AG STUDY GUIDE FINAL - The Forerunner

answer.
Section I: History of the Debate
Clip from “Luther”, 1953, Gateway Films.
Catholic Priest: God is revealed from faith to faith. As it is written, “The
just shall live by faith.”
Luther: By faith, man lives and is made righteous, not by what he does for
himself – be it adoration of relics, singing of masses, pilgrimages to Rome,
purchase of pardon for his sins - but by faith in what God has done for
him already; through His Son.
Catholic Priest: Dr. Martin, if you leave the Christian to live only by faith, if
you sweep away all good works, all these glorious things you dismiss as
mere crutches, what will you put in their place?
Luther: Christ. Man only needs Jesus Christ.
The debate concerning this vital issue is as old as Christianity itself. And in today’s
relativistic, “to each his own” world, many simply resolve the issue by either accepting
the contradiction, or just sweeping it under the proverbial rug. But in the end, neither
option is acceptable. The issues are far too critical to our understanding of the true
nature of man, grace, and the God we’re called to worship and serve. With this in mind,
this presentation will attempt to illuminate, if not resolve, the issue while demonstrating
just how amazing saving grace truly is.
We’ll begin in part one of this presentation with the history of this controversy – the
struggle to understand God’s sovereignty and grace in relation to man’s responsibility
and free will.
“For many are called but few are chosen.” ~ Matthew 20:16; 22:14
In part two, we’ll focus on the Bible’s testimony concerning these issues. And in part
three, we’ll explain how the Gospel should be understood and presented in light of these
Biblical truths. The hope here is that you, the viewer, will be inspired and betterprepared
to do your part in fulfilling the “Great Commission”.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” ~ Matthew 28:19
At the end we’ll also direct you books and ministries which can further your
understanding of the system of doctrine known as Calvinism, Augustinianism, or what
the Rev. John Newton, author of the classic Christian hymn, called “The Gospel of
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