More on Frank Turek vs. Hayden Carroll

 

My attention was drawn to the above video posted on Twitter/X by Frank Turek (link) which provides a more complete account of the exchange between him and Hayden Carroll. In most of the exchanges Frank Turek asks good questions, and gives reasonable answers; while Hayden Carroll asks pointless questions, or gives pointless or irrelevant answers—focusing on Sola Scriptura, or infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—which are irrelevant to the discussion. LDS theology and doctrine has no issues at all with Sola Scriptura, nor with the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—as previously noted. Towards the end of the video Frank asks a couple of questions that merit further discussion. At around 6:45 minutes into the video he asks the following question:

“Let me just say this, are golden plates a miracle?”

The answer is, the way in which they were revealed to Joseph Smith was a miracle. Joseph Smith did not find the plates by accident. They were revealed to him by an angel, who told where to find them, and also how to translate them. That was a miracle.

The way in which the translation was done was also a miracle. Joseph Smith did not know the language in which the plates were written. It required a miracle for him to be able to read, and to translate them—and to do so in such a short period of time—and into a superb, perfect English which he was not qualified for, nor educated enough to be able to do. That was also a miracle.

The way in which the plates were shown to three of the witnesses by an angle—with the voice of God himself being heard speaking out of heaven, and testifying to their truth—was also a miracle.

And the truth of the Book of Mormon can ultimately be known only by the testimony of the Holy Ghost—through a careful and prayerful study of the book. Then at around 9:31 minutes into the video Frank asks the following question:

“The question is if Evangelical Christianity were true, would you become a Christian?”

That is an incoherent question—in a number of ways. Firstly, his question implies that “Evangelical Christianity” is the only form of Christianity that there is! How about Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Orthodox etc. forms of Christianity. Are they not “Christian?”. Only Evangelicals are Christian? That is the implication of his question.

Secondly, what does he mean by “Evangelical Christianity” being “true?” What makes a particular Christian church, religion, or denomination “true”—as distinct from any other? What criteria does he apply, and who gets to decide? I have no difficulty accepting any Christian church or denomination as “true,” in so far as they declare belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and acknowledge him as the Savior and Redeemer of the world. That is commendable. But when they reject the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days, and try to close the Canon, and shut the mouth of God, and deny him the right to speak whenever he wants to, I have a problem with that. That is blasphemy—shutting the mouth of God, and denying him the right to speak anytime he wants to.

More of the Same From Thoughtful Faith!

 

This post is essentially a continuation of an earlier message that I had posted on my blog nearly three months ago dealing with the same topic by the same folks, which can be seen here; so I am going to be brief; because much of what I need to say here was already said there.

In the above video hosted by the Thoughtful Faith channel, Hayden Carroll is responding to an Evangelical Christian apologist by the name of Frank Turek who, typically, is opposed Mormonism, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and in response to it, Hayden Carroll focuses again on Sola Scriptura; and on the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—which is totally irrelevant to the discussion; because as mentioned earlier, LDS theology and doctrine is very much Sola Scriptura; and adheres fully to the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture. The only difference is that Latter-day Saints have a lot more scripture than traditional Christianity does. We have the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, in addition to the Bible in our canon of scripture. But strictly speaking, the theology and doctrine of the LDS Church is 💯derived from that scriptural canon—i.e. it is Sola Scriptura; and adheres 💯to the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—for the reasons explained in the above mentioned post.

In the above video, Frank Turek demonstrates a far better understanding of the Bible than Hayden Carroll does. He quotes John 10:35: “… and the scripture cannot be broken” as biblical proof-text for the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture; which of course is absolutely correct, and supportive of the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—and which Hayden Carroll rejects. And of course, there are lots of other Bible verses that support the infallibility and the inerrancy of scripture, such as the following:

Matthew 4:

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Matthew 5:

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 22:

29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Matthew 24:

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

John 5:

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

• • •

46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.

