Interesting rant. It appears you are unfamiliar with the concept of a logical corollary. It is merely a way of restating the facts of a statement. It often adds a degree of clarity . For example I could say, “Every time Tim is upset by a post he goes on a rant.” A necessary corollary is “If Tim does not go on a rant, he is not upset by a post.” They are equivalent statements. The same is true of the following statements: “We are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone (ie lacks good works)” and the statement, “If a faith is alone (ie, lacks good works) then we are not saved by it.” Again, they are logical equivalents. If you dont like the second statement, you need to revise the first one rather than blaming others for pointing out the hypocrisy.
You’re arguing over semantics? What would like to call someone who pretends to be a Christian but is not? A non-believer? How does that distinguish them from those who dont pretend to be Christian? Seems silly to me. Would “pseudo-Christian” be better?
And you make another one of your blatant errors here: only a non-believer can be separated …from God. No Tim - only someone who was “attached” to God can be “separated” from God. Non-believers are outside of God, separate from him;
Thats because making distinctions is irrelevant - there is no need to discuss it. It cant cause you to lose your salvation according to your theology, so who cares?
You are too funny! Just after your arguing over the term “false Christians” you pull out a verse that completely demolishes your position: FALSE PROPHET!!! What is that supposed to mean, Tim??? Could it possibly be someone who PRETENDS to be a prophet but isnt??? Why yes it does mean that! Sorta like a FALSE CHRISTIAN…
Now, on to your comments…I definitely understand the admonition: a claim to faith alone is nothing: good works are a necessary part of the Christian. But more is said than that Tim - you missed it in your bolding:
17 "So
every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Logical corollary? If you do not bear good fruit you are not a good tree. Bad trees get thrown into the fire…you know what that means I hope.
Fail to see it?? Uhh, that was my opening statement that you quoted silly! If you dont have good works, you dont have saving faith! You are too much…failed to see it - truly humorous.
Can we call it a “false profession” like a “false prophet” from a “false christian” or do we have to continue pretending that there is no such thing as a false Christian?
Do me a favor - could you develop your thoughts fully here. WHY does James bring up the issue of someone making such a claim? WHY does he introduce it into the context of "If a man says he has faith but has not works, will that faith SAVE HIM? It is a discussion about salvation, Tim. That’s the context. WHAT do we do with the information? HOW does it relate to our spiritual life/sanctification/salvation?
con’d
If you were to say that you received personal divine revelation on a particular topic I could respect that, but to continue to hint at it without definitively claiming it is pretty whimpy; inappropriate in an apologetics forum and…getting old.
