(1) Someone told me that reformed theology is not biblical, bc it promotes "fruit checking" (looking at good works & self for assurance of salvation instead of the objective work of Christ), which undermines salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
Well, i would say that is a caricature and not a genuine engagement with Calvinism. Even on the surface that assertion does not hold up under scrutiny. The individual said, "Calvinism is unbiblical because it requires 'fruit checking'.
So is the person asserting that fruit checking is unbiblical? Was Jesus unbiblical when he said, "you'll know them by their fruit"? Or Paul when he said, "examine yourself"? To claim something is unbiblical because it leads to "fruit checking" is actually an unbiblical assertion. The issue isn't fruit checking, the issue is examining fruit according to the Law of Christ, the law of love. We examine one another as brothers and for the sake of encouraging and building one another up in our walks. Not to condemn or discourage. Legalism exists in all theological systems. In a system that says all our good is grace and not us, it is actually less likely to be legalistic like its Arminian counterpart. Good question! Thanks for asking!
So is the person asserting that fruit checking is unbiblical? Was Jesus unbiblical when he said, "you'll know them by their fruit"? Or Paul when he said, "examine yourself"? To claim something is unbiblical because it leads to "fruit checking" is actually an unbiblical assertion. The issue isn't fruit checking, the issue is examining fruit according to the Law of Christ, the law of love. We examine one another as brothers and for the sake of encouraging and building one another up in our walks. Not to condemn or discourage. Legalism exists in all theological systems. In a system that says all our good is grace and not us, it is actually less likely to be legalistic like its Arminian counterpart. Good question! Thanks for asking!
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Lauren Katherine Williamson