Podcasts about under law

A new MP3 sermon from Reformation Church of Elizabeth is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Under Sin, Under Law,...Under Grace Subtitle: Romans Speaker: Kevin Swanson Broadcaster: Reformation Church of Elizabeth Event: Sunday Service Date: 10/13/2024 Bible: Romans 3:9-23 Length: 56 min.

A new MP3 sermon from Reformation Church of Elizabeth is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Under Sin, Under Law,...Under Grace Subtitle: Romans Speaker: Kevin Swanson Broadcaster: Reformation Church of Elizabeth Event: Sunday Service Date: 10/13/2024 Bible: Romans 3:9-23 Length: 56 min.

Under the law, Jack Smith is a private citizen, not a Special Counsel. He didn't execute his acceptance of his commission timely or in proper form. And he was unlawfully appointed to an office that does not exist under law. Therefore, everything he has done is "fruit of the poisonous tree" and must be thrown out. That means that the J6 and Mar-a-Lago indictments are fatally flawed and of no legal merit.https://reason.com/volokh/2023/12/20/special-counsel-jack-smmiths-appointment-is-unconstitutional/https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndlr/vol95/iss1/3/https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2023/12/jack_smith_not_so_nimble.htmlhttps://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/gateway-pundit-exclusive-allegations-procedural-missteps-surface-against/https://reason.com/volokh/2023/12/20/special-counsel-jack-smmiths-appointment-is-unconstitutional/

The Foundation of Jesus Christ was laid in us, when we heard and responded in faith to the Gospel of Christ by receiving Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour (1Cor 3:11). Once the Foundation of Christ has been laid, we need to build upon that Foundation by hearing and obeying (doing) the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 7:24-27). The first 2 foundational doctrines in Hebrews 6:1-2: (1) REPENTANCE from dead works, and (2) FAITH toward God, together describe the basis for a whole new way of living, built on a new Foundation - Christ in us. We must REPENT of trusting in ourselves, and instead live by FAITH in the indwelling Christ, trusting in Him as our Foundation and Life-Source. Thus we are to change our whole base of operation from ourselves (our own strength, understanding and soul-life) to the Living God, and His Grace at work within us through the Holy Spirit. The foundational doctrines of repentance and faith do not just apply to our salvation, but to our everyday Christian life (Colossians 2:6). To live by faith in the indwelling Christ, it is necessary to understand the miracle of the rebirth (regeneration) of our spirit, making us a child of God, so Derek shares the Scriptures on the New Birth in John 1:12-13, John 3:3-16, Ephesians 2:1-10, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2Corinthians 5:17-18, John 4:13-14, 7:38-39, Romans 5:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 4:13, Galatians 2:20). Now we are born again, we have the choice to walk by the indwelling Holy Spirit or by our flesh, from our independent soul life (Galatians 5:16-18). We either live by faith, under GRACE (living from the grace of God flowing from our spirit), or under LAW (keeping rules and principles in our own strength, living out from our soul, producing dead works) - Romans 6:14. “Jesus said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (his independent soul life), and take up his cross (God's will), and follow Me (live a life of intimate fellowship with Jesus). For whoever desires to save his soul-life will lose it, but whoever loses his soul-life for My sake will find it (we will find our real life, identity and individuality, through the life of the Spirit)” (Matthew 16:24-25). We only please God, when we submit our souls to live under grace by faith, trusting in the Holy Spirit within us as our life-source. When we walk in the flesh, independent from God, living out from our own souls, in our own strength, we cannot please God, and we only produce dead (useless) works, which have no value to God (Romans 8:2-6). Therefore faith toward God and repentance from dead works (Hebrews 6:1) are the essential first foundational teachings undergirding our whole Christian life. Once we have been born again, we have His Spirit within us, but now we must learn to lean upon God's grace as our base of operation (Romans 8:5). Then we will experience life and peace (v6). If we submit to the abundance of grace that flows through His gift of righteousness, we will reign in life over sin (Romans 5:17). Our spirit is dead to (free from) sin and alive to God, but sin (the sin-nature in our flesh) still wants to reign over us (Romans 6:11-12), but as long as we live under grace (by God's Spirit within us, through faith), sin will not have dominion over us (Romans 6:14). That is, the power of the Spirit is greater than the power of sin in the flesh, so that as we trust and walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). This is confirmed by Romans 8:2: “The law of the Spirit of life (grace) in Christ Jesus makes me free from the law of sin and death." In this way, the righteous requirement of the law (love) is fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (under Grace)” (v4).

