When we write or teach on the solas of the Reformation, with which distinctive should we begin? In the end, this is probably a matter of preference, but after completing Reeves and Chester's (excellent) book Why the Reformation Still Matters and pondering how I would begin our young adult's study on the Reformation, I was forced to … Continue reading Scripture Alone or Faith Alone: What Sola Should Come First?
The Connection Between Assurance, Depression, and Diligence
A few weeks ago I took our college group---and later in the week, our young professionals---through a study on what the Proverbs say about diligence. The week prior we had all been laid low by the many Proverbs that condemn laziness. I began the lesson my noting that diligence is an "all of life" issue. … Continue reading The Connection Between Assurance, Depression, and Diligence
The Value of Your Salvation Testimony
By delivering His people from sin’s power and penalty, God has given every Christian a testimony—a story of sin and grace; justice and mercy; failure and redemption. Yet, a personal testimony of salvation in Christ is unique to all other stories we can tell. We might have warm-hearted stories of time spent with family or … Continue reading The Value of Your Salvation Testimony
Why Should Christians Seek Assurance of their Salvation?
I remember a conversation during college in which a friend confessed to me that he did not think it was necessary, or even possible, for a believer to gain assurance of their salvation. I was surprised by his comments, especially because we were attending a Christian college that emphasized all the biblical truths related to assurance of … Continue reading Why Should Christians Seek Assurance of their Salvation?
Applying the Parable of the Soils
The parable of the soils (Matthew 13:3-8; Mark 4:3-8; Luke 8:4-15) is simultaneously a frightening and encouraging section of Scripture. It warns all those who hear the Word of Christ to take heed lest their heart or the hearts of fellow believers ultimately reject the word and become unfruitful. But it also encourages believers to … Continue reading Applying the Parable of the Soils
How Many Conditions Must We Meet in Order to Believe in Jesus? None
Perhaps the most deadly feature of hyper-Calvinism is the idea that one must first discover certain qualifications of the Spirit's work in his heart before he has warrant to believe in Jesus. Over the centuries hyper-Calvinists have taught, either implicitly or explicitly, that a certain amount of remorse for sin or love for Christ must be located the soul in … Continue reading How Many Conditions Must We Meet in Order to Believe in Jesus? None
Sleep, Exercise, and Assurance of Salvation
Assurance of salvation is God's will for Christians. A continual lack of assurance and doubting of one's standing before God may appear ultra-spiritual, but it is actually a sign of spiritual immaturity. Scripture repeatedly calls Christians to pursue assurance and assumes that it is possible to attain it. And we desire each one of you to show … Continue reading Sleep, Exercise, and Assurance of Salvation
From the Study 