by Robby McAlpine | Aug 7, 2017 | Apologetics, Christology, Gospel, Sin, Soteriology, The Kingdom of God, Theodicy, Theological Studies, Worship
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst...
by Robby McAlpine | May 9, 2017 | Christology, Soteriology, Theological Studies
It’s always been a head-scratcher for me — this obsession that some people seem to have with pitting various viewpoints on the Atonement against each other, as if they are mutually exclusively (and therefore bitter enemies). I’ve always seen them more as the differing...
by Luke Geraty | Jan 7, 2017 | Ecclesiology, Pneumatology, Soteriology, Systematic Theology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
One of my favorite worship albums is Jeremy Riddle’s “The Now and Not Yet.” This “now and not yet” theology was made somewhat “famous” amongst Evangelicals by the scholarly work of George Eldon Ladd, especially in his The...
by Able Baker | May 3, 2016 | Soteriology
Scripture is pretty clear that the ideal example of being a just man or good man is one who is generally not thought of as being a shallow and opportunistic kind of fellow (1 John 2:16). And in light of Scriptures stern warnings It seems like a bad idea to point to...
by Able Baker | Apr 29, 2016 | Soteriology
A Plan? If you do a Google search of “What is the gospel?” you will find that almost all Christian denominations (especially evangelicals) that center their faith on the Bible, conversion, the cross and the resurrection explain the gospel in this way. First, admit...
by Luke Geraty | Jan 4, 2016 | Ecclesiology, Pneumatology, Sin, Soteriology, Theological Studies
“Christians don’t need to repent,” said the young man. “Jesus died for our sins… past, present, and future,” he continued, “so you don’t need to spend all of your time asking him for forgiveness. He has already forgiven you!” According to this young man,...
by Luke Geraty | Jul 24, 2015 | Ecclesiology, Gospel, Soteriology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
Pick up Crown of...
by Able Baker | May 6, 2015 | Soteriology
When we as evangelicals speak of the essence of the atonement most of us think of the cross. J.I. Packer says regarding the essence of the atonement… “How then did the cross actually redeem us, through Jesus’ death? By reconciling us to God, ending...
by Able Baker | May 5, 2015 | Soteriology
Because anger that leads to violence is not always the product of evil. Psalm 7:11, Matthew 25:31-46 Because anger that leads to violence is not always unrighteous. Ephesians 4:26-27, Psalm 78:65-66 Because anger that leads to violence is something Jesus experienced...
by Kenny Burchard | Nov 17, 2014 | Gospel, Soteriology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
“Jesus died for your sins, and that’s good news!” So ended the form-letter that my friend wrote, emailed to me, and asked me to read (and edit) for him. My friend wrote the letter so that he could cut and paste the names of various family members and...
by Luke Geraty | Nov 12, 2014 | Ecclesiology, Epistemology, Soteriology, Theological Studies
Soteriology, the theological category related to “salvation,” is one that theologians still dispute over. Actually, pastors and lots of other Christians debate about it too. In addition to the ordo salutis (order of salvation) and nature of salvation (Calvinism vs....
by Daniel J. Fick | Mar 31, 2014 | Soteriology, Theological Studies
For many, Calvinism is dangerous ground. It can be offensive, frustrating, and irritating. When I was a “young” Calvinist, there were not a few conversations I now wish I could take back. And, although Calvinists can be off-putting, equally so are the...
by Luke Geraty | Mar 20, 2014 | Homosexuality, Soteriology, Systematic Theology, The Kingdom of God, Theological Studies
As a pastor, I’ve interacted with numerous people who have struggled with the desire to have a lot of sex with as many people as possible. Generally speaking, this struggle has come from men, but I’m sure there are women who have this desire. At any rate,...
by Luke Geraty | Oct 16, 2013 | Church History, Evangelicalism, Reformed Theology, Soteriology, Wesleyan-Arminian
Randall Balmer writes in The Making of Evangelicalism: “… Evangelicals have understood better than anyone else how to communicate to the masses. The message they propagate is simple, straightforward, and utterly indebted to Charles Finney. Come to Jesus....
by Able Baker | May 7, 2013 | Gospel, Messy Church, Missional, Soteriology
Spring is here and one of my favorite things to do is go after weeds with my weed eater. I hate pulling weeds. I also hate killing weeds with weed killer because it makes much of my yard brown, not green. Most of my yard is not actually grass. I will just say right up...
by Luke Geraty | Nov 30, 2012 | Biblical Theology, Gospel, Soteriology
It happened again. I was listening to a popular radio preacher and they repeated an idea I have heard many times in my life. He stated that in the Old Testament, people were “saved” by obeying the Law and in the New Testament, people are...
by Luke Geraty | Nov 15, 2012 | Christian Living, Reviews, Soteriology
If you are in the “Young, Restless, and Reformed” crowd, you’re probably very familiar with Kevin DeYoung. He’s kind of a “poster child” for the movement because… well, he’s young and Reformed. I’m not sure about...
by Luke Geraty | Oct 22, 2012 | Charismatic Theology, Reformed Theology, Soteriology
If you desire to fit in with Charismatics, you have to learn how to use 2 Cor. 3:17b: “… where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” If you are an exegete, or at the very least a careful reader of Scripture, you’ll notice that I...
by Luke Geraty | Aug 19, 2012 | Counseling, Gospel, Missional, Reformed Theology, Soteriology
As an advocate of what is essentially a Reformed perspective regarding issues related to soteriology, I fully subscribe to the idea that those whom God has chosen for salvation shall, in the end, be saved. I would gladly affirm what the Westminster Confessional...
by Luke Geraty | Feb 25, 2012 | Christian Hedonism, Eschatology, Soteriology
Proverbs 10:24 says, “What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.” John Bunyan writes in The Desire of the Righteous Granted that believers desire (1) Desires that may be accomplished or enjoyed in this life,...
