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"THEOLOGICAL PUTTY"

Dr. Michael D. Halsey, President

 

Calvin Coolidge was the thirteenth man to hold the office of  President of the United States .  We won’t find his name on any historian’s list of “The Top 10;” Coolidge remains a historical footnote, as one of the prelude presidents to FDR

 

Although Coolidge held over 500 press conferences and was the first President to speak over the radio, Silent Cal gained a reputation for being a man of few words.  His credo was that words carry weight, as does the presidency; therefore a president shouldn’t use words indiscriminately, but should mete them out with measured meticulous care. 

 

He became famous for being terse.  Stories of his being succinct abound.  Once, Dorothy Parker, seated next to Coolidge at a dinner, said to the President, “Someone bet me that I can’t make you say three words.”  Coolidge replied, “You lose.”  

 

Coolidge wasn’t much for the social life of Washington , but you could find him at many a Washington dinner party.  When someone asked him why he was at so many a socialite’s dinner party, he answered, “Got to eat somewhere.”

 

The same Dorothy Parker, upon being told of that Coolidge had died, asked, “How can you tell?”

 

Coolidge decided not to seek another term in office, believing that no one should be President for ten years.  He wrote the announcement of his decision and gave it to the members of the press.  What he wrote fit the mold of Silent Cal: “I do not choose to run for the office of President.”

 

To the point.  Clear.  Or was it?  Look at the statement again.  Just what was he saying?  Did he mean, “I do not choose to run?”  (That is, “I do not choose to run, but there are so many wanting me to do so.  Others have thrust this decision upon me; I must run for their sake.”)  Or did he mean, “I do not choose to run?”  (That is, “Duty calls; I have no choice in the matter; I am under an obligation to run.”)  Or did he mean, “I do not choose to run.” (That is, “If I’m nomin ated, I won’t actively campaign to win the election.”) 

 

Just how did Silent Cal intend the press to take his words?  It depends on where one puts the emphasis.

 

Calvin Coolidge was right—words carry weight, just as the book of Proverbs says.  Historians have had academic fun by turning what Coolidge intended to be rock-solid- definite into the putty of ambiguity. 

 

We read and remember Jesus’ three famous words from the Cross: “It is finished!”  Succinct.  To the point.   Clear.  He meant His work, not his life, was finished.  The cross-work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was done.  Mission accomplished!  All that was necessary to be done for man’s salvation, He did. 

 

As clear and as to the point as that sentence is, people have a terrifically terrible time understanding it.  Two of the three words are of one syllable.  None of the three words are words of an academic in an Ivy League ivory tower brandishing an ostentatiously pedantic vocabulary.  Jesus’ words come in the vocabulary of the Koine, the words of Joe Average, Mr. Man on the Street. 

 

And yet, by man’s ingenuity, those three words have become the theological putty of ambiguity.  Instead of taking Jesus’ words as face-value-literal, people make putty of them with works. 

 

The triumphant shout of, “It is finished” somehow comes to mean, “It’s not finished because a person has to add his own works to Christ’s work.  It’s not finished; a person has to add the quitting of sin to what He did.  It’s not finished; a person has to add his feelings to it, such as feeling sorry for all the bad things he’s done.  It’s not really finished because a person has to add his vows to it.  It’s not finished because a person has to give something in return for it, like his life.” 

 

What they’re saying is, “Yes, We believe Christ’s work is finished, but it isn’t.”  This is like saying, “He’s so tall, he’s short.” 

 

Christ’s work is either finished or it isn’t.  If it isn’t, then everyone has to add some thing(s) to it.  If it is, then we add zero.

 

How crucial is this?  It all hangs on a single word. Words have weight.  "It is finished!" 

 

IN MEMORY OF DR. JACK MOULTON

 

With heavy hearts we share with the free grace community that Dr. Jack Moulton went to be with the Lord on January 30. Jack was an enthusiastic spokesman for the gospel of grace and the Free Grace Alliance. At the time of his death he was the director of the Fellowship of Free Grace Churches International...

 

 

"A TRIBUTE TO JACK"

by Dr. G. Michael Cocoris

Recently, a dear friend of mine went to be with the Lord. Because of some common experience and interest, Jack Moulton was a friend like no other I have ever had.