The Foundation of Jesus Christ was laid in us, when we heard and responded in faith to the Gospel of Christ by receiving Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour (1Cor 3:11). Once the Foundation of Christ has been laid, we need to build upon that Foundation by hearing and obeying (doing) the teaching of Jesus in the New Testament (Matthew 7:24-27). The first 2 foundational doctrines in Hebrews 6:1-2: (1) REPENTANCE from dead works, and (2) FAITH toward God, together describe the basis for a whole new way of living, built on a new Foundation - Christ in us. We must REPENT of trusting in ourselves, and instead live by FAITH in the indwelling Christ, trusting in Him as our Foundation and Life-Source. Thus we are to change our whole base of operation from ourselves (our own strength, understanding and soul-life) to the Living God, and His Grace at work within us through the Holy Spirit. The foundational doctrines of repentance and faith do not just apply to our salvation, but to our everyday Christian life (Colossians 2:6). To live by faith in the indwelling Christ, it is necessary to understand the miracle of the rebirth (regeneration) of our spirit, making us a child of God, so Derek shares the Scriptures on the New Birth in John 1:12-13, John 3:3-16, Ephesians 2:1-10, Ezekiel 36:26-27, 2Corinthians 5:17-18, John 4:13-14, 7:38-39, Romans 5:5, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 4:13, Galatians 2:20). Now we are born again, we have the choice to walk by the indwelling Holy Spirit or by our flesh, from our independent soul life (Galatians 5:16-18). We either live by faith, under GRACE (living from the grace of God flowing from our spirit), or under LAW (keeping rules and principles in our own strength, living out from our soul, producing dead works) - Romans 6:14. “Jesus said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (his independent soul life), and take up his cross (God's will), and follow Me (live a life of intimate fellowship with Jesus). For whoever desires to save his soul-life will lose it, but whoever loses his soul-life for My sake will find it (we will find our real life, identity and individuality, through the life of the Spirit)” (Matthew 16:24-25). We only please God, when we submit our souls to live under grace by faith, trusting in the Holy Spirit within us as our life-source. When we walk in the flesh, independent from God, living out from our own souls, in our own strength, we cannot please God, and we only produce dead (useless) works, which have no value to God (Romans 8:2-6). Therefore faith toward God and repentance from dead works (Hebrews 6:1) are the essential first foundational teachings undergirding our whole Christian life. Once we have been born again, we have His Spirit within us, but now we must learn to lean upon God's grace as our base of operation (Romans 8:5). Then we will experience life and peace (v6). If we submit to the abundance of grace that flows through His gift of righteousness, we will reign in life over sin (Romans 5:17). Our spirit is dead to (free from) sin and alive to God, but sin (the sin-nature in our flesh) still wants to reign over us (Romans 6:11-12), but as long as we live under grace (by God's Spirit within us, through faith), sin will not have dominion over us (Romans 6:14). That is, the power of the Spirit is greater than the power of sin in the flesh, so that as we trust and walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). This is confirmed by Romans 8:2: “The law of the Spirit of life (grace) in Christ Jesus makes me free from the law of sin and death." In this way, the righteous requirement of the law (love) is fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (under Grace)” (v4).