47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

John 17:

17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

1 Thessalonians 2:

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

2 Timothy 3:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Peter 1:

20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 119:

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

Proverbs 30:

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Isaiah 40:

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

But the strongest biblical proof-text for the inerrancy and infallibility of scripture is probably John 10:35, as Frank Turek has pointed out. Here it is once again, quoted in context:

John 10:

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

That is as strong an affirmation of the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture as there can be—expressed by none other than Jesus Christ himself. Thus to summarize, Frank Turek is absolutely correct in his affirmation of the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture; and LDS theology and doctrine is also 💯Sola Scriptura, and adheres 💯to the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—the only difference being that Latter-day Saints have a lot more scripture than traditional Christianity does.

Frank Turek is definitely incorrect in his rejection of the restoration of the gospel, and in his rejection of modern LDS scripture. The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price are the word of God, they are scripture—every bit as much as the Bible is—and therefore equally infallible and inerrant. But the best way to refute his accusations is not to focus on Sola Scriptura, or on the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture—which both sides equally affirm.

These folks don’t know how to defend LDS theology and doctrine against the critics. They think they are defending and supporting it, when in fact they are discrediting and denigrating it. It is embarrassing. LDS Church has no objection whatsoever to Sola Scriptura, nor to the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture. We just have a lot more scripture than Frank Turek and his ilk claim to have. What sets the LDS Church apart from traditional Christianity is belief in the restoration of the gospel in the last days, by revelation and ministration of angels, including modern day prophets and Apostles, and restoration of priesthood authority and keys, and new scripture added to the canon. What differentiates them is not Sola Scriptura, nor belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of scripture.

On the LDS Doctrine of Repentance!

 

My attention was drawn to the above video titled: “Christians Beware of this Cult Deception about Salvation,” in which he argues that “repentance” in the biblical sense, does not mean abandoning, turning away from, or forsaking sin. He is specifically arguing against a number of passages in the Book of Mormon that associate “repentance” with the abandonment of sin. They talk about “repenting” of one’s “sins;” and his argument is that that is not a biblical concept, or how the Bible defines “repentance”. Here is the transcript of the first couple of minutes into the video:

There is a well-known book that tells people in order to be saved, they need to “repent of their sins”. The phrase, “repent of your sins” is repeated several times in that religious book; but here is the thing: it is not the Bible. No, I am not talking about the Bible; I am talking about a cult’s religious book; and I am going to show you where it says, “repent of your sins”. And the interesting thing is, that gets inserted into Christianity so often by Evangelists, and preachers, and pastors—even though there is not one place in the Bible that ever says, “Repent of your sins”. The word “repent” is in the Bible; “repentance” is in the Bible; but not “repent of your sins”. And so we must know what biblical “repentance unto salvation” truly means; and I am going to explain it in this video.

But also, I am going to show you this other book I am talking about, where you are going to see that in order to be saved you need to “repent of your sins”—and I want you to have this question in your mind going forward: Why would God in his word to us, holy scripture—not some cult religious book, but actually God’s word—why would he leave us in darkness about a key requirement of salvation, and never tell us to do it? Why would he leave it out, if it was legitimately required for salvation? When you hear a preacher say, “In order to be saved, you need to repent of your sins, turn from your sins, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”—only that third part is from the Bible; the first two is man-made religious system of “works;” I will prove it in this video.

So anyway, I am Brian, this is Faith on Fire, welcome, I am glad you are here. I am going to share a little bit about this with you today, so … “what is that book?” Okay, I will get right to it, here it is: this is the Book of Mormon; and several places within the Book of Mormon, it tells people they need to “repent of their sins”. The phrase, “repent of your sin”—just like that: “repent of your sins,” shows up seven times in the Book of Mormon.

Well, he is wrong about that. Nothing is more clearly taught in the Bible than that “repentance” means turning away from evil and sin. It means to stop doing what one knows to be wrong, and start doing what is right instead. The following biblical quotes are a selection. First, from John the Baptist:

Luke 3:

3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

• • •

8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, …

In verse 3, “repentance” is clearly tied with “remission of sins;” and in verse 8, to “bring forth fruit worthy of repentance” means to do the right thing, instead of doing the wrong thing—that demonstrates genuine repentance. True repentance must be manifested in action—turning away from sin, and doing the right thing instead—for it to be genuine. That is what John is saying. Repentance is not genuine unless it is manifested in action—by turning away from evil and sin, and doing what is good and right instead. That is what is meant by “bring forth fruit worthy of repentance”—which is the direct opposite of what Brian is saying.

