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
Tag: Gospel
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
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