GLEANINGS ON HIS GRACE

The Death of the Lord Jesus Christ

It is a consensus between Christians that the greatest evil ever committed by man is the crucifixion of the sinless Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. It is also well established among Christians that the death of Christ was a necessity (Mark 8:31) however it is also recognized that the death of Christ was committed by acts of wickedness fashioned by the men involved in His crucifixion. (Luke 22:22) The early church in the book of acts saw this event in a compatibalistic light since on the one hand they understood that is was God’s plan for the sinless Messiah to die:

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:22-23)

Luke promotes the idea here that Christ was delivered not only by the foreknowledge of God but also by His “determinate counsel”. The fixed plan of God was in essence the grounds by which the Lord Jesus bled and died at Calvary in His sacrificial death. There was chance in the matter and God since it was Jehovah’s decree that Peter acknowledged as the source of this act. J. Calvin comments:

“Peter declareth that he suffered nothing by chance, or because he wanted power to deliver himself, but because it was so determined (and appointed) by God. For this knowledge alone, that the death of Christ was ordained by the eternal counsel of God, did cut off all occasion of foolish and wicked cognitations, and did prevent all offences which might otherwise be conceived. For we must know this, that God doth decree nothing in vain or rashly; whereupon it followeth that there was just cause for which he would have Christ to suffer. The same knowledge of God’s providence is a step to consider the end and fruit of Christ’s death. For this meeteth us by and by in the cousel of God, that the just was delivered for our sins, and his blood was the price of our death. (Commentary on Acts, J. Calvin, Baker Books, P.96)

We then read later on how Luke renders the guilt upon the Jews and Pilate by stating:

The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. (Acts 13:13-15,18)

Even though God’s eternal counsel determined that the Son of God would suffer and die, the men involved were accountable for their actions. They had delivered Him up, denied Him, desired a murder to be released over him and killed Him. There was no doubt of the responsibility of the people of Israel for His death. We read further on in the book of Acts once again regarding the issue of liability of the death of Christ:

“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. (Acts 4:27-28 NASB)

All parties involved in the most wicked event in history are named and clearly identified. They are deemed guilty as charged yet in the same phrase we read that this act was “predestined to occur” by the hand and purposes of Jehovah. This entire event was predestined or determined by God before the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8) What men had meant for evil because of the intentions of their wicked hearts, God was the primary establisher of this happening that resulted in the salvation of the people of God!

The King of Assyria

The prophet Isaiah reveals to us historical and prophetic assertions within the pages of his great book. One that is worthy of notice in regards to our look at the compatibalistic will is found in the tenth chapter. We will read how the purpose of the Assyrians is not to serve the God of the Israelites but to serve their own evil purposes however it is clear that the Assyrians have become the instrument of the will of Jehovah to punish a wicked nation. We read:

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so, neither doth his heart think so; but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few. (Isaiah 10:5-6 KJV)

The Lord refers here to the Assyrian king as “the rod of mine anger” in that he is being used as a tool to invoke a judgment against the nation of Israel. He sends them against a godless nation yet notice in the following text how Jehovah actually punishes the Assyrians for doing what He had caused to happen:

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks. For he saith, By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom; for I am prudent: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have robbed their treasures, and I have put down the inhabitants like a valiant man: And my hand hath found as a nest the riches of the people: and as one gathereth eggs that are left, have I gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or peeped. Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood. Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire. And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and devour his thorns and his briers in one day; (Isaiah 10:12-17)

When the Lord had completed His work in the punishment of the Israelites, he now turns to chastise the king of the Assyrians for the wicked deed he had committed! The Assyrians believed they had conquered the Israelites upon their own power and might however the scripture states that this is not the case. The King and His people are punished for the arrogance of their heart! Why should the king of Assyria be punished for something that the Lord had decreed to happen in order to accomplish His purpose? God intended the punishment of Israel as good and righteous (even though using a pagan nation as His instrument) while the Assyrians meant it for evil which is shown in their arrogance!

