by Rick on March 30, 2008
I will be deliberately simplifying things in this post; I fully realize that the particular teachings mentioned herein are much more nuanced than I will be expressing. I also realize that within the groups ascribing to these particular teachings, there are a myriad of differences and particularities of doctrine; it is not my intention to explain all of that here. Likewise, there may be certain people within a group which disagree with one or more things I am ascribing to that group, and again that is fine. The bottom line is that this post is being written for a friend of mine in an attempt to answer her question, and I am basing my answers largely upon my own personal experience. You’re of course more than welcome to ask questions via the comments and even to debate these subjects at the Hall.
There are many different takes on Christian theology, and it itself is composed of a great many subjects. Some Christians believe Satan was once a cherub named Lucifer who got a bit too big for his britches, so to speak; others believe that Satan & Lucifer are unrelated entities. Many Christians today believe that there is yet a 1,000 year reign of Christ in Earth’s future; others recognize that “Millennial Reign” has being symbolic of the entire church age, no matter how long it goes for.
And then there is the subject of salvation itself, a subject which touches on sin, free will, works, grace, mercy, judgment, sovereignty, and so much more. [click to continue...]
Popularity: 21%
by Rick on February 13, 2008
Jesus Christ died so that you may not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus Christ died so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have everlasting life.
One of these is an absolute truth, is biblical, and should be preached always.
The other is only conditionally true, yet it is so often preached as if it were an absolute truth despite it’s unbiblical nature.
Can you guess which is which?
Popularity: 5%
by Rick on October 8, 2007
I have been marked for elimination by the dreaded sworn enemy of sovereign grace, the Calvinist Hunter. If my posting becomes erratic, chalk it up to me hiding in caves and surviving on moss & funny looking little mushrooms. Now, I’m off to put together a survival kit; now, where’d I put Institutes…??
Popularity: 5%
by Rick on October 3, 2007
I posted this on an old blog, and even though it has been moved to a semi-secret bunker of archival goodness, I’m still noticing skads of referrals pointing to this gem of a cartoon, so I’m reposting it here. Unfortunately, the FoxTrot archive seems to no longer have a copy of this comic, which appeared 2006/11/07.
So, without further ado, here’s the cartoon (© Bill Amend):
[ Full size ]
- Jason Fox, preparing to pass a football:
- Go deep.
- Marcus:
- How can free will coexist with divine preordination?
- Jason Fox:
- Too deep.
- Marcus:
- If Batman died, would the Joker be happy?
As Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Free will carried many a soul to hell, but never a soul to heaven” (source).
Popularity: 4%
