For a while now, I’ve wanted to do a series on the five points of Calvinism, or at least, in my own words, answer the question: “What is Calvinism?” The wait is over, and my brief (for me) explanation of Calvinism is ready. You can check it out at my Calvinism page, but I want [...]
Continue reading about My Explanation of “The Five Points of Calvinism”
I am working on my review of Larry Helyer’s excellent book, The Witness of Jesus, Paul and John: An Exploration in Biblical Theology. I came across a quote that is really good, but doesn’t quite fit into my review.
I’ve explained my take on the well-known phrase “Once Saved, Always Saved”, in one of my most [...]
Continue reading about Quotes to Note 11: Once Saved, Always Saved?
Continued from part 1.
So, in the gospel, as unbelievers we found acceptance through Christ and forgiveness from sin. But as believers, don’t we rely on that acceptance as we work out our salvation? Don’t we need to be constantly challenged to obey more and be more faithful to God? Does our spiritual life depend in [...]
Continue reading about The Gospel's Work in Believers, Part 2
I’ve been memed. Shaun Tabatt (of Bible Geek Gone Wild) tagged me. Apparently the meme has been around a while, as Nick Norelli (of Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth) has been tagged twice now this year.
The rules are simple. 1) Pick up the nearest book and find page 123. [...]
Regular readers of this blog know I am not big on the “once saved, always saved” idea. I think it belittles the Bible’s emphasis on the necessity of persevering faith, and I don’t think it represents an orthodox view of eternal security. Salvation is no “tattoo”, Pastor Charles Stanley, not withstanding (see post [...]
Continue reading about The Big "If": John Piper's Father on Perseverance and Eternal Security
Are you blue in the face?
Going without oxygen, or with too little oxygen makes one blue. And going too long without meditating on God’s Word makes one blue as well.
Yesterday’s sermon, by my pastor John Piper (will be available for download here from Desiring God) emphasized our need to be meditating on the Gospel [...]
Christians, like everyone else suffer pain and sorrow in this world. Many blame such suffering on the devil, from a praiseworthy desire not to blame God. Other Christians do blame God and doubt his provision and love for them. How could God let this happen to me? She was such a [...]
Part 10 in a series of Sunday posts celebrating the glorious Truth we believe as Christians. The readings are quoted from the Elder Affirmation of Faith, of my church, Bethlehem Baptist (Pastor John Piper). I’m doing this because every few weeks our congregational reading is an excerpt from this document, and every time we [...]
Continue reading about We Believe (#10): God’s Work in Faith and Sanctification
I’m getting ready to pick up my series on man-centered Christianity (see posts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) again. And I thought highlighting what my pastor, John Piper said in a recent message would help move us back into thinking about perseverance, eternal security, and God-centered Christianity.
Every year Pastor Piper preaches a message in [...]
Continue reading about John Piper on Small Groups and Perseverance
I apologize for the scarcity of posts around here of late. It’s been a very busy few weeks and on top of it all I can’t shake this cold. I thought I would at least highlight the recent Desiring God Conference, although I’m sure many of my readers know of the free audio/video [...]
Recent Comments
Bob, Welcome to the Caffeinated Calvinists! And good to see another review of Overstreet's book. I too, reviewed this book, but ...
I was interested in the encouragement to unity, but didn't know Armstrong advocated such a blatant ecumenism. Not really ...
Hi, Bob. I agree with your initial assessment, though with more reservations. Had eight looks at my review but no ...
JOHN PIPER ON MARK DRISCOLL SERMON JAM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWVhn9HaRNg
Thanks for the kind words, JJ. What I mean is that because we were ordained to eternal life, we ...