Question: The words, "carnal Christian," sound like an oxymoron. From passages such as Ezek 33, Mat ...

Question: The words, "carnal Christian," sound like an oxymoron. From passages such as Ezekiel 33, Matthew:7:19-23 [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. [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? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
See All..., I can't see "carnal Christians" in heaven. People use 1 Corinthians 3 to prove that all professing Christians will be saved no matter what they do. But John MacArthur in his study Bible says this primarily refers to evangelists and pastors. I think a viable interpretation...is that the work they are doing is...evangelizing and helping the Body of Christ to grow in its knowledge of Him.

If they give a false gospel, the convert will be burnt up because he doesn't have Christ as a foundation. If the builder tries to build up other Christians with false teachings...those teachings will be burnt up...and the builder will not receive a reward. The builder will be saved, but his works will be burnt....I don't think this passage proves that there will be unrewarded carnal Christians in heaven.

Response: On the contrary, Paul is not referring only to"evangelists and pastors," nor does MacArthur's Study Bible say so. Three times Paul says "any man" and once "every man." It is the man's works (not his "converts") that are tried by fire (v. 13) and it is the works that are burned, not "converts" to a false gospel.

You believe "carnal Christian" is an "oxymoron"? Paul introduces the idea, beginning with himself (Rom:7:14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
See All...). Though he calls the Corinthians carnal, yet he also calls them "brethren" and "babes in Christ" (1 Cor:3:1-4 [1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. [2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. [3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
See All...).

"Carnal" is a biblical term describing those who are living in "envy, strife, and divisions." Paul accuses them of condoning fornication and of going to law in secular courts against each other. He warns them against prostitutes and various other sins unbecoming of Christians. He even declares that a person could have been so carnal that all of his works will be burned up-yet "he himself shall be saved" (1 Cor:3:15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
See All...).

I agree that this passage doesn't prove that all professing Christians will be saved no matter what they do. Professing is not enough. After making it clear that Christ is the only foundation, Paul refers to those who "build upon this foundation" (1 Cor:3:10-12 [10] According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
See All...)-i.e., real Christians.

There won't be any carnal Christians in heaven because "when he shall appear, we shall be like him" (1 Jn:3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
See All...). But we are not told that carnality will keep anyone out of heaven. If one must live a perfect life in order to get to heaven, no one would make it. Paul wrote most of his epistles to correct error in the church. But he doesn't say that even the most carnal Corinthians are not saved. Paul stands in doubt of the Galatians, not because of carnality but because he questions whether they believed the true gospel (Gal:4:11I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
See All...,19,20).