Basics of the Reformed Faith -- The New Heavens and Earth

The final installment of my series on basic Reformed doctrine has been posted on the Westminster Seminary California blog:

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Comments

[Chris]

Just want to say, Dr. Riddlebarger, that I look forward to reading your up and coming material. Can't wait.

Thank you,

Chris Jager
Tillamook, OR

[Alberto]

I ask the following because of a certain former student of Kim that is somewhat Lutheran in his views, at least in soteriology. This former student does a once a week program on Christian radio here in the Los Angeles area that is on the hour after the White Horse Inn's former spot.

Is it possible to fall away once in our resurrected state? I guess something similar to Adam before the Fall. It seems depressing, but I ask because either this former student is unique in his views (assuming I heard him correctly) or is perhaps expressing a Lutheran teaching. Do Lutherans teach this?

[Kim Riddlebarger]

Alberto:

No, it is not possible to fall away from the resurrected state! Never heard any orthodox Christian (including Lutheran) teach such a thing . . .

Better go back and check the source quotation on this one.

[Lloyd I. Cadle]

Alberto -

Perhaps you are talking about Craig Hawkins? If so, Craig is not Lutheran but he quotes both Lutheran and Reformed sources more than any other sources. He does so because he holds both reformation traditions in very high regard.

Regarding the Lutheran teaching on losing salvation, a person cannot lose it because they keep falling into sin (don't we all?) or struggling with sins, but, they can walk away from their salvation by no longer wanting it. In other words, they can tell the Lord that they no loger care about Jesus Christ or the things of God, but that the things of this world are now what they are living for.

Craig Hawkins is a 5 sola guy and he seems to be open to the views of different traditions. He is into apologetics, and he does a great job of getting the Gospel message out.

[Alberto]

I'll probably give him a call this weekend if I have time. The thought stayed with me because I don't think I have heard anyone ever say such a thing, and his view of Christians willingly rejecting Christianity is something of which I am aware.

I listen to his program, but I'm not a fan; when people ask him questions, he tends to throw out every possible view that can be "orthodox" and doesn't express at times what he thinks. Maybe this has something to do with the nature of his different views that are not all in a certain tradition and the other people involved in the program.

Also, I'm having trouble understanding how charismatics like him can affirm Sola Scriptura. I've even heard him say that he has experienced times where the Lord was "speaking" to him or guiding him in a certain direction only to find that he was wrong. I grew up in Pentecostalism, and I now cringe when I hear people attribute to God "special revelation" outside of Scripture.

[Lloyd I. Cadle]

Alberto -

That does not sould like Craig Hawkins.