From: Tatum, Rich [rich]
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 11:32 AM
To: Sharpe, Kathi (AOL)
Cc: Sharpe, Kathi (NET)
Subject: RE: new email addy

Thanks. Got the new address now. We just completed a move to our new apartment in Romeoville, and boy am I tired. Jennifer reminded me to send you an email welcoming you to your first Christmas — and I fully intended to — but I think I failed to get to my computer before it got torn up and packed. Sorry.

However, I'm happy that it was an enjoyable time for you, and that it was especially notable for being your first Christmas celebration since your new birth. Kudos!

I do pray the Lord will give you wisdom and effectiveness as you witness.

Yes, the A/G position is somewhat "Arminian"--which is just a label for the non-Calvinist position that says it's possible to have once been saved but to have lost that salvation by willful practice of sin. Witness John's words:

« If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead
to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer
to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin
that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray
about that.

All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to
death.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the
one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one
cannot harm him. »
(1 John 5:16-18)

Looking at the context, here, I believe John is speaking of spiritual death — and it's clear that it's possible to have a soul destined for life (salvation) but to forsake that by sinning sins that "lead to death."

What those sins are have not all been spelled out, but I think it has to do with "willful" continuation of sin without repentance more than any given type of sin.

I do think the A/G have a position paper on this at the website …. See:

The Security of the Believer
http://ag.org/top/position_papers/4178_security.cfm

Hope this helps!

Regards.

Rich