Comments on: “Believe in Christ” – It’s Not What You Think

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:49:52 +0000

In reply to Craig. I would completely agree. As much as people talk about "works righteousness," the thing that replaces it is usually "thoughts righteousness." When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them to both heal and to preach the good news. Not one or the other, but both. You have to willfully ignore a lot of Scripture to miss this point - but I know that some people actually do.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 22:29:05 +0000

I should have said “we emphasize ‘faith alone’ sola fide’ so much…” Our proclamation against ‘works righteousness’ has created for many a church culture that doesn’t know how to move us to act for others. The gospel has become a security blanket for the individual, and we don’t even know how to talk about serving without making it sound like law — and thus becoming theological hypocrites.

By: Craig

Craig — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 22:14:38 +0000

This confirms an idea that’s been growing in my mind for some time, but still seems a bit at odds with Paul (or my Lutheran reading of Paul). The parallel that jumps out at me is in Matthew where Jesus gives the illustration of the wise & foolish builder “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” Somewhere (maybe many somewheres) we Lutherans began to separate faith from behavior. We emphasize right belief so much, that the many youth I encounter seem to think that all that makes us Christian is believing Jesus & God exist. We haven’t adequately made the connection that believing in Christ means believing in what Jesus taught. I tell the congregation now, that believing in Christ is also a pledge of allegiance to the kingdom of God. This makes some Lutheran peers uncomfortable. What say you?

By: Antoinette 'Toni' Myers

Antoinette 'Toni' Myers — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:20:28 +0000

Thank you for this thought provoking study on Salvation through CHRIST JESUS alone, & how OBEDIENCE to HIM goes ‘hand in hand’……..
I am a ‘born again Christian’ & totally agree with your article. I don’t believe that ‘saying the Salvation prayer alone’ Saves anyone, as I read GOD’S WORD more & more, I see the word OBEDIENCE in connection with Salvation thru CHRIST JESUS alone. I also believe that the word HEAR means OBEY in its’ full context.
Sincerely, Toni Myers

By: Cynthia Noel

Cynthia Noel — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 06:58:50 +0000

That does help simplify the answers to the questions. Obeying my Lord and Savior is the fruit of salvation thru Christ. I do have trouble with not using capitals whenever writing about Christ or God and using He or Him in reference to the Trinity. Whenever the scholars who wrote the scriptures wrote His name they would wash their hands before and after because of the reverence they held for our Lord and I feel the same. But the article was straight forward ad does make the understanding of salvation easier!

By: Jason Brown

Jason Brown — Wed, 10 Jul 2013 02:59:41 +0000

Very insightful article Lois, I love the fact that you presented your take on believing in Christ straight from Scripture. I’ve known some Christians who unfortunately try to make salvation based on certain doctrinal truths such as the “Trinity”, in my opinion this distorts what the Scriptures clearly teach. Believing in Christ and obeying His teachings is the key to eternal life. Shalom!!!

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 22:02:05 +0000

Thanks, Dan and Paul.

By: paul wallace

paul wallace — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 14:15:24 +0000

I am preaching through Romans, trying to help the congregation understand why Paul is emphasizing that we will be judged according to our deeds. Of course the work of God is to believe on the One that was sent. A changed heart results in changed actions. But acknowledging Jesus as our King means we will obey His decrees. There is quite a discussion going on in our church over salvation through a prayer versus Jesus as Lord of your life. The insight you gave here is helpful. Thanks again.

By: Dan Hennessy

Dan Hennessy — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:12:38 +0000

Yes, to “believe” in a King above earthly kings was especially shocking then.
I see your point and loved your chapter on the Schema with its emphasis on “hearing” implying “obedience.” As a matter of fact, it became our home Torah study last Shabbat, a good word for my sons, Joshua and Aaron to “hear” as they are 13 yrs. and 8 yrs. respectively! Toda raba! Your teaching has had nearly instantaneous positive affect in the Hennessy household!
Those who “hear” the teaching of Aveinu Melcheynu, our Father, our King, through His Son, Yeshua, obey out of love and respect for Him, for His saving grace…

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 15:56:29 +0000

Martin, I’m not trying to weed through five hundred years of theology, I’m looking at a specific phrase, “believe in Christ.” What do those three words mean? A lot more than we think. It sounds like we are agreed, it’s Christ who does the saving.

By: Lois Tverberg

Lois Tverberg — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 15:49:13 +0000

Dan - Thanks for your thoughts about "believe." I'd say that my point of this article isn't about the idea of what "belief" is, in Hebrew or in Greek. (I have written about the Hebrew word "Emunah" in my book Listening to the Language of the Bible.) The word here in Greek just means "believe." And my point is that when you believe that Jesus is God's anointed king, you're not just affirming a fact, you are acknowledging that he is God's true and final authority over humankind. In a world where kings were seen as worthy of worship, this was a shocking idea, because it implies that you've given your allegiance to him and expect the rest of the world to do so too.

By: Martin Yirrell

Martin Yirrell — Sat, 29 Jun 2013 12:35:00 +0000

You are saved when God takes away the heart of stone and gives you a heart of flesh, when you are born again. Belief comes as a consequence of this act of God and is not its cause.