Do we follow the Old Testament law? Most of us would say no, that we're not “under the law,” as the New Testament says. But what about the 10 Commandments? Most of us would still hang the 10 Commandments in our living room, or at least our bathroom, and we'd still say those apply, right? Well, they're part of the Law. So do we follow the Law or not? We'll hash those issues out today on the Cross References podcast.    0:00 - Introduction 7:15 - Religious/Ceremonial Law 21:00 - Civil Law 36:25 - Moral Law 42:55 - A Modern Case Study 48:00 - Under Law vs Under Grace   If you want to get in touch with us, send us an email to crossreferencespodcast@gmail.com Hosted by Luke Taylor 

Rev. Jesse Pirschel preaches the sermon -Under Law, Under Curse- from Gal 3-7-14. From the February 20th, 2022 Divine Worship Service. To access a full catalog of sermons from Providence Presbyterian Church, visit providencetemecula.com.

Rev. Jesse Pirschel preaches the sermon -Under Law, Under Curse- from Gal 3-7-14. From the February 20th, 2022 Divine Worship Service. To access a full catalog of sermons from Providence Presbyterian Church, visit providencetemecula.com.

Under Law, Hear the Law; Introduction to Old Covenant Daniel Joseph goes through the most influential and most misunderstood book of the Bible.

Bondage or Freedom? Under Law or in Christ!

This week we begin with a quick discussion about women and tzitzit, and then turn to Galatians 4:4. What does it mean that Yeshua was born “under law?” Often, those within mainstream Christianity will argue that this means Yeshua was born in a time when the Torah needed to be observed, but after His death… The post Show #239 – Under Law appeared first on Messiah Matters.

This ninth session of "The New Creation Series" points out the differences between being under the Law vs. being under Grace, talks about why the new creation is no longer under the Law and how does that look like (what does it mean), and it also describes some wrong and right motivations for holiness under Grace.

Government Taxes Replace Theocratic Tithes (Romans 13:1-7) Paul is speaking specifically about governmental authorities, directing that taxes be paid to the state. In this case, Rome had replaced the theocracy in the governing of Israel. Though the Law of Moses was respected as tradition by the Romans, and the Israelites were allowed to follow the commandments, Israel was no longer a theocracy, and was not free to worship God the way God had commanded them to. Summary of Tithing Under Grace Throughout the New Testament, Paul's vocabulary and teaching suggest that giving is voluntary and that there is no set percentage. In fact, nowhere in the New Testament are believers told to tithe by anyone! Or even how much to give, when or to whom. They are only encouraged to provide for those who are in need, their ministers, and for the stranger. WHERE ARE WE NOW? Under Law? Under the Law, relationship with God is defined by how well you fulfill His commandments. Anyone can attempt do this; you don't have to know God to tithe. Tithing doesn't bring anyone into a closer relationship with God or with others, and it doesn't contribute to a relationship that already exists. Grace Full Relationship! We still find it so hard to comprehend that the God of the universe loves us so much that there is nothing He requires of us but to accept His love. He provides for us because He loves us. CONSEQUENCES (Why Is This So Important?) Matter of Control How much, when and to whom we give of our resources, our time and our money, is often one of the ways we gain or maintain control. Believers Not Learning How to Hear the Lord Social Infrastructure Based on Money   Not Giving God's Way is Contrary to Our New Nature

ADDITIONS TO THE LAW OF MOSES Malachi 3:10 Yet God still gives them one last chance. 3:16 Some in Israel respond to the above admonitions, and were remembered by God. 3:17 He promises to spare them as they serve Him. Malachi Chapter 4 1 God's judgment against the proud and the wicked: burning and total destruction, leaving neither root nor branch. 2 But a promise of healing and comfortable care to those who fear His Name. 3 Righteousness will be restored and victory given to those that bear His Name. 4 God reminds the people to study the Law of Moses. 5 Promise of a zealous Prophet to warn the guilty and revive the righteous. 6 His ministry will be on a heart level, which is God's complaint against Israel in this book (Malachi). 1. This rebuke is clearly related to the Israelites in general, and the priests in particular, failing to have done the whole Law of Moses. 2. Why is Malachi 3:8-12 so popular in church? A. It gives us something to do in order to gain God's blessing. B. It increases funds coming into the church. C. It clarifies our duty and responsibility toward God; all of which are CONTRARY to God's intended relationship with believers today. 3. God lists adultery, lying, cheating, stealing, divorce, laziness, etc. as grievances. Why is only tithing emphasized? Because verse 10 promises self-gratification. Summary of Additions to the Law of Moses 1. Tithing is always mentioned as a part of the whole. 2. Emphasis on caring for those in ministry, the poor and widow, and the foreigner. 3. As the time draws near to the coming of the Messiah, the scriptures reflect God's coming to an end with letting the Law define His relationship with His people. THE TRANSITION (New Testament, Pre-Resurrection of Christ, Under Law)

