Tag: Justification

A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Five

We have one more section to deal with, which will conclude this series. In an addendum, entitled “Substitutionary Atonement and Imputed Righteousness,” Troyer critiques imputed righteousness (i.e., justification by faith). Unfortunately, this section contains the same kinds of misunderstandings present in the rest of the booklet. He does raise genuine concerns, but on the main … Continue reading A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Five →

A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Four

Second Roadblock  The second roadblock is a much shorter section of the booklet and doesn’t require much interaction. Troyer says, “A second roadblock to accepting the substitutionary atonement theory is the law of the leavening process of sin.” He explains that “direct contact with sin equals contamination by sin” and therefore “if sin is ascribed … Continue reading A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Four →

A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Three

First Roadblock, Continued Troyer argues that Christ did not appease the wrath of God by experiencing it in our place. He says, “The concept of wrath upon the Son is utterly foreign to the Scriptures.” But his view disagrees with those very Scriptures, as a quick overview will show. We need first to realize that … Continue reading A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Three →

A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Two

We are continuing our examination of the booklet The Gift of Redemption by Lester Troyer. Last month I wrote an introductory article wherein I laid out my approach and summarized my concerns. Readers who have not read that article are strongly encouraged to start there. Misunderstandings One of my concerns about this booklet is that … Continue reading A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part Two →

A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part One

The editors of The Sword and Trumpet recently received two copies of a new booklet on the doctrine of Christ’s atonement, entitled “The Gift of Redemption: Price or Penalty?” by Lester Troyer. Since the atonement is an issue of perennial significance, and one which has received a fair amount of attention recently, I was interested … Continue reading A Response to The Gift of Redemption – Part One →

Podcast: Does Justification Matter? [Foundations]

Why does justification by faith alone matter? Because if we discard or downplay it, we are of necessity also discarding and downplaying grace. If our works are necessary to complete our salvation, then God’s grace isn’t sufficient to save. If our gospel is to be God-glorifying, it must be God-centered. And if it is to be God-centered, it must be grace-based. That is, it must be about what God has done to save sinners, not about what sinners have done to make themselves worthy of God. Listen Now

Podcast: If You Love Me… [Foundations]

Jesus does not require anything of us poor wretched sinners except that we come to Him in faith. His love is offered freely to all who are willing to receive it. This grace compels us to obey. As Isaac Watts expressed, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” This kind of love demands that we give everything—my soul, my life, my all. If we come to Christ with hearts brimming with love for Him, then we are ready and eager to hear these words in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Listen Now