The Grandeur of Salvation
Have you ever visited the Grand Canyon? Weren’t you in awe of it? John Wesley Powell said, “The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features. Language and illustration […]
God Exists (Believer’s Systematic Theology)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). In the beginning—before the beginning of you, me, or anything else—God existed. But where? And how? And what does it mean for God to exist? Is God just another thing in the universe? Some people think so. In 1961, Yuri Gagarin became the […]
The Divisions of Systematic Theology
When we voted on a theme for the last national conference, the choices came down to “Ephesians: Verse-by-Verse” and “Systematic Theology.” Ephesians won by a nose. I’ve always been a systematic theology guy. I have well over fifty such theologies in my office and more at home. I like thinking about the big picture and […]
Is Anyone Unreachable?
We all have a ministry from God. In fact, you’re in full-time ministry right now. So…how are you doing? What are you doing? Who are you reaching? One of the things I try to emphasize at church is that everyone should be self-consciously serving God in their lives. Not everyone has a visible ministry on […]
Four Alternative Models for Starting a Free Grace Church
Everyone recognizes the need for more Free Grace churches. But how do you start them? It’s something I’ve been wrestling with. Here are four church models: House Church: This would be the most familiar way to start a church from scratch. You start with a Bible study in a home and grow from there. Maybe […]
The Ability to Believe
Question Shawn, in recently countering Calvinism, you mentioned man has the “ability to believe or not believe”. I agree with this, however it conflicts with GES’ normal position that “believing is passive”. Bob often says “one either believes or he does not” and this not by decision of his will. If man does not “decide […]
Talk Faith (Deuteronomy 11:18-19)
My daughter Daphne will be starting 1st grade in the Fall. We’ve been homeschooling her for Kindergarten and sending her twice a week to a co-op for classes with other homeschoolers. I knew she was making good progress in math. She’s learning to draw well. And she’s supposed to be learning Spanish at the co-op […]
Eight Benefits of the Resurrection
The resurrection is evidence that Christianity is true: “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor 15:17). The resurrection proves the believer will overcome death: “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to […]
Doctrinal Emotive Behavior Therapy
Take this post with a grain of salt. I’m sharing something I’ve experimented with over the years. Discipleship is a big issue. I have tried to disciple myself first. And now, my family. And more and more, people at church. But how do I go about doing that? I have been meeting people with serious […]
Breakfast on the Beach (John 21:12)
God’s grace shows up in little moments that are often practically unnoticeable. For example, read John 21. Jesus had died, risen again, appeared to the disciples, and gave them a commission to be sent out into the world. No wonder Peter promptly declared, “I am going fishing” (v 3)! I would have done the same.That’s […]