----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Arnzen" <carnzen@...>

> Deeds are NEVER a qualifier for entering into eternal life in Heaven

> but they biblically are always a reason for eternal punishment in hell.

I realize this is beside the point of discussion, but this formulation is
inconsistent.  One thing I give to Rome and Shepherd/New Perspective is
consistency on this point.

One of the reasons I came to affirm the implicit "covenant of works" in the
garden, or at least the "obedience for life" probationary period, was coming
to the realization that DEEDS are always a qualifier in matters of eternal
life.  It was so in the garden.  Many are agreed on this point.  But the
hangup is the fall.  The fall did not cease to make obedience the grounds
for the granting of eternal life.  What changed was man's ability to obey
for eternal life.

Sola fide didn't change the gardenic reality.  It merely shifted the terms
of man's participation in the eternal life... i.e. someone else would obey
on his behalf and sola fide became the means by which that obedience is
appropriated to the sinful man.  We tend to confuse man's ability to obey
with a "change in the ground rules" for salvation.

Deeds are the ground for entering into eternal life.  Rome and Shepherd/NPP
get that right... but they're dead wrong in that it's not my deeds, but His
deeds.  Salvation is still by works... His works.

Chad Bresson
Xenia, OH