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A Brief Explanation Why Believers’ Behavior, No Matter How Sinful, Plays No Role In Determining Their Eternal Destiny, Which Is Eternal Salvation, But Why It Is Still A Very Good Idea To Obey Christ’s Commands
Read more: A Brief Explanation Why Believers’ Behavior, No Matter How Sinful, Plays No Role In Determining Their Eternal Destiny, Which Is Eternal Salvation, But Why It Is Still A Very Good Idea To Obey Christ’s CommandsPhoto Credit: “[Mother and children reading bible]” by Library of Congress is marked with CC0 1.0. A review of the scholarly literature reveals that most scholars believe that one’s earthly conduct, that is, one’s deeds while one is here on earth, to some extent play a role in determining whether or not one is saved for…
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Book Review and Essay on The Role of Works at the Final Judgment, edited by Alan P. Stanley.
Read more: Book Review and Essay on The Role of Works at the Final Judgment, edited by Alan P. Stanley.Four Views On the Role of Works at the Final Judgment. Edited by Alan P. Stanley. Counterpoints: Bible and Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2013. Paperback ISBN: 0310490332. Contains contributions by Robert N. Wilkin, Thomas R. Schreiner, James D. G. Dunn, Michael P. Barber, and Alan P. Stanley. Here, in this well-conceived 275-page book (page numbers…
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On Studying Fear
Read more: On Studying FearThis is, oddly enough, an article about writing an article. A former student of mine who now edits the university newspaper asked if I would write an OpEd piece for the upcoming Halloween issue. Touched (but mainly flattered), I accepted immediately, not considering the ramifications of my commitment. I was attempting to make a case…
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Discipleship Principles
Read more: Discipleship Principles1. Discipleship is about a Relationship Michael Wilkins has defined a disciple of Jesus as one who “has come to Jesus for eternal life, has claimed Jesus as Savior and God, and has embarked upon the life of following Jesus.”[1] His very presence in my life and his promise to never leave nor…
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The True “Hoax-us” Pocus” Behind Self-Deception
Read more: The True “Hoax-us” Pocus” Behind Self-DeceptionA few days ago, I thought that this post you are now reading would be about Lance Armstrong. But today, there was a new story that capture America’s attention. A story that received more hype than a more threatening situation- the French deployment of troops to confront the uprising of Islamic militants in Mali. A…
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A Kinda Gay Q&A
Read more: A Kinda Gay Q&ASince publishing my article “I’m (Kinda Sorta Yeah Not Really) Gay” last month, I’ve received a lot of follow-up questions. Not so much about the article, but about the specifics of my struggle with same-sex attraction. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions. When did you realize you were, you know, gay? If…
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Straight Idolatry
Read more: Straight IdolatryI admit it. I’ve tried to “pray the gay away.” I’ve spent nights on my knees, asking God to take away my homosexual desires. Any Christian who struggles with same-sex attraction has probably done the same, and rightly so. Casting our cares on God should be the first thing we do (1 Peter 5:7). So…
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The Dark Night of the Soul
Read more: The Dark Night of the Soul3 years ago, Dr. John Coe of Biola’s Institute for Spiritual Formation preached at a Biola University chapel and it rocked my world. He preached on something that I have become all too familiar with: the dark night of the soul. Now it is true that God is always present. This new covenant reality, bought…
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I’m Happy for You (Really!)
Read more: I’m Happy for You (Really!)One night a few years ago, I was reading through Romans and stumbled upon an extraordinary command from Paul’s pen: Rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). I’d read it before, even quoted it, but something stood out this time. Struck by its simplicity and its strangeness, I considered this verse a challenge—a serious, sin-killing…
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Call in the Understudy: Does Justification Play too much of a Leading Role on the Stage of Soteriology
Read more: Call in the Understudy: Does Justification Play too much of a Leading Role on the Stage of SoteriologyOver the last few decades, our precious protestant friend Justification has received a lot of tough press and some heavy abuse. Stendahl, Sanders, Dunn, and Wright have all added their contributions to the theological boxing tournament seeking to knock out an understanding of justification (esp in Pauline Literature) that may be more informed and conditioned…