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Where Biblical Christianity . . . Meets the Bible!
By Dr Matt
"I think we may accept it as a rule that whenever a person's
religious conversation dwells chiefly, or even frequently, on
the faults of other people's religions, he is in a bad condition."
- C.S. Lewis
In a message dated April 21st, Bob writes:
Matt,
I e-mailed you back on February 19. Did you get it?
Blessings,
Bob Betts
Office Manager
Concerned Christians
Mesa, Arizona
Dear Bob:
Yes, I received the email you sent on February 19th. It's good to let time pass so that "Reason" can learn a little more than it knew two months ago.
"What does reason know? Reason only knows what it has succeeded in learning"
- Fyodor Dostoevsky
Reason can wisely learn according to these Bible truths:
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser:
teach a just man, . . . and he will increase in learning.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning;
and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom:
a good understanding have all they
that do his commandments.
I appreciate the sincere words you have written: "How thoroughly relaxed I am in my Father's hands, enjoying the peace of God which surpasses human comprehension, serving and worshipping Him out of desire, rather than out of obligation to try to earn His favor that cannot be earned, but pleasing Him by my faith in Him."
Thanks for taking time to explain your beliefs.
There are some people who misunderstand the Lord's Gospel, and try to work their way to Heaven: Of course, this cannot be done. We must all rely upon His Grace for salvation and eternal life; and as Paul correctly taught, we gain access to His Grace "through faith."
My use of the phrase "the gospel according to Bob" describes the alternative gospel created every time you assert something different from what Jesus or His prophets have said. Here's a verse from the gospel of Bob:
"critical thinking is imperative when dealing with the things of God."
I'm surprised that you have not taken the time to edit and refine what you've written at this page of the Concerned Christian Website.
As explained in my previous email, Matt 22:37, Rom 12:2, 2 Cor 10:5, and Prov 23:7 do not establish the conclusion that "critical thinking is imperative when dealing with the things of God."
IF "critical thinking is imperative when dealing with the things of God," THEN Jesus or one of His prophets would have declared it.
When you can quote Christ directly to express your beliefs (adding no personal commentary), it is then your views become valid. As you quote Christ and His prophets, the view is not just yours anymore, but His. Remember Peter's admonition:
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation."
Christ can speak for Himself; we honor the Savior by letting His words establish the doctrines of His Gospel. If you maintain that a particular point is part of His Gospel, then simply let Jesus say it! But when you find it necessary to use your words instead of Bible Words, you preach the gospel of Bob.
There are thousands of directly-stated, unambiguous verses in the Bible to which believers can find a firm anchor for their Walk of Faith. Here's a Bible passage that undermines your "critical thinking" imperative:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes.
As we hold tight to such straight-forward verses from the Bible, we avoid "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." The Savior said:
Howbeit in vain do they worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
For laying aside the commandment of God,
ye hold the tradition of men. (Mark 7: 7-8)
Certain traditional teachings of Biblical Christianity are not explicitly expressed in the Bible. For example, here's another verse from the gospel of Bob that echoes the traditions of Biblical Christianity:
Bob Writes: If ya gotta do something, before ya get something, then you're earning what ya get. You don't tell a child, "Go outside and rake the leaves, trim the bushes and mow the lawn, then I'll give you this free gift."
If God's Gift is of infinite value (which it is), can anyone ever rake the leaves (believe in Him) enough to "earn" a Gift of infinite value? Yet raking the leaves (believing in Him) is a condition necessary to gain access to His Grace and His Gift. So, in fact you should tell a child to "Go outside and rake the leaves" (believe in Christ) in order to receive a "gift" that cannot be earned.
According to your "Reasoning" a person should not have to do anything to get something that is free? But didn't Bob Betts "do something" to be "completely secured in Christ" and feel "thoroughly relaxed I am in my Father's hands, enjoying the peace of God which surpasses human comprehension"?
I'm completely clear that you have not earned "the peace of God which surpasses human comprehension" but you did "do something" to gain access to His gift of infinite value.
