In modern evangelicalism, a concept dominates as the axiomatic given in any discussion concerning salvation: men's free will. For so many Christians, this is an intuitive matter, and even though it has never dawned on them that if that were truly the case, it would have serious ramifications for God, they persist in assuming this notion. We will look at these implicit, unavoidable effects on the deity later.
The trouble is that few Christians have taken the time and effort to improve their...
The elect are stated to be holy and beloved in Colossians 3:12. This is significant. They are saved as set apart for God and liberated as loved by God. The common claim that all men without exception are objects of God's love is problematic. It would evacuate this verse of its specific meaning and reassurance of God's sovereign choice in salvation manifested in the saints being set apart and beloved. What is the point of telling the Colossian Christians that they are beloved if all men are...
How can the evangelical church be so enamored of resources and yet be so impoverished?
Much of the problem is that people are not reading the right books. Even ministers who know better than most, are guilty of reading only popular and accessible works. Books that only consist of ready-made fodder for their sermons. Countless times have I heard a minister see some novel idea in a book and share with his ministry support group, "That'll Preach?"
Well, I have not only heard such nonsense, but I...
In my line of work, one can easily get far. The possibilities for achievement are endless. If one masters several basic skills and is adept and friendly, the sky is not the limit but rather the likely destination. The problem is that all one becomes after successes have been measured by bank accounts and retirement packages is that one finds themselves in the unhappy position of being merely a religious professional.
You see, I am a preacher. Let me say it again, I am a preacher. It may be,...
Christ's words in the Apocalypse to the churches are full of wisdom. This much neglected book has so much to challenge us with for our own day. The dispensationalists, have, in some measure, taken the text away from us by proposing that the seven churches refer to successive church ages, which creates a mystery that is quite unfathomable. How can we be in the age of Laodicea (apostasy), and yet still await the promise of Philadelphia (rapture)?
Some have restructured their thinking to escape...
When Jesus died on the cross, he uttered several statements. According to John’s Gospel the last of his words were “it is finished” (John 19:30). In the Greek text, this is only one word! That is, τετέλεσται (tetelestai). This is a perfect passive indicative in form. What it denotes is completion. Nothing is left uncertain, all is accomplished. Does this “grammar of the Cross” help us understand the nature of the atonement? I believe it does.
Of course, as Christians that affirm the historic...
Faith saves, Right? We all know that a sinner needs "saving faith," Right?
Two passages that mention faith are from Galatians and Romans. It is common to read Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:28 too narrowly as if the text only addressed “works of the law.” On this reading, one could not be justified by works done in obedience to the law but could conceivably be justified by faith works, and that would be wholly acceptable in this supposed view. Throw in a James two and a Romans two, to boot, slip...
It is a common belief that it is the new orthodoxy, that God wants certain things that we will not let Him have them. Take for instance, salvation. God wants to save everybody, says the average popular evangelical sermon, book, or tract. So why doesn’t it happen? Well, the answer is simple. It was glorified in a Hollywood Movie, when the character playing Satan says something to the effect: “Free Will; it’s a *****” [female dog].
The obvious connotation was that no one can influence another,...
Greetings in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit this site.
I trust you will not be disappointed but rather be edified.
The real reason that I engage in any activity is to honor Christ. It probably sounds like a cliché. However, over twenty years ago, when I graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, I maintained that my academic work was a part of my discipleship experience and that, as such, any further labors would only be for...
