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Art Azurdia III has made it to Monergism’s Hall of Contemporary Reformers

John Hendryx at Monergism.com has just entered Art Azurdia III into the Hall of Contemporary Reformers.

That’s quite an honor as he rubs shoulders with the likes of MacArthur, Piper, Boice, and J.I. Packer!

 

 

 

(Click image to view Art’s bio)

Posted in christianity.

By patrick
September 9, 2007

20 comments

19 Responses

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  1. Kaz said
    on September 16, 2007

    (comment deleted)

  2. patrick said
    on September 17, 2007

    Ouch!

    Steve actually has also started a bible school (GSTM) ~30 years ago that has produced many pastors – my former pastor in Fremont being one of them.

  3. Earl said
    on November 6, 2007

    Greetings Brothers!

    Having been intimately involved with Dr. Azurdia’s ministry over the years it’s unfortunate that even to this day he is still misrepresented concerning his theological views. If you have any questions on what he believes feel free to e mail him you might be surprised by the answer…
    Dr. Azurdia has a passion for teaching Biblical Theology. A quick glance at “The Hall of Contemporary Reformers” would reveal that nearly all the preachers inducted hold to a Redemptive Historical or a Biblical Theological view of scripture.
    God is sovereignly building His church and is gathering a people for Himself out of every tribe, people, and nation for His own possession so that they may declare His excellencies of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light.
    Sola Dei Gloria

  4. patrick said
    on November 6, 2007

    hi Earl -

    Where does Art Azurdia stand on the position of the New Perspective on Paul?

  5. Earl said
    on November 6, 2007

    I don’t want to speak for Art.
    What I can tell you is that about 3 to 4 years ago prior to a conference that he was speaking at with John MacArthur, concerns were raised about Art and his views on the New Perspective from Northern California. Over lunch Dr. MacArthur asked Art about this and over some other theological views. Art has since been back to both the Masters College and Seminary the most recent this year. One would think if Dr. MacArthur disagreed with Art on this issue he would not have been invited back-just my opinion.

    From what I have both discussed and heard relating to Art and the New Perspective appear to be more hear say. Individuals believe Art holds to this perspective because someone else said he did. Some of these individuals haven’t even heard him preach. I remember Art asking people when they asked him what his view was on the New Perspective, “what do you mean the New Perspective, what’s your understanding on this subject”. Many times the individuals asking the questions had a different understanding on the New Perspective.

    I would suggest listening to the sermons from this years conference at the Masters College titled “The Cross According to Heaven” and browse the Masters Seminary website for the sermon titled “Must the Message match the Method”.

    Managing his website, It’s Awesome to see how God is using Art to both edify pastors and lay persons around the world. As we know nothing happens by chance. God is sovereignly orchestrating His will, and it’s exciting to see it unfold before our eyes.

    To God be the Glory.

  6. patrick said
    on November 6, 2007

    Earl,

    Thanks for your feedback. I should have said this upfront: I love Art’s preaching and his passion for truth! The first time I heard him preach was about 10 years ago at my highschool summer camp and knew that he believed every word of the Bible.

    Amen – yes I believe Art’s ministry and book are equipping the saints in a very powerful way.

    As you’ve said, I’ve only heard of the NPP accusations in the past year and would love to clarify the issues. I’ll take a listen to that message you’ve suggested and hope to hear a clear line drawn on his view on justification.

    Thanks for visiting!

  7. Earl said
    on November 6, 2007

    Patrick,

    Sorry I wasn’t clear on the sermons. Art has addressed “works” on an earlier series. I believe it’s in the Doctrines of Grace series.

    I suggested those sermons for those who haven’t heard him preach since they are within the past year.

    You might want to get Dr. Piper’s latest book on “The Future of Justification”. This has been a much anticipated release since he addresses much of what N.T. Wright proposes on Justification. If there is one book to have on this topic, this would be the book. It has received rave reviews.

  8. patrick said
    on November 6, 2007

    Earl,

    Do you have any sermons or publications by Art that would clarify his position on the NPP?

  9. Earl said
    on November 6, 2007

    I’ll ask Art the next time I talk with him.
    I don’t believe he has written on the subject.

  10. patrick said
    on November 6, 2007

    Thanks Earl –

    I would love to clarify this. There are folks in the Bay Area who have asked me about Art since I’ve posted this link on my blog and all have questions regarding his position on NPP. I’ve all asked them to point me to a published work or sermon which would define Art’s position on this and none have been able to come up with one. I’d rather find a definitive source before making any conclusions.

    You were a good candidate to speak on Art’s behalf having worked closely with him so I appreciate your feedback.

  11. Earl said
    on November 6, 2007

    Spoke with Art for a few minutes.

    He’s getting ready to head down to Mentrenco, Chile for a Conference on Expository Preaching. Unfortunately he won’t be back till later next week.

    Art said he has not written on the subject, and just as he told Dr. MacArthur he still holds to the traditional view of Justification.

    If what you are looking for is a sermon he has preached, or an essay he wrote pertaining to the NPP you won’t find it.

    I hope this helps answer some questions on the topic.

    Every Blessing

  12. Bob said
    on November 6, 2007

    Hey, Patrick,

    You should have kept Kaz’s first comment. It was amusing. It’s interesting that no matter how mature, presumably, a person can be in the Lord, sometimes one can make judgment calls based not on facts but on hearsay.

