.
Mike Miller says
I translate your little fable to mean that marines are violent and will physically assault people they disagree with.
Pt 2 of your silly little fable is the violent marine was arrested, charged, found guilty, and kicked out of college. Then he was reduced in rank and dishonorably discharged.
Why are you preaching/condoning violence?
H says
Hey Mike, your interpretation of this story is really strange. That says you have the view that all Marines are killers, our violent, etc. they are some of our military‘s finest. Too bad you don’t have the same attitude toward them that I do. Perhaps it’s because you were never in the military?
Mike Miller says
Why do you have problems with my follow-on of your silly story? Your story tells about a strong capable person beating up a weaker person over a simple difference in opinion. I simply elaborated on said bully by applying real world facts.
What I have or haven’t done is irrelevant (and further, none of your business) to your bullying story condoning violence over some alleged, unproven superior being of folklore, who is just one of countless fables over the millennium of many cultures.
H says
Wow Mike such anger. Do you need a beer? I bet you don’t laugh often. Too bad. Preach? You need to go to church more often if that is what you think preaching is all about! Or are you just woke up grumpy this morning. Which is it?
L says
Poor, angry, spiteful and hypocritical Helen. Nice try on baiting me. I will think the same of you until you prove otherwise. Your constant and consistent non fact based rhetoric is getting old. Perhaps a nap is in order (or many)..
Bill Stroud says
Sabin, your posts are not usually worthy of a response but I just gotta ask…do you get up in the the morning wondering how you could possibly be more classless and distasteful than yesterday?
Laurie says
Bill…nailed it with your comment to Helen. Most people don’t wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and ask themselves, “how can I be a spiteful, hateful and rude human?”
I would think that Helen would be as tired of her relentless and ridiculous rhetoric as the rest of us who use our brains for something other than constantly attacking other’s beliefs with non fact checked gibberish and nonsense.
Thanks for the voice of reason Bill!
Bill Stroud says
Thanks Laurie. Yes, I wonder why is it that so many take that fork in the path to such narrow-minded bitterness.
H says
Laurie, you always have the right to ignore what others say Lori. But you didn’t. You were triggered. So what does that say about you Lori? You condemn those who reply, and then you turn around and do the same thing? Hahaha. Hypocrite possibly is your middle name?Try your delete button Laurie. It works.
Mike Mercer says
Gomez, it is a good thing that so many believe without proof; Occams Razor not withstanding.
Gomez says
Whether a belief may or may not have positive side effects is irrelevant to whether the belief is actually true or not.
That said, statistically the states with the highest percentage of religiosity are also the states with the highest rates of teen pregnancy, divorce and homicide.
Mike Mercer says
Gomez, I speak of spirituality not rituals and rules you know as religiosity, apples and oranges or God Vs Caesar as it were. Being able to discern that difference is the challenge.
Gomez says
There is no religiosity without the belief in god(s).
Define “spirituality”.