ecclesiology, spiritual gifts, theology
He had no military training, and no skill with the elite weapons of war, but when he saw a battle that needed to be won he didn’t hesitate to engage. Against all odds, and armed only with the knowledge of how God had strengthened him before, a sling and a few small...
grace, salvation, theology
It is remarkable how much disagreement persists among otherwise likeminded believers regarding how one is saved. Presently there are three basic views (though even more subtle nuances) on how one receives eternal life: (1) the lordship salvation view, (2) what I call...
ecclesiology, Jesus, teachings of, spiritual gifts, theology
With over 40,000 members, Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is the largest church in the United States. For better or for worse, Lakewood and its leader Joel Osteen are profoundly influential. One significant area of influence is in the realm of spiritual gifts. A...
ecclesiology, spiritual gifts, theology
The great Inigo Montoya once famously said, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” That line is apropos for many occasions, but it especially fits how we often understand spiritual gifts. Instead of recognizing spiritual gifts as...
ecclesiology, ethics, grace, gratitude, philosophy, politics, theology, worldview
“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that people started out inherently good, but through conventions of society they became ensnared (and thus, were in chains). In his view, people are free at first, but enslaved in the...
grace, hope, parenting, success, theology, time management, worldview
Highlights. We are addicted to highlights. We subject ourselves to a continuous media stream telling us what is noteworthy and what isn’t. Is it re-tweetworthy? Is it worth a share or a status update? We have come to value style over substance and flash over...
covenants & promises, theology
The New Covenant promised to Israel and Judah in Jeremiah 31:31–34 includes two components that some argue are fulfilled by the church. In Jeremiah 31:33, “I will put My law within them and on their hear I will write it…” and in Jeremiah 31:34, “They will not teach...
eternal punishment, grace, hope, Jesus, resurrection of, Jesus, teachings of, salvation, theology
Sharing His love with others, communicating the Gospel, and making disciples – it is easy to focus on how we should help others who need Jesus. We can get caught in the trap of only looking outward when we think of those needing His grace. We remember that “the wrath...
exegesis/exposition, hermeneutics, spiritual gifts, theology
Question: In previous articles you referenced the definition of tongues in Acts 2, but what about 1 Corinthians 14? And why does Paul use the word φωνή rather than γλῶσσα ? Answer: In employing the literal grammatical-historical hermeneutic we acknowledge the progress...
ecclesiology, epistemology, ethics, philosophy, theology
The insistence that all things are essential (for the purpose of God’s glory) should not be mistaken for an insistence that the believer is responsible for the agreement or disagreement of others. When Paul mandates in 1 Corinthians 1:10 that believers should agree...
