Posts tagged with Controversial Issues

John Hick is perhaps the most famous religious pluralist in the world today. Professing to have once been an evangelical, Hick is now vocal and prolific in his denial of the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. Hick contends that in spite of differences in language, culture, ... Keep Reading

"We have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now" (1 Cor. 4:13)   A question that many today are asking is whether or not the office (or perhaps gift) of apostleship is still operative in the body of Christ. We hear many speak ... Keep Reading

In this study and the one to follow I want to identify and then respond to the six most frequently used arguments in defense of cessationism. If you are not familiar with that word it refers to the doctrine that certain spiritual gifts, typically (and mistakenly) thos... Keep Reading

3.         The third argument for cessationism pertains to the alleged negative assessment given by many to the nature, purpose and impact of signs, wonders and miracles in the NT. I had been taught and believed that it was an i... Keep Reading

Are Prophets the Foundation of the Church: A Study of Ephesians 2:20... Keep Reading

Has Satan assigned specific demons special responsibility, authority and power over specific geographical and political areas? Could the entrenched resistance to the gospel in some nations and cultures be due to the ruling presence of a demonic spirit (or spirits) placed there by Satan? If so, what is the responsibility of the Christian? Is there a unique form of spiritual warfare calling for special tactics when it comes to dealing with so-called "territorial spirits"?... Keep Reading

What does the Bible mean when it speaks of the "will" of God? Does God always "get his way"? Can his "will" be resisted or frustrated? Consider the following texts:   "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose [or willing] of Yours can be thwarted"... Keep Reading

If human nature is corrupt and guilty from conception, the consequence of Adam's transgression, are those who die in infancy lost? The same question would apply to those who live beyond infancy but because of mental retardation or some other handicap are incapable of ... Keep Reading

Paula was raised in a Christian home where church attendance was commonplace. But it wasn't until she was eleven years old that she began to take a serious interest in who Jesus is. That summer she attended a church camp and for the very first time consciously repente... Keep Reading

In this study we are looking primarily at the arguments used by classical Pentecostals and some Charismatics to defend Spirit-baptism as an experience that is both separate from and subsequent to conversion.   The Analogy based on the experience of Jesus  ... Keep Reading

Can a Christian be demonized, i.e., indwelt by a demonic spirit? Three answers have been given: Yes, No, and Yes/No!   A.        Arguments for a Modified Demonization of Christians   Mark Bubeck, Merrill Unger, Thomas W... Keep Reading

This issue may best be illustrated by the use of four Latin phrases:   ·      non posse non peccare - "not able not to sin" (this describes unregenerate people and the fallen angels)   ·     ... Keep Reading

The Arminian Concept of Election             Although I am unapologetically a Calvinist, I think it only fair that the Arminian perspective be defined in detail. All too often in controversies such as this, peop... Keep Reading

In continuation of part one . . .   A. The Arminian Concept of God's Will   Thomas Oden (The Transforming Power of Grace [Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1993]) contends that "the eternal will to save may be viewed as either antecedent or consequent to the ex... Keep Reading

I have two goals that seem to be incompatible and irreconcilable. It is going to be difficult for me to achieve them both. It seems as if to emphasize one is to minimize the other. Let me explain.   On the one hand, I want to emphasize the value and dignity of ... Keep Reading

B.        Jesus on Divorce and Remarriage   1.         Mark 10:2-12   The relevant passage is in vv. 11-12 where we read: “And He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his w... Keep Reading

The question is often raised: “If the so-called miracle or sign gifts of the Holy Spirit are valid for Christians beyond the death of the apostles, why were they absent from church history until their alleged reappearance in the twentieth century?” My answ... Keep Reading

The word most often translated "hell" in the NT is Gehenna, the Greek equivalent for "the valley of Hinnom". This valley is immediately southwest of Jerusalem, still visible from the Mt. of Olives. At one time it was there that human sacrifices were made to the pagan ... Keep Reading

Imprecations in the Psalms or, Does the OT teach us to Hate our Enemies?... Keep Reading

Although the term "apostle" is found in 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11, it is never explicitly called a charisma or "spiritual gift". Exhorters are those who exhort, teachers teach, healers heal, those who have the... Keep Reading

Please read carefully the following passages: Deut. 7:1-11; 20:16-18; Joshua 6:21; 8:24-29; 11:10-15 (also Ex. 23:31-32; 34:12-16).   How do we explain the fact that God evidently commanded Israel (Joshua 6:21) to exterminate the entire population of Jericho: ... Keep Reading

Is there Healing in the Atonement? A Study of Isaiah 53... Keep Reading

What is "Open Theism"?... Keep Reading

A Brief Response to "Open Theism" From Isaiah 41-48... Keep Reading

A Brief Response to "Open Theism" From Daniel 11... Keep Reading

What was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh? A Study of 2 Corinthians 12:1-10... Keep Reading

Does the NT employ Pseudonymity?... Keep Reading

What are the Signs of an Apostle? A Study of 2 Corinthians 12:12... Keep Reading

What is at stake in the Lordship Debate?   Those who affirm "Lordship" salvation oppose the idea that one may have saving faith without submitting to the Lordship of Jesus in daily obedience. We are saved by faith alone, but not by the faith which is alone (Sol... Keep Reading

Are Christians Obligated to Tithe? A Study of 2 Corinthians 8-9... Keep Reading

Was Jesus a Calvinist? A Study of John 6... Keep Reading

It should really come as no surprise that in seasons of renewal, revival, and increased activity of the Holy Spirit, one of the most frequently voiced criticisms is that manipulation is occurring. Identifying manipulation and avoiding it is therefore of crucial import... Keep Reading

In Part One I identified 10 of 15 characteristics of manipulation in the name of ministry. Here in Part Two I conclude our study. 11.       A leader is manipulative when he/she compensates for the lack of anointing by using natural skil... Keep Reading

The word “freedom” has a variety of meanings for a variety of people. To Martha Stewart, it means early release from prison. To an Iraqi citizen, it means democratic rule following the elections in January. To a small businessman it may be defined in purel... Keep Reading

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there... Keep Reading