This from fellow blogger, grace filled elder, and Christian thinker Jay Guin. I quote this announcement from his blog:
Announcing GraceConversation.com
I’m pleased to announce an online conversatoin among myself, Todd Deaver, Phil Sanders, and Greg Tidwell about grace. It’ll take place starting in week or so.
I’m the author of The Holy Spirit and Revolutionary Grace: God’s Antidotes for Division in the Churches of Christ, and I operate a blog at OneInJesus.info. I’m an elder at the University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and I practice law for a living.
Todd, of course, is the author of Facing Our Failure and has his own blog at Bridging the Grace Divide. Todd is a fellow progressive. Todd is the minister for the Oliver Springs Church of Christ.
Phil and Greg are regular columnists with the Gospel Advocate. It’s fair, I think, to refer to them as “conservatives.” They are not what some would call “ultra-conservatives.”
Phil operates the popular Philanswers blog and has recently joined In Search of the Lord’s Way, a ministry that produces a widely syndicated television broadcast. Before making this transition, Phil was the longtime minister for the Concord Road Church of Christ on the south side of Nashville.
Greg also writes regularly for Church of Christ-affiliated publications, including several articles posted online at the Forthright Magazine website. Greg has been the pulpit minster at the church of Christ which meets at Fishinger and Kenny Roads, Columbus, Ohio for 25 years. Their building is situated next to the Ohio State campus, and they operate a campus ministry there. (I’m a big fan of campus ministry.)
The conversation will begin with a statement of agreed principles. Phil and Greg will then take up the question of when does a Christian lose his soul — the apostasy question. Closely related, of course, is the question of fellowship.
The site will permit comments, and there will be no moderation unless someone unduly tests our patience. We expect all commenters to follow the same rule that applies to the four of us –
(2 Tim 2:24-25) And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth … .
I’m hoping for lots of comments, and we may well not have the time to respond to all of them — or even most of them. We really need to focus on the main conversation. However, please don’t let that discourage you from commenting, as I’m sure all participants will feel as I do: I need all the help I can get. All thoughts will be most appreciated.
Please be in prayer that this conversation brings glory to God and helps to heal the division that so affects the Churches of Christ.
Jay Guin
Each of these men are well qualified and very able to aptly present the view of those positions they represent. The conversation has begun with Phil Sanders making the first statement and Todd Deaver’s brief reply and challenge.
My hope is that some understanding, some growth, and a more likely climate for Jesus to get glory will be the result. We shall see.
Royce
Royce,
Wonderful post and thoughts brother.
I believe the more we understand that we are saved by the grace, the more we appreciated it.
Preacherman,
I sincerely hope your health is improving. I have mentioned you to the Lord when I talk to Him. Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship in the Lord.
Royce
Royce,
On some blogs I use the ID username of Truth because that’s what I try to do in everything say, I don’t like to be lied to so I try to speak the truth in whatever I may be talking about. I also use Bondservant as an ID username because the Bible refers to servants of the Lord as bondservants. Just thought I’d let you know since I have commented on other blogs as you have.
I have kept up with your blog for a while now and have gained respect for you. You show more to be an honest man than some others in the cofC.
I will try to keep up with the discussions, though I doubt I will comment any, there are some who only want to condemn me and other people. They don’t believe Jesus is in my life. They also don’t know how Jesus has totally changed my life they don’t know where I was before I came to know Jesus.
What I hope and pray for is that those who don’t know Jesus will come to know who He is. People have lost faith in who Jesus is. Paul said he would be accursed from Christ for his countryman (Romans 9:3). I see too many today absorbed in their own self-rightousness being too trigger happy to take people out with their judgements. I just don’t see many Christians today being very loving and merciful to other’s as Paul was.
As I said I have gained respect for you as you have shown you are a man who has a heart for God and for people. I just wanted you let you know my prayers are with you and the others too. And as you I too hope Jesus gets the glory in the discussions that are taking place He is the One who suffered and died on the cross for our sins.
Grace, mercy, and peace
I appreciate your kind words and am glad to know that you are a follower of Jesus. In view of this passage in Romans, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:33, 34), I determined long ago to count as a brother those who claim Christ as Lord and let Him sort them out.
I don’t think I am always right about everything in life, or the Bible, but I want to be right. I do know I’m right to preach Jesus and to beg folks to put their whole trust in Him.
Thanks,
Royce
Royce said, “I don’t think I am always right about everything in life, or the Bible, (none of us are)
but I want to be right. ( nobody questions your sincerity )
I do know I’m right to preach Jesus and to beg folks to put their whole trust in Him.
(yes you are, no one can reach the promised land alone)