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Prakash Mathew & Sona: Understanding the AB Controversy

The Core of the Apostolic Backsliding (AB) Debate

The controversy surrounding Prakash mathew and Sona,a prominent figure within the Shalom Church,centers on the doctrine of Apostolic Backsliding (AB). Prakash Mathew, a well-known evangelist and author, initially championed this doctrine, wich posits that born-again Christians can lose their salvation through sin. Sona, a key leader within Shalom Church, later publicly challenged and refuted this teaching, leading to a significant schism and widespread debate within the Pentecostal and Charismatic communities. Understanding the nuances of this theological disagreement requires examining the origins of AB, the specific points of contention, and the resulting fallout.

What is Apostolic Backsliding?

Apostolic Backsliding, as initially presented by Prakash Mathew, draws parallels between the fate of the Israelites in the Old Testament and the potential for Christians to fall away from grace. The core argument suggests that persistent, unrepentant sin can led to a loss of salvation, mirroring the experience of those who were initially promised entry into the Promised Land but ultimately perished in the wilderness. This contrasts with the traditional Protestant doctrine of eternal security, which asserts that once saved, always saved.

The Emergence of the Controversy: sona’s Challenge

Sona, a respected leader and teacher within Shalom Church, began to express concerns about the implications of the AB doctrine. Her critique wasn’t a sudden outburst but a gradual unfolding of theological disagreements. She argued that the AB teaching fostered fear and uncertainty among believers,possibly hindering their spiritual growth and diminishing the assurance of salvation. Her concerns were initially raised internally within the church leadership, but eventually, she publicly addressed the issue, sparking a public debate.

Key Points of Disagreement

The central points of contention between Prakash Mathew and Sona revolved around:

• The Nature of Salvation: Mathew’s AB doctrine implied a conditional salvation, while Sona maintained a position of unconditional salvation based on God’s grace.
• The Role of Works: The debate touched upon the relationship between faith and works, with Sona emphasizing that works are a *result* of salvation, not a *condition* for it.
• Biblical Interpretation: Both sides presented biblical passages to support their respective viewpoints, leading to differing interpretations of scripture.
• The Assurance of Salvation: Sona argued that the AB doctrine undermined the believer’s assurance of salvation, creating anxiety and doubt.

The Impact and Fallout: Church Splits and Public Debate

Sona’s public challenge to Prakash Mathew’s teachings led to significant repercussions within Shalom Church and the wider Christian community. The church experienced a division, with some members aligning with Mathew and others with Sona.This split resulted in the formation of new churches and ministries. The controversy also fueled extensive online discussions,debates,and theological analyses.

Timeline of Key Events

Theological Perspectives: Eternal Security