    I’ve listened to many of Art’s sermons and I’ve found all of them top-notch in Theology, Scripture, Doctrine and truly in the power of the Spirit. So far, no one has shown any evidence that Art has preached or even believes any heresy. I invite you and the others to listen to his sermons. You’ll find them at http://www.spiritempoweredpreaching.com

  13. patrick said
    on November 6, 2007

    Bob,

    Amen bro. I frequent Art’s website and find nothing I can honestly disagree with but find his preaching very encouraging, insightful, and Christ-centered.

    I remember Art being a really passionate guy who loves truth and is unashamed in the proclamation of it. I still remember when he was a guest speaker at Gilead and spoke on the book of Hebrews. I never forgot walking away thinking how I wished I could grasp and love the truth like he does.

    As for Kaz’s comment — he was joking around. But for his sake, I removed the comment per his request.

  14. Desiree said
    on November 6, 2007

    John Hendryx did his research well when he inducted Art in the Hall of Contemporary Reformers. I agree with him when he introduced Art as one of the best expositional preachers that he had the honor to hear and “one that the Holy Spirit makes good use of”. For people who know Dr. Azurdia’s passion for the faithful exposition of the Word, which is translated to his powerful sermons, this induction is of no surprise. Listen to his sermons at http://www.spiritempoweredpreaching.com and as Hendryx commented “be continually edified by his style and content”
    As fellow believers, our comments should always be based on facts, not presumptuous. We should be quick to encourage those who are laboring with us in the gospel, for the ultimate end of glorifying God.

  15. Kaz said
    on December 7, 2007

    I was have been asked a couple of times about these comments so I thought I’d clarify. I asked Patrick to remove it because it seemed like it was being taken as a negative comment regarding Art.

    I actually know Art from my college days and have been exposed to his preaching. I would agree he is a great preacher and expositor. I have been encouraged under his preaching ministry.

    I made a comment that he was controversial because several years ago when the discussion of the “new prospective” view on justification was being discussed, he was very much associated with men like John Armstrong who publicly defended the “new prospective” position. At that time Art was friends with John Armstrong. I have not seen or heard what John Armstrong’s position on justification is now or what Art’s current position is. If Art has preached or written on the specific topic of justification, please pass any information to me, I’d love to read it.

    If he or John Armstrong holds that the doctrine of justification is a complete work and act of God’s grace without any form of works, praise God!

    I apologize for an misunderstanding that may have come from my previous comment.

  16. Earl said
    on December 10, 2007

    On the subject of John Armstrong:

    A few weeks back I was browsing Mark Driscoll’s
    http://www.theresurgence.com/profile_mark_driscoll

    ministry sites and came across The Resurgence
    http://www.theresurgence.com/about

    I noticed John Armstrong has partnered with Marc Driscoll as a contributing writer and has contributed numerous articles to The Resurgence.
    http://www.theresurgence.com/profile_john_armstrong

    Here is what The Resurgence believes
    http://www.theresurgence.com/beliefs

    As you may or may not have known Mark Driscoll has been known as a controversial Pastor (association’s with the Emergent Church movement, language…). But he is a pastor that God is using in profound ways relating to Missiology.
    You can read how God continues to work in Mark’s life here:
    http://theologica.blogspot.com/2007/11/driscolls-confession-on-pride.html

    I have not heard or read anything about John Armstrong over the past few years, but it appears God is using him again to help educate and edify the body of Christ.

  17. Patrick said
    on December 10, 2007

    hi Earl -

    Thanks for visiting again!

    Yes I’m familiar with Mark Driscoll.

    So do you believe that John Armstrong has abandoned the NPP camp completely?

    A more pointed question would be: would you invite a speaker who doesn’t hold to the biblical and historical view of justification by faith alone as a completed singular work accomplished on the cross?

    I think if we all step back that’s the practical question from this discussion.

  18. Earl said
    on December 10, 2007

    I do not know where John Armstrong stands on the NPP today since I haven’t read anything that he has written on it. But the following is a quote that I came across today from John Armstrong relating to his view on justification:
    “I affirm justification by faith alone in the most traditional and historical way possible. I believe I am saved by “Christ, plus nothing”. I feel no need to “update” my position, alter its vocabulary, or confuse those who are listening/reading. My position on justification is identical to that of the Protestant Reformers. More than being grateful for the historicity of my position, though, I am mostly grateful that my Lord loved me enough to call me to Himself, and sent His Son to die on the cross for the sins of a murderer and adulterer like me.”
    You can read the rest of his explanation here.
    http://johnharmstrong.typepad.com/john_h_armstrong_/2005/07/david_bahnsen_o.html

    I think that his statement is a good indicator of his stance on this issue.

    Would I invite a speaker that doesn’t hold to the historical view on justification? No, I would not.

    Marc Driscoll is known for having a sound theological base. His association with Armstrong through The Resurgence,I think, validates the latter’s stance on the historical and biblical view of doctrinal issues like justification.

    Sinclair Ferguson gave a great lecture and brought out some excellent points on the NPP. You can listen to it here:
    http://theologica.blogspot.com/2005/09/sinclair-ferguson-on-new-perspective.html

  19. patrick said
    on December 10, 2007

    Thanks Earl for the links! You’re a widely read brother and I’m grateful for this discussion.

    I’ll look into these links..

    BTW: You should start blogging :)

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