Joseph and his brothers

Joseph was the son of a man named Jacob who had twelve sons. These are referred to as the fathers of the twelve tribes of Israel. The story of Joseph begins with the fact that Joseph had found favor over his brothers and there was much jealousy and hatred towards Joseph from the hearts of his brothers. (Gen. 34:4) Joseph also was given a dream from Jehovah that he would rule over his brothers and they expressed their discontent clearly by stating: “And his brethren said to him, Wilt thou indeed be a king over us? wilt thou indeed rule over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams and for his words. (Gen 37:8) Their hatred grew so great that they plotted to kill him but rather than accomplish this plan they decided to fake his death, tell his father that he was dead and sell his into slavery. We read:

And they said one to another, Behold, there comes that dreamer! And now come and let us kill him, and cast him into one of the pits, and we will say, An evil beast has devoured him; and we will see what becomes of his dreams. And Reuben heard [it], and delivered him out of their hand, and said, Let us not take his life. And Reuben said to them, Shed no blood: cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness; but lay no hand upon him — in order that he might deliver him out of their hand, to bring him to his father again. And it came to pass when Joseph came to his brethren, that they stripped Joseph of his vest, the vest of many colours, which he had on; and they took him and cast him into the pit; now the pit was empty — there was no water in it. And they sat down to eat bread; and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and behold, a caravan of Ishmaelites came from Gilead; and their camels bore tragacanth, and balsam, and ladanum — going to carry [it] down to Egypt. And Judah said to his brethren, What profit is it that we kill our brother and secrete his blood? Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites; but let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother, our flesh. And his brethren hearkened [to him]. And Midianitish men, merchants, passed by; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty silver-pieces; and they brought Joseph to Egypt. And Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph [was] not in the pit; and he rent his garments, and returned to his brethren, and said, The child is not; and I, where shall I go? And they took Joseph’s vest, and slaughtered a buck of the goats, and dipped the vest in the blood; and they sent the vest of many colours and had it carried to their father, and said, This have we found: discern now whether it is thy son’s vest or not. And he discerned it, and said, [It is] my son’s vest! an evil beast has devoured him: Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces! And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, and said, For I will go down to my son into Sheol mourning. Thus his father wept for him.

If there was ever an act of evil committed that destroyed the life and relationship between a father and his son, we can point to this as a great example of evil. However, this act of willful evil committed by Joseph’s brothers led to a greater and purposeful event. The life of Joseph afterwards was one of an action-packed nature. He had went from being imprisoned due to false charges against him to being sitting at the right hand of the great Pharaoh of Egypt. After the brothers had been sent to Egypt to purchase food, Joseph reveals to them that he is their brother: “And Joseph said to his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.” (Genesis 45:4). Even though they would have been deserving of the demonstration of Joseph’s wrath for their actions, Joseph speaks of the purpose behind their action “And now, be not grieved, and be not angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither, for God sent me before you to preserve life. (Genesis 45:5) Once again, in v.7, Joseph reiterates the purpose of his being sold into slavery in that “God sent me before you to preserve you a remnant in the earth, and to save you alive by a great deliverance (Genesis 45:7). Joseph then explains who was the one who enslaved him all those years ago in that even though the intentions of their hearts were evil and they acted upon them “it was not you [that] sent me here, but God” (Genesis 45:8) After Jacob passed on, the brothers were in fear once again that Joseph would avenge himself of their evil deed however in reply to this, Joseph answers by saying “And Joseph said to them, Fear not: am I then in the place of God? Ye indeed meant evil against me: God meant it for good, in order that he might do as [it is] this day, to save a great people alive. (Genesis 50:19-20). The expression “ye indeed meant evil against me: God meant it for good” is a significant statement in that there was only one action in view here. Who was essentially responsible for sending Joseph into Egypt through all the trials of his life and the suffering of his father who thought his son was dead? (45:8) The brothers were guilty for their choice however it was ultimately God’s choice to “save a great people alive”. So if this was ultimately Jehovah’s choice then why are the brothers guilty? Why is there guilt if this was God’s plan from the beginning? Here we see an example of compatibalism in that there are two wills involved however it is God’s will that is Sovereign over man’s. It was His decree that sent Joseph into slavery yet man’s acted upon the intention of his evil heart and is condemned rightfully.

What is Compatibalism?

