Rule of "Audience" (Was re: The Rich Man)

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> Matthew Bell

> The method is simple, if a passage is directed at believers then it applies

> to

> believers, it it is directed at non-believers it applies to non-believers.

> (Places his head in chopping block :)

> 

> EDWARDS

> Well, I have to say, that's a principle that seems quite reasonable and

> comprehensive, and I compliment you for advancing it.  I have to ask,

> though, does your parenthetical comment indicate that you anticipate a

> follow-up?  ;-)  I also applaud your diplomacy with regard to those passages

> from the pastorals - I suspect they've been the source of many husband-wife

> discussions over the centuries.

> 

> More seriously, though, it *sounds like* what you're saying is that all

> statements such as the ones relating to anointing the sick with oil, women

> covering their hair, etc. do still apply to believers.  It also sounds like

> Christians basically make a conscious choice not to comply with some of

> these statements/directives (I, for one, don't know of anyone who practices

> all these things, including greeting one another with a holy kiss).  You

> further allude to being answerable for non-compliance, implying that there

> is some penalty for non-compliance.  Putting aside the idea of how you (the

> general "you", not necessarily the personal "you") decide with which to

> comply, my question is the one that I'm sure you've anticipated:  what is

> the penalty for non-compliance with such statements/directives?  And if you

> say that the penalty is not severe enough to keep one from going to heaven,

> then I'd point to John 8:51, 14:15, 14:23 and 15:10 and comment that it

> would seem very difficult to make it into heaven without keeping Jesus'

> commandments (I'm assuming you will consider Paul to have been speaking for

> Jesus/God, and that Paul's commandments can be considered synonymous with

> Jesus'/God's commandments).


<snip>

Matthew Bell
There would only be a penalty if the justifications given for not complying
were unsatisfactory to God. If there were to be a penalty I would envisage such
to be chastisement, not rejection. A Christian is saved by faith, not works.

Thanks
M.Bell

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