Whose Interpretations Should I Trust? (Part 1 of 2)
Should we pay attention to the Scriptural interpretations of others? Should we allow the views of others to influence our understanding of Scripture? A complete reliance on the views of some individual or group (e.g., our denomination, our parents, the one who led us to Christ, or first pastor, our current pastor, etc) is dangerous.
Whoever Means Whoever
“For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). One can share the gospel from a host of passages. There are over 100 verses in the Bible which say that whoever believes in Jesus Christ has everlasting
Can a Scientist Be a Christian? The Testimony of Johannes Kepler
Johannes Kepler was a famous German astronomer and mathematician who lived from 1571 to 1630. Recently while reading a book about Galileo which touched on Kepler, I was deeply moved by his story. The following is taken from the book, The Galileo Connection: Resolving Conflicts Between Science and the Bible (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press,
How You Can Know for Certain You’re Going to Heaven — John 5:24
“Most assuredly, I say unto you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24) I was a senior in college and it had only been a few months since I had heard about
Does a Biblical View of Grace Actually Promote Sin?
Never. Never. Never. Never. Never!1 Notes 1In the great tradition of dramatic disclaimers, such as the Apostle Paul’s in Romans 6:1-14, Shakespeare’s in King Lear, and Sir Winston Churchill’s in his famous Harrow School address, GES says “Never!” People who hold to Lordship Salvation or Works Salvation are rarely charged with promoting sin because they
Not Everyone Who Says “Lord, Lord” Will Enter the Kingdom: Matthew 7:21-23
21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
Absolute Certainty or Acceptable Doubt?
When I became a Christian I was taught that I could know for sure that I was eternally secure in God’s love. I was taught that assurance of salvation meant the certain knowledge that no matter what happened in the future I was a member of God’s forever family. Today, however, some who believe in
Knowing God By Our Works? – 1 John 2:3-11
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3) Recently I was on a radio talk show and a caller asked me to explain how 1 John 2:3 could fit my view that salvation is a free gift and that assurance is based not on looking to
John MacArthur’s The Gospel According to Jesus A Review
MacArthur’s book hits four main issues: assurance, faith, repentance, and the relationship between salvation and discipleship. Assurance While he never says it in so many words, MacArthur does not believe in assurance. That is, he thinks that no one can or should know with certainty that he is saved. He suggests that it is healthy