Amazed at What Is Now Normal Soteriological Terms in Evangelicalism
Today I read a few articles in the July-September 2018 issue of Bibliotheca Sacra, the journal of Dallas Theological Seminary. It is celebrating its 175th anniversary (since DTS took over an already existing journal). Bibliotheca Sacra is one of the leading theological journals today. And it has been for a very long time. In this […]
The Difference Between a Promise and a Law (Galatians 3:17-18)
The Galatians were being foolish. Or, more literally, they were not thinking things through. The whole province was slipping into legalism, but they should have known better. In Galatians 3, Paul listed some of the theological reasons why the Galatians should not have been deserting Christ and falling for a false gospel. One reason is […]
Kay Arthur and Precepts Ministries Material
Recently GES received an inquiry about our thoughts concerning Kay Arthur and her ministry, which is known as Precepts Ministries International. I feel fairly confident there are different opinions on this matter, but in answering the inquiry I will be glad to give mine. Kay Arthur’s ministry is very popular and successful. She has written […]
Missing the Boat on Faith
Truth Aflame is a Charismatic and Evangelical systematic theology written by Larry Hart, who is professor of theology at Oral Roberts University. I have the first edition. There is a second available here. I was skimming through what he wrote about faith. Hart starts off well: “It is through faith alone—faith plus nothing—that we are […]
Is There a Difference Between Heart, Soul, and Mind? — Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27
Another great and difficult question rolled in the other day: I have a question I’m hoping you can answer for me. In Matthew 22:37 (also, Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27) it seems that there is an implied distinction between “heart,” “mind,” and “soul”. Is it possible, though, that the writer was using these terms just […]
Think Things Through (Galatians 3:1-14)
“O foolish Galatians!” (Galatians 3:1) Have you ever acted foolishly? What does it mean to be foolish, anyway? The Greek word translated “foolish” is anoētos. It means “non-thinking,” or “not thinking things through.” The Galatians were deserting Christ and accepting legalism and a salvation-by-works gospel. Paul charged them with not thinking things through. They were […]
Does Your Eternal Destiny Depend on Your Forgiving Others? — Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” A friend pointed me to the October 2, 2018, broadcast of Pathway to Victory by Robert Jeffress. My friend heard him say that most religions […]
Are You Usable? (Hebrews 5:12)
Have you ever prayed for God to use you? Maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe there’s something you need to be asking yourself first. As Samuel Brengle put it, “Instead of praying so much to be used, people should search themselves to know whether they are usable” (Helps to Holiness, p.69). Are you usable? The author of […]
Is John 7:53–8:11 Inspired Scripture?
In the June 2018 edition of JETS (“The Pericope of the Woman Caught in Adultery: An Inspired Text Inserted into an Inspired Text?” pp. 321-37), Scott Kaczorowski makes an amazing suggestion about John 7:53–8:11. Many have suggested that it is not part of John’s Gospel, but that it does represent an actual historical incident. Metzger’s […]
How Context Helps (Mark 4:3)
In Mark 4:3, Jesus begins the Parable of the Four Soils: “Listen! Behold a sower went out to sow.” Anyone exposed to Free Grace teaching in regards to this parable understands how misunderstood it is by many within Christendom. While everyone agrees that the first soil represents unbelievers, most think that the second and third […]