Uncivil Discourse

Recently, I watched a video of a Christian pastor, John MacArthur, where he was listing many of the verses supporting that salvation in Jesus Christ is by grace. However, I know for a fact that he teaches Lordship Salvation. This is a belief that I say teaches a works-based salvation. MacArthur writes on his website:

"There are many articles of faith that are fundamental to all evangelical teaching. For example, there is agreement among all believers on the following truths: (1) Christ's death purchased eternal salvation; (2) the saved are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone; (3) sinners cannot earn divine favor; (4) God requires no preparatory works or pre-salvation reformation; (5) eternal life is a gift of God; (6) believers are saved before their faith ever produces any righteous works; and (7) Christians can and do sin, sometimes horribly.

What, then, are the distinctives of lordship salvation? What does Scripture teach that is embraced by those who affirm lordship salvation but rejected by proponents of "easy-believism"? The following are nine distinctives of a biblical understanding of salvation and the gospel."

Without going deep into what he has written, I want to highlight two things he says. One is that all believers agree that "Christ's death purchased eternal salvation." No, it did not. The death of Jesus Christ doesn't save anybody. His death makes salvation possible. But, salvation is the restoration of the life of God made available because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Secondly, he uses the term "easy-believism." Regarding, easy-believism MacArthur's website says, "The problem with easy-believism is not that it will keep God's elect from getting saved, but that it allows people who are not genuine Christians to live comfortably with a false assurance." In my opinion, this slanderous term is thrown out there to intimidate anybody who dares question anything about Lordship Salvation. Regardless, when you say salvation is Jesus dying for our sins and that you are in danger of living comfortably if you don't submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, these statements open doors to insert legalism. When you don't understand living by faith in the indwelling Holy Spirit, all you are left with is living by works in response to rules designed to modify your flesh. 

But, I digress. My point in sharing this is that I made the following comment on the video:

"But, MacArthur believes in Lordship Salvation which is a works-based salvation. Go figure." 

This struck a nerve with the individual who posted the video who goes by the name Solus Christus. Here is what followed.

Solus Christus: You gather that he believes in a works salvation after watching this? No he doesn’t. When we are born again, one of the fruits that will manifest in our life is a full commitment to the Savior. MacArthur teaches that no one is capable of making this Lordship commitment until after the Lord has granted them salvation.

Me: @Solus Christus  I believe that he does. I have my evidence. He does believe in Lordship Salvation. So, at best, he is double-minded.

Solus Christus: Present your evidence then

Solus Christus: Then on top of this video I’ll present to more evidence that you are a liar. Your theology is bad off if you can watch this short and still say he preaches a works salvation. Your confused and deluded clearly.

Me: Thanks for the love. Calling your brother in Christ a liar before giving him the opportunity to present the evidence you requested says more about your beliefs, "theology" and relationship with Jesus Christ than it does mine. I forgive you either way. But, to answer your question, MacArthur on his GTY website mentions saving faith results in "a personal commitment to the person of Christ." But what entails a commitment? What are the parameters of it? Who is the one who determines if this commitment is genuine or adequate? This is where the works enter the picture. What is the list of behaviors to commit to? What are the blessings for "obedience" and penalties for "disobedience?" MacArthur won't tell you the list because by doing so, it is proof that he is promoting works/legalism. It is grace-covered law being passed off as the Christian life. Christians live by responding to the leading of the Holy Spirit, not through behavior modification in response to rules designed to manage our flesh. Grace and peace, my friend.

Solus Christus: Again, you are a liar from hell. He didn’t say that and out of love you need to repent. I have the GTY app. Give me a specific source. That website and app is huge and just to say it came from that is too broad to be considered as evidence. Why do you do this? You are not a brother if you believe in what’s false. It’s not loving for me to call you a liar, but that’s exactly what your doing with Pastor John right now in this comment feed. You raving hypocrite! Give me a specific source! You won’t find it because you are lying! And it would contradict this clip and about 2 or 3 thousand other sermons I’ve heard him preach on this topic. The devil hates the truth and is working through right now. So go get me real evidence or repent and recant from this utter blasphemy that your doing here.

Now, I gave him the evidence which I will share right here and I never said the video was in error as I was accused of doing. I admit, I probably should not have said anything, but I stand by my claim regarding MacArthur and Lordship Salvation. It is fine to disagree but to launch right into name calling before giving me a chance to give my evidence shows how many so-called Christians can't even be civil towards each other before devouring one another like the scripture warns. Either way, I pray God can use this in some way to minister to all parties involved. Grace and Peace.