To appreciate justification we must first realize who we are and where we are headed apart from Christ. Without God’s grace, we are: justly condemned to eternal judgment, under divine wrath, alienated from God, in bondage to sin and Satan, and captive to our hearts which prefer the darkness of sin to the light of Christ. Listen Now
Author: Julian Stoltzfus
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Eight
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 previous article referenced the Finney Revivals which were a part of the Second Great Awakening in America. Charles Finney represented a very radical form of Arminianism that bordered on Liberal … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Eight
The Manger and the Cross
The unregenerate are all too happy to sing of a Jesus away in a manger. But they willfully forget that the Jesus who came in the manger suffered death for their sins. They are not offended by the baby in the manger; they are offended by the man on the cross. Read More
Podcast: What Did the Anabaptists Believe About Justification? [Foundations]
J.C. Wenger said it is a “queer notion that because the Anabaptists were vigorous in their demands for a life of earnest Christian discipleship, they were therefore unclear on grace and justification.” In the same context he references Menno Simons, who set forth a clear doctrine of justification by faith, one compatible with Reformed doctrine. Menno does, however, constantly emphasize that any true profession of faith with have with it works which confirm the claim. As we will see from the sampling of Anabaptist writers, justification by faith alone was certainly a part of their theology. Listen Now
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Seven
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 Synod of Dort adopted the Counter-Remonstrant views, securing a majority Calvinist position in the Dutch Reformed Church. As a result, much of the necessary balance was lost as the Remonstrant … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Seven
Podcast: Is Justification a Reformed Doctrine? [Foundations]
Did the Anabaptists believe in justification by faith alone or were the Reformers alone in that view? While we often associate justification with Reformed doctrine, many early Anabaptists accepted justification as an essential gospel doctrine too. Listen Now
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Six
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 Synod of Dort (also known as the Synod of Dordrecht) met from November 13, 1618 to May 9, 1619. It was initiated by the Dutch Reformed Church to settle, among … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Six
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