What happens when we remove the natural definitions set forth by God for marriage?
It is actually quite sad that we deny God’s plan and adopt secular viewpoints like these.
If marriage is not between a man and a woman, what keeps it from being between a person and anything?
This is my first post on this site so I feel an urge to expound on my motive and input into its vision. My name is Thomas Grammer I am a best friend of Ron Foster, the founder and Chief Moderator of ThornsAndNails.com.
Ron and myself have been overwhelmed by the grace of God and the generousness of His sovereign love towards us. Between our lives and circle of friends we represent a varied cross section of American Christian thought.
Our intent is to focus on the principles from the reformation period that have brought hope, joy, peace and discernment back into our lives. We also desire to promote profitable conversation, encouraging the implementation of those principles, with modern believers of Our Savior Jesus, the Christ.
As I am writing this post my wife, Erika, is singing a song to my seven-year-old son. Tears fill my eyes because I am reminded of God’s goodness. Erika used to sing that song to my son when he was 1 lb. and 8 oz.’s.
Ron,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to launch some discussion.
To You,
The Kingdom Is Now!!!
In His Grip,
Thomas Grammer
During the course of my life God has led me through a lot of things. I grew up in a U.P.C. Pentecostal Church. Here I learned the ways of Semipelagianism. I also learned a lot about what I needed to do and not enough about Christ. When I was about 18 I left the church because I saw double standards set up that I did not understand. I did not know this would be the beginning of a journey to find the truth. One of the ways God
worked was by bringing my future wife into my life. I attended the World Wide Church of God for a time. I was really interested in her not the church, but I learned a lot about the law and legalism. It was about this time I moved in with Pastor Bob Beeman at Sanctuary. It was here I began looking at the concepts presented by John Calvin. Bob told me to be careful that there was better things I could be learning. I did not realize how far he was from the truth that day.
All the places I have mentioned have a common thread. They were more focused on what we should do or be doing then they were on Christ. I think this is the most harmful thing that exists in modern religion. Everything I had learned in these churches was focused on me, what I should do. When I know all I can do is fail. Paul himself questioned his ability to do what is good.
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out…. Romans 7:18″
I understand Paul so much here. This kind of acceptance of the wretchedness that we are is what I needed to see. I needed to see how bad I am, even as a Christian.
When I talk to people about the Reformation, or Calvinism I seem to always end up talking about predestination. This is actually discouraging to me a lot of times because that is all people see when they hear these terms. This is truly the focus of this site, I want to share with you the True meaning of the message of the reformation. I can say it in one word. GRACE! So please join me as I and some friends try to bring the message of the reformation to a modern world.
May the lord bless you.
Ron Foster
Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
