Comments on: The Gospel's Work in Believers, Part 2 http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/ Reforming Fundamentalism (IFB) through Reformed Theology Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:45:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John D. Chitty http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-/#comment-9392 John D. Chitty Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:18:27 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9392 Man, I keep forgetting to notice the nifty little "reply" links. Man, I keep forgetting to notice the nifty little “reply” links.

]]> By: John D. Chitty http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9391 John D. Chitty Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:16:54 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9391 It's different because I don't have to read my own stuff. I know what I mean even if you don't. It’s different because I don’t have to read my own stuff. I know what I mean even if you don’t.

]]> By: fundyreformed http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9390 fundyreformed Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:25:23 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9390 Great thoughts, John. Of course, its funny that you can freely use "elucidated" in conversation, but "established" stumps you! I know what you mean though how modern translations can often help you really get the point of the verse better, especially if you compare several translations together. I just put up part 3 and I think you'll like one point particularly. Great thoughts, John. Of course, its funny that you can freely use “elucidated” in conversation, but “established” stumps you! I know what you mean though how modern translations can often help you really get the point of the verse better, especially if you compare several translations together.

I just put up part 3 and I think you’ll like one point particularly.

]]> By: The Gospel’s Work in Believers, Conclusion « Fundamentally Reformed http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9389 The Gospel’s Work in Believers, Conclusion « Fundamentally Reformed Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:24:13 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9389 [...] June 3, 2009 Continued from part 2. [...] [...] June 3, 2009 Continued from part 2. [...]

]]> By: John D. Chitty http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9388 John D. Chitty Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:41:09 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9388 Like the doctrines of grace, it is amazing how ubiquitous is the association between the good news of Christ's life, death and resurrection for sinners (the gospel) and a believer's spiritual growth. The ESV translation of "sterizo" in Romans 16:25 was for me especially enlightening. How much more clear it is to translate "sterizo" as "strengthen" than is the traditional transaltion "establish" (NIV, NASB) or "stablish" (KJV). Studylight.org defines "sterizo" as follows: 1. to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix 2. to strengthen, make firm 3. to render constant, confirm, one's mind I don't personally know if "strengthen" is in any way less literal than "establish" but I do know personally that the sentence is actually comprehensible to me. When I read that something is established, I don't get as clear of a concept in my mind as I do when I read "strengthen." And strength the gospel is to the faith of a believer. Just as Paul writes that the Law doesn't have the power to generate obedience, but rather, provokes disobedience (Romans 7:7), so preaching that is devoid of the promise and assurance of forgiveness for my sins in the gospel is powerless to generate obedience in me, no matter how clearly and thoroughly the disciplines of a Christian walk are elucidated to me. Telling a believer what to do is powerless to get him to do it with any real spiritual profit or fruifulness if the gospel isn't there to humble him and ingratiate him so that he is actually motivated to walk in the steps of Christ. Like the doctrines of grace, it is amazing how ubiquitous is the association between the good news of Christ’s life, death and resurrection for sinners (the gospel) and a believer’s spiritual growth. The ESV translation of “sterizo” in Romans 16:25 was for me especially enlightening. How much more clear it is to translate “sterizo” as “strengthen” than is the traditional transaltion “establish” (NIV, NASB) or “stablish” (KJV).

Studylight.org defines “sterizo” as follows:
1. to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
2. to strengthen, make firm
3. to render constant, confirm, one’s mind

I don’t personally know if “strengthen” is in any way less literal than “establish” but I do know personally that the sentence is actually comprehensible to me. When I read that something is established, I don’t get as clear of a concept in my mind as I do when I read “strengthen.”

And strength the gospel is to the faith of a believer. Just as Paul writes that the Law doesn’t have the power to generate obedience, but rather, provokes disobedience (Romans 7:7), so preaching that is devoid of the promise and assurance of forgiveness for my sins in the gospel is powerless to generate obedience in me, no matter how clearly and thoroughly the disciplines of a Christian walk are elucidated to me. Telling a believer what to do is powerless to get him to do it with any real spiritual profit or fruifulness if the gospel isn’t there to humble him and ingratiate him so that he is actually motivated to walk in the steps of Christ.

]]> By: John D. Chitty http://www.fundamentallyreformed.com/2009/05/31/gospel-in-believers-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-9387 John D. Chitty Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:21:40 +0000 http://fundyreformed.wordpress.com/?p=2270#comment-9387 This looks interesting. I'll be reading it soon. Just haven't time yet. This looks interesting. I’ll be reading it soon. Just haven’t time yet.

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