Journal of the GES – Autumn 2020
Faith That Moves Mountains (Mark 11:20-26)
Kenneth W. Yates EDITOR I. INTRODUCTION In Mark 11:23 Jesus makes an astounding promise to His disciples: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will
Salvation as Spiritual Health in 1 Corinthians
Robert N. Wilkin Executive Director Grace Evangelical Society I. INTRODUCTION There are nine uses of the Greek verb sōzein, to save, in 1 Corinthians (1 Cor 1:18, 21; 3:15; 5:5; 7:16, twice; 9:22; 10:33; 15:2). There are no uses of the related noun sōtēria, salvation. There are five uses of the Greek noun sōtēria in
Jacob’s Eternal Salvation and Genesis 32
Kathryn Wright Columbia, SC I. INTRODUCTION The Book of Genesis records many events in the life of Jacob. Two of the most prominent are found in Genesis 28 and Genesis 32. The first describes the Lord’s appearing to the patriarch at Bethel, with angels ascending and descending on a ladder. At this time, the Lord
Is Faith Even a Tiny Part of God’s Gift (Ephesians 2:8-9)?
John H. Niemelä Message of Life Ministries Aurora, Colorado I. INTRODUCTION Is faith the gift of God? John MacArthur gives a standard Reformed statement that it is: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no
Jesus’ Intervention in the Temple: Once or Twice?
Allan Chapple1 Part-time Senior Lecturer in New Testament Trinity Theological College Australia The Gospel of John has Jesus intervening dramatically in the Temple (John 2:13–22) before he begins his public ministry in Galilee (John 3:24; 4:3; cf. Mark 1:14). However, the only such event reported in the Synoptics occurs at the end of Jesus’ ministry
Answers to the Most Important Questions About the End Times
Answers to the Most Important Questions about the End Times. By John Hart. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 2016. 189 pp. Paper, $10.99. This easy to read book on eschatology starts off by asking the question: “Why should I be interested in Bible Prophecy?” (chapter 1). Hart points out that around 25% of the Bible contains
Fishing For Life: Insights for Living from a Jerk at the End of a Line
Fishing For Life: Insights for Living from a Jerk at the End of a Line. By Charles C. Bing, Burleson, TX: GraceLife Ministries, 2020. 112 pp. Paper, $8. This title caught my eye. I am an avid fisherman who has fished for trout in the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains my entire life. There are not
Doing Theology with the Reformers
Doing Theology with the Reformers. By Gerald L. Bray. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2019. 277 pp. Paper, $23.99. Bray is a professor at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. In this book, he discusses how the various strands of theological thought in the Reformation of the sixteenth century were the basis of the different
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God. By Skye Jethani. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2011. 121 pp. Paper, $14.99. This book is a rather skillfully disguised presentation of contemplative spirituality. Jethani cites Henri Nouwen a lot (pp. 119, 120, 161, 162, 165, 168, 193). He also cites other contemplative teachers, including Dallas Willard (p.
Paul & the Gift
Paul & the Gift. By John M. G. Barclay. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015. 656 pp. Cloth, $117.99. Barclay’s work will be foreign to those who are not familiar with the new perspective on Paul (hereafter, NPP). Barclay’s discussion of NPP (esp. pp. 151-182) presupposes that one is quite familiar with it. The book is
The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism
The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism. By Ken Wilson. NP: Regula Fidei Press, 2019. 121 pp. Paper, $14.99. I have known Ken Wilson for many years, having been his professor for five or six online classes, including four semesters of Greek (second- and third-year master’s level). He showed himself to be an outstanding student and researcher. He
Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought
Jonathan Edwards: An Introduction to His Thought. By Oliver D. Crisp and Kyle C. Strobel. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. 232 pp. Paper, $21.42. Oliver Crisp is a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, and Kyle Strobel is a professor at Talbot School of Theology. Both are clearly experts on the topic of this book. It
The State of the Evangelical Mind: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future
The State of the Evangelical Mind: Reflections on the Past, Prospects for the Future. Edited by Todd Ream, Jerry Pattengale, and Christopher Devers. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2018. 180 pp. Hardcover, $23.87. This book is comprised of eight essays by scholars in various fields, including journalism and philosophy. It is not an exegetical or
Understanding Biblical Election
Understanding Biblical Election. By Ron Merryman. Jacksonville, FL: Merryman Ministries, 2020. 44 pp. Spiral bound, $17.95. Because of the disastrous effects of Calvinism and Reformed Theology, many have had their assurance of everlasting life wrecked. Many Christians have wondered, “Am I one of the elect? How do I know God chose me? How can I
Not Afraid of the Antichrist: Why We Don’t Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Not Afraid of the Antichrist: Why We Don’t Believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. By Michael L. Brown and Craig S. Keener. Minneapolis: Chosen Books, 2019. 236 pages. Paper, $15.99. Michael Brown is the founder and president of FIRE School of Ministry in Concord, North Carolina, and host of the daily radio program The Line of
Veiled and Silent: A Call to Relook at the Functioning of Women Within the “Assemblies”
Veiled and Silent: A Call to Relook at the Functioning of Women Within the “Assemblies.” By Kent Young. Tallahassee, FL: N.P., 2015. 82 pp. Paper, $6.99. In this short book, Kent Young re-examines Paul’s two commands to women to keep silent and to wear head coverings. He also examines how Plymouth Brethren assemblies have interpreted