Author: Julian Stoltzfus

Podcast: Justification Matters [Touchpoints]

In our efforts to emphasize the importance of obedience, we sometimes hesitate to teach that justification is experienced apart from our works. We fear that, if people realize that they contribute nothing to their standing before God, they will consider themselves free to sin. If we are saved simply by believing, does that not free us to live however we want? The opposite is most certainly true. Only when we understand the grace of God in Christ, offering us His righteousness apart from our works, will we apprehend the call to obedience. Minimizing grace does not result in more godliness; it results in less. Listen Now

The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Five

This series is from the From the Editor's Desk column of the Sword and Trumpet. The articles were co-authored by Paul Emerson and myself. The social and historical context of the Synod of Dort must be considered before one can fully understand what took place during this set of meetings. This was a state church … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Five →

Podcast: Powerless Absolution [Touchpoints]

The nature of Christ’s atonement is becoming a common discussion. It’s an important one, since the atonement is a foundational tenet of Christian doctrine. The atonement is no secondary or tertiary issue. Christ atoning work is essential to the gospel. His work on the cross is what makes it possible for sinful men to be reconciled to a holy God. Our salvation rests upon Christ’s atonement. So what we believe about it is of utmost importance. Listen Now

The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Four

This series is from the From the Editor's Desk column of the Sword and Trumpet. The articles were co-authored by Paul Emerson and myself. While the debate over God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility in salvation continued in various forms over the 1000+ years between Augustine and the Reformation, there is little to enhance this particular … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Four →

Podcast: Third Culture and the Loss of Biblical Authority

The authority of Scripture is unquestionably one of the fundamental issues of our time. Other presenting issues (such as the atonement, hell, sin, etc.) reveal the underlying issue. We don’t think of ourselves as operating under the authority of the Bible. Sure, we reference the Bible when it supports our view. We use it to validate our opinions, but we don’t allow it to shape them. Until Scripture is the absolute, unquestioned authority, we still have work to do. Listen Now

The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Three

This series is from the From the Editor's Desk column of the Sword and Trumpet. The articles were co-authored by Paul Emerson and myself. In this series on Arminianism vs Calvinism, we will attempt to briefly discuss Aurelius Augustine because of his contribution to the controversy by writing against the errors of Pelagius. Augustine was … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Three →

The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Two

This series is from the From the Editor's Desk column of the Sword and Trumpet. The articles were co-authored by Paul Emerson and myself. The theological disagreement that we know today as the Arminian/Calvinist controversy is an age-old schism. It first revealed itself in a major way through Pelagius (circa 354-418 AD). We will attempt … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Two →