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 Healing Of Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52), Part 1
I. INTRODUCTION In a recent article in this journal, I argued that when Jesus used spittle to heal a blind man in stages in Mark 8:22-26, it was a picture of the “blindness” of the disciples. They did not understand what following Jesus meant. The use of the spittle indicated that what Jesus was about […]
Jewish Genius And The Existence Of God
“I will insist that the Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing nations. If I were an atheist of the other sect, […]
Philippians: Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament
Philippians: Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament. By Joseph H. Hellerman, Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishing Group, 2015. 297 pp. Paper, $29.99. The book of Philippians is of interest to readers of the JOTGES because of certain verses that are often taken to indicate that works are either necessary for eternal life or […]
“Salvation” In The Book Of Philippians
Robert C. Swift Flower Mound, TX I. INTRODUCTION One of the distinguishing marks of the Free Grace movement is that it often challenges traditional understandings of certain Biblical passages. Of course, some maintain that such “novel” interpretations cannot be correct. The question is often why past interpreters have not understood these passages in a Free […]
Refreshing Grace: God’s Will, Our Will, in Focus
Refreshing Grace: God’s Will, Our Will, in Focus. By John Correia. Phoenix, AZ: Biblical Framework Press, 2012. 192 pp. Paper, $14.99. One of the solutions to reconciling God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in salvation is the doctrine of middle knowledge, sometimes known as “Molinism” after Luis de Molina, who first articulated the idea. John Correia’s […]
Belief as a Cognitive Phenomenon, Especially in Regard to Salvation: An Expanded Discussion
Richard M. Biery M.D., MSPH The BroadBaker Group, Kansas City, MO I. INTRODUCTION Careful thinking requires careful use of language. This article is an exercise in carefully understanding and using the language of belief. Correctly understanding the nature of belief is vital to good soteriology and theology, because the doctrine of salvation by faith apart […]
Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship: How to Understand Some Difficult Bible Passages
Grace, Salvation, and Discipleship: How to Understand Some Difficult Bible Passages. By Charles C. Bing. NP: Grace Theology Press, 2015. 290 pp. Cloth, $17.00. Charlie Bing has written a book that is extremely helpful in explaining many difficult passages. There is a Scripture Index, which is very helpful. It makes it easy to find what […]
So You May Come (Or Continue?) To Believe (John 20:31)
I. INTRODUCTION John 15:16 should be seen as a multi-generational evangelismfocused Great Commission verse, anticipating the purpose statement. This verse aligns with the evangelistic purpose of the book as a whole (John 20:30-31). Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go forth and bear a […]