faith | Blind Man's Fancy

The Faith That Saves (Part 2)

October 29, 2015January 27, 2016 B.J. MaxwellBiblical Meditations, Christian Life, Church Life, The Gospel, Theology

(Re)read Part 1. Imagine walking on railroad tracks with a friend. You see a faint light growing larger and conclude a train barrels toward you. You and your friend begin to argue about what sort of train it is. You’re sure it’s a coal train from Pittsburgh. Your friend insists its a passenger train from Chicago. You argue your experiences with trains makes you a better trainspotter. He argues he has read everything about […]

The Faith That Saves (Part 1)

October 27, 2015January 26, 2016 B.J. MaxwellBiblical Meditations, Christian Life, Church Life, The Gospel

Calvinists and nonCalvinists have fought about the origin of saving faith for centuries. Calvinists insist God grants saving faith to the elect at the moment of conversion. NonCalvinists insist God has granted everyone the ability to believe the gospel and must be rightly persuaded. No one has any ability or everyone has some ability. Important distinctions, to be sure. But have we missed the forest for the trees? While we skirmish on the periphery the enemy […]