The Doctrine of the Means of Grace


© John L. Hoh, Jr.
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Page 11

Jan 25, 1999


The opinio legis (opinion of the Law) is very evident in Rome and Reformed. Rome does so by emulating the Jews - Tradition. Reformed by emulating natural man and "natural" religion - Reason. The old Adam is at work in these very distorted theologies. The old Adam and Satan continue to promulgate the lies that man must and should pay for his own sins and thus save himself. The lie also deceives men into thinking that this is possible. Let us remember the words of Jesus:
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. (Matthew 16:17)
The numbers of churches are staggering; the teachings are but few. Let us ever remember these differences, clearly point them out and keep in mind the dominant focus of our faith. Popes and councils can err and man's reason is clouded by sin. Only God's Word is true and faithful. In it we find forgiveness of sins, pardon, peace and eternal life. Pray that God keep that faith alive and burning in our hearts. Pray also that his Gospel create the right attitude in those who hear it, even under the falsehood that it is burdened with.

E N D N O T E S

1 New International Version, 1 Corinthians 1:22-24.
2 Reese, W.L., Dictionary of Philosophy and Religion (Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press, 1980), p. 421.
3 Basic Catechism (Boston: Daughters of St. Paul, 1980), p. 77.
4 NIV, Romans 8:1-2.
5 Basic Catechism, p. 73.
6 Ibid, p. 148.
7 Ibid, p. 64.
8 Ripley, Francis J., This is the Faith (Billings, England: Birchley Hall Press, 1960), p. 143.
9 The Common Catechism: A Book of Christian Faith (New York: Seabury Press, 1975), p. 384.
10 McGavran, Donald and Arn, Win, Back to Basics in Church Growth (Wheaton: Tyndale Press, 1981), p. 11 (Quote taken from "Law and Gospel in the Church Growth Movement" by Rev. Robert Koester, delivered to the Dakota- Montana Pastoral Conference on September 18-19, 1984).
11 Concordia Triglotta, "Small Catechism" (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921), p. 551.
12 Ibid, "Large Catechism," p. 733.
13 Basic Catechism, p.p. 80-81.
14 Ripley, op cit, p. 210.
15 Basic Catechism, p. 81-82.
16 Ibid, p. 84.
17 Ibid, p. 84.

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
11.   Nov 13, 2003 9:23 AM
You are entirely correct in presenting the rules and regulations as what you coin to be the spirit of legalism. Much like the Pharisees, many a congregation today is so caught up with the rule ...

-- posted by Zanzi
10.   Nov 13, 2003 6:54 AM
In response to message posted by rjp7:

It might be that I used terms that are more divisive than descriptive of the three main bran ...

-- posted by H2O
9.   Nov 13, 2003 6:37 AM
In response to message posted by sicarri:

You state you cited two sources that had Imprimaturs, yet your Endnotes indicate at le ...

-- posted by H2O
8.   Nov 12, 2003 2:50 PM
Sir,

While researching into the Reformed doctrine on the means of grace, I came across your article.

First, may I respectfully suggest that your division of the Christian Church into Lutheran, ...

-- posted by rjp7
7.   Aug 19, 2002 9:10 PM
In response to message posted by sicarri:

You are correct in stating I cite four catechisms. However, one is Luther's Catechism, wh ...

-- posted by H2O



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