The Potter’s Freedom
The Potter’s Freedom. By James White. Amityville, NY: Calvary Press Publishing, 2000. I. Introduction One thing Calvinists can never be accused of is failing to present their views. Of all the books written by Calvinists during the past ten years, James White’s book The Potter’s Freedom is perhaps the most polemical. And because it is […]
Masonic Rites and Wrongs: An Examination of Freemasonry
Masonic Rites and Wrongs: An Examination of Freemasonry. By Steven Tsoukalas. (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Co., 1995), 241 pp. Paper, $12.99. My father was a Mason and Shriner. He almost never took off his large Masonic ring. My sister was a part of Job’s Daughters when she was growing up. My dad encouraged […]
Grace Unknown: The Heart of Reformed Theology
Grace Unknown: The Heart of Reformed Theology. By R. C. Sproul. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. R. C. Sproul is the author of forty books, founder of Ligonier Ministries, and the daily radio teacher for the nationally broadcast “Renewing Your Mind.” He is also known as one of the easiest to follow communicators from […]
New Revised Standard Version
The New Revised Standard Version. Oxford University Press, USA, 1991. I. Introduction In May of this year the latest and most thoroughgoing revision of the RSV appeared, sponsored by the National Council of Churches. I must confess that I have been having my morning devotions in the NRSV for the last several months.1 The reason […]
Worship Evangelism
Worship Evangelism. By Sally Morgenthaler. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995. 320 pp. Cloth, $19.99. Finally there is some sound theology and reasoning injected into the controversy over church worship styles. While expecting another book of church-growth ideas and formulas on how to make the church service appeal to unchurched “seekers,” I found instead a […]
Does Free Grace Theology Diminish the Gospel?
A Review of Wayne Grudem’s “‘Free Grace’ Theology: 5 Ways it Diminishes the Gospel”, Part 3 I. INTRODUCTION In Parts 1 and 2 we considered the first four chapters of Dr. Wayne Grudem’s recent book, “Free Grace” Theology: 5 Ways It Diminishes the Gospel, in which he argues against Free Grace Theology (FGT). In Part […]
Universal Sin and Salvation in Romans 5:12-21
Mark Rapinchuk1 Professor College of the Ozarks I. INTRODUCTION One of the more prominent doctrines in systematic theology is the doctrine of “inherited sin.”2 A great deal of speculation has taken place regarding the cause, transmission/imputation and consequences of inherited sin. It is commonplace to cite Rom 5:12-21 as the foundational text for this doctrine.3 […]
Matthew 25:31-46: Salvation by Works?
John Claeys I. THE CHALLENGE OF MATTHEW 25:31-46 Does Matt 25:31-46, which describes the judgment of the “sheep and goats,” teach salvation by works? According to NT scholar D. A. Carson, most Bible teachers would answer that question with an unhesitating “yes.” Carson claims that “the great majority of scholars understand” the judgment described in […]
Faith Alive
Sean Gerety1 I. INTRODUCTION Luther and Calvin rightly maintained that justification by faith alone is the linchpin upon which the Church stands or falls. If this doctrine is lost or even muddied, the semblance of religion remains, but the Church fades into nonexistence. That is why a clear and unambiguous definition of faith is essential. […]
Worthy to Reign: The Cross and the War for Dominion
I. INTRODUCTION Why did Jesus have to die? For whom did He die? What did His death accomplish? Of all the ways that God could have saved the world, why the cross? Theologians have given different answers to those questions. Their answers are commonly called theories of the atonement.1 Discussions of the atonement among conservative […]