I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jeremiah 10:23)

There will be objections from the beginning as to the terminology I have employed since many will argue that the term “compatibalism” or “compatibalistic freedom” is not found in scripture however let me point out that even though the term doesn’t appear explicitly in scripture it is certainly found implicitly as we will see!  I derive the term from the English expression “compatible” which denotes the thought of “being able to coexist…capable of being used in combination” (Canadian Oxford Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Page 312). It is the thought that one thing can be attuned to another even though most would see it as a contradiction. It is the thought that our wills are attuned to the will of God in that an action can have two wills. As we will see, the scriptures point to many particular circumstances where God has chosen for Good what man has chosen for evil. This all within one event or action. To go one step further, It is the theological idea that if God has willed for something to happen, does man have the power or option to will against it? It is the idea that only one could have caused it to happen! It tackles the very center of the intentions of the heart versus the Sovereignty of God. For instance, let us take a look at an example: 

And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah the God of the heavens given to me, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah the God of Israel — he is God — which is at Jerusalem. And whosoever remains in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the voluntary offering for the house of God which is at Jerusalem. (Ezra 1:1-4 JND)

that saith of Cyrus, [He is] my shepherd, and he shall perform all my pleasure; even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. (Isaiah 44:28 JND)

This is pertaining to the King of Persia, Cyrus the Great who would conquer Babylon in 539 B.C.  then allow the Jews to return to rebuild their temple. Jehovah named Cyrus and what he would do, could Cyrus have done otherwise? If Cyrus would have the absolute freedom of the will, could not the decree of Jehovah have been thwarted? Of course Cyrus made choices in the matter however they were not outside the Sovereign will of the Lord in bringing these things to pass.

The Sovereignty of God

What we must stress in our application of the term “compatibalism” is to add to it the thought of Sovereignty. The bible is absolutely entrenched with scriptural references to the absolute Sovereignty of Jehovah.

Let all the earth fear Jehovah; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For *he* spoke, and it was [done]; *he* commanded, and it stood fast. Jehovah frustrateth the counsel of the nations; he maketh the thoughts of the peoples of none effect. The counsel of Jehovah standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation. (Psalm 33:8-11)

Whatsoever Jehovah pleased, he hath done in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps; (Psalm 135:6)

The king’s heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. (Proverbs 21:1)

For Jehovah of hosts hath purposed, and who shall frustrate [it]? And his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? (Isaiah 14:27)

Produce your cause, saith Jehovah; bring forward your arguments, saith the King of Jacob. Let them bring them forward, and declare to us what shall happen: shew the former things, what they are, that we may give attention to them, and know the end of them; — or let us hear things to come: declare the things that are to happen hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods; yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be astonished, and behold it together. (Isaiah 41:21-23)

Remember the former things of old; for I [am] ¹God, and there is none else; [I am] God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure; (Isaiah 46:9-10)

I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto the heavens, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he doeth according to his will in the army of the heavens, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:34-35)

The question that must be addressed is whom in those scriptures we have presented is sovereign; God or man? If man is truly free, then how can Jehovah truly decree anything and be certain it will come to pass? Is Jehovah at the mercy of the will of man? If man’s free-will decision ultimately decides the outcome of an event or a fate, then would it not be logical to say that man’s will is sovereign over Jehovah’s? The scriptures are clear that whatever Jehovah decrees will come to pass since He is the one who is sovereign and directs all things for His purpose and glory. Let us now take a look at some passages that directly deal with the issue of compatibalism.

http://www.lgmarshall.org/Pink/pink_sovereignty.html

Introduction

Living in Canada I am accustomed to breathing the air of democracy and the laws of freedom fought for by many during World War I & II. Citizens of this country have the right to make choices on where to live within Canada, their employment, those who will govern and our religion. We make choices everyday regarding what to wear, what foods to eat and even what person we will spend the rest of our lives with. Choice is an attribute of humanity and is an essential characteristic that differentiates us from other living species. We are creatures of selection!