Bob Writes: How wonderful it is, knowing that I am completely secured in Christ by his free gift of grace, sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise, knowing that I'm heaven-bound. How thoroughly relaxed I am in my Father's hands, enjoying the peace of God which surpasses human comprehension, serving and worshipping Him out of desire, rather than out of obligation to try to earn His favor that cannot be earned, but pleasing Him by my faith in Him.
As you know, all have "sinned, and come short" (Romans 3:23); no man can "earn" salvation but must rely upon His Righteousness to be saved (Romans 10:3). Nevertheless there is something that you did to receive His "free gift of grace" — you expressed "faith in Him."
Had you NOT chosen to believe in Christ (Go outside and rake the leaves), then you would NOT have accessed His "gift."
As we let the Bible say . . . what it says — sans private interpretations from you or me — we realize that Jesus Christ has established a foundational condition to receiving His Saving Grace. The Bible teaches about this foundational condition; it teaches that we must "do something" to be saved:
Acts 16: 30-31 — "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
Of course the Savior directly taught this same truth:
John 3: 15-16 — That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
To express faith in the Son of God is to "do something." To repeat:
If you believe that a particular point is part of His Gospel,
then simply supply the quote where Christ or His prophets have said it!
In previous emails you and I discussed a question that needs to be disappeared, rather than proved: Whether Bob Betts has represented the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a thoroughly accurate manner?
This question needs to be disappeared because there is a better question and point to pursue:
Why must Bob Betts PARAPHRASE Interpretations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
when it is far superior to give up the goal of trying to REPRESENT
the Lord accurately, and just let Jesus speak for Himself!
If Christ can make your point, then let Him make it — it's His Gospel. And if Christ or His prophets cannot make your point, then we know that the Gospel of Bob is being preached.
Matt Writes: In answering the previous questions, my opinion and your opinion are irrelevant!
Bob Writes: This goes without saying.
Matt Writes: No, I must keep "saying" it, because you keep USING YOUR WORDS to declare the doctrines of Christ, instead of directly quoting the words of Christ and His prophets. Here's a simple test:
Remove all of Bob's commentary between Bible quotations
and then weigh whether the Lord has said,
what Bob is trying to say.
If we were to strike a line through all your personal interpretations, . . . guess what would happen? You and I would be in perfect agreement, for I accept and believe all the Bible verses that you have cited.
The essential beliefs by which I live are declared by Christ and His prophets; I have no need to add my personal commentary to His words. The words of the Bible declare my foundational beliefs. Jesus is fully capable of establishing the doctrines of His Gospel. When there is a question of what Jesus or one of prophets have said in a particular verse, . . . other verses in the Bible can clarify.
Here's another example of the gospel of Bob:
Matt Writes: Christ declares His conditions for receiving Salvation, and true believers hear and heed His words.
Bob Writes: There is one condition for receiving salvation: believe. That's what Jesus repeatedly told people when He preached His gospel.
According the gospel of Bob, there is only "one condition for receiving salvation: believe." In contrast, the Bible establishes multiple conditions necessary to receiving Salvation and Eternal Life. Here are seven 7 conditions identified by the Bible:
1) John 3: 15 — That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
2) Mark 13: 13 — And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
3) Mark 16: 16 — He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
In what sense, does Jesus "save" us? In answering this question, my opinion and your opinion are irrelevant! Jesus has established the doctrines of His Gospel; we honor Him as we hear and heed His words:
Matt. 1: 21 — And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
As explicitly given in the Bible, here are other conditions necessary to receiving salvation from sins unto life eternal, becoming joint-heirs with Christ in the kingdom of heaven:
4) Mark 10: 17-21 — And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, . . . One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
5) Matt. 18: 3 — And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
6) John 6: 54, 68 — Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
What does Christ mean when he said "whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood"? In answering this question, my opinion and your opinion are irrelevant! The Lord and His chosen prophets can establish and clarify the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- no private interpretation needed.
Luke 22: 19-20 — And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
1 Cor. 11: 24-25 — And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Here is another condition established by the Apostle Paul:
7) Rom. 8: 16-17 — The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Six conditions are declared by Christ Himself, with one more condition established by one of the Lord's prophets. This list of 7 seven is partial, the Bible contains more conditional statements as to receiving salvation, eternal life, and entering the kingdom of heaven.
