By Shawn Lazar Do you know how to pray? Are you making progress in your prayer life? Do you find that your prayers have become repetitive, dry, and boring? I find I need help to pray. Do you? Martin Luther’s barber once asked for advice on how to pray to God. So Luther wrote him
The Majoristic Controversy
There is nothing new under the sun. I recently came across a debate in Lutheran circles known as The Majoristic Controversy. It anticipated many of the questions and positions that the Free Grace movement deals with today. The debate is explained by Timothy J. Wengert’s book, A Formula for Parish Practice. In 1548, the emperor
Nicolaus Amsdorf and the Harm of Preaching Works-Salvation
In his book A Formula for Parish Practice, Timothy J. Wengert explains how a friend of Luther’s named Nicolaus von Amsdorf objected to the works-salvation taught by Lutherans like Philip Melanchthon and George Major. Amsdorf controversially said: “All those who teach and write that good works are necessary for salvation are going directly against Luther,
Genuine Disagreements in the Free Grace Movement
I’m sad to say there is a lot of “fake news” about GES online, where people have made outlandish claims about what we believe. Frankly, I think much of it counts as bearing false witness against GES. However, despite the fake news, there are some areas of genuine disagreement between GES and our critics in
A Simple Way to Pray
Do you know how to pray? Are you making progress in your prayer life? Do you find your prayers have become repetitive, dry, or boring? I find I need help to learn how to pray. Do you? Martin Luther’s barber once asked for advice on developing his prayer life. So Luther wrote him a letter
Echoes of Eden in the Lord’s Prayer (Matt 6:9-13)
I’ve been preaching through the Lord’s Prayer at church, and in my studies, I keep hearing echoes of Eden through these petitions. Our Father which art in heaven, We address our Father in heaven, because in Gen 1:1 God created all things, including us. He is not part of creation, but over creation, in heaven.
David Cloud, Way of Life Literature, and Lordship Salvation
I’ve been doing some research into Independent and Fundamental Baptists (IFB), looking for Free Grace friendly voices. David W. Cloud and his ministry, Way of Life Literature, is an important voice in that movement. I remember purchasing his Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity as a young man. Here is an article
What Are We Trying to Accomplish?
“Martin Luther did not so much set out to reform the church as he did to reform preaching.” ~John T. Pless What is GES trying to accomplish? I appreciate Pless’s quote about Martin Luther’s mission. Luther did not want to start a new church or denomination—he wanted to reform preaching. That’s basically, what we’re trying
John Wesley on Being a Fake Christian
Do you know when you were born-again? Some Free Grace people say they were born-again before they believed in Jesus for eternal life. They believe those doctrines now, but they say they were born-again before. How do they know? Usually, based on an experience they had. “I suddenly had a desire to read Scripture, and
Confession and Consequences
Sin has more than one consequence. On the one hand, it can break or hinder your fellowship with God. On the other hand, it can have consequences for you in this life. The man who gets drunk at work, not only loses his intimacy with God—he can also get fired. And the woman who covets