Gordon H. Clark and Assurance
Shawn C. Lazar Associate Editor Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society Corinth, TX I. INTRODUCTION In Faith and Saving Faith,1 Gordon H. Clark argues that all faith is propositional. To believe is to be persuaded that a proposition is true. The difference between faith and saving faith is not in how you believe, but in […]
The Perseverance of the Saints? Identifying Augustine’s Influence on Evangelical Views of Apostasy
Everett Berry1 Criswell College, Dallas, TX I. INTRODUCTION Understanding the historical development of a Biblical doctrine always necessitates a familiarity with arguments that are formulated by substantial Christian thinkers which leave an indelible mark on how the church later deals with that doctrine. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate this truth by showing […]
The Healing Of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), Part 2
Kenneth Yates Editor I. INTRODUCTION In Part 1, I argued that Mark’s so-called discipleship section (Mark 8:22–10:52) is addressed to believers. The section begins and ends with the healing of two different blind men. Both men are a picture of the disciples. The disciples were believers. They had eternal life. But they were still blind. […]
The Coming Kingdom: What Is the Kingdom and How Is Kingdom Now Theology Changing the Focus of the Church?
The Coming Kingdom: What Is the Kingdom and How Is Kingdom Now Theology Changing the Focus of the Church? By Andrew M. Woods. Duluth, MN: Grace Gospel Press, 2016. 423 pp. Paper, $24.95. As the subtitle suggests, this book is explaining and arguing against the idea that Jesus is currently reigning as the Davidic king […]
Can I Lose My Salvation?
Can I Lose My Salvation? By R.C. Sproul. Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015. 65 pp. Paper, $2.50. R.C. Sproul is a gifted and clear theological writer. His booklet, Can I Lose my Salvation? concisely addresses the questions, “If I’m presently in a state of faith, if I’m presently embracing Christ, will that change? Will the […]
Getting Grace Daily: A Daily Devotional
Getting Grace Daily: A Daily Devotional. By Brad Bird. Columbia, SC: MarketLife Ministries, 2014. 366 pp. Paper, $15.00. This book caught my eye because I have often been asked by people if there is a good daily devotional available for Free Grace people. In the military, I saw that soldiers often read Our Daily Bread. […]
Preaching Christ from Psalms: Foundations for Expository Sermons in the Christian Year
Preaching Christ from Psalms: Foundations for Expository Sermons in the Christian Year. By Sidney Greidanus. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016. 595 pp. Paper, $40.00. Sidney Greidanus is professor emeritus of preaching at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is well known for advocating a redemptive-historical approach to preaching, and has a series of books showing how to […]
Character Studies in the Fourth Gospel: Narrative Approaches to Seventy Figures in John
Character Studies in the Fourth Gospel: Narrative Approaches to Seventy Figures in John. Edited by Steven A. Hunt, D. Francois Tolmie, and Ruben Zimmermann. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2013. 724 pp. Hardcover, $219.00. Most JOTGES readers will experience sticker-shock at a $219.00 price tag. However, this book is a gold mine. You may (as I did) […]
The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives
The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives. By Lee Strobel. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015. 230 pp. Hardcover, $22.99. Lee Strobel is a former pastor of the Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois. He is today known as a New York Times best-selling author and an apologist for the Christian […]
1 & 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Thessalonians. By Andy Johnson, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016. 349 pp. Paper, $26.00. I was not familiar with the expression missional hermeneutic before I read this commentary. After reading it I’m not quite sure what that is. Johnson, Professor of NT at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, is not writing a […]