By Grace Alone

Posting # 23

By Grace Alone

      In the near future I plan to write about the heresy charges that were leveled against me some 20 years ago (See Frequently Asked Questions # 20.). In reviewing this material I came across the following letter. This letter dated July 17, 1984, together with the quote from a recent gracEmail, can serve as my reply to those who had questioned this claim that I recently made:

“Faith and repentance are human acts. Even though they are engendered and directed by the Holy Spirit in the lives of God's people they involve human participation. No matter how tenuous this human element is, it is imperfect and stained with sin. Nothing that is imperfect and stained with sin can be essential to effectively apply Christ's saving work to his people” (See Posting # 20, "Tiessen, 'Who Can Be Saved?'").

      Cordially, Neal Punt whenindoubt1@charter.net

“The Rev. Alvin F. _______________ St. Mark’s Church
Rector

July 17, 1984

Dear Mr. Punt,

      In my mind, the unconditionality of the gospel is one of the most important issues facing American preaching. We are so deeply affected by revivalism, with its synergistic interpretation of the Gospel, that when we hear of unconditional Grace we immediately accuse the preacher of either universalism or antinominianism. Little do we realize we are taking offense at Jesus.

      As one who has participated to some degree in the charismatic renewal, I can say that the spiritual consequence of the Arminian gospel is often quite negative. People are led into a deeper conversion to our Lord and enter into a new experience of the Spirit, and instead of being filled with love for their fellow “noncharismatic” Christians, they despise them for not being “born-again” or “Spirit-filled.” A spirit of condemnation and judgment reigns. Why is it that nice people suddenly become obnoxious when they get renewed? I think the answer lies in the general belief that we have done something to make God’s blessing possible: I have opened myself to the Spirit. I have surrendered myself to the Lord. I have met the conditions for spiritual renewal; and since I have done this, and all those other merely baptized Christians have not, I can now feel superior and sit in judgment upon them.

      The Arminian message leads one to believe that the ego, by its decision of faith, can establish itself in Christ. It thus reinforces, and indeed aggravates our pride and autonomy. We may be saved by Grace, not by Grace alone. After all, I was the one who had the good sense and courage to commit myself to Christ. Faith thus becomes a work, despite all our protestations to the contrary.

      May God continue to bless your ministry.

                                                Sincerely, Alvin F. ______________”

"Jewish ritual circumcision was also an act of obedience to a direct command of God, but Paul rigorously opposed his fellow-Jews who thought that it contributed anything toward God's acceptance, forgiveness or declaration that they were 'righteous. The difference between sinful self-righteousness and justification by faith hinges on one's attitude and motivation regarding any particular act of obedience -- whether that be circumcision, baptism or anything else. For the person who considers it a personal contribution toward right standing with God or a necessary requirement for obtaining God's kind favor, any obedience becomes a matter "of works" in the bad sense (Rom. 10:1-3; Phil. 3:8-11)."