If you wish to add clarifying comments to what the previous Bible teachings, let the words of Christ and His prophets say, . . . what you want to say! Remember:
If Jesus or His prophets have not said what you want to say,
this is tell-tale sign that you preach the gospel of Bob.
Here's an example of how you find it necessary to USE YOUR WORDS, instead of letting the words of Christ suffice. Jesus said:
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also."
Matt Says: Amen!
Bob Responds: Exactly. First, believe, then works. Jesus never stated, “Do the works that I do, first. Then, after you have done all the works that you can do, THEN I’ll save you by my grace. No, He said just the opposite, as did the Apostle Paul. And, again, the Apostle Paul made it clear that the works that the true believer will do, are what God before ordained for us to walk in. Salvation first, then works.
In contrast to Bob's private interpretation, Here's Matt's representation of what Jesus taught in John 14:12
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me,
the works that I do shall he do also."
Jesus said it perfectly in the first place. I will believe in Him and believe His words.
Fact is, the words "Salvation first" and "then" are not words that Christ spoke in John 14:12. Nevertheless, if Christ has taught that "Salvation first" and "then" somewhere else, . . . just quote the Bible verses that articulate this -- sans your private interpretation.
Here is one Bible passage that explicitly uses the word "first."
Mark 12: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
If you can identify examples of Christ establishing orders of "first" priority ("Salvation first" and "then"), again, just quote the Bible to establish this particular assertion. And if you cannot find that direct quote and must ADD your personal words, you preach the gospel of Bob.
To Answer Your Question
Bob Writes: Show me how you reconcile Eph. 2:8-9 with 2 Nephi 25:23, Moroni 10:32
First, these scriptures do not need reconciling; they do not need to be "brought back together again," for they were never were apart, or in conflict, from the start.
Your question of reconciliation is better worded this way: Show me how you reconcile Bob's interpretation of Eph. 2:8-9 with how Bob interprets 2 Nephi 25:23 and Moroni 10:32
As you cease to tell Nephi and Moroni "what they mean" and let them speak for themselves, there is no conflict with what they have said, in light of Eph. 2: 8-9. When you simply allow each author to speak for himself, no "reconciliation" is required:
Acts 16: 30-31 — "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
John 3: 15 — That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Believing in the Son of God is what all humanity must "do" to gain access to His saving Grace; the foundational doing that must be done to be saved and have eternal life, is called "Believing in Christ."
Key to understanding what Nephi has said, is to pay attention to the words that . . . Nephi has said. The following passages put Nephi's intent and meaning within context -- note the highlighted words:
2 Nephi: 25: 20-29
behold I say unto you, that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved. . . . For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.
And, notwithstanding we believe in Christ, we keep the law of Moses, and look forward with steadfastness unto Christ, until the law shall be fulfilled. For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments.
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins. Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that our children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given.
And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away. And now behold, my people, ye are a stiffnecked people; wherefore, I have spoken plainly unto you, that ye cannot misunderstand. And the words which I have spoken shall stand as a testimony against you; for they are sufficient to teach any man the right way; for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.
And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in nowise be cast out.
Nephi clarifies the doing that needs to be done eight times within the 25th chapter of 2nd Nephi; thus "after all" our "believing" it is by grace that we are saved.
Now let's look at what Moroni wrote.
The key to understanding what Moroni means by the words that he wrote, is by paying attention to the actual words . . . that he wrote. Here are some passages from just the 10th chapter of Moroni; if we considered the context of ALL that Moroni wrote, the central theme he expresses is even more obvious -- but the following words are obvious enough. Pay attention to the highlighted words:
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
18 And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ.
23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.
24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief. And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God.
30 And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift,
32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.
Bob, what part of "by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ" are you not able to understand?
By simply reading the words surrounding the ones you have taken out of context, you are able to understand that denying "yourselves of all ungodliness" is done through God's Grace. Here's what Moroni wrote:
"then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God,
through the shedding of the blood of Christ"
In regard to Eph. 2:8-9, as you let Moroni say . . . what he has said, no reconciliation is needed. The reason why you think that Paul's words need to be reconciled with 2 Nephi 25:23 and Moroni 10:32, is because you have brought your private interpretations to certain words, taken out of context.
