Re: Wearing the Disguise of Faithfulness

Dear Dr. Mohler....

If we take this trend and put it together with Dr. Michael Horton's thesis that Evangelical churches are just as "christless" as the mainline liberal denominations, it is not beyond the imagination that before long Evangelicals will be accommodating to the culture along these same lines.

Unfortunately, the pelagian idea that God loves sinners but hates the sin misses the mark! God hates homosexuals as unpopular as that idea may be. Not only does He hate homosexuals (those who are not converted), but God hates ALL unconverted sinners! (See John 3:36; Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:3). This is the message that the Bible teaches, which even Martin Luther preached! Unless and until Evangelicalism is willing to place Scriptural authority above the misplaced and unbalanced emphasis on God's love, there will continue to be an erosion of visible churches into apostasy. I noticed in your article you say that the first group of Lutherans upholding scriptural authority says

"'that same-gender sexual behavior is sinful, contrary to the Bible teaching and their understanding of natural law.' These Lutherans believe that same-sex acts represent 'the grave danger of unrepentant sin.' Therefore, these Lutherans would call those struggling with same-gender attraction to a celibate lifestyle."

This first group of so-called "conservatives" demonstrates clearly the theological root of the problem. The minute we have this idea that God loves everyone equally in the same way and throw out the equally biblical doctrine that unconverted sinners are themselves the very objects of God's wrath, we have opened the door to idolatry, that is, loving self more than loving God. We have opened the door to theological pluralism.

It is my contention that semi-pelagianism and arminianism are inroads in the direction of pelagianism, which in turn leads to antinomianism like that of the ELCA's latest decision and that of The Episcopal Church. As you point out in your blog entry, Wearing the Disguise of Faithfulness, theological pluralism does not work. We need to nail down biblical doctrine and preach it boldly! The doctrines of the Protestant Reformation are clearly augustinian and not semi-pelagian.

Sincerely in Christ,

Charlie J. Ray

I have a blog at Reasonable Christian dot blogspot dot com.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity.

The Collect.

O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in shewing mercy and pity; Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.