If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceL...opic/124/4433/

I thought this was a fascinating blog by Piper today. He deals with Justification by faith alone. About five or so years ago I read some passages in the bible and this core doctrine just leaped from the pages and I was never the same again.

Many within the UPC say that they teach justification by faith and maybe some do. David Bernard has books about it. However, when my own father and I were not able to reconcile our beliefs on this doctrine my world came crashing down and I finally had to make my own decisions. He was highly regarded in our local church and among many as a very wise man and a great teacher. Yet it was this simple doctrine of justification by faith that separated us. The hardest thing I have ever done was to go a different path than my family.

Is justification by faith really that big a deal among Pentecostals. I determined that it wasn't being preaching and it has cost me so much. Yes, life is better, yes I have joy after having finally found saving faith, yes I have clear direction but everything I was is now gone.

I sometimes wonder if I had known how all this would play out if I wouldn't have just shut my bible and kept quiet.

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

If I had two minutes with the Pope I'd want to wear that nifty hat! lol

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

you're not the only one who has left family over doctrine. my family is trinitarian but understand oneness from disscussions with me. They have not left their church.

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

yep

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

I find it ironic that my parents left the Baptist church when they were both 18 to become pentecostal and now almost 40 years later I have left and faced some of the same issues they went through. At the time that they left no one even knew what pentecostal was. They lost everything as well. My dad was the star quarterback and my mom was the beauty queen so for them to leave was huge.

To them speaking in tongues, oneness, and Acts 2:38 was what they were looking for. I tried to do it their way but I waited until the age 27 to start making a stand.

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

Or ride the Popemobile!

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

:santathumb

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

Anybody think they could get him saved and speaking in tongues, in two minutes? :D

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

Hmmm. May need a professional prayer-througher. It is a gift now days you know lol

Is the Pope saved? Some false doctrines he represents there.

Re: If you had two minutes with the Pope
 

If he and I could pray "The Apostles' Creed" together and he really believed it, I would consider him a brother in Christ.