Following up on a recent thread where I did not get the chance to address all the posts, I would like to continue the discussion concerning whether men were born again in Old Testament Eras. Those who say they were offer very little to support their position while if you read the other thread you will see the many passages showing that Regeneration is a result of one being brought into relationship with God through Christ, that Eternal Redemption differs and is not to be equated to the...

Early in my ministry, I pastored 2 country Methodist churches in western New York that were unfamiliar with modern praise choruses. One day I was frustrated by the lack of life in our congregational singing. So I went for a long meditative walk in the country, asking for guidance. Suddenly, the words of "Dwelling in Beulah Land" were accurately played in my mind. This seemed miraculous because I think I had sung this song in church only once in my life. So I asked Jon, our music...

Thoughts…?
“Calvinism’s doctrine of Total Inability suggests that all people are born as “spiritual corpses,” morally unable to see, hear, understand and repent even in response to God’s own inspired truth. But this seems contradictory to what some leading Calvinists teach regarding the impact Satan has in our world.

For example, in an article titled, “Satan’s Ten Strategies Against You,” Calvinistic Pastor, John Piper, mentions this about the the great deceiver, Satan:

“1) He blinds the...

Hi Everyone, I haven't participated on here in about a hundred years. The conversations seemed quite "UN" Godly, so I just wanted to stay out of the fray.

This came up recently which is probably going to cause me to leave a church. Actually we have left, but haven't made it permanent until after we talk with the pastor.

Our SS teacher started off by saying that the people in "deep dark Africa" didn't have to hear the GOSPEL in order to be saved. He felt that the scripture in Romans 1...

Many make the argument that if Gen. 1:1 is an introductory topical statement for the 6 days that will follow, then creation ex nihilo is compromised. For the narrative then seems to begin in verse 2 which starts with the formless earth already in existence. Among others, Walton and Sailhamer promote this idea.

Curious how you all work this out. Is Gen. 1:1 a title sentence, and the first part of the narrative?

How do you feel about Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, who has become somewhat better-known outside Baptist circles in recent years over his political associations? I have my opinions on him, but I think I should hold them back, because my familiarity with and understanding of Jeffress may be limited. I have known of him for only about five years, since the assistant pastor at my church showed Jeffress' "How Can We Know?" video series (also a book, which I later read) in our...

Word-for-word vs thought for Thought

This thread has a simple premise:

What happens if a person declaring Christ as Lord and Savior is not able to pass the Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats at death? Does that prove they never had saving faith? I provide the relevant bible passage below.
I ask to understand the BB's opinions on this issue.

I also ask because contribution to Christian causes of time or money tends to be a low priority for many American Christians, especially for those who do not go to church. Barna...

Am I right that the unforgivable sin (why it's unforgivable) can be explained as a simple logical argument?

I have been taught that the unforgivable sin is for an unbeliever to deny Jesus Christ by resisting the conviction the Holy Spirit gives him. If you do this--resist your conviction to repent and receive Christ as Lord and Savior--then by definition your sin is not forgiven, because it won't be forgiven without Christ. It becomes seemingly a tautology: if you will not have your sin...

Taken from an article by William Short, OFM. I find his prospective (actually the view of the Franciscans, both interesting and provocative.

Christ at the Heart of Reality

“We thank You for as through Your Son You created us, so through Your holy love . . . You brought about His birth.”

At every hour of the day Christian preachers on radio and television send a constant message into thousands of American cars, living rooms, and workplaces: “It’s all about sin!” God sent Jesus Christ into...