Derek J. Brown Assurance of Salvation

What to Do When Professing Christians Leave the Faith

This past July, former pastor and Christian author Josh Harris announced via Instagram that he and his wife were separating. While this may have sounded like a couple who was using temporary separation to work through some marital issues, the reality is that Josh and his wife of twenty years were getting a divorce.  A … Continue reading What to Do When Professing Christians Leave the Faith

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Salvation

Justified at the First Moment of Faith

It has been said that justification is the article by which the church is standing or falling. This statement is usually attributed to Martin Luther, whose actual statement is pretty close to the popular paraphrase. Others within the Reformed tradition have affirmed the truth highlighted in this statement, including Westminster professor, John Murray (1898-1975). The point … Continue reading Justified at the First Moment of Faith

Derek J. Brown Doctrine of Salvation

Justified by Works? Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and James 2:24

Roman Catholic theologians turn to James 2:24 to argue their case that justification is according to works. There is good reason for this. James says explicitly: “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). We need to get a solid grasp on this passage so we can … Continue reading Justified by Works? Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and James 2:24

Derek J. Brown Salvation

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

Derek J. Brown Salvation

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

Derek J. Brown Evangelism

Should We Encourage Unbelievers to Ask God for Saving Faith?

As the debate over evangelistic methods continues among fellow evangelicals, important theological questions are sometimes ignored in favor of pragmatic concerns. When it comes to the actual practice of evangelism, however, there are some theological questions that will have immediate influence on our approach to gospel proclamation—whether we realize it or not. One question over which I … Continue reading Should We Encourage Unbelievers to Ask God for Saving Faith?