７月より、毎月第１週は「ドラマで英語を学ぼう」をお届けしています。NASAの宇宙船を舞台としたSFドラマ「スペースシップ（Spaceship）」の第４話です。 前回の過激ないたずらからわずか１時間後のこと。女性が惑星探査機（a planetary analyzer）の異常を察知すると、その後無線が突然反応し、声が聞こえてきます。さて、その声の正体とは・・・？ 毎回、ドラマの中で使われている表現をJoeとAyakoがていねいに解説します。 今回お借りした素材 写真（スペースシャトル）：NASA BGM：パブリックドメイン・クラシック Download MP3 （18:15　10.5MB　中級） "Spaceship" (C) 2010 Kyle Kumashiro and FLaRE.Spaceship Written by Kyle Kumashiro Part 4: One Hour Later ---------- Characters: M = Astronaut Man, W = Astronaut Woman, A = Alien Male Official, B = Alien Queen ---------- W: Hey, wake up! Something's wrong with the planetary analyzer. The readings are off the charts! M: (Yawn) I'm not falling for another one of your April Fool's jokes. Now, let me rest. W: Really! I'm serious! M: Me too. Look, I still have seven hours of sleep left. W: And I have zero minutes of patience left. Now wake up! If not, you will be sleeping with more of my gifts. M: Fine. I'm up! Just give me a second. (Pause) M: OK, so what's the problem? W: Take a look at this. M: OK. Hmm… what's wrong? W: The communication system started flashing several minutes ago. M: That's impossible. We lost all communication two months ago. W: Exactly. (Suddenly, over the radio) A: Street rats! This is a restricted flying area. Under Law 319-b, anyone flying in this area will be severely punished. Explain yourselves. B: There is no need to use that tone of voice, Waymeather. Please excuse his manners. Now, why are you flying into our restricted flying zone? W: Please . . . we come from the planet Earth. We are in need . . . A: Ha, ha. You mean you come from the waste hole? M: What? No, Earth is a planet. You know, a large body of mass . . . B: We know what a planet is. Do you think we are stupid? Earth is a waste material coming out from our hinds. Your Earth does not exist. A: We should arrest them for perjury. And then destroy them. W: Please . . . Earth does exist. We come from a galaxy far, far away. M: Ha, ha. You sound like the beginning of Star Wars. W: Hey, we don't have time for jokes. Anyways, our home, Earth, is in ruins. We want to speak to your leader. B: Even if this Earth that you speak of does exist, why should we help you? A: Exactly what I was thinking, your majesty. I was thinking more along the lines of . . . B: Silence, Waymeather. Now, Earthlings, what proof do you have of this Earth? M: We have . . .umm. W: Please, your highness. We didn't bring anything from out planet. We didn't expect to encounter a new life form. B: New life form? It is not we that are new. It is you! Do not regard us as aliens. Now, show me proof or I will have both of you arrested and silenced. M: Umm… umm… OK, we will show you. But to do so, we need to meet in person. B: We will meet at the external space station in exactly 3 minutes. Failure to do so, will be utmost regrettable. W: (Whisper) What? What proof are you talking about. M: Physical.

