All tagged monergism vs. synergism
It is common Christian fodder to discuss grace in the role of our salvation. But what about grace for everyday living? What does that look like? Mark and I think through several different angles of grace: divine-enablement? Relational co-dependency? Death to the self (what does that look like)? What about grace and pride? By accepting God's grace does one just become a puppet on a divine string? It may be helpful to think of grace as space, making space for the other. If we consider grace as divine enablement rather than solely unmerited favor we can press in even further into following Christ across our lives.
Is the grace of God resistible? Can the Holy Spirit's efforts be frustrated? When does the new birth (regeneration, justification) happen in time? In their historical context, why do Protestants, both Reformed and Arminians, so resist having works be involved in salvation? Those questions are all plowed-through in this eighth episode in this series. Once having set up the R'n'A dispute, and their respective answers (and mutual critiques), I offer other categories for framing salvation and grace and works. Do I believe works are saving? No, of course not. Do I think that rules works out of our missional calling? That is another question entirely. Then, because the Lordship of Christ does not halt at the boundary of culture, I variously discuss the Declaration of Independence and the way it grounds our human rights, the chaotic state of higher education, "normophobia", and how it is that today's religious impulse is manifesting itself. Come laugh and think with me for such a time as this!