I met Jack several years ago, but it was in the last year or so that we became fast friends. At the time, he lived in Dallas . Later, when he married Glenda, the love of his life, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. We were phone-pals. We talked on the phone frequently and at length.

At times, like two old soldiers, Jack and I told war stories. He told me about his numerous campaigns—in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, a few of his defeats and his many victories. In the battle of life, Jack was a veteran of many crusades. I told him about my battles, scars and a few successes. I will miss listening to his war stories.

At other times, like two specialists on the floor of the New York stock exchange, Jack and I shared trade secrets. Actually, this was very one-sided. Jack was the veteran with decades of experience. I was the kid sitting at his feet with awe and wonder. When Jack began investing in stocks, better than thirty years ago, the fee per trade was $250. In the last year, he became a day trader paying fees of $1.00 per trade. I listened and learned a lot. I will miss listening to his financial exploits.

Most of the time, like two "theologians," Jack and I grappled with difficult theological issues. We covered a wide range of theological problems. The last one we struggled with was by far and away the one we delved into the most.

In some circles, the theological issue being debated is how much a person has to know in order to come to Christ. More specifically, must people know about the cross and, if so, how much must they understand about it. Some are saying it is not necessary to know that Jesus died, only that He is the One who grants eternal life.

Because of my involvement in evangelism, people ask me about this issue. As a result, a few months ago, I began an in-depth study of the word "believe" in the Gospel of John. When I told Jack what I was doing, he and I began to discuss it by the hour—on the phone. As I shared with him my conclusions, he shared his insights with me.

For example, one day Jack called to remind me that Paul spoke of the offense of the cross. Indeed, Paul wrote, "I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased" (Gal. 5:11). Jack’s point was that since it is the cross that offends people, if it is possible to led people to Christ without telling them about the cross, Paul would have done it, but he did not. He was willing to suffer persecution rather than not tell people Jesus died for their sins on the cross. Excellent point Jack, excellent point!

Jack died clinging to the cross. We should all learn that lesson from my friend, Jack.

..

Dr, G. Michael Cocoris is the pastor of the Lindley Church in Tarzana, CA. He has numerous articles that are available on his website: Insights From The Word

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Plan now to attend the

 

SPRING CONFERENCE

 

March 14-15, 2008

 

"Studies in Galatians"

 

@

Eagle's Brooke

Community Church

Dr. Ed Hoard, Pastor

 

 

Speakers

 

Dr. Dick Seymour

Frontier School of the Bible

 

Hal Haller

Luther Rice University

 

Dr. Mike Halsey

Free Grace Seminary

 

Tom Eckman

Free Grace Seminary

 

 

Schedule

Friday Night  (March 14)

 
6:30 - 6:50 p.m. - Registration & Fellowship

7:00 - 7:50 p.m. - Hal Haller - "The New Perspective on Paul and Justification"

8:00 - 8:50 p.m. - Dr. Dick Seymour - "Getting Church Members Saved"

 

Saturday Morning (March 15)

  8:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Registration & Fellowship

9:00 - 9:50 a.m. - Dr. Dick Seymour - "What is the Gospel?" Gal. 1:6-10

10:00 - 10:50 a.m. - Tom Eckman - "Is the Law our Tutor Leading us to Christ?"

11:00 - 11:50 a.m. - Dr. Dick Seymour - "Defending the Gospel" Gal. 2
 

  11:50 - 1:00 p.m.  LUNCH  - (Lunch will be brought in)

1:00 - 1:50 p.m -  Dr. Dick Seymour - "Walking in the Spirit" Gal. 5:16-26

2:00 - 2:50 p.m. - Hal Haller - "Eternal Life:  Gift or Reward? Gal. 6:6-10

3:00 - 3:50 p.m. - Dr. Mike Halsey - "The Memo The World Never Got" Gal. 6:11-18

4:00 - 4:45 p.m. - Questions & Answers (Seymour, Haller, Halsey, & Eckman)

 

*Dr. Seymour will be speaking at Eagle's Brooke Community Church during the Sunday Morning Worship service (10:30 a.m.).

Direction to Eagle's Brooke Community Church

PLEASE DO NOT FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON MAP QUEST. THEY ARE INCORRECT!

Click Here

 

Hotel Information

Red Roof Inn

678-583-0004

I-75, Exit 212

4832 Bill Gardner Pkwy.

Locust Grove, GA 30248

 

 

 

 

 

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