７月より、毎月第１週は「ドラマで英語を学ぼう」をお届けしています。NASAの宇宙船を舞台としたSFドラマ「スペースシップ（Spaceship）」の第４話です。 前回の過激ないたずらからわずか１時間後のこと。女性が惑星探査機（a planetary analyzer）の異常を察知すると、その後無線が突然反応し、声が聞こえてきます。さて、その声の正体とは・・・？ 毎回、ドラマの中で使われている表現をJoeとAyakoがていねいに解説します。 今回お借りした素材 写真（スペースシャトル）：NASA BGM：パブリックドメイン・クラシック Download MP3 （18:15　10.5MB　中級） "Spaceship" (C) 2010 Kyle Kumashiro and FLaRE.Spaceship Written by Kyle Kumashiro Part 4: One Hour Later ---------- Characters: M = Astronaut Man, W = Astronaut Woman, A = Alien Male Official, B = Alien Queen ---------- W: Hey, wake up! Something's wrong with the planetary analyzer. The readings are off the charts! M: (Yawn) I'm not falling for another one of your April Fool's jokes. Now, let me rest. W: Really! I'm serious! M: Me too. Look, I still have seven hours of sleep left. W: And I have zero minutes of patience left. Now wake up! If not, you will be sleeping with more of my gifts. M: Fine. I'm up! Just give me a second. (Pause) M: OK, so what's the problem? W: Take a look at this. M: OK. Hmm… what's wrong? W: The communication system started flashing several minutes ago. M: That's impossible. We lost all communication two months ago. W: Exactly. (Suddenly, over the radio) A: Street rats! This is a restricted flying area. Under Law 319-b, anyone flying in this area will be severely punished. Explain yourselves. B: There is no need to use that tone of voice, Waymeather. Please excuse his manners. Now, why are you flying into our restricted flying zone? W: Please . . . we come from the planet Earth. We are in need . . . A: Ha, ha. You mean you come from the waste hole? M: What? No, Earth is a planet. You know, a large body of mass . . . B: We know what a planet is. Do you think we are stupid? Earth is a waste material coming out from our hinds. Your Earth does not exist. A: We should arrest them for perjury. And then destroy them. W: Please . . . Earth does exist. We come from a galaxy far, far away. M: Ha, ha. You sound like the beginning of Star Wars. W: Hey, we don't have time for jokes. Anyways, our home, Earth, is in ruins. We want to speak to your leader. B: Even if this Earth that you speak of does exist, why should we help you? A: Exactly what I was thinking, your majesty. I was thinking more along the lines of . . . B: Silence, Waymeather. Now, Earthlings, what proof do you have of this Earth? M: We have . . .umm. W: Please, your highness. We didn't bring anything from out planet. We didn't expect to encounter a new life form. B: New life form? It is not we that are new. It is you! Do not regard us as aliens. Now, show me proof or I will have both of you arrested and silenced. M: Umm… umm… OK, we will show you. But to do so, we need to meet in person. B: We will meet at the external space station in exactly 3 minutes. Failure to do so, will be utmost regrettable. W: (Whisper) What? What proof are you talking about. M: Physical.

