UPDATES ARE IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS BLOG
Well, I’m in Dallas.
It seemed like a good idea to give a few updates every night just to let those who are interested to know of the value of our labors together. I’ll through up a few points of interest each night.
Grace and peace,
Fred
P.S. I saw John Hart (Moody) and George Meisinger (Chafer) a little while ago…just seeing them encourages my heart!
Fred:
I am looking forward to your updates from the FGA conference.
Lou
FGA MONDAY REPORT
Well, it was quite a day…so nice to see so many joyful folks interested in all things grace.
I got through my swan-song (update) and gave my message on the Transcendent Power of Honesty…seemed to be well received (bear in mind this conference theme is “Grace and the Christian Life”.
The workshops were excellent…I went to John Hart’s teaching on the 4 views of legalism (ways in which we are kept under the law). It was biblical and practical…so nice to see a professor open up about the value of a truth in his own life.
Jody enjoyed JB Hixson’s session on Why Christians Sin. Steven Waterhouse offered a workshop on The Sanctity of Life, and Charlie Bing gave his Introduction to the Free Grace Perspective.
The two additional Plenery speakers were Dr. Joe Parle, who spoke on Dead Faith, and Dr. Tommy Ice who spoke on Perseverance of the Saints. Joe was great and clear on looking at James carefully and exegetically.
Tommy did a great job walking through the history and bible (lack of support) for the Dortian view of perseverence. Of course, Dr. Ice like all Free Gracers, believe one cannot lose his/her salvation. But that we would look at our works for assurance does not come from Calvin. Calvin and Luther both thought faith was assurance (and the basis of assurance as well).
Beza, especially, developed a doctrine of perseverance (meaning you must keep on enduring to finally get saved). Calvinism has many ‘types’…but the truth is that all Free Gracers owe gratitude to the Reformers…who, in Calvin and Luther, saw faith alone apart from works as the sole means of any hope of heaven.
Fun stuff…sad how twisted so much of the conversation has drifted from Calvin. Calvin was really a commentator, while Beza was more ‘philosophical’ and developed a ‘theology’…which in turn got attributed to Calvin.
At any rate…it was fun (get the message when it’s offered).
Grace and night,
FRL
TUESDAY REPORT (October 6, 2009)
What a fine day! When you spend your life studying (attempting to learn a thing or two), you can dash past relationships. The friendships are easily the most important thing about this kind of conference. What a joy to see so many faithful to God’s grace and to one another. The Seymours, the Bings, the Chays, the Andersons…the list goes on with the many who are remaining faithful in their churches and ministries. Mike Halsey (Free Grace Seminary) is one who always reminds me of the faithfulness of God…Mike was the first pastor of Midland Bible Church. He was followed by Phil Feist. I then followed Phil and stayed for 19 years. Now Tyler Beard (he was 14 when I arrived) is carrying on a grace-oriented pulpit ministry…a bit of a family of grace.
Today’s messages were all you could hope for…Larry Moyer and Charlie Bing focused on the practical foundations of grace and the christian life (conference theme), while a variety of workshops hit on a variety of important additions (including George Meisinger, Joe Wall, Dennis Rokser, and a host of others).
I attended Dennis’s review of the importance of faith (relating especially to appropriating our position in Christ by faith…growing in the Lord by grace through faith, just as we received Him in the same way).
The evening’s banquet was unusually great as Art Rorheim received our Trophy of Grace award for his labors as an grace evangelist and the worldwide establishment of the AWANA program.
Dr. Jay Quine gave a really cool message on how grace and the good news of the coming kingdom fit our evangelism…we leave the hope of the future out…notice the emphasis in Acts!
Well, it was a joy…and I must say, the disposition around here is optimistic and united…a feel haven’t seen at this level in some time!
God bless,
FRL
Fred:
Thanks for these, looking forward to the next.
Lou
WEDNESDAY REPORT (OCTOBER 7, 2009)
What a great ending to a great time. We had a really fun time with Dr. Chay closing us out, followed by a promotion by the authors of their various new releases…and a panel discussion of questions from the floor toward the plenary session speakers (Fred Chay, Charlie Bing, Larry Moyer, Dave Anderson, and yours truly).
I think I got more feed back from that discussion as from anything else all week. We especially discussed Calvinism and free grace, the gospel of the kingdom, and the role of faith and works in the sanctification process.
The business meeting was easy (mostly because the gang was very forgiving of my incompetence this year :-)…
The new FGA Council Members are:
Fred Chay (President)
Rick Whitmire
Brett Nazworth
Jay Quine
Larry Moyer
JB Hixson
Sam Sacco
Ex Officio this year
Charlie Bing (former President)
Fred Lybrand (former President)
A high old time was had by all…a real fresh momentuum as we have engage Dr. Chay in a more directive approach to our labors. This will be a banner year…grinding over doctrine is behind us (for now) and we are on to Growing the Movement and Getting the Message Out!
Many thanks to all,
Fred Lybrand
Well, it was a joy…and I must say, the disposition around here is optimistic and united…a feel haven’t seen at this level in some time!
That’s great to hear Fred!!
Well, it was a joy…and I must say, the disposition around here is optimistic and united…a feel haven’t seen at this level in some time!
Would this be due in part to (most if not all of) the men who are oriented to the GES gospel have departed the FGA?
Lou
Lou,
You asked if it was due to departures…?
Perhaps. As I look at it, however, it seems like it has more to do with people who are interested in building something together under a basic doctrinal agreement.
By this, I mean that the ‘doctrinal agreement’ part wasn’t much in the way of conversation of discussion. We all get we care about free grace and are ‘now’ just wanting to see who all wants to join in together with us.
To me, the best part was meeting new folks who felt they had found a ‘home’ after years of feeling like they were out there on their own.
I didn’t here much criticism of much of anyone. I think my workshop’s critique of John Piper was the most ‘negative’…and I tried my best to show what I appreciate about Piper (despite the clear incongruence in his theology).
Thanks,
FRL
Fred:
Just before seeing your comment here I had a chat with and summary from Tom Stegall.
He concurs with your assessment that the good tone was due in part to the staunch GES gospel people having departed, primarily as you said, however, “…people who are interested in building something together under a basic doctrinal agreement.”
Tom Stegall was very encouraged.
Your lecture on Piper would have been (for me) riveting. I am very anxious to use some of your materials for a more full and open discussion of the issues that are a growing concern in his ministry.
Having not read your book yet- are you aware of Piper’s growing affinity for the charismatic sign gifts being in operation and for today? That is another discussion for another thread.
Thanks for the good and encouraging report.
Lou
Piper has had that affinity for sometime I think…in part with his connection to Dr. Grudem’s affinity for there being revelatory prophesy / prophets today.
???,
FRL
Lou, you’ve got to pick the book up. I know you enjoy good thought process in an argument – you won’t be disappointed.
Fred:
It is CJ Mahaney who is the driving force behind the non-cessationism movement in the conservative evangelical camp.
Lou