Because Christ Says So (part 1)

Recently, I was in a group discussion in the Reformed Pub.

The discussion was about the doctrines known as the acronym, TULIP.

I spoke briefly with a person who disagreed with one of the doctrines (at least one).

I made the claim that if someone denies any one of these doctrines, and they are correct, that christianity becomes worthless to them.

The person seemed quite taken aback that I would make such a statement.

How can i say that people who gave their life for Christ have a worthless faith.

So I further clarified myself.

There is a difference between a material and formal heretic.

A person could be theologically inconsistent, or be completely wrong in points in their theology, and still be saved.

So, im not saying that someone is not saved if they dont believe those doctrines.

What im doing is using the same line of reasoning that paul used when speaking to the corinthian church (1 Cor 15:12-19).

Paul pointed out that those who claim that there wasnt any ressurection, if they were correct, then Christ Himself couldnt have been raised from the dead.

And if Christ hasnt been raised, then both our preaching and our faith is in vain.

It doesnt matter how well a person lived for God, or whether or not they died for Christ. If Christ hasnt been raised, their faith is worthless.

So it is with this issue.

Why would that be the case?

Its because my position is that these doctrines are taught by Christ Himself, so for someone to actually say any of these points are wrong - they inadvertently make christianity worthless.

If Christ taught these doctrines, they must be correct, because He is God, and therefore can never be wrong.

If any of these points are wrong, Christ can not be God, because He was wrong in a point of doctrine.

It can no longer be said of Him, that He's the truth.

Now, as sound as that reasoning is, the response i received was that Christ never taught these doctrines.

So i wanted to present some verses where Christ taught them.

T - Total Depravity

This doctrine states that man has been corrupted by sin. Man is affected by it in all points. So much so that man can not produce any good work before God, or even wants God (Romans 3:9-18)

Lets see where Christ teaches this docrrine.

1. Matthew 5:20 (ESV)  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

- The pharisees were teachers of the law. As far as the people of israel were concerned, there were nobody as righteous as they were.

Yet Christ tells people that they can't enter the kingdom of heaven unless they are more righteous than the most righteous people around.

2. Matthew 9:11-13 (ESV)  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
(parallel Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31-32)

But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

- In response to a question about hanging around sinners, Christ says that He did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

So the only people Jesus calls are sinners.

3. Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.

So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

- Rebuking the scribes and pharisees, Jesus lumps them into the sinners camp as well. This is obvious from the first point, but just in case a direct quote is needed.

4. Matthew 7:11 (ESV)  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
(parallel Luke 11:13)

- Here is a well known verse where we see Christ calling everybody evil.

Some may say that He's not talking to everybody, but we arent finished, as he lumps every one in the category of evil elsewhere.

5. Matthew 12:33-35 (ESV)  Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.
(parallel Luke 6:43-45)

6. Matthew 15:18-20 (ESV)  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
(parallel Mark 7:20-23)

7. John 5:28-29 (ESV)  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Jesus has labelled everyone as being sinners. Unless something is done, all will be judged.

That is total depraviy from the mouth of Christ