Dialogues with the Free Grace Alliance

I recently have had the opportunity to talk to Charlie Bing, president of the Free Grace Alliance, twice over the past month on the phone. They were great conversations.

The first opportunity I had was October 2nd, the day after I posted 'Whoever [simply] believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God' (1 John 5:1). Do you believe this?. He called me to talk about this article.

He was pleased that the tone of the post was gracious and apart from the vitriole and rhetoric that has been plaguing both sides of the current debate in the Free Grace world. He also stated that, although he does not always agree with my posts, that he believed that they had strong arguments, especially the aforementioned one. For over 30 minutes we discussed some of the issues involved in the debate, doing so with great understanding and interest. His wisdom and graciousness was a testimony to His heart for the Lord Jesus Christ.

I had a wonderful opportunity to discuss with him concerns that I had in the debate. I expressed my sadness over the way that those on the opposing side have misrepresented the Refined Free Grace position, and are continuing to poison the well with their journal articles, blog posts, and emails. We discussed the use of the pejorative, innaccurate, and misleading label that some of the more outspoken advocates of a traditional Free Grace understanding have attached to the position I hold. He, too, was concerned over the same things, and told me that he had been meeting and talking with the players on the other side. Charlie stated that he does not agree with the usage of their coined label. I admitted that in the past I had been caught up in the heat of the moment, and allowed the works of the flesh to manifest themselves in my public remarks, and at the time of the phone call I had already done business with God and repented of such. The funny thing is, that I was informed by a friend that it has been floating around that Charlie called to “rebuke” me. There did not contain in the whole of the phone call a single rebuke or admonition, only encouragement and pleasant sentiments. (Shame on those who continue to poison the well and proliferate innaccurate information!)

I was thoroughly encouraged and inspired by our conversation. Free Grace theology is not a monolithic theology, but has many varying views. There is discussion over various things such as: the content of saving faith, eternal security’s role in saving faith, rapture positions, punitive aspects of the bema, millennial exclusion, aspects of overcomer reward theology, and many others. I am pleased to hear that the FGA is hosting healthy dialogues in these areas.

I also talked to Charlie Bing yesterday for about 40 minutes on the phone. This time I requested his phone call to discuss concerns that I had over comments made by Dennis Rokser on Lou Martuneac’s blog, and questions I had concerning the future of the FGA in relation to those who hold my position. Not wanting to offend anyone, Charlie stated that Dennis’ comments on Lou’s blog need to be tempered with the whole of what he stated in his address (which had 1 Cor 13, the love chapter, as its text). He affirmed the FGA welcome to all flavors of Free Grace theology, and stated that there are four different reasons to join the FGA, one of being which to participate in the discussion of those issues within Free Grace theology itself. I was very happy with these encouraging words.

I furthermore stated my concerns about those who continue to poison the well and throw around the charges of heresy and false gospel, and who email others, spreading their ad hominems. He, too, was disturbed by these things. Some of those who are not so actuated by principles of Christian love in regards to those who take my theological position are not even a part of the FGA, so we could only lament and pray for such people. Others who are a part of the FGA, Charlie has committed to continue to discuss these issues with in order for them to temper their actions and remarks.

But in the end, Charlie is the president and does not have much control over things people either in or out of the FGA say or do. He is, however, a model of temperance, patience, charity, graciousness, and Christian love. He is balanced, cautious, and deliberate in his seeking of the truth, and stated that he does not fully agree with either side. We would all do well to follow his example. I rejoice that he is the president of the FGA and I am optimistic with where his leadership will take it.

Charlie stated that he is coming to San Diego in November to attend and present a paper at the Evangelical Theological Society’s meeting (which will have a theme of discipleship in the 21st century). He graciously proposed that we meet during that time to discuss theology, promote understanding within the greater umbrella of Free Grace theology, share vision, and talk about concerns. I humbly accepted his invitation and look forward with great anticipation to speaking with him face to face.

Last year, during John MacArthur and Nathan Busenitz’s series on Lordship Salvation, Charlie Bing stated this in one of the comment threads:

“I believe that a person is saved when they believe in Jesus’ promise to give them eternal life.” (Pulpit Blog Comments)

This is exactly how I would state things – exactly. This is the type of language that others in the more traditional Free Grace position criticize. I brought this quote of his back to his attention on the phone and he responded that he indeed believes such, but that the quote itself is provided within a context of Christ’s cross work being understood. I responded back to him that I believe that it is precisely the understanding of the cross work of Christ that facilitates one being persuaded of “Jesus’ promise to give [him] eternal life.” I was encouraged to hear that he did not distance himself from his comment, but rather embraced it. I was able to see many areas of agreement with Charlie, and some where future dialogue will be necessary to facilitate greater understanding on all sides of this debate (traditional, refined, middle-of-the-road, and undecided Free Gracers). I believe that I have much I can learn from Charlie, in many areas, and look forward to picking his brain even further. I also desire the opportunity to clearly articulate my deep theological convictions to him, first-hand. I have tired of reading all the mis-information about my position in both journal and electronic media.

All in all, my conversations with Charlie Bing were both profitable and encouraging!

I also have spoken on the phone with J.B. Hixson, the new Executive Director of the Free Grace Alliance. I wanted to bring my concerns and questions to him as well, wondering what his vision for the future of the FGA looked like. He welcomed my membership and stated that he was interested in continuing to dialogue with those who hold to my theological position. We spoke for quite sometime, and I found him knowledgeable and gracious. By the end of the conversation I was thoroughly pleased and encouraged with his sense of direction and focus. In his last email correspondence, he wrote, “I appreciate you and your passion for free grace. Let's keep getting the message out. And I look forward to some stimulating theological repartee in the near future.” Charlie Bing mentioned to me that J.B. would also be joining him in San Diego and suggested we all get together during that time. I am thrilled to meet both of them.

Lastly, I have spoken with Dr. Stephen R. Lewis, President of Rocky Mountain Bible College and Seminary, who is also the Secretary of the FGA. I first talked to him years ago when I stumbled upon an endnote in Rene’ Lopez’s commentary on Romans that referenced a book of essays by various authors given in honor of Zane C. Hodges (which he was the editor of). I initially called him to find out the details of this publishing. He thought that it would be out in the following year. Well it didn’t surface and I called him about a month ago to see what the status of it was. He stated that the Grace Evangelical Society was going to publish the book. GES is in the process of getting several books out now, but that sometime next year the essay book ought to be out. I also had the pleasure of talking to him about the current debate in Free Grace theology. He is unapologetically resigned to the Refined Free Grace theology position, and has spoken to the FGA about it, asking if it would be a problem. They assured him that it would not be, to which I am thoroughly glad and encouraged. I was very pleased that someone of my theological persuasion is on the Leadership council of the FGA.

So much poisoning of the well is happening around the blogosphere, journal articles, and emails. Charges of heresy and false gospel have been fashioned to pre-empt a mature discussion of the issues by those who, I am persuaded, have felt their traditions challenged. It is most unfortunate that there has been a tireless and emotional effort, by some, to bring the GES, Bob Wilkin, and Zane Hodges into disrepute. Theological convictions can produce many emotive behaviors. The sides in this debate must become dispassionate and civil, discussing these issues in a mature and charitable way, speaking and operating in the Spirit and with love.

I have an optimism about the discussions within the Free Grace Alliance. I only hope that they can help temper those who have done much to stir the pot and emotionally turn away people from intellectually and biblically considering the various positions. We must have a mature dialogue, and a prayerful and considerate appeal to the Bible as we flesh out the differences of position within blessed Free Grace Theology.