Matthew 3:

5 Then went out to him [John the Baptist] Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

The same thing is taught here. Baptism is preceded by “confessing their sins”—implying readiness to forsake them. And to “bring forth fruit meet for repentance” means to demonstrate one’s genuine repentance by action rather than just words. It means to do the right thing, instead of the wrong thing—as a demonstration of true repentance. It means to stop doing what one knows to be wrong (sinning), and start doing what one knows to be right (repenting). That is what John the Baptist was telling the hypocritical Pharisees and Sadducees, who had come to be baptized of him. He was telling them that verbal confession of repentance wasn’t good enough. True repentance must be manifested in action and deeds for it to be genuine. The following quotes are from Jesus himself:

Mark 2:

17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

In this verse “repentance” is directly linked to “sinning”. The “righteous” (who are not doing anything wrong, not sinning) have no need of “repentance;” because they are not doing anything that needs to be “repented” of. Only sinners need repentance. In other words, to “repent” means to “stop sinning”. It means to actively and willfully turn away from evil and sin. I trust the words of Jesus more than his!

Luke 5:

31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.

32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The same here. “Repenting” is for “sinners;” not for the “righteous” who are not doing anything wrong that needs to be “repented of”. In other words, “repentance” is turning away from doing what is evil and wrong, and doing what is good and right instead. The meaning is obvious and unmistakable. The same in this quote:

Luke 15:

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just [righteous] persons, which need no repentance.

• • •

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

“Repenting” is directly linked to “sinning”. The “just” (righteous), who are not doing anything wrong (not sinning), have nothing to “repent of”. The meaning is so plain and obvious that no commentary is required.

Matthew 9:

13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

The same thing again. “Repentance” is for “sinners” who are doing something “wrong” that needs to be “repented of”. The “righteous” have nothing to “repent of,” because they are not doing anything wrong. Jesus is my teacher, not Brian!

Luke 13:

2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent [of your sins], ye shall all likewise perish.

4 Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent [of your sins], ye shall all likewise perish.

The link between “repentance” and “sin” is unmistakable. “Repentance” is always directly linked with “sinning” (in the gospel sense). You “repent” of your “sins” (meaning to stop committing them—doing the right thing instead). It is never used in the gospel sense to mean anything else.

Matthew 12:

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

How did the people of Nineveh “repent” at the preaching of Jonah? The book of Jonah tells us. They did so by turning away from their sins:

Jonah 3:

6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

That is how the people of Nineveh “repented,” they turned away from their evil ways—and that is what repentance means throughout the Bible, Old and New Testaments alike. It means turning away from evil and sin, and doing what is good and right instead. That is what the people of Nineveh did; and God’s anger was turned away, and he forgave and spared them. The judgement of God against them was averted because they forsook their sins, and turned to doing good instead. The people of Nineveh figured it out, but Brian apparently can’t!

Luke 17:

3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass [sin] against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent [of the trespass, the sin], forgive him.

4 And if he trespass [sin] against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent [of the wrong, the sin, the trespass]; thou shalt forgive him.

The meaning is obvious, no need to repeat the comment. The only thing to be noted here is that in this context, the “sinning” is committed against another person, rather than against God; and therefore the “forgiveness” also comes from the other person, rather than from God. But the meaning of “repentance” in either case is still the same. It means turning away from the evil or wrong one has committed (whether it is against God, or against man); and doing the right thing instead. The next two quotes are from the writings of Paul:

Acts 26:

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Repentance = turning to God = doing works meet for repentance. It means turning away from sin and wrongdoing (whether it is against God or against man); and doing the right thing instead. It means to stop doing what one knows to be wrong, and start doing what one knows to be right. That is the repeated pattern throughout the Bible.

