Focused Free Grace Versus Flexible Free Grace: Can Two Walk Together? Part 2
By Mike Lii1 V. Fundamental Theological Differences as a Consequence of the Two Essential Differences (Eternal Life and Assurance) A. THE NATURE OF THE FAITH THAT SAVES Many Flexible Free Gracers view assurance of eternal life as optional for saving faith because they understand faith as including something more than the Focused Free Grace definition: […]
Free Grace College Campus Ministry Under Siege
By Jack Stevens “You’re not teachable!” Lately, I’ve heard that frequently. In meetings with pastors and campus leaders who have been in the ministry for almost fifty years, I’ve been repeatedly told that my understanding of salvation is “just surface level,” “overly simple,” and “unbiblical.” I’m seen as a wayward heretic, and I’ve experienced heavy […]
Running With Endurance Toward Eternal Glory: Hebrews 12:1-2
By Chuck Deveau “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, […]
Walking on Water: A Lesson in Pleasing God, Matthew 14:22-33
By Bill Lee One of Jesus Christ’s best-known miracles was walking on water. It occurred during the night following the day that He fed the five thousand on the northeast coast of the Sea of Galilee. What is less known is why He did it. He had a reason. The Lord Jesus Christ had a […]
Is Assurance “of the Essence of Saving Faith” in the Gospel of John?
By Bob Vacendak Is assurance of salvation “of the essence of saving faith” in the Gospel of John? Of course, when we say of the essence we mean: “Is assurance of salvation a necessary part of saving faith?” Since the Reformation, scholars have debated the assurance of salvation. The crux of the issue is: Can […]
Focused Free Grace Versus Flexible Free Grace: Can Two Walk Together? Part 1
By Mike Lii1 Introduction Free Grace theology is unified around the concepts that (a) salvation is by faith in some truth about Jesus and (b) this salvation, when received, can never be lost (eternal security). However, Free Grace theologians do not all agree upon (1) the truth about Jesus that must be believed in order […]
Believing in the Gift and the Giver
By Vince Deegan When Free Grace folks tell unbelievers what they must believe to have eternal life—that is, to be saved from the lake of fire and live in the kingdom of God forever—we tell them they must believe in the gift and the Giver. The gift is eternal life. The Giver is Jesus Christ. […]
Myrmecology: Lessons from an Ant (Proverbs 6:6-8 and 30:25)
By Philippe R. Sterling Have you ever heard of a myrmecologist? No…it’s not a person who studies murmuring! Myrmecology is the study of ants. Myrmecology (from Greek: myrmēx, ant and logos, study) is a branch of entomology (the study of all insects) that focuses on the scientific study of ants. Some early myrmecologists, considering ant […]
Lessons on Faithfulness and Providence From Ruth
By Philippe R. Sterling Life is often difficult. One of my most difficult years was my second year in college. I was taking some of my most demanding classes: organic chemistry, physics, and physiology. Three weeks before finals I got a severe sinus infection, which made it look as if I had a softball under […]
No Rejoicing if You Don’t Know That Salvation Is Guaranteed, Acts 16:31
By Mike Lii It is one of the most iconic moments in Super Bowl history and probably the most famous example of an athlete celebrating his victory too early. In 1993, during Super Bowl XXVII, Leon Lett of the Dallas Cowboys scooped up a fumble by Buffalo Bills’ quarterback Frank Reich, then proceeded to run […]