Bible Study series: Mark 11:12-14. This is an action parable. Jesus lived in an agrarian society, where animals were slaughtered and trees uprooted or chopped down often enough. Just talk to a farmer today.
Jesus Rebukes a Fig Tree
Reply
Monthly Archives: September 2025
A Tree and Its Fruit
Bible Study series: Matthew 12:31-37. Jesus also discusses the blasphemy of the Spirit.
Sec. 4, 1 Theological Anthropology, Doctrine of Humankind
What does the Bible say about mankind and womankind? What is the image of God? The Bible has the best revelation on the sexes, clearer and superior than any postmodern worldview.
2 Is Humankind Two or Three Parts?
Are we body and soul? Or are we body, soul, and spirit? The answer is not as clear-cut as we may believe. Can we solve the issue by the Scriptures?
3 The Glory of God and Humankind
This post starts off broadly with God’s glory and humankind, to more narrowly his glory on the ancient Israelites and the tabernacle and then on his New Covenant people. God created people to perceive his glory.
Sec. 5, 1 Hamartiology, Doctrine of Sin: The Basics
Sin is an unpopular word today, but it is thoroughly biblical and accurate about human nature. This post summarizes original sin and the three main theories on the transmission of sin from Adam to people, if it is transmitted: imputed, inherited, or personal. But a solution is offered at the end!
2 Definitions of Sin
Let’s define our terms by the lexicon and other study helps, after the long study about sin.
3 Jesus Teaches on Sin
Many people believe from pop culture that Jesus had so much love for them that he never preached against sin. But he did, because he loved them enough to warn them against sin’s destruction.
4 Are All Sins Equal?
“All sins are the same! Sin is sin!” I have heard this confusion even from pastors. So how can we blame the laity if they get it wrong?
5 Results of Sin, Our Repentance, and God’s Forgiveness
This is good news.
Barnabas and Saul Return to Antioch
Bible Study series: Acts 12:25. Saul (Paul) had gone to Tarsus. It is time for Barnabas to get him for their missionary trip in Acts 13-14, though neither one realizes it at this time. But God does.
Jesus Foretells His Betrayal
Bible Study series: John 13:21-30. This was part of God’s plan to get his Son on the cross.
Jesus’s Questions and Peter’s Confession
Bible Study series: Luke 9:18-22. Who do you say that I am? How would you answer his question?
Jesus Enters Jerusalem Triumphantly
Bible Study series: Mark 11:1-11. He was destined to die, but for now the people honor him.
Jesus Binds Beelzebub
Bible Study series: Matthew 12:22-30. He bound or tied up Satan. Now we followers of Jesus can walk in victory, in his name.
Sec. 6, 1 Christology, Doctrine of Christ: His Entire Existence in One Image
His existence has no beginning. The Son of God is eternal, just like his Father. In this post we look into his coming down to earth as the Son of God and even God in the flesh in the New Testament. This is called the Incarnation.
2 The States of Christ
This post continues from Part 1. Let’s explore his life and ministry by his names and titles and crucifixion. In this post we look into his eternal Sonship, because certain teachers claim he became the Son of God only after his birth, implying that his Sonship has a beginning..
3 The States of Christ
This post continues from the previous one. Here we look into his resurrection, his appearances, session, and return.
4 Two Natures of Jesus Christ
This post mostly uses the question-and answer format, for easier understanding. He was both God and man, during his life here. This dual nature of Christ is called the hypostatic union.
5 The Nicene Creed and Commentary
Seventeen centuries ago, the church debated the issue of who Christ is. This creed was the result. (It had nothing to do with establishing Scripture.)
6 Definition or Creed of Chalcedon and Commentary
The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451). Who was Jesus? How did his two natures (divine and human) interact?
Sec. 7, 1 Pneumatology, the Doctrine of the Spirit: The Basics
This post introduces the basic theology of the Spirit, also called pneumatology. It also has three tables summarizing the Holy Spirit’s activities and his nature in relation to the Father and the Son. He is the third person of the Trinity, not an impersonal force.
2 The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
The Spirit was doing active ministry on Old Testament people, particularly on those whose hearts were committed to God. But the Spirit’s work was incomplete, compared to his work in New Covenant people. At the end, this post has the totals for the number of times the Spirit appears in the Old Testament, according to the genres of the Torah, the history books, wisdom literature and the prophets.
3 The Holy Spirit and Jesus the Anointed One
Jesus is the Anointed One, the Christ (Greek) and the Messiah (Hebrew). The Holy Spirit anointed him for service and ministry. But the Spirit also guided people during his conception, birth, and infancy narratives.
4 The Holy Spirit and the Believer
Let’s discover together how the Spirit works in your life and in the church as a whole, biblically speaking. At the very end, this post has the totals for the number of times the Spirit appears in the New Testament, in the four Gospels, Acts, epistles, and the Revelation.
Progress of the Word of God
Bible Study series: Acts 12:24. Nothing’s gonna stop it.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
Bible Study series: John 13:1-20. Now begins the Upper Room Discourse. Jesus sets the right attitude. Be a servant.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
Bible Study series: Luke 9:10-17. He cared for their needs in practical ways.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
Bible Study series: Mark 10:46-52. Evidently Bartimaeus reported his healing to Mark’s community. That’s why Mark knew his name.
