Expert: Dr. Billy Kryger - 9/21/2010

Question
Hello,

My name is Andy.  I just finished a book that went through the history of the church from the early church to its nature in modern society.  The end of the book has me deeply disturbed as the author states that more and more Christians are finding spiritual meaning by embracing a pluralistic notion of faith - ie. one can be both Buddhist and Christian, or that a 'blend' of faith can be used to become a Christian, so long that you believe in 'love and generosity.'  Some people have said this is the emergent church point of view.

My question is this; What is the moment where we are made right with God, and can one become 'un-justified' by screwing up their theology?  Should I be freaked out that I'm not vigilant or well versed enough in my faith and heresy is creeping in?

Thanks,

Andy  

Answer
Andy:
    
Thank you for your question.  Unfortunately questions like these are being asked more and more frequently as we draw closer to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

At that moment when we realize our need for a Saviour and acknowledge the fact that we cannot save ourselves-it is only through the shed blood of Christ on the cross plus nothing minus nothing-it is then we are justified.  It is not the praying of a prayer, the turning over of a new leaf, the doing of good deeds, the embracing of a (or many) particular doctrine or religion, the keeping of the ordinances, or any other act that enables us to obtain salvation.  It is simply trusting in Christ's atonement (Ephesians 2:8, 9).  As we mature in the faith, as we read and study the scriptures, as we sit under the teaching and preaching of faithful men of God, as we grow in our relationship with the Lord we are enlightened to new things that we haven't learned before (not new doctrines or new truths-God gave us a complete Word) then our knowledge increases.  Many times we are faced with things that sound legitimate because they are seemingly based on Bible doctrine.  But we must always examine those things under the microscope of the Word of God and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment to know whether those things are genuine or not.  During this process we may come to realize that something we have believed, although sincerely held to, was wrong.  That is not a basis for losing our salvation or becoming "un-justified", is is simply the process of growth in our spiritual life.

As to your last question, the Bible exhorts us to "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).  However it is impossible to be well-versed enough on every religion or belief system to be able to intelligently refute every doctrine or argument.  We must do like the federal government teaches Treasury Officers to do.  They cannot possibly be familiar with every nuance of each counterfeit bill that is circulated.  They are taught to become experts on the genuine article.  They are taught to become so "well versed" in the real thing that when they see something that doesn't match it they'll immediately know it's a fake.  So it is with our faith.  We must immerse ourselves in the study the Word of God and become intimate with it so that when some new truth or doctrine comes along we'll immediately be able to know that it isn't true (2 Timothy 2:15).

Hope this helps, Andy.