Substitutionary atonement leads us to understand biblical love as self-sacrificing, doing good to others and blessing them even when they don’t deserve it—and yes, even when they are our enemies. It is inherently illogical to accept substitutionary atonement while also taking up arms and using political and military force. Militance does not aid the gospel of Christ. Militance murders the gospel. Read More
Category: Sword and Trumpet
Non-Resistance and Substitutionary Atonement – Part One
When we love our enemies and refuse to return evil for evil, we follow Christ’s example of love. Read More
Does Justification Matter? | Part Two
Every Christian has, at some point, questioned whether or not he is truly saved. We all deal with doubt. How do we navigate the swamps of doubt and fear back to the sure footing of God’s grace? Read More
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Thirteen
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. Perhaps the main takeaway from this series is our need to keep Scripture central in all things. Christian thought throughout history is fraught with division between men, often caused by too … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Thirteen
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Twelve
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. As we move toward the conclusion of this summary, it is the hope of the writers that the readers have gained added understanding of the Arminian/Calvinist controversy. Things are not always … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Twelve
Does Justification Matter? | Part One
Theology in its rightful place is imminently practical. What is more fundamental to our daily lives than what we know about the God who made and rules the world? If we get God wrong, it cannot be but that our entire lives are disoriented. Read More
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Eleven
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. Having generally traced the Calvinist movement into the 20th century, we want to examine the development of Arminianism from the early 17th century in the Reformed Dutch Netherlands to the modern … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Eleven
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Ten
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. During the years following the Synod of Dordt, Calvinism settled into many of the European State Churches. Notorious among these was the Dutch Reformed Church which institutionalized a form of Calvinism … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Ten
The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Nine
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 name Charles Finney is most often associated with the Second Great Awakening, there is another dimension of that historic movement that is much less known. In the previous essay … Continue reading The Arminian/Calvinism Conflict and Why It Matters | Part Nine
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