Certainty and Uncertainty in the Christian Life
Recently I produced a short video about Joni Eareckson Tada’s view that God does not speak to us verbally or with impression today, but only through His Word. See here if you are interested. Toward the end of the video, I indicated that because God does not tell us what job to take, where to […]
A Mathematical Equation
It has been a very long time, but when I was in college, I took a lot of math courses. I have forgotten 90 percent of what I was taught, but I vaguely remember one thing. You can add something to one side of a mathematical equation as long as you add the same thing […]
How Do We Know Everlasting Life Is Everlasting?
One of my seminary professors and the person who ordained me, Dr. Charles Ryrie, famously quipped that if everlasting life could be lost, then it has the wrong name. There are various ways in which people who do not believe in eternal security get around Dr. Ryrie’s objection. Here are two common ways: 1) Everlasting […]
Success in Fishing Doesn’t Come Free
One of the characteristics of Free Grace Theology is that it makes a distinction between a believer and a disciple. A believer is somebody who has believed in Jesus for eternal life. They receive it as a gift. Works play no part in it whatsoever. A disciple is a believer who follows Christ in obedience. […]
Did John MacArthur Hold the Free Grace Position before 1980?
Eugene sent me an interesting challenge in an email: In your YouTube video on John MacArthur’s gospel, you mentioned that he made some changes in 1980. I have done some searching on the web but have not found anything very thorough. I did see an interview where he and Piper talked about what Puritan writings […]
The Job of the Disciple
In Mark 6:12-13, Jesus sends the twelve disciples to the nation of Israel. It would have been very exciting to be a part of that group. They preached the same message that John the Baptist and the Lord had preached. Jesus was the Christ. Those who believed in Him for it would receive eternal life. […]
Does Free Grace Give People a License to Sin?
Michael sent in this excellent question: Good afternoon. I recently listened to your radio episode from August 7th titled “If I Lose Assurance, Do I Lose Everlasting Life?” During this episode, the common question or objection to the free grace position was discussed concerning assurance/OSAS giving people a license to sin and to live any […]
A Life Hanging in the Balance
Like many little girls, I took ballet lessons when I was a kid. I went pretty far, even graduating to pointe in middle school. While I have long since retired my ballet shoes, one lesson that has stayed with me is the importance of balance. Any dancer worth their salt will tell you that balance […]
The Warts on Our Heroes (Mark 14:71)
If you want to be impressed, read the story of Dieter Dengler, one of the only thirty-three prisoners of war who escaped during the Vietnam War. I guarantee you’ll say, “I could never do what he did.” His story is the stuff of legend, especially among those who have served in the military. Dengler grew […]
Do We Need to Believe with All Our Hearts? Acts 8:37
WW asks an interesting question about saving faith: LOVE your channel. QUESTION: Acts 8:37 says, “And Philip said, ‘If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’” Can a person be saved by belief, but maybe Not with All his […]