I decided to write this little blog series on an issue that is raised quite frequently by many brethren in assemblies opposed to the Doctrines of Grace. In my view it is a misunderstanding regarding a fundamental area of why I believe in the doctrines of grace. The recurrent expression of how, because I believe in election and predestination, I must logically deem that man has no will is very disheartening. The issue is not whether I believe that man has a will since I certainly do but the matter stems from why do I will what I will? Is an individual’s will truly free? It addresses the fact that if man is truly a slave to sin and does not truly have a libertarian free-will then how is it that God can hold a person responsible? Does their need to be complete freedom in men’s decision making for them to be guilty of sin? These are the issues I wish to address in these particular posts and I believe that I must deal with this subject from a biblical point of view. I will not be going through all the philosophical idealism regarding the nature of the will, decision making ect… but I want to focus on the scriptural teaching of the subjection of the will of man in relation to the will of God.

My prayer is not necessarily that one will embrace these thoughts but that the person reading this will have a better understanding of my view of the will of man as well as it might give an opportunity for the brethren to rightfully represent the position in which many have chosen to criticize.

(For a fuller address of the issue, please read the classic “On the Freedom of the Will” http://www.earlymoderntexts.com/pdf/edwill.pdf  Jonathan Edwards)

Whatever you have are doing today, take a break and listen to this. I had the privilege of listening to this  remarkable testimony last night! It was absolutely overwhelming! If you’ve never heard the Gospel, here it is in about it’s clearest from a dying soul.

DID PAUL GO TO DAMASCUS RIGHT AWAY OR NOT?

(Galatians 1:16-17/ Acts 9:3-26)

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: 17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.(Galatians 1:16-17)

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (Acts 9:3,8)

A skeptic once arose this issue with me in which he felt that the biblical account for Paul’s journey didn’t match up when comparing Galatians and Acts. When we read the accounts closely with no anguish and intentions, we can see that there is a very logical explanation for this. You see, Paul went to Damascus first then to Arabia and returned again unto Damascus. The scripture in Galatians doesn’t say he went immediately to Arabia but that he journeyed there and the account in acts gives a more detailed account as to what happened directly after his conversion.

HOW MANY TIMES DID THE COCK CROW?

(Matthew 26:74-75; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:60-61; John 18:27)

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. (Mark 14:72)

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.(Matthew 26:74-75)

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.(Luke 22:60-61)

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew (John 18:27)

In our tenth and final biblical difficulty, the issue that is raised by cynics is the amount of times the cock crowed when Peter denied the Lord. This is a clear example of the importance of harmonizing the passages. Is there really a contradiction here or is one of the writers simply giving a fuller account of just what happened. H. Paisley comments:

The cock crowed the second time. The other writers only mention one crowing of the cock in the parallel passages… Mark is more specific. He punctuates Peter’s denial by the cock crowing twice in quick succession (vv.68, 72). The first cock crowing did not awaken Peter’s conscience as it was a common occurrence every morning, but when the cock crowed the second time, which was unusual, he immediately remembered the words of Jesus: “Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice”. Peter was overwhelmed with sorrow at what he had done and wept bitterly

Mark simply gives a more detailed account than the other writers.

CONCLUDING REMARKS:

Our approach to the bible is the foundation of how we perceive the bible. If we are to presuppose that the bible is full of errors we will be happy to stop our study of the scriptures at a surface level while for those who love the Word of God and want to derive the truth of scripture, this level of study can never suffice. Our love for the Lord drives us to the utmost level of meditation in order to truly understand the biblical truths. I always encourage after the fundamental study of scripture to study the original languages and historical background of every situation in scripture. When we approach the bible with respect we come to a different conclusion than those whose only intention is to find fault in truth.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS:

• When Critics Ask: Norman Geisler, Bakerbooks, 1992
• Encyclopedia of Bible difficulties, Dr. Gleason Archer., Zondervan, 1982,
• The Hard Sayings of Jesus: F.F. Bruce, intervarsity Press.

James White’s broadcast “the Dividing Line” did a “Radio Free Geneva” this week on William Lane Craig among other issues relating to the Doctrines of Grace. Take a look also at this post (to which you can access the program) and the new book featured called “Calvin the Psychopath“. I can’t help but laugh at the stuff coming out as “Counter-Calvinism” these days. 

Enjoy!

IN WHAT ORDER DID CREATION HAPPEN?

