Category Archives: Gospel

Rebooting Redemption: An Ancient Perspective on Jesus’ Atonement

Purpose of This Series of Posts Part 2 , Part 3 , and Part 4 are written. Honestly, I probably wrote too much and got too far into the definitions of “redeem” and “redemption” in this first post. You should skim … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost, Through the Bible, Verses Evangelicals Ignore | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Danger of False Assurance: Can a Saved Person Go to Hell?

Assurance We like to assure a new convert that they have eternal life. We point them to verses like John 6:47 and 1 John 5:13 Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. (John 6:47) … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Evangelicals, Gospel, Holiness, Modern Doctrines, Protestants, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Interpreting Paul’s Epistle to the Romans

I wrote this on Facebook today: How can you correctly interpret Romans if you don’t believe its foundational precepts? “Those who practice such things are worthy of death” (1:32) and “to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Dealing with Scripture Honestly, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Verses Evangelicals Ignore | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus Triumphantly Rescued Us! Atonement by Ransom

From a comment I put on Facebook: It was not until yesterday that I realized the full import of Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14. Both are saying we have been released because we were ransomed by his blood (Gr. apolutrosis), … Continue reading

Posted in Early Christianity, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Rebuilding the Foundations, Teachings that must not be lost | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Does Even the Slightest Sin Deserve Eternal Damnation?

Calvinists like to quote James 2:10 to teach that even the slightest sin requires eternal damnation. Here’s my response from my book, Rebuilding the Foundations: The passage is in James 2 and talks about showing favoritism to one another, yet … Continue reading

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Tobit, Jesus, and the Breathtaking Power of Almsgiving from Within

Jesus told the Pharisees, “But give that which is within as charity and, behold, all things are clean for you” (Luke 11:41, NASB with note). Tobit says something similar: “For almsgiving saves from death and purges away every sin. Those … Continue reading

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Today’s Hodge-Podge: Messengers, Large Church Meetings, Archippus, and Apostolic Succession

For those interested, I wrote this in an email in response to questions concerning Colossians 4:14, 16-17: For at least 150 years, perhaps longer, it was perfectly okay that the Sunday morning meetings grew large enough to need big meeting … Continue reading

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Galatians Promotes and Requires Works, Which Can Only Be Done by the Spirit, Not by Flesh/Law

This stuff isn’t deep or hard to find. It is sitting right on the surface. Walk in the Spirit, and you will be “perfected,” which, as he goes on to say, means producing the fruit of the Spiriit and continuing in good works. You will need those good works to reap eternal life (Gal. 5:19-21; 6:8-9), but you will never get them by the law. Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Evangelicals, Gospel, History, Modern Doctrines, Protestants, Rebuilding the Foundations | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Divorce and Remarriage: Taking a Stance Against the Anabaptists

DISCLAIMER: A commenter accurately pointed out that this is too broad a sweep. It may be too harsh, too, but not for the people I am speaking of. My experience with the anti-remarriage crowd may only be the most outspoken … Continue reading

Posted in Bible, Early Christianity, Gospel, Modern Doctrines, Unity | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Why Is Jesus Knocking at the Door?

I have been seeing this meme around Facebook: Christians have three false ideas that cause unbelievers to slander Jesus like this: Works have nothing to do with salvation. It is not about good and evil, but accepting Jesus. It is … Continue reading

Posted in Evangelicals, Gospel, Modern Doctrines | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments