SAVED BEFORE BELIEVING IN FAITH?

disclaimer This study of Romans chapter 9, resulted from my desire to present a deeper, more thoughtful answer to a reformed brother’s questioning of my blog intitled, GOD’S JUSTICE AND MERCY DISPLAYED IN ROMANS CHAPTER 9. So, fair warning, some material is a repeat. Introduction Were you saved before you believed in faith? Many theologians […]

WANT TO LIVE? GET THIS VACCINE!

Philippians 1:21 (NKJV) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain To say that there is a bit of pressure being applied to those who are hesitant to get vaccinated is a huge understatement! The unvaccinated “outcasts”, are portrayed as “selfish, uncaring, Anti-vaxers”, by many who have joined the mob mentality of an out of control COVID-19 hysteria. Today, the World […]

Looking for “likes” in all the wrong places

“Lookin’ for Love” in all the wrong places, was recorded by American country singer Johnny Lee in 1980. The song quickly rose to the top of the music charts because it resonated one of our most basic human desires, to be loved by someone. Along with love we want to be liked by people. So […]

“Repent…and believe” ?

Maybe not? If repentance is a human work and is separated from saving faith, it would be contrary to salvation by Faith alone, and therefore NOT part of salvation. Before we close the case and go on our merry way, maybe it would be wise to see how “repent” is used in the Bible in […]

WHAT IS THE “GIFT OF GOD”?

I land on the side of striving for peace in the face theology that tends to divide. So, though I share views that are in opposition to Reformed or Calvinistic theology, I never do so in a contentious spirit because I know that nobody truly has “THE ANSWERS” to God’s full nature and workings. One […]

THE FINGERPRINT OF GOD

Access can be a real hassle these days with practically everything connected to the web and the “Internet of Things”. Increasingly, we need to authenticate ourselves to do the simplest of tasks. For example, to open my somewhat “smart” garage door opener, I first have to let my smartphone scan and recognize my face. If […]

Walking by sight…or?

Walking by faith, not sight, is difficult to be sure. I think of a tightrope walker crossing a high wire with great focus and extreme balance. Each step is deliberate and sure. Eyes are fixed on the goal and not distracted by the great view. Wobbles are quickly corrected before they get out of hand […]

Resting in God and His Grace

The Apostle Paul is a wonderful example in the Bible of someone who rested in God’s Grace in the midst of trials and suffering. Paul eventually declared and and found rest in the truth that “God’s grace is sufficient” for him. He had an amazing faith! A faith that sustained him when he was experiencing […]

“Free Will” is not Free

God knew that Adam would sin and yet He still gave him the ability to disobey. After that sin, God declared to Satan, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” Sin would be crushed by Jesus who would […]

Augustine and the Atomata

It is interesting how St. Augustine, one of the most influential figures in post apostolic Christian thought, reportedly started his journey of faith on hearing a child sing a simple phrase that went “Pick it up and read it. Pick it up and read it.” Interesting because Augustine was a student of rhetoric who sought […]