Anna posted:
<<  Could it be that some of the easy-believism, easy-baptism (as well as
the lack of concern to be baptized) stuff comes about b/c of a lack
of preaching the whole salvation message, in the pulpits and in daily
life?  >>

Steve Fuchs responded:
<<  I think the issue with easy-believism is that baptism takes place
without any plan or call for discipleship.
If goats saw that baptism implied follow-up discipleship, fewer would bother
to profess something they weren't interested in partaking of.  >>

My response:  
Perhaps "easy evangelism" is the root issue here, which may tie into what
both of you have suggested, but involve a much more systemic flaw that is
centuries old.  The "Finney-Moody-Graham syndrome" has been exposed in many
writings over the years since Hodge's and Warfield's day, but has not
declined in spite of these critiques, and we continue to see its bitter
fruit.  A reading of the biographies of Asahel Nettleton and David
Brainerd's journals should place modern practices in stark contrast with the
evangelism practiced by these two stalwarts.  Assurance of salvation was not
handed out "on a silver platter" by them.  You do not hear of those called
by Christ under their ministry experiencing "instant assurance", or being
forbidden to doubt the reality of their professed faith!

If we seek pure churches composed of truly regenerate church members we will
not, and cannot, accept what passes in the majority of churches today for
"conversion".  The latter may be faked, the former never.  

We need more attention to the following passages of Scripture (in their
respective contexts!) in our day, not less:

2 Cor. 13:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own
selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except
ye be reprobates? 

2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your
calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Soli Deo gloria,

John T. "Jack" Jeffery