Tabletalk - Responding to N. T. Wright

An excellent and concise response to Wright. I am so glad that resources like this are available on the internet and hope that it will be widely used.

This format is not very helpful. I do not seem to be able to print it out or copy it so I can read it on y work/church computer which does not have internet access. A pdf file would be far, far more useful.

Stephen

I believe the format is not helpful on purpose. I think they (Ligonier) are probably hoping you will subscribe to it. :)

What do you call someone who know denies the heart of the gospel?

This was so good. At one time it would have made me angry regarding such efforts and endeavors made by man to justify himself and position. But, now there are so many benefits to these debates/discussions which exceed the truth of doctrine alone. They call me closer in dependence on Christ in many ways and take me from the world.

In the time of Jesus, it took many religious leaders of that day (and the world - Romans) to do according to Gods will in Christ. This seems somewhat to be the same 2000 years later. It takes many on one side to make the other die to themselves and make us more dependent on Christ alone and not the world or its ways in pride and position and status.

Thanks for this article! It works more than you can know in me!

I have subscribed to Table Talk for many years (and I'm not Presbyterian). It is one of the most helpful publications/resources I have ever subscribed to or bought (and I have over 2000 books in my library -- not including my Logos 4 software).

What NTW needs to face up to and answer plainly is whether salvation is by Christ alone. In other words, he would need to affirm that Christ is not merely necessary but sufficient to save to the uttermost. i.e. Is there ANYTHING we have to do to either attain or MAINTAIN our just standing before God. If there is then he is preaching a different gospel.

When NTW claims that "justification is on the basis of the whole life lived" it sounds like he is saying that when we have faith in Christ it brings our account to zero, but in order to have positive righteousness we need to do good works to build up on what Jesus started. This is in stark contrast to the gospel which says "Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" The Christian not only looks to Christ for the forgiveness of sins but for his righteousness as well. Christ not only dies the death we justly deserve but also lived the life we should have lived, under the law, and not only imputes our sin to him, but imputes his righteousness to us.

When I read Piper he sounds alot like this as well. Especially when he talks about perseverence of the faith and final judgement. I wish someone could point out the difference for me.

jmcguire

I highly recommend the following article on perseverance and apostasy.

http://gregscouch.homestead.com/files/eternalsecurity.htm