No More Slavery to Sin — Romans 8:1

Paul now develops the only solution available for the Christian to stymie the effects of sin and live victoriously. He begins by stating that there is therefore now no condemnation [katakrima] to those who are in Christ Jesus who walk rightly. Most interpret no condemnation to refer to deliverance from eternal judgment. But as we […]

Butterworth Gets His Life Together: But it falls apart before he can show his friends

“BUTTERWORTH GETS HIS LIFE TOGETHER” But it falls apart before he can show his friends By: Bill Butterworth, Multnomah Books, 1996   This book can repudiate and perhaps teach those who believe Christianity is best verified by one victory piled upon another. The foundational principle of Free Grace is that faith alone in Christ alone […]

What Happened to the Word BELIEVE?

What Happened to the Word BELIEVE? By Donald H. Bunge. Self-published, 1999. 54 pp. (Paper), $1.50. The “Gospel (good news) is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Then what is our part? […]

The Potter’s Freedom

The Potter’s Freedom. By James White. Amityville, NY: Calvary Press Publishing, 2000. I. Introduction One thing Calvinists can never be accused of is failing to present their views. Of all the books written by Calvinists during the past ten years, James White’s book The Potter’s Freedom is perhaps the most polemical. And because it is […]

Worship Evangelism

Worship Evangelism. By Sally Morgenthaler. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. 320 pp. Cloth, $19.99. Finally there is some sound theology and reasoning injected into the controversy over church worship styles. While expecting another book of church-growth ideas and formulas on how to make the church service appeal to unchurched “seekers,” I found instead a […]

Universal Sin and Salvation in Romans 5:12-21

Mark Rapinchuk1 Professor College of the Ozarks I. INTRODUCTION One of the more prominent doctrines in systematic theology is the doctrine of “inherited sin.”2 A great deal of speculation has taken place regarding the cause, transmission/imputation and consequences of inherited sin. It is commonplace to cite Rom 5:12-21 as the foundational text for this doctrine.3 […]

Perspectives on Israel and the Church: 4 Views

Perspectives on Israel and the Church: 4 Views. By Chad O. Brand, Tom Pratt, Jr., Robert L. Reymond, Robert L. Saucy, and Robert Thomas. Edited by Chad O. Brand. Nashville: B & H Academic, 2015. Vii + 317 pp. Paper, $29.99. As Charles Ryrie explained in his classic work on Dispensationalism, the first aspect of […]

What Is Faith?

What Is Faith? By R. C. Sproul. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2010. 67 pp. Paper, $2.50. This booklet is divided into four chapters. The first two chapters are good. The last two are not. In Chap. 1, “A Hopeful Vision,” Sproul takes Hebrews 11 as his main text. He emphasizes that the promises of God […]

Matthew 25:31-46: Salvation by Works?

John Claeys I. THE CHALLENGE OF MATTHEW 25:31-46 Does Matt 25:31-46, which describes the judgment of the “sheep and goats,” teach salvation by works? According to NT scholar D. A. Carson, most Bible teachers would answer that question with an unhesitating “yes.” Carson claims that “the great majority of scholars understand” the judgment described in […]