2 Corinthians 7:

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

“Godly sorrow” means being sorry for offending God by sinning. It means being sorry for sinning, and thus offending God. It leads to “repentance” because it leads one to abandon the sin, which offends God, and doing the right thing instead—which is repentance. “Sorrow of the world,” on the other hand, means being sorry for not achieving the success you were hoping for in sinning. It means being sorry for being caught while stealing something for example—and being punished for it—rather than getting away with it. That kind of “sorrow” does not lead to the abandonment of the sin—which is repentance. But “Godly sorrow” does.

Revelation 2:

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen [in sin], and repent, and do the first [original, good] works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

This was addressed to true believers, converts, true Christians, who had been baptized and joined God’s true Church—but then had fallen into transgression and sinned. God was telling them that they needed to “repent” (turn away from, forsake, abandon) their sins; and get back on the right path again that they had started on when they first believed, and became Christians. Thus to “sin” means to do evil and wrong; whereas to “repent” (in this context), means to get back on the right path; get back to the original “good works” that they had started on and were doing when they first believed, and became Christians—by doing the “first [original, previous, good] works”. Thus whichever way you look at it, repentance means turning away from sin and evil, and doing what is good and right instead.

Revelation 3:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

The same thing here. This scripture was addressed to believers, Christians, who had gone astray a little bit and sinned—not to unbelievers. To “repent” in that context means to get back on the right path; to stop doing what is evil and wrong, and do the right thing instead. And genuine repentance is a prelude to obtaining forgiveness and remission of sins:

Luke 24:

47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Thus throughout the New Testament, to “repent” in the gospel sense (that leads to forgiveness, remission of sins, and eternal salvation) means to turn away from sin. It means to stop doing what is evil and wrong, and do the right thing instead. In the Old Testament, too, repentance has the same meaning. Here are a few quotes (in addition to the Jonah quote given previously):

Proverbs 28:

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

That is another word for “repentance” in the New Testament sense. To “repent” means to turn away from sin and evil, and do what is good and right instead. It means to stop doing what one knows to be wrong, and doing what one knows to be right instead. The result is that one shall “obtain mercy”—meaning obtaining forgiveness and remission of sins, that leads to salvation and eternal life.

2 Chronicles 7:

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The same thing is taught here. The meaning is too obvious to require comment. That is another word for repentance. To “sin” means to do evil and wrong; to “repent” means to stop doing what is evil and wrong, and do the right thing instead—which leads to forgiveness, remission of sins, and eternal life.

Ezekiel 18:

21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.

23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his [evil] ways, and live?

The same thing here. The meaning is obvious. To “sin” means to do evil and wrong; to “repent” means to stop doing what is evil and wrong, and do what is right instead. That is the teaching of both the Old as well as New Testaments—which in either case leads to obtaining forgiveness and remission of sins, and salvation and eternal life.

In the Old Testament, the word “repent” is used with another meaning. It is sometimes spoken of God “repenting” (as in Jonah 3:9-10, quoted above), by which is meant God altering his decision, or averting a previously threatened destruction—which is a separate thing entirely. But to “repent” in the New Testament gospel sense (which results in forgiveness, remission of sins, salvation and eternal life), means to turn away from sin and evil, and do what is good and right in the sight of God instead. That is the teaching of both Old and New Testaments—including the words of Jesus himself. Thus the Book of Mormon teaching is 100% biblical and correct. It is his doctrine and teaching that is 100% damnable, abominable, unbiblical, heretical, and false. It is a recipe for damnation rather than salvation.

In the video he has used a couple of proof-texts from the Bible that I will briefly comment on. One is concerning Abraham, that he was approved because of his “faith alone,” and not any “good works”. Here is the quote, starting at around 5:55 minutes into the video:

Justification is by faith, established by God, as far back as Genesis 15 with Abraham: “And he believed in God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” He was not saved because of his works, he was saved because of his faith in God, believed in God, counted to him as righteousness.

