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What Is the Greatest of All Protestant “Heresies”?
Ligonier ^ | 10/3/18 | Sinclair Ferguson

Posted on 10/03/2018 7:21:05 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper

Let us begin with a church history exam question. Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1542–1621) was a figure not to be taken lightly. He was Pope Clement VIII’s personal theologian and one of the most able figures in the Counter-Reformation movement within sixteenth-century Roman Catholicism. On one occasion, he wrote: “The greatest of all Protestant heresies is _______ .”

...How would you answer? What is the greatest of all Protestant heresies?

...What he wrote was: “The greatest of all Protestant heresies is assurance.”

A moment’s reflection explains why. If justification is not by faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone — if faith needs to be completed by works; if Christ’s work is somehow repeated; if grace is not free and sovereign, then something always needs to be done, to be “added” for final justification to be ours. That is exactly the problem. If final justification is dependent on something we have to complete it is not possible to enjoy assurance of salvation. For then, theologically, final justification is contingent and uncertain, and it is impossible for anyone (apart from special revelation, Rome conceded) to be sure of salvation. But if Christ has done everything, if justification is by grace, without contributory works; it is received by faith’s empty hands — then assurance, even “full assurance” is possible for every believer.

(Excerpt) Read more at ligonier.org ...


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KEYWORDS: bible; christianity; jesus; theology
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To: SoFloFreeper
Here are two quotes/sources that point another direction.

Heresies have been with us from the Church’s beginning. They even have been started by Church leaders, who were then corrected by councils and popes. Fortunately, we have Christ’s promise that heresies will never prevail against the Church, for he told Peter, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). The Church is truly, in Paul’s words, "the pillar and foundation of the truth" (1 Tim. 3:15).

A long list of heresies

41 posted on 10/03/2018 8:45:24 AM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: SoFloFreeper

“What Is the Greatest of All Protestant “Heresies”?”

Voting for a democrat.


42 posted on 10/03/2018 8:45:37 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo)
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To: Petrosius
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. (Matt. 7:21) God does not lie. When He says this, He means it.

...

Oh, definitely.

Many Roman Catholics, relying on their rituals, relics, and false works, will not be recognized by Christ. Many in other denominations who go through the motions, but who never had saving faith, will not be recognized.

43 posted on 10/03/2018 8:46:15 AM PDT by aMorePerfectUnion
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To: onedoug

Yeah, Luther was the Jews’ problem, he had so much power.


44 posted on 10/03/2018 8:50:36 AM PDT by xone
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To: SoFloFreeper

RCC’s biggest heresy is their belief that the bible is a partial testimony and the RCC has the rest of the story.


45 posted on 10/03/2018 8:52:23 AM PDT by DungeonMaster (If your church believes in evolution it is not a Christian church.)
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To: metmom
Assurance of salvation is a beautiful thing. Everyone should have it. 😁👍🇮🇱
46 posted on 10/03/2018 8:57:01 AM PDT by Mark17 (Genesis chapter 1 verse 1. In the beginning GOD....And the rest, as they say, is HIS-story)
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To: metmom
When He says we are sealed with the Holy Soirit until the day of redemption, being the guarantee of our inheritance, He means it.

Not if a "saved" person decides to start blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Gifts can always be abused after receiving them, hence the instructions Paul was giving in the rest of Ephesians.

Also, a careful examination and analysis of the Churches (Made up of individuals) in the beginning of Revelation should be a wake up and stay awake call.
47 posted on 10/03/2018 8:59:22 AM PDT by rollo tomasi (Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians.)
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To: SoFloFreeper

Before Christ: The cult of anti-nomianism
In the time of Christ: gnostcism

All heresies derive from these.


48 posted on 10/03/2018 9:00:07 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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To: onedoug

Luther had several movements in his lifetime.
You were one of them.
Wipe and repeat.


49 posted on 10/03/2018 9:01:38 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (Catastrophic, Anthropogenic Climate Alterations: The acronym explains the science.)
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To: DungeonMaster
In Christ Alone.
50 posted on 10/03/2018 9:04:17 AM PDT by OddLane
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

So, you approve of his tirades against the Jews then?


51 posted on 10/03/2018 9:07:04 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: SubMareener

This is it. If you have faith, you will have works, the works will prove your faith rather than empty words, in other words, live your faith!


52 posted on 10/03/2018 9:09:52 AM PDT by allwrong57
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To: SubMareener

This is it. If you have faith, you will have works, the works will prove your faith rather than empty words, in other words, live your faith!


53 posted on 10/03/2018 9:10:59 AM PDT by allwrong57
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To: Petrosius

Ain’t my job.


54 posted on 10/03/2018 9:12:26 AM PDT by wastoute (Government cannot redistribute wealth. Government can only redistribute poverty.a pelvic exam.)
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To: Mark17

Well, St Paul didn’t have it.

“I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby justified [Gk., dedikaiomai]. It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Cor. 4:4).


55 posted on 10/03/2018 9:15:00 AM PDT by allwrong57
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To: SoFloFreeper

I must disagree with the good cardinal. Our great heresy is chasing after Sunday entertainment at the expense of Sunday worship

Next in line is disunity


56 posted on 10/03/2018 9:19:04 AM PDT by xzins (Retired US Army chaplain. Support our troops by praying for their victory.)
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To: allwrong57

Right! And your works will be different from everyone else’s works, so there is no need to worry about other people’s works.


57 posted on 10/03/2018 9:20:27 AM PDT by SubMareener (Save us from Quarterly Freepathons! Become a MONTHLY DONOR)
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To: the OlLine Rebel; metmom; ealgeone; imardmd1
"To happily, knowingly carry on with sinfulness"... IS PROOF THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS NEVER IN THEM.

By stating assurance is heresy, the CATHOLIC religion is professing that GOF is not big enough, knowledgeable enough, or Righteous enough, nor is the sacrifice of JESUS (God with us) on the Cross enough to assure GOD's Promises, so man has to help GOD! THAT IS REAL DAMNING HERESY, rejecting THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE.

58 posted on 10/03/2018 9:38:20 AM PDT by MHGinTN (A dispensational perspective is a powerful tool for discernment)
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To: SoFloFreeper

If we are saved we have the assurance, but are we saved or are we just playing at it.

I have an idea that is the reason for calling it heresies.


59 posted on 10/03/2018 9:41:08 AM PDT by ravenwolf (Left lane drivers and tailgaters have the smallest brains in the world.)
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To: MayflowerMadam

Mayflower Madam.....I pray for the Catholic Freepers....that they may, one day, see that CHRIST is ENOUGH.... and put their hope in the Savor ‘alone’.

Blessings to all believers and seekers of Christ.


60 posted on 10/03/2018 9:45:28 AM PDT by RevelationDavid (Jesus First, no matter the cost.)
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