As a challenge against the claim that all one must do is believe the Gospel (1Cor 15:1-11) to be Eternally Saved, Lordship Salvation proponents will claim that James (the brother of Christ) wrote in his epistle that “even the demons believe and tremble.” Jas 2:19 They then either directly state, or insinuate that “that kind of faith” does not save. Only a faith that works, a faith that includes submission to the lordship of Christ saves. A simple trust, they say, is a “demonic faith.”
This is Bad Kool-Aid for two reasons. First, the "that kind" of faith which is often brought up because of how some translations of Scripture render James 2:14. Simply put, the words "that kind" are not in the Text. They are only in the theology of the men who added them to the Scriptures in their created translations. Translations such as the NIV, ESV insert these words. The NKJV, KJV, Darby and many others do not. Secondly, because James did not call simple belief in God a "demonic faith." It was in fact the a person whom James imagined (to make his point clear to his audience) objecting to his preaching.
The conversation can be seen (in part) in James 2:18-20. It goes like this, words in italics I have added for the sake of clarity;
James illustrates: "But someone who objects will say;"
The Objector says: “You James have faith, and I the Objector have works. Show me your faith James without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You James believe that there is one God. You do well! Even the demons believe and tremble!”
James responds: "But do you who object want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"Does James call the man on his Bad Kool-Aid? He sure does! He calls the man foolish. There is very little worse you can call a man according to the Bible. So don't drink the Kool-Aid! When someone says to you that Salvation comes from more than believing the Gospel of the Christ because James says the demons believe and tremble - tell them they're spreading Bad Kool-Aid!
For more about what James and his objector said read the On My Walk article James 2 From The Text.
Link To This Answer!
If you see someone spreading the Bad Kool-Aid of "demonic faith" please link them, and their audience, to this post. Here's a TinyURL to use: http://tinyurl.com/35p5m7e
No comments:
Post a Comment