(Genesis 1 & 2)

And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. 24And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 26And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:23-27)

And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof (Genesis 2:19)

The main argument within the creation account is the order of the events. Detractors are quick to have us notice that in Gen. 2:19, the LORD brings Adam to see the beasts of the field hence how could Adam have been created before the beasts, which is written in Genesis 1? This so-called “bible error” is so simple to account for that I can’t help but feel that a critic must, in essence, make an effort in order to find an error within this passage. Genesis chapter 2 isn’t presenting anything about the creation account but simply provides a more full account of what Genesis 1 had said. The LORD is bringing Adam to name the beasts who were already created, it doesn’t in any way give the inclination that God created the animals after Adam.

IS MATTHEW QUOTING JEREMIAH OR ZECHARIAH?

(Matt 27:9-10/ Zechariah 11:13)

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me. (Matthew 27:9-10)

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:13)

It should be firstly noted that the King James translation as “Jeremy” is in most other bibles translated as “Jeremiah” in the case of the prophet being quoted. The common critique in this case is the fact that Matthew states that he is quoting Jeremiah when verse 10 is a quotation from Zechariah. A look at Jewish tradition will give us a good answer pertaining to this difficulty. J. White comments:

Matthew writes, into one statement about the Lord Jesus. Since Jeremiah is the “major” prophet, and Zechariah his “junior,” then the major prophet’s name is used. A similar thing happens in Mark 1:2-3, where prophecies from both Isaiah and Malachi are put together in one quotation. So, as we can see, there are at least two plausible explanations as to why Matthew would cite this passage the way that he did, and not be in “error” for having done so. Surely it can be said that it is not possible to prove that Matthew was in error and made such an obvious “mistake” for no purpose. Is there any particular reason why the Biblical writers should be given less credit for their knowledge of the Scriptures than a modern writer Why should we believe Matthew to be so ignorant of the Old Testament The idea that there was a purpose to his words is logical and rational.

DID PAUL & JAMES DISAGREE?

(Romans 4:2-5 & James 2:21-23 )

 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness (Romans 4:2-5)

 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:21-23)

The question often asked when comparing these two verses is whether or not Paul and James were at odds with the issue of Abraham’s Salvation, was it by faith or by works? Context in this case is the method receive an understanding of how these verses don’t challenge each other. Paul and James are not speaking about the same exact thing. N. Geisler comments:

Paul is speaking about justification before God, while James is talking about justification before humans. This is indicated by the fact that James stressed that we should “show” (2:18) our faith. It must be something that can be seen by others in “works” (2:18-20). Further, James acknowledged that Abraham was justified before God by faith, not works when he said, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (2:23). When he adds that Abraham was “justified by works” (v.21), he is speaking of what Abraham did that could be seen by people, namely, offer his son Isaac on the altar (2:21-22)

It is clear that James was responding to the question in v. 14, What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? The whole point of James’ writing is to identify the nature of the faith that saves, one that produces good works!

WHAT TIME DID THE LORD DIE?

(Matt 27:45/ Mark 15:25/ Luke 23:44/ John 19:14)

 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45)

 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. (Mark 15:25)

 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Luke 23:44) And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

The passages cited apparently have a inconsistency between them, particularly the passage in Mark & John where Mark seems to insinuate that the Lord died on the third hour while John seems to think it happened on the sixth hour. Most critics will admit the consistent flow of the passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke but are quick to point out that John’s account is conflicting. A little history lesson will shed some light on this situation. You see there is no contradiction here when we come to a realization that Mark & John were using different methods of telling time. Mark followed the Jewish time and John the Roman time. The reason for John following the Roman time even though he would be opposing his culture is in that John wrote his gospel in Ephesus, the capital of the Roman province is Asia. In the Roman time system, the day ran from midnight to midnight yet the Jewish day began at 6:00 a.m. When Mark says is was the third hour, he was reporting the death of Christ at 9:00 a.m. John is saying that the trial took place on the 6^th hour, which would be around 6:00 a.m. Notice John doesn’t say He was crucified on the sixth hour but that His trial took place at that time hence the trial took place at 6:00 a.m., He was crucified at 9:00 a.m. and darkness fell until 12:00 p.m.