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Why is Hell Eternal?
Michael Patton does a great job of explaining why Christians believe Hell is eternal punishment. read his blog post below: Why is Hell Eternal?: I have heard this since I was a very young Christian. It seemed somewhat reasonable as it was explained to me by pastors in sermons and by Christians as they explained the seriousness of sin. The claim goes something like this: All sin is so bad that even the smallest of sins deserves eternal punishment in hell. It does not matter if it is losing your temper at a lousy referee, not sharing your Icee, or
A believer in Substitutionary [Actual] Atonement Shares the Gospel
With all the pejorative misinformation and straw-man presentations of different Evangelistic Theologies. The following post from Desiring God is a helpful in understanding the Biblical basis and importance of Substitutionary Atonement or Actual Atonement when proclaiming the Gospel. From Desiring God blog: Here’s a conversation between an unbeliever and an evangelist who believes in the doctrine of [Substitutionaary or Actual Atonement] definite atonement (sometimes unhelpfully called “limited atonement”)—the biblical teaching that when Jesus died, God’s unalterable purpose was to cancel the sins and commute the death sentence of all whom he would give to the Son (John 6:39). Unbeliever: So what are you offering
What is the Gospel? (Sam Storms)
What is the Gospel? (Video Link) see also www.disciplemaking.net
Extemporaneous style of preaching good for most…
Good Biblical exposition (preaching) is best done in an extemporaneous style for most (not all) preachers. I currently preach without notes much better and I explain things more exactly when I preach this way on my feet than when I preached with a full manuscript. My experience tells me that most preachers would benefit of preaching extemporaneously, because if frees them from their notes to actually think and and prevents them from plagiarizing themselves in the pulpit. Preachers may make full manuscripts or notes or outlines or mind-maps in preparation for preaching. Writing is good and very important to get
What Bible translation is best?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zck7JgV36EY see also www.disciplemaking.net
Controversy can help us! Eternal Hell, Universalism, and Rob Bell
Controversies are common place when it comes to the development of Christian doctrine. Over the years it has been controversies that have cause faithful Christians to re-look and define more carefully and accuractly and more committedly what we believe. The latest controversy over hell and universalism (started by the promotion of Rob Bells new book, Love Wins) will do the same I pray for this generation. On the first weekend in March 2011 a controversy started over Rob Bell’s latest book, Love Wins (due out on March 29, 2011), supposably advoicating universalism and the non-eternality of Hell for individuals. Controversy can be good because it makes us go back to
NT Use of OT and Biblical Authority
Below is a helpful article by Michael Vlach. I would add another category that I would call “Single Meaning, Fuller application” and place this in between #1 and #2. the reason for this is that I don’t think that Michael captures the position that believes in a single meaning in the New Testament use of the old, but applies it to different or multiple referents. One can see this position in the book Three View of the New Testament use of the Old Testament which is called Single Meaning, Multiple Referents by Darrell L, Bock . This position holds that it is important to be faithful to use the Grammatical,
A Middle Ground approach to The Law of Moses
Justin Taylor does gives a good summary how the New Covenant is actually a different covenant (and a better covenant – (Heb. 7:22) and a superior covenat (Heb. 8:) than the Old Covenant while maintaining God’s unity of purpose across the covenants. Since the New Covenant is made with a reconstituted covenant people (Matthew 21:33-43, Romans 9-11) that involves a new order(Hebrews 9:10), and a new set of governing laws and principles. The establishment of the New Covenant has made the Old Covenant with its stipulations obsolete (2 Corinthians 3:14, Hebrews 8:13, 9:1, etc.). It a middle ground approach (neither Covenantal or Dispensational) that
Order of Decrees Explainations – which lapsarian are you?
Check out Notes on Supralapsarianism & Infralapsarianism – Phil Johnson (John MacArthur’s right hand man) looks at four major ways of ordering the soteriological elements of God’s eternal decree—with a particular focus on the difference between supralapsarianism and infralapsarianism. He summarizes the differences in a side-by-side comparison below. Explanatory notes follow. Summary of Views Supralapsarianism Infralapsarianism Amyraldism Arminianism Elect some, reprobate rest Create Permit Fall Provide salvation for elect Call elect to salvation Create Permit Fall Elect some, pass over the rest Provide salvation for elect Call elect to salvation Create Permit Fall Provide salvation sufficient for all Elect some, pass over rest Call
The Doctrine of Creation.
I am trying to get a copy of Dr. Sailhamer’s book, “Genesis Unbounded”, but it is currently out of print ($54.00 at Amazon for a used copy). I want to eagerly read his book if and when it is republished. I am enjoying reading Sailhamer’s other books on OT theology and agree with his use of “Salvation History” as referring to the Scriptural history rather than all of God’s activity in his creation generally as many Covenant Theologians and/or some Biblical Theologians do. I am grateful to Jonathan Sakovich (a church member and a student at GGBTS) who has encouraged me to read
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Glenn Leatherman
I am first of all a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ. I affirm Evangelical Christian beliefs as well as Gospel driven in philosophy of ministry. I am married to Ann and am raising 2 wonderful boys – Jonathan and Andrew. My purpose is to build disciplemaking disciples that are becoming fishers of men in fully displaying of God’s Glory in all things. Learn more