This episode of CS is titled “Augustine – Part 2.”Augustine wrote a work called Retractions in which he lists the many books and treatises he'd penned. Each work is given a summary and additional notes are added charting the development of his thought over time.He wrote some 113 books & treatises, close to 250 letters, some of which are treatises themselves, and 500 sermons.Here's a rundown on some of them …The best introduction to Augustine's thoughts is his Enchiridion – also known as On Faith, Hope, & Love.  The section on faith is an exposition of the Apostle's Creed. Hope is captured in the Lord's Prayer, while Love is the summary of the Commandments.On Christian Teaching is Augustine's theology of Scripture; what it teaches, how it ought to be understood, and a practical theology on how to share it. It's here he developed the foundational principle of the analogy of faith. It establishes the rule that no teaching which is contrary to the general tenor and story of the Scriptures can be developed from any particular passage. The history of heresy and pseudo-Christian cults makes clear most of them violate this basic rule of hermeneutics.On Catechizing the Uninstructed gives both a long and short form for how to deal with inquirers.Augustine's On the Good of Marriage affirms the benefits of marriage as bringing children into the world, protecting fidelity, and serves as a picture of Christ and the Church. Although, keeping with the sensibilities of the time, it made clear the superior position of celibacy.Shortly after arriving back home in Tagaste, around 389, Augustine wrote what is probably his most famous work – Confessions. The word meant more then than it typically does today. Yes, it bears his confession of sin, but Augustine also meant the word as his profession of faith and a declaration of the goodness of God. Com­pleted by 401, it lays bare his soul. He describes his life before conversion, the events leading to his conver­sion, and his path back to North Africa. The Confessions of St. Augustine is counted as one of the greatest autobiographical works of all time. It contains the oft-quoted “You have made us for Yourself, O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee" in the first paragraph. Scholars & students of ancient literature are moved by Augustine's remarkably candid and perceptive analysis of his struggle with sin. At one point he shares the struggle he had with lust this way. He cried out to the heavens, “Give me chas­tity and holy desire; Only—not yet.”After the Confessions, Augustine's most important work, and one he labored on for 14 years is The City of God. This is arguably the climax of Christian Latin apologetics and became the blueprint for the Middle Ages.It began as a response to the Sack of Rome by the Goths in 410. Though Rome was no longer the capital of the Empire, it remained the enduring symbol of it. Pagans loudly protested Rome was sacked because the old gods were furious they'd been forsaken; thrown over for this new deity out of the Middle East name Jesus.Augustine began the work as a reply to this damning charge. It grew into a comprehensive philosophy of history; an eloquent apologetic for what would come to be known as the Providential View of History.Augustine posited 2 cities; One of the world, the other of Heaven. These 2 cities are the result of 2 kinds of love; the love of self and the love of God. It begins with a negative and apologetic part that attacks paganism and its claims against the Faith. The next section is positive and describes Augustine's philosophy of history. He describes the origin, progress and terminus of both cities. When I say “city” think society, for that is what Augustine meant.Such a description as this, and most others may make it appear Augustine posits the 2 cities as ever distinct. That's not the case; rather, they are, at least as they are manifest in the world, always confused and mixed; yet ever at odds.In earlier works, Augustine laid out a pattern for history as progressing from . . .Before the Law,Under Law,Under Grace,& In Peace. These corresponded to the individual believer's spiritual path as well. Augustine also charted 7 periods of history based on the Creation-week. Five of them fell under the Old Testament, one in the new, and the 7th was the Millennium, which in this earlier work he described as coming after Jesus' Return.But in The City of God, Augustine's idea of history was Amillennial. He cast the 1000 years of Rev 20 as symbolic either of the Church age or the ultimate summation of history. THAT view replaced the prior, literal millennial eschatology that had been the position of the Church to that time. The Amillennial position became the dominant view in Western Christianity thru the Middle Ages and beyond.The City of God is so noble in its treatment of theology and philosophy it's endured as a classic statement of Christians' views on a wide range of topics. Augustine treats with such subjects as rape, abortion, and suicide.Many historians consider Augustine the most important and influential Christian thinker from the Apostle Paul to the Reformers Luther and Calvin who both drew heavily from his work.When he became Bishop at Hippo, the Donatists still thrived in North Africa, in some places forming the majority. Augustine supported the Roman position against them.By way of review, the Donatists argued for a pure church, one led by bishops who'd not caved to persecution, recanted their faith, or surrendered Scriptures to be burned, then, when persecution passed, were allowed to return to their post. Rome said such lapsed bishops