Exclusivism also described as particularism adopts the position that there is no knowledge of God without Christ. Karl Barth agrees with this viewpoint that salvation is only possible through Christ and includes the concept of “ultimate eschatological victory of grace over unbelief” (McGrath, 2011, p. 436). The exclusivist viewpoint aligns well with the uniqueness of the Christian faith and therefor the necessary missionary response that is part of its reality. The opposing viewpoint is that of the inclusivist approach that allows space for other religions seeing the as milestones along the way towards a faith in Christ (McGrath, 2011). According to McGrath the inclusivist viewpoint became popular in the 1890’s centered on words from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that He came to fulfill not to destroy.
Jesus came to this world Matthew 28:19 to tell us that we are free from sin, follow him, create other disciples and reign in the glory of God for eternity. Romans 3:23 says to follow the commandments, Mark 7:20-23 says to have good thoughts not to have immoral ones. Humans have morals built in them, they need to follow Jesus Christ and represent him. 5. The Question of Destiny- Christian’s belief that after death there is eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ or eternal damnation in hell.
Points thirty-two through forty summarize to say that letters of pardon by the Church do not represent true forgiveness of God. Forgiveness is granted only by God. Luther also stated that all the blessings of Christ come from God even without letters of pardon. Points forty through fifty-one can be summarized as the purchasing pardons is no replacement of one’s moral obligations for acts of love and kindness. Being a Christian involves devout prayer and good deeds for others.
Theological Method of John Wesley Faith by experience is the central theme in theological method of John Wesley. John Wesley strongly believed that without real connection with God through meditation, the word of God, prayer, etc., faith becomes just an outward appearance which in turn separates the men further away from God. Theology of John Wesley starts with Scripture. It is the strong foundation of his belief. Scripture is the Word of God revealed to men and it is necessary for his/her salvation.
“Are we going to believe God?”, and “Are we going to obey God?” Platt causes the reader to take a critical evaluation of self and discover whether we are “settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves”. The first chapter of this book points us toward Christ as “someone worth losing everything for”. Through several testimonies about his early years in ministry, Platt illustrates how the common worldview of ministry and
The gifts of the Spirit are simply God enabling believers to do what He has called them to do. Once a Christian submits to the leading of the indwelling, The Holy Spirit puts himself under His influence or control. The gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit are both bestowed by God, yet they are distinct in their purpose and presentation. The gifts of the Spirit have a specific purpose; to prove a claim and to offer evidence of the Holy Spirits’ presence. The fruits of the Spirit are not for proof, but rather are evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God in the believer.
So, Augustine emphasized the grace of God in his theological writings. For example, Augustine says in his book, Answer to the Pelagians, “ Conversion Proves the Gratuity of Grace—For, if faith comes only from free choice and is not given by God, why do we pray that those who do not want to believe may come to believe? We would surely do this to no purpose if we were not perfectly correct in believing that almighty God can convert to the faith even perverse wills which are opposed to the faith.” [2] Augustine's path to conversion was long. He had sought about the wisdom for the salvation but he found finally grace in the only way to be saved. He found his salvation in one miraculous moment of divine intervention.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh, the gods don’t compare to the God that Christians believe in today. The God in the Christian Bible is a stable God. This stability is shown in the covenants that God made with His followers and continues to make. By being the truth, and saving all Christians, He confirms that He is an everlasting God and will not break the covenants that He makes with His people. The Bible supports this in many different Bible scriptures.
The tells us that the man of God is free. "For FREEDOM did Christ set us free." "Stand fast," Paul says, "in that liberty, that freedom with which Christ has set you free." Do not be "entangled again in the yoke of bondage," trying to be saved by works or ceremonies or religious doings. Just put your trust in Jesus.
The Holy Spirit leaves in me and has helped me discern what is right and wrong. God is perfect; therefore, as a Christian I strive everyday to be more like God. Evil exists because the devil, which initially was an angel of light, wanted to be above God and no one can be more than God. He created me with a purpose in life and is to develop my spiritual life, serve Him, others and follow His word. I am committed to my Christian beliefs since I based my knowledge in the Bible.