Saving Faith Debated in Scotland in 1720
People often ask who believed in Free Grace before us? There are hints here and there through history. One source of Free Grace type beliefs came from the Marrow Controversy in Scotland in the 18th century. William VanDoodewaard wrote his doctoral dissertation about the Marrow Controversy and published it as The Marrow Controversy and Seceder […]
Eating at the King’s Table Forever (2 Samuel 9)
What is grace? Here’s an illustration from the Old Testament, from 2 Samuel 9. Jonathan, son of Saul, was King David’s best friend. After Jonathan died, David wanted to show kindness to someone in Jonathan’s family: “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for […]
I Discovered Another Calvinist Who Conceded He’s Not Sure
Some of you may have read the article by Dr. R. C. Sproul which he published back in 1989 in Tabletalk. In it he said that he was uncertain about his salvation, but that he learned the lesson that the Apostle Peter learned as well: “being uncomfortable with Jesus [is] better than any other option.” […]
J. A. Wood’s Perfect Love on Justification
Doing theology is hard. Interpreting the Bible is hard. It is hard for several reasons, including confirmation bias. We tend to seek out and selectively retain information that confirms what we already believe. Confirmation bias can, therefore, distort your reading of the Bible. It happens to all of us. It is best to be aware […]
How to Apply “Lay Down Your Life” (1 John 3:16-17)
Christians are called to love each other. But what is love? You might know it when you see it. Specifically, John says that our model is Jesus: We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16a). Love is sacrificial. Love acts. It acts for the good of the […]
Chuck Swindoll Defends Easy Believism
Recently I blogged about Chuck Swindoll defending the faith-alone message, and specifically rejecting the Lordship Salvation message, in a Jan 7, 2019, Insight for Living Broadcast. See that blog here. I received an email today notifying me that Chuck again rejected Lordship Salvation, this time in more detail. He did so on the Feb 22, […]
God Is Rich (Eph 2:4, 7)
Tax refund season is coming up. Are you hoping for a nice return from the government? It makes you feel rich, doesn’t it? What will you spend it on? Did you know that God is rich? And more importantly, He likes to spend! By contrast, the Ephesians were poor. In fact, in a manner of […]
Works at the Bema
On Feb 26, Bob posted a blog (see here) about the fact that Tom Rodgers of Grace Church in Wichita Falls, TX, taught on the Judgment Seat of Christ just a few days before he died. Bob spoke of the many years that Tom, along with Reggie Coe, had pastored the church, and that Tom […]
Why Must Salvation Be Apart from Works? (Ephesians 2:1-3)
Everyone knows Eph 2:8-9, that we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works. But do you know why that is? Paul explained why in Eph 2:1-3. The Ephesians had been in a bad way. Really bad. Hopeless, really. Here’s how Paul described them: And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses […]
An Open Letter on Sex Offenders
Dear Shawn, I read with interest your article on “No More Scarlet Letters.” My question is why authors like you refuse to address, and why churches are slow to forgive, restore, and embrace sex offenders? [He gives examples of churches excluding sex offenders.] Dear Reader, Thank you for your letter. I think grace can, […]