A Short Apologetic Here we are again, talking about justification by faith. If you keep up with this column, you know that I have written about this doctrine frequently over the last few years. Why another article on the same issue? Isn’t this merely a theological nicety? It may be important for accurate theology, but … Continue reading Did the Early Anabaptists Believe in Justification by Faith Alone?
Tag: Grace
Common Objections to Justification by Faith Alone
Justification by faith alone is on hard times among the Anabaptists. Some set it aside because they think it is evangelical or Reformed. Others hesitate to accept it because they think that emphasizing the sinner’s righteousness in Christ encourages people to remain comfortable in their sin. After all, if we are accepted by God because … Continue reading Common Objections to Justification by Faith Alone
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
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
Podcast: Does Justification Matter? [Foundations]
Why does justification by faith alone matter? Because if we discard or downplay it, we are of necessity also discarding and downplaying grace. If our works are necessary to complete our salvation, then God’s grace isn’t sufficient to save. If our gospel is to be God-glorifying, it must be God-centered. And if it is to be God-centered, it must be grace-based. That is, it must be about what God has done to save sinners, not about what sinners have done to make themselves worthy of God. Listen Now
Podcast: If You Love Me… [Foundations]
Jesus does not require anything of us poor wretched sinners except that we come to Him in faith. His love is offered freely to all who are willing to receive it. This grace compels us to obey. As Isaac Watts expressed, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” This kind of love demands that we give everything—my soul, my life, my all. If we come to Christ with hearts brimming with love for Him, then we are ready and eager to hear these words in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Listen Now
Podcast: Living Faith [Foundations]
What is the relationship between faith and works? The apostle Paul taught that we are saved by grace through faith apart from works. If we are justified by faith alone, why does James say that Abraham was “justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” Did James disagree with Paul's gospel? Listen Now
Podcast: Justified by Faith [Foundations]
Scripture speaks consistently of salvation coming to those who believe, those who have faith. That much is clear, but the bigger question is, “What is faith?” This episode answers that very question. Listen Now
Podcast: FEATURE – The Six Gospels [Touchpoints]
What we believe about the gospel is important. Actually, important is an understatement. The gospel is the very core of the Christian faith. What we believe about the gospel is one of the single defining realities of Christianity. In fact, what we believe about the gospel makes the difference of heaven or hell. This feature episode is an in-depth look at different views of the gospel, focusing especially on the concepts of justification and sanctification. Listen Now