Journal of the GES – Spring 2016
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,
“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
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
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
Review of Allan Chapple’s “Jesus’ Intervention in the Temple: Once or Twice?”
When our journal first started we had a section in which we did journal reviews. However, over time we followed the lead of many journals and stopped doing journal reviews. This article1 by Allan Chapple is so timely and well-written that it demands a special review. I. FOUR POSSIBLE VIEWS EXPLAINED The author begins by
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
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
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
Modern Version Failures
Modern Version Failures. By Charles Kriessman. Collingswood, NJ: The Bible For Today Press, 2014. 146 pp. Paper, $14.00. This publication by a member of the Dean Burgon Society (DBS) is reviewed because of concern for the doctrine of inerrancy as it relates to the multiplicity of Bible translations. English Bible versions differ not only because
Kept for Jesus: What the New Testament Really Teaches about Assurance of Salvation and Eternal Security
Kept for Jesus: What the New Testament Really Teaches about Assurance of Salvation and Eternal Security. By Sam Storms. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2015. 203 pp. Paper, $15.99. Storms is the senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City, OK and holds a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is also the
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God
A Theology of Mark’s Gospel: Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. By David E. Garland. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015. 651 pp. Cloth, $44.99. David Garland teaches at Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. This beautiful and massive book is a Biblical Theology of Mark and not a commentary. The difference is
Evidence for the Rapture: A Biblical Case for Pretribulationism
Evidence for the Rapture: A Biblical Case for Pretribulationism. John Hart, editor. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2015. 276 pp. Paper, $19.99. John Hart is a Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute. He has taught at MBI for over thirty years. He is the editor of this work as well as one of its authors.
If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person
If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person. By Philip Gulley and James Mulholland. San Francisco, CA: Harper, 2010. 256 pages. Paper, $14.99. The authors are liberal Quaker ministers. Though the book is co-authored, they write in the first-person singular. As the subtitle indicates, they argue for universalism. “I believe God will save