It is by grace that you and I are saved, "after all" our believing -- the believing that Nephi explicitly identified 8 eight times within 10 verses. And as Moroni made crystal clear, it is "in Christ" that true believers are made perfect. It's foolish to think that you and I can doing anything "good" without Him. Jesus said it this way:
John 15: 4-5 — Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The words of Christ establish that "except ye abide in me" . . . "ye can do nothing." As stated in my previous email, those who truly believe in Christ . . . "abide in [Christ]" and are empowered by what you call the "indwelling" of the Spirit -- thus "in Christ" true believers are empowered to do what He asks.
And what does He ask of us? While numerous commandments are given in the Bible, truth is, the Lord is "faithful" to help each of us at the level we are on. The Apostle Paul said it this way:
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:
but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
( 1 Cor. 10: 13 )
Some believers are more "able" to bear certain temptations more than others -- as was the case with Job. There are many people who profess to "believe in Christ" that could not "bear" the trial of Job; thus God is "faithful" to NOT allow a Job-like temptation for those who cannot "bear" it.
As you have questioned the words of Moroni, "deny yourselves of all ungodliness," and then quipped, "good luck with that," here's an erroneous interpretation that may reside in your head: Moroni is supposedly suggesting that "deny yourselves of all ungodliness" is somehow done on our own, un-aided by His Grace. Now if this were the correct interpretation, I would join with you in a chorus of: "good luck with that!" By reading the phrase in context, Moroni's meaning comes clear:
Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.
Bob, what part of "come unto Christ, and be perfected in him" can you not understand? AND what part of "by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ" can you not understand? Moroni expressed the key concept twice and Bob Betts could not perceive it once.
"What does reason know? Reason only knows what it has succeeded in learning"
- Fyodor Dostoevsky
Bob, you may someday learn that you cannot change chocolate mousse into mud simply by saying that it's so. Reality IS what it IS. What Moroni and Nephi have said is on the record; it's a Reality that you cannot change by Rhetoric.
Reality cannot be changed by Rhetoric -- however, the perception of Reality is sometimes changed by Rhetoric. A perfect example is currently happening in the state where you reside. On the one hand, there is the REALITY of what is actually written in a new immigration Law; and on the other hand, there is the erroneous Rhetoric spoken about that same law -- Rhetoric that attempts to change Chocolate Mousse . . . into Mud.
The best way to acurately perceive the Reality of the Law . . . is to strike a line through all the Rhetoric (private interpretations) and read the Law and let it say . . . what it says.
The words of Nephi and Moroni are already on the record. What they have said is clear -- especially as context is accounted for. The words of Moroni and Nephi echo the same truth that Jesus taught in John 15:1-5 -- unless we Abide in the True Vine, we "can do nothing."
Reality versus Rhetoric:
What is actually written in the Law!
No matter how much you personally want to maintain that "there is one condition for receiving salvation: believe," no matter how much Rhetoric you bring to this issue, still, . . . you cannot change an Apple into an Orange — simply by saying that it's so. What is written in the Law . . . is already written in the Law. And the Law identifies at least 7 conditions to receiving Salvation and Eternal Life. Let's read them again:
1) John 3: 15 — That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
2) Mark 13: 13 — And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
3) Mark 16: 16 — He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
4) Mark 10: 17-21 — And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, . . . One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
5) Matt. 18: 3 — And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
6) John 6: 54, 68 — Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
7) Rom. 8: 16-17 — The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Jesus Can Speak for Himself. I will believe in Him and believe His words.
If you believe that a particular point is part of His Gospel,
then simply supply the quote where Christ or His prophets have said it!
I look forward to the Bible Quotes that you will cite -- sans your private interpretations.
Sincerely,
Matt Moody
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Dr Matt's Rebuttals to Bob Betts and The Concerned Christians:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
The Greatest Prize
for Life's labors isn't
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You labor for your own becoming, this is your richest reward.
Who You Become is your greatest possession,
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Social Psychologist & Personal Advisor