https://stevekerp.wordpress.com/2022/08/05/america-is-under-gods-judgment/

Dear Steve & Fellow Watchers,

I read with interest the article you posted to "Anakypto Afterthoughts" through www.FiveDoves.com 8/7/22. The sincerity of both Paul Washer & John MacArthur is plainly evident on the YouTube you posted.

I do believe however that both these men need to be marked and avoided. (Romans 16:17-18) They are both Calvinists. Here is a quote by Paul Washer:

“We talk about the Germans of the 20th century that brought on their higher criticism. It is not near as dangerous as conservative Baptists with their gospel reductionism. How dare we, all these stupid evangelists walking around telling men after they've made some little prayer that they need to write their name in the back of their Bible and put the date and if the Devil ever comes to them, they need to show him that. That is Roman superstition, it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. You see we've turned the gospel into a flu-shot.”

Now here's a quote by the Baptist Pastor Max D. Younce:

“He [God] did everything, so that you would have to do nothing, except receive it as a free gift! And God says, 'I love you so much that I gave My Son to pay for your sins. Will you believe it? And if you will (“believe/trust,” used interchangeably in the Bible), will you simply believe that Jesus Christ died for you? And God says, 'If you'll do that, I'll promise you on the authority of My Word, that you'll never perish, but you'll have everlasting life!'”

I do agree that we definitely don't have to write down our name & date in the back of the Bible or even get water baptised when we come to faith but the writing idea itself is compelling. The Baptist Pastor understands the Apostle Paul's Gospel much better than both Washer & MacArthur who are backloading the Gospel with works.

This misunderstanding comes from not contextualizing the Bible correctly. Only the Apostle Paul speaks directly to the Church, the Body of Christ. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Hebrews, James, I Peter, II Peter, I John, II John, III John, Jude & Revelation are speaking to the Jewish Assemblies where works such as the "Perseverance of the Saints" is relevant (Acts of the Apostles is a separate case*)."Perseverance of the Saints" is relevant for the Church, the Body of Christ but its non-compliance does not jeopardize Salvation.

The T.U.L.I.P. concept is really out there in intellectual lala land and nowhere in Paul's Gospel can I find reference except to the idea of "Total Depravity."

Tulip of Calvinism, total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints

"Paul’s gospel as told in 1 Corinthians 15 is different than the four traditional Gospels. It includes the revelation of the mystery of Christ." ( https://graceambassadors.com/midacts/the-gospel-according-to-paul )

Monday morning quarterbacking: Although both Washer & MacArthur are sincere, they need to admit that their theological suppositions contributed to the downfall of the Western world, including the U.S.A.

As Bob Dylan said in "All Along the Watchtower"

"But you and I, we've been through that
And this is not our fate
So let us not talk falsely now
The hour is getting late"

All the Best,
Mike P.

* "Reducing the mystery truth revealed to Paul solely to the Prison epistles makes a distinction where there is none in the epistles. The only basis for a distinction comes from Paul’s teaching already evidenced from within the book of Acts. Yet, we should be reminded that it is not the purpose of the book of Acts to expound what Paul taught. Instead, it's clear purpose is to show the fall of Israel so that God could have mercy upon all (Romans 11:32). In Acts we find their continued rejection of Peter, Stephen, the Holy Ghost, and eventually Paul......"

https://graceambassadors.com/midacts/did-the-church-begin-in-acts-28