Not correct. According to the Bible, Abraham was approved by God primarily because of his obedience, faithfulness, and good works, as well as his faith:

Genesis 22:

16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Genesis 26:

5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

James 2:

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

The next proof text he gives is from Matthew 7:23. At around 10:22 minutes into the video he says the following:

In Matthew 7 Jesus says, “I never knew you, depart from me, you workers of iniquity,” right? They were trying to earn their way into heaven by their works. And notice what they lacked was relationship. Jesus said, “I never knew you,” not that “I knew you for a little bit, when you were saved; but then you did some bad things, and you lost your salvation,” right? … they never believed on him; they believed in their own good works, and therefore they lacked the relationship required for salvation.

Wrong about that as well. He is quoting that verse out of context. The context of it is as follows:

Matthew 7:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works [i.e. miracles]?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The entire passage is about doing good, about keeping God’s commandments. Those who were condemned failed the test of good works, the test of doing God’s will. What Jesus is saying in that passage is that if you have faith to do great miracles—to prophesy, to cast out devils, and do other “wonderful works” (i.e. great miracles); but fail the test of doing good, of keeping God’s commandment, you will be condemned. (In that passage, “wonderful works” literally means “great miracles,” it has no other meaning. That is how it is translated in the following Bible versions: AMP, CSB, CEB, CJB, CEV, DLNT, DRA, ERV, EHV, GW, GNT, HCSB, ICB, ISV, LSB, LEB, TLB, NOG, NASB, NASB1995, NCB, NCV, NIRV, NIV, NIVUK, NLT, NMB, OJB, TLV, VOICE. Link) If you profess belief in Jesus Christ, and even have faith to perform great miracles, but fail the test of being righteous, of doing God’s will, doing what is good and right in the sight of God, you will be condemned. That is what Jesus is saying in that passage of scripture. In other words, what that passage is teaching is diametrically the opposite of the interpretation that he is trying to put on it. And when Jesus says in verse 23, “I never knew you,” that is simply a word of rebuke. It doesn’t mean that he literally never knew them. And throughout the New Testament—and especially the teaching of Jesus—good works is required for salvation:

Matthew 25:

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matthew 5:

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 16:

27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Luke 12:

47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 6:

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

John 5:

28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Acts 10:

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation [and religion] he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Romans 2:

6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew [or Christian] first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew [or Christian] first, and also to the Gentile:

11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 14:

12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Galatians 6:

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

1 Corinthians 3:

8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

1 Corinthians 6:

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1 Timothy 6:

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Hebrews 13:

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

1 Peter 1:

17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

1 Peter 3:

10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

James 1:

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 4:

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Revelation 20:

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 22:

12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Psalm 62:

12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

The whole of the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus (Matthew 5–7) is about doing good, and abstaining from evil. The whole of the Bible, from start to finish, from Genesis to Revelation—including practically all the teachings of Jesus—are about doing good, and abstaining from evil.

When Paul speaks against “works,” and talks about “faith alone” etc., what he is referring to is the works of the Law of Moses—which is what the Rabbis, Pharisees, Sadducees etc. believed in. They believed that adherence to those elaborate ritualistic rites and performances of the Law of Moses saved them—apart from faith in Jesus Christ; or independent of the saving and redeeming work of Jesus Christ. That is also what the Judaizers (certain Jewish converts to Christianity) at the time believed in—and were trying to persuade the Gentle converts to Christianity to believe in. That is what Paul was arguing against, and trying to oppose. All his talk about “faith alone” and “no works” is a reference to that. He never meant it to be understood that we don’t need to repent of our sins, and keep the commandments of God to be saved—as Calvinists and Reformed theologians have misunderstood them to mean.

In that video Brian is teaching pure Calvinism—but doing it in disguise! I think he is in it for the money. He has figured out that there is more money to be made in supporting Calvinism (and opposing Mormonism) than in opposing Calvinism; so he is switching over to supporting Calvinism—but he doesn’t want to appear like a hypocrite, so he is doing it in disguise! He is trying to reinvent Calvinism in his own image to make more money out of it! He wants to create the impression that he is still opposed to Calvinism, while supporting it in a roundabout way—and doing it while attacking Mormonism to cover it up! The entire exercise is pure hypocrisy, dishonesty, and deception.