The Sinner’s Prayer and the NAFWB
The Southern Baptist Convention just finished their annual convention. One significant debate was over a resolution regarding the “Sinner’s Prayer.” David Platt expressed some serious concerns over the prayer: Should it not concern us that there is no such superstitious prayer in the New Testament? Should it not concern us that the Bible never uses...
Are We Functionally Pelagian?
Some theologians believe Arminians to be Pelagian. A Pelagian is someone who follows after the views of Pelagius, the heretic. Pelagius believed the only impact Adam’s sin had on the rest of mankind is that it served as a bad example. Every person is morally neutral or good according to Pelagius. As a result of...
Discipline, or Judgment?
Is there any difference between the judgment of God and His discipline? How can we tell? (You may want to get your Bible out for this one.) These questions were sparked by a sermon from Matthew 18 a while back on forgiveness and the parable of the unforgiving servant. The last two verses in that...
The Free Will Song
I came across this video not too long ago–enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrczyFvkv8Q Here are my thoughts… –I agree 100% with the message of the song. –I never knew a whippoorwill had anything to do with Arminianism, but I am now convinced. –Although they were slammed in the YouTube comments, I appreciate this group’s job well done. The “someone is...
Truth vs. Tradition: Where Do You Land?
What would you do if, in the regular, methodical study of God’s Word, you came to see that a long-held belief, precious doctrine, or firmly ingrained tradition were actually not biblical? What if taking a stand to expose the truth of God’s Word meant the loss of dear friends, church family, respect, position, and income? ...
How an Arminian Can Read Romans 8 and Think Apostasy Is Possible
Have you ever wondered, “How can a Calvinist read Hebrews 6 and not believe in the possibility of a true Christian turning from Christ to be an apostate?” I have. Or maybe you’re a Calvinist and you think, “How could an Arminian read Romans 8 and think apostasy for a true Christian is possible?” That’s...
Predestined unto Sanctification
I recently turned in a paper on Progressive Sanctification. Here is an excerpt from the section on Doctrinal Misconceptions… Another grave misconception surrounding the doctrine of sanctification arises within the Reformed view of Predestination. Charles Spurgeon said, “We shall never be able to escape from the doctrine of divine predestination – the doctrine that God has...
Apostasy / Arminianism / Assurance / Calvinism / Doctrine / Free Will Baptist / The Holy Spirit / Theology
Two False Extremes Related to Apostasy
The issue of apostasy has come upon me. I haven’t sought it out. About a month ago a friend asked me what I thought about it (I didn’t respond). Another friend has mentioned he isn’t sure what he thinks about it. And I’m teaching a class on assurance of salvation right now on Wednesday nights...
If Apostasy Isn’t a Possibility, Why Are There Warnings Against It?
In reading Dr. Picirilli’s Understanding Assurance and Salvation, I came across this gold nugget. Just read it for yourself. It is . . . important . . . for us to warn believers about the danger of apostasy and to exhort them to persevere in faith and good works, not as a means of frightening...
One Reason I’m Not a Calvinist
I have heard Calvinists say that regeneration precedes faith. They would say that because our hearts are dead and unresponsive to God, what must happen is the Spirit must regenerate our hearts. That is, He gives us new hearts that love God and are responsive to God. Then, as an outflow of our new hearts...
Arminius=Not the First Arminian
Here is an interesting fact about Arminius that I was not aware of until I read it in The Story of Christianity by Justo Gonzalez. Jacobus Arminius was a distinguished Dutch pastor and professor whose theological training had been thoroughly Calivnistic, and had taken place partly in Geneva, under the direction of Calvin’s successor Theodore...
Elected Those Who Would, Or Those Who Will?
My Church History 2 professor, Dr. Wills, threw me a curve ball this past Monday when he gave his usual admonishment to us from Scripture before class started. He read from Luke 10, when Jesus sent out 72 to preach. The point that threw me off was when he read verse 13 (ESV): ‘Woe to...
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