and priests could be restored. The Donatists said they could NOT and that any service they performed was invalid. The Donatists were deeply upset that the Bishop at Rome welcomed these lapsed priests back into their positions as leaders.Augustine argued against the Donatists, saying that according to Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares, the Church was a mixed multitude; holding both the lost and saved.Now: I have to admit I'm at a loss to see how that justified allowing apostates to regain leadership positions in the church.Let's cast that in light of a far sometimes problem today. Should a pastor who commits adultery, and is caught in it, not from which he repents before being caught; should he be allowed back into his role as a pastor just because he breaks up with his mistress?For Augustine, the issue wasn't so much that these lapsed priests and bishops were allowed back into their roles; it was the question of whether or not their religious service held any efficacy for those they were served by; things like Communion and baptism.Augustine differed with the Donatists on the validity of these baptisms and communion served by lapsed priests. Donatists claimed an apostate had lost authority to administer these rites. Augustine said the moral and spiritual standing of a priest wasn't important, only that he be aware he bestowed God's grace on others by baptizing and serving communion.While no doubt many of us would agree that it isn't the moral excellence of the officiating minister that determines the value of communion and baptism, what surely some of our listeners will find difficult is the idea that a special grace is communicated BY a priest, through these rituals.You see, this brings us right up to a much later controversy that will surface during the Reformation. Do the sacraments convey grace or are they meant to be memorials that point to a historical event we renew our faith by? Notice I did NOT say, they are MERELY memorials, for that goes too far and misrepresents the position of the radical Reformers, But that is a subject for a much later episode.Augustine's argument at this point laid the foundation for the Roman Catholic Church's doctrine that an ordained priest becomes the channel of grace to church members. Next stop on that train is Sacramentalism and Sacerdotalism.Augustine's support of the Roman church and Bishop in the Donatist controversy included the use of force to suppress rivals and coerce them to accept church policy. In another example of his misuse of Scripture, he quoted Luke 14:23, wherein the parable of the banquet the host said: “Compel them to come in.” Augustine used this to justify forcing opponents to comply. This again seems an odd application of a passage that's self-explanatory. For the servants of the host didn't go out into streets and beat people; driving them with whips into the banquet.Now: I recognize the historic weight and significance assigned to Augustine of Hippo. He was a towering intellect who made a major contribution to Christian theology. There's no denying that. But there's much in his work that seems to some, and I am one, that is inconsistent, even contradictory. For instance, a moment ago I mentioned Augustine developed the hermeneutical principle of the Analogy of Faith, a rule he shatters by justifying the use of force to compel adherence to church policy by using Luke 14:23.Following his refutation of Donatism, Augustine turned his impressive intellectual attention to the teaching of a British monk named Pelagius. Pelagianism was a Christianized form of Greek stoicism. Pelagius said humans aren't sinners by nature; that they're free moral agents who become sinners by sinning and that it was possible to live without sin apart from the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Pelagius believed Jesus's death atoned for sins but that humans possessed the power in themselves to live holy lives. Augustine's own experience with sin proved Pelagius wrong and he argued forcefully against his ideas. Augustine said the entire human race was in Adam so that when he fell, all fell with him and sin passed to everyone. Sinners, Augustine argued, are not only saved by God's grace, but they're also kept by it and can only live God-honoring lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. He taught that God chooses only some to be saved and bestows this saving grace through the church by baptism and communion.This is another example of Augustine's confusing theology. He said only those who joined the visible church receive grace, then turned around and said salvation is a private matter between God and the individual. It was the former idea that laid the Roman Church's claim to being the sole agent of bestowing grace, and the later teaching that formed the Protestant Reformation's view of salvation. One has to wonder what Augustine thought the unmerited favor of grace was if joining a church, being baptized and taking communion acquired it.He helped develop the doctrine of pur­gatory and so emphasized the value of baptism and communion as means of bestowing grace that the false doctrines of baptismal regeneration and sacramentalism were logical outcomes of his views.As Augustine neared his final days, the Vandals who'd sacked Rome, crossed the Straits of Gibraltar and swept East to lay siege to Hippo. Two months into the siege Augustine died & a year later when the city finally fell, the Vandals entered to find everyone either dying or dead from hunger. Though they destroyed most of the city, out of respect for the renowned Augustine, they left his church intact.