JW Burgeson wrote:
> >>I have no problem with the idea that the "rewards" of those who "build
> upon the foundation" (cf. I Cor.3:10-15) will be different. But
> justification is a crucial issue that demands absolute clarity.>>
>
> In my original post, was I not quite clear on this, George?
>
> I thought I was. But you quoted me out of context by not quoting ALL of my
> post. Perhaps I was not clear enough. If so, I apologize. The post is now in
> the archives; I did not keep a copy.
I didn't intend to misrepresent you - & in fact was
responding primarily
to Boff, not you. Your post was as follows:
Robert wrote: "If Christianity is the Way, it is a way of good works."
OPosted o my PC monitor I have a quotation
from Leonardo Boff which reads:
"The eternal destiny of human beings
will be measured by how much or how little solidarity
we have displayed with the hungry, the thirsty,
the naked, and the oppressed.
In the end, we will be judged in terms of love."
Wayne's closing aphorism says "by grace we are saved," and I agree with that
as a foundational starting point. Not as a conclusion.
Now one can read your concluding paragraph as meaning that we are saved
entirely by grace & that the status of the redeemed in heaven is then
determined
in part by our works in accord, e.g., with I Cor.3. OK. But it can also be
read as meaning that God gives us a start toward salvation but that
then we have
to accomplish a certain amount by works, love &c in order actually to be saved.
Not OK.
As you probably know already, Lutherans can be real pedants about this
issue. But I think it's one in which precision is vital & in which the
distinctions need to be emphasized. Ask a cross section of Christians in any
denomination - Lutheran, Roman, Presbyterian or whatever - why they think
they'll get into heaven (or whatever image of final salvation you
want to use) &
about 75% will give you some variant on "Well, I've always tried to do what's
right and obey the Ten Commandments." & that will be true even if they've just
heard a sermon on Rom.3:28!
BTW, did you know that if your rearrange the letters in "Presbyterians"
you get "Britney Spears"?
Shalom,
George
George L. Murphy
http://web.raex.com/~gmurphy/
"The Science-Theology Interface"
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