MarkBsnr,
Thank you for your thoughts. As always, I appreciate you.
I am not concerned in the least - ever - as I think you know, with Protestant thought, with what Luther wrote or thought, etc. It is all interesting to academics. It may inform us historically. It doesn’t bind us.
I am concerned with God’s inspired thoughts, recorded for us, ever there and easily accessible to all Christians, of every stripe who seek Him.
He clearly calls all Christians saints. Since we do not believe in spiritual death for believers, their whereabouts are immaterial (had to say it). All remain what God spoke... here or there.
I do not wish to change what He spoke, but changing the meaning of His Words.
In this, we rejoice!
If it depends on our works to define sainthood, no one would be a saint. If it depends on the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us by His grace, we rest in Him, give Him all the credit and glorify Him forever.
Hope today is a great day for you and your family. Sun is shining here and Spring is apparently going to make a long-awaited appearance.
And likewise. After a shaky start way back when, we have actually had meaningful dialogue and conversation.
I am not concerned in the least - ever - as I think you know, with Protestant thought, with what Luther wrote or thought, etc. It is all interesting to academics. It may inform us historically. It doesn’t bind us.
However, it does illustrate the change in Protestant thought as opposed to traditional Christian thought. The issue of 'saints' was unopposed until people began to think that they personally were able to interpret the Bible and create their own theology. Up until that time, the Church went on St Paul's instruction that the Church was the pillar and foundation of truth, not each man.
He clearly calls all Christians saints. Since we do not believe in spiritual death for believers, their whereabouts are immaterial (had to say it). All remain what God spoke... here or there.
You wouldn't have Scripture that says specifically that, do you?
If it depends on our works to define sainthood, no one would be a saint. If it depends on the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us by His grace, we rest in Him, give Him all the credit and glorify Him forever.
If we depended on our works to save us, nobody would be saved. Yet, by the blood of Christ and the promise of salvation, we are made heirs. Yet, we can, and many do, reject that inheritance. Christ came to save all men, yet, does a Mao Tse Tung or a Charles Manson get to be saved? I don't know. I am not the Judge, but going by the words that He has left us, and the teachings of the Church, probably not.
Hope today is a great day for you and your family. Sun is shining here and Spring is apparently going to make a long-awaited appearance.
Better here today. The kids' soccer games were at least bearable. I was going to write to Algore and ask him for a cup of Global Warming.