[TruthTalk] Interesting Book

[ShieldsFamily]

Lance,   I am reading (as much as possible with lots of family here for several weeks) one of the books you sent me from your Ontario Bookstore, “The Rod, Will God Spare It?” by JD Faust.  Although I have some major disagreements with the author’s point of view, I am still really enjoying learning what he thinks.  I was wondering if you would answer a few questions for me to help in discussing the book: Have you read the book? Do you agree with the author’s “once saved, always saved” philosophy? (Or do you just think that everyone is saved? I’m not sure.) Do you agree with the author that “the Kingdom” that Jesus referred to was ONLY the 1,000 year Millennial reign of Christ?   One reason I find the book interesting is that, in spite of the author’s “once saved, always saved” beliefs, he literally believes in the obvious warnings in scripture to those who are Believers that they will be denied entering into The Kingdom of God.  I take them to mean that you can lose your salvation if you choose to rebel against the Lord by choosing a sinful, disobedient lifestyle.  He (and how many others like him, I wonder?) resolve this dilemma that their doctrine obviously raises by believing that Yes, there will be Judgment for Believers, but NO it won’t be eternal damnation.  He claims that the words “damnation”, etc, just mean severe but temporary judgment (like a Protestant version of RCC purgatory), and a denial of entering in to the 1,000 year Sabbath Millennial reign of Jesus.  He claims that “carnal” Believers (perhaps like Jonathan’s view of Bill Clinton?) do not go to an eternity separated from God, but instead suffer such “temporary” judgment. I didn’t know such a view existed.   Granted, I’ve only gotten to page 90 (mostly in moments around midnight, before my peepers collapse) out of 400+ pages, but that’s the drift I see so far.  So maybe you have read it and can correct me?  I was just hoping to get your take on it.  Thanks for recommending it,   Izzy