Then his occupation is irrelevant. Your argument is that because someone can mistakenly believe he's saved, nobody can genuinely know he's saved.
That's a non sequitur.
Scripture explicitly acknowledges false professions (Matthew 7:23), while simultaneously teaching genuine assurance (1 John 5:13).
The existence of counterfeit faith doesn't negate genuine faith.
And the possibility of false assurance doesn't invalidate biblical assurance.
You're still confusing the two.
So your argument is that because Joshua Harris was a pastor, his salvation should have been unquestionable?
Jesus already addressed that in Matthew 7:22–23. People will point to their impressive religious accomplishments, and Christ will declare, "I NEVER knew you."
A pastoral title isn't proof of regeneration. Neither is outward religious activity.
And someone having false assurance doesn't invalidate genuine assurance.
1 John 5:13 explicitly says believers can KNOW they have eternal life.
Your argument confuses the possibility of self-deception with the impossibility of assurance. Those are two very different things.
The Trinity isn't based on tradition. It's based on divine revelation in Scripture.
The Father is God (John 6:27).
The Son is God (John 1:1).
The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3–4).
Yet there is ONE God (Deut. 6:4).
The Church didn't INVENT the Trinity. It gave a name to what Scripture already teaches.
Tradition describes the doctrine. Scripture establishes its authority.
Confusing the two isn't an argument against Sola Scriptura.
Five passages explicitly exclude works as the basis of justification, and your rebuttal is that they don't contain your preferred vocabulary? 😂
Romans 3:28 — APART FROM works.
Romans 4:5 — DOES NOT WORK but believes.
Ephesians 2:9 — NOT a result of works.
Galatians 2:16 — NOT justified by works.
Philippians 3:9 — NOT having a righteousness of my own.
I'm sorry the educational system failed you so spectacularly.
Apparently, nobody taught you that the same truth can be expressed without using the exact same word.
Five passages explicitly exclude works as the basis of justification, and your rebuttal is that they don't contain your preferred vocabulary? 😂
Romans 3:28 — APART FROM works.
Romans 4:5 — DOES NOT WORK but believes.
Ephesians 2:9 — NOT a result of works.
Galatians 2:16 — NOT justified by works.
Philippians 3:9 — NOT having a righteousness of my own.
I'm sorry the educational system failed you so spectacularly.
Apparently, nobody taught you that the same truth can be expressed without using the exact same word.
That's your argument? The word “alone” isn't there? 😂
Romans 3:28 says we're justified by faith APART FROM works of the law.
Romans 4:5 says God justifies the one who DOES NOT WORK but believes.
Ephesians 2:8–9 says salvation is through faith, NOT a result of works.
Apparently, “apart from works,” “does not work,” and “not a result of works” are too complicated unless Paul literally spells out “alone.”
Try reading what Scripture actually says instead of playing word-search theology.
Three Essential Biblical Doctrines Every Christian Should Understand:
1. Original Sin (Romans 5:12; Psalm 51:5)
Humanity is fallen in Adam. We are not born morally neutral but inherit a sinful nature.
2. Federal Headship (Romans 5:18–19; 1 Corinthians 15:22)
Adam represented humanity in the fall. Christ represents His people in redemption. Through Adam came condemnation; through Christ comes justification.
3. Penal Substitutionary Atonement (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Christ willingly bore the penalty our sins deserved, satisfying divine justice and securing redemption for His people.
The Gospel makes no sense without understanding the problem of sin, our condemnation in Adam, and the saving work of Jesus Christ.
In Adam, condemnation. In Christ, redemption.
Soli Deo Gloria.
You’re confusing freedom from sin’s dominion with freedom from sin’s presence.
Romans 6:12 commands believers not to let sin reign. Why issue that command if believers no longer struggle with sin?
1 John 1:8 says claiming to be without sin is self-deception.
Reformed theology teaches sanctification, not sinless perfection.
Perhaps read your Bible before lecturing me about catechisms.
You're confusing man's bondage to sin before regeneration with the believer's freedom in Christ after regeneration.
Reformed theology teaches BOTH.
John 8:34 Man is enslaved to sin.
John 8:36 Christ sets sinners free.
Romans 6:18 Believers are freed from sin and become slaves of righteousness.
You literally quoted a passage that supports the Reformed position. Christ doesn't merely offer freedom. He actually sets His people free.
I'm a Christian, and I agree that nobody should be bullied or harassed into accepting Christianity. Faith cannot be forced.
But sharing the Gospel respectfully isn't forcing religion on someone. Christians are commanded to proclaim Christ, but also to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
We can stand firm in what we believe while respecting your right to disagree.
You're confusing a command to persevere with the possibility of losing salvation.
John 15:4 commands us to abide. It doesn't say the regenerate can become unregenerate.
1 John 2:19 explains that those who departed were never truly of us.
And your final argument defeats itself. If Christ loses NONE the Father gives Him (John 6:39), then those who walk away permanently were never His sheep.
John 10:28: “They will never perish.”
Your argument fails at premise one. Unity in the Christian faith doesn't require absolute agreement on every doctrinal formulation.
By your logic, disagreements among Catholic bishops, theologians, and even rival popes would disprove Rome's claim to unity.
Protestantism doesn't claim every Protestant agrees on everything. Our unity is grounded in Christ and His Gospel, not institutional uniformity.
Ephesians 4:4–6.
Gabriel came to Mary. Mary didn't summon Gabriel, pray to him, or ask him to intercede for her.
Luke 1 records an angel initiating a conversation with a living person, not someone praying to the dead.
The fact that you think this defends praying to Mary is the real BONK. 😂
Marian dogmas, Mary idolatry, Purgatory, and the Catholic mass, will never come into focus because they're not found in Scripture.
It's man-made tradition based on "because we said so."
Assurance of salvation is not presumption when it's grounded in Christ's finished work rather than our own righteousness.
“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1
Biblical assurance rests on Christ's promises, not human merit. Calling that assurance sinful presumption confuses trusting Christ with trusting yourself.
