Charlie spoke at a conference on the topic of moving towards a deeper fellowship with a focus on the book of First John. Some of the passages in First John are difficult to deal with, challenging to the believer not only to understand but also in practice. Charlie helps unwind some of the issues by explaining the various views.
One view says that First John is a series of tests of salvation. Robert Law popularized this view, saying First John was about tests of eternal life. Another, John MacArthur, says that there are eleven tests of salvation in First John. He wrote a book called "Saved Without a Doubt" that walks you through these. Another however, says First John's focus is tests of fellowship. Dwight Pentecost was probably one of the first to popularize this view. There's also an interesting third view, which says First John was written as tests of experiencing eternal life.
So which is it? How are these understood, how are they applied, what is the result of application?
