[UntoHim]

Originally Posted by Ohio

According to bearbear who started the thread, I thought you and I were going to hell for "easy believism."

Where do you come up with this stuff? Please point us to the post where bearbear said you or anybody else are going to hell for easy believism. And I mean the actual post with these actual words...don't cop out by saying you thought he said something like that. Really, Ohio, you're better then this. Let's discuss and not flame each other, let's DEbate and not just bate other posters just because you don't agree with their interpretations.

According to Elden, UntoHim, and Wm. Kelly, you and I are now going to heaven. What a happy day!

Dito (see above). I have clearly stated my position. I see scriptural evidence for "both sides" of the "purgatory" debate. I would say let us let educated, mature, discerning scholars and teachers point the way to the truth of this matter. Elden has only posted a few times and I hardly even know anything about William Kelly (and couldn't care less about him!), so please don't lump me in with either one.

I see lots of scriptural evidence to support the teachings/views of folks like John MacArthur and even Paul Washer (although I think Washer gets a little over the top at times). Both of these men teach that a person who claims they have been saved should show fruits of their salvation in their conduct, manner of living etc. Their contention is that if you show no fruit then it is a sign that you were never saved to begin with. To me, if this kind of teaching is pressed too far, it can lead to a works-based type of dynamic, especially for new believers.

On the other side of the equation there are people like Joel Osteen (albeit he is WAY on the other side of the equation) who preach a very watered down gospel which seems more like a secular "I'm ok, you're ok" humanistic philosophy than the genuine Gospel which we see in the writings of the 4 gospels and the scripture writing apostles.

If by "easy believism" bearbear was referring to the LC teaching back in the day where you could be saved simply by shouting out "Oh Lord Jesus!" several times then I would agree that this could be construed as easy believism. Only God knows what's in the heart so it's certainly possible someone could be saved in this manner, but the simple mechanical process of saying or shouting "Oh Lord Jesus", when disconnected from true repentance, will not lead to salvation.