Jesus Is the Chosen Servant
Bible Study series: Matthew 12:15-21. In the previous section, the Pharisees were plotting to destroy him. Matthew writes, however, that Jesus is the Chosen Servant, chosen by God.
Sec. 8, 1 Soteriology, Doctrine of Salvation: The Basics
We are sinners in need of salvation. Yet God loves us and has launched his rescue mission. The whole act of rescue can also be called salvation, which he offers to everyone. I also introduce a humorous mnemonic device S-E-R-F-F-F-B-OR-D, illustrating the gospel of salvation in its essential elements.
2 Redemption
God offers redemption to needy, sinful human beings.
3 Reconciliation
We are still keeping track of God’s offer to rescue or save sinful humanity. He wants peace between him and humans.
4 The Blood and the Cross
Postmodern people after the Enlightenment (1600-1800+) do not like the bloody part of Christianity. Of course this is shortsighted. This post lays out the efficacious benefits of the blood of Christ for our salvation. It also answers whether it is biblical to “plead the blood.”
5 The Atonement
In the previous post, we looked at the verses describing the significance of the blood and cross of Christ. This present post deepens our knowledge of that world-changing historical event. We look at the major Scriptures about the atonement. And is Christ’s death on the cross cosmic child abuse? We also explore whether the atonement is for all (unlimited) or for the elect (limited).
6 Grace
We are following God’s rescue plan for sinful humanity. In his mercy he calls us by his grace. Grace is multifaceted in Scripture. Most relevantly for soteriology, it is the foundation of God’s good news of salvation.
7 The Gospel
In the gospel or good news, we are still studying God’s solution to sin, salvation. The gospel is one foundational aspect of God’s multipart plan to rescue humankind and save it from its own sin and degradation. God calls out to us with the gospel of his grace. Will we respond? I also introduce the three acronyms D-O-B-R-A-S and A-R-T-B-E, and G-O-S-P-E-L, so I can remember what the basics of the gospel are.
8 Calling, Election, and Predestination
The previous posts on humanity’s needs and God’s offer of salvation, redemption, reconciliation and the cross are included in the gospel call. This post also discusses election and predestination.
9 Repentance and Faith
This post describes our conversion to God through his Son.
10 Forgiveness
This post has the greatest news of all.
11 Justification
In this post justification is defined as God’s declaration of his righteousness over us. Being justified also means declaring us not guilty, and acceptable in God’s sight. We receive this marvelous gift of righteousness by faith in Christ.
12 Imputation
Hint to its meaning: Think about it and take it on credit.
13 Regeneration
God has been calling you by his gospel of grace. You must now respond and say yes to him by repenting of your sins and putting your full faith and trust in him. You must be born again—that’s called regeneration. But what does that mean?
14 Final Redemption and Glorification in Heaven
This final section of soteriology is about the ultimate or final redemption and salvation and glorification in heaven. What happens after you die? What is heaven like?
Sec. 9, 1 Introduction to Doctrine of Sanctification and Practice of Discipleship
We move to a new section in Theology 101: The Basics. This post is about sanctification. Later posts in this section will cover the life of the disciple who works, by God’s grace and the Spirit’s empowerment, to live a sanctified life. Included is a table that explains the differences between forensic or declared or legal justification and sanctification.
2 The Infillings and Empowerments of the Holy Spirit
We need more empowerments and infillings of the Spirit for an inward holy life and outward ministry. After all, the Spirit filled Peter three times (Acts 2:1-4; 4:8, 31). This is a paradigm for us today.
3 The Perseverance of the Disciple
Perseverance means the persistence of Christians (hang in there!) to keep their relationship with the Lord, by God’s grace and his indwelling Holy Spirit. They remain Christians. They can also do what all disciples must do, to maintain their walk with God. This post has a list of ten characteristics of a healthy disciple.
4 The Prayer Life of the Disciple
Prayer is a powerful tool to deepen our discipleship.
5 The Authority of the Disciple
I saw a word of faith (I call it “hyper-faith”) teacher on television read from Genesis 1 and claimed he too could speak worlds into existence. Another TV platform speaker at his church told his audience: “Don’t pray! Decree it!” Jesus really did teach that we can command our personal obstacles to be thrown into the sea. But is this the same as decreeing? Let’s find out.
6 The New Identity of the Disciple
We are a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), yet disciples struggle with their identity in Christ. It is about grace, of course, but also discipleship, learning who they are in Christ.
7 The Glory of God and the Disciple
The glory of God in the individual, believing disciple is also the glory in the church. This post is a good transition to the next section on Ecclesiology.
Divine Judgment on Herod Agrippa
Bible Study series: Acts 12:20-23. Herod accepted the praise that only God should get.
Jesus’s Word Judges People
Bible Study series: John 12:44-50. Jesus loves the world, and now his word (message) judges them. It will also judge them on the last day.
Herod’s Confusion about Jesus
Bible Study series: Luke 9:7-9. Herod was speculating about who the Messiah was.
The Request of James and John to Be the Most Prominent
Bible Study series: Mark 10:35-45. They had the wrong outlook. Be a servant, not the lord.
Jesus Heals a Man with a Withered Hand on the Sabbath
Bible Study series: Matthew 12:9-14. He has a successful healing ministry because he was the Anointed One, the Spirit was on him, and the Father directed him.
Sec. 10, 1 Ecclesiology, Doctrine of the Church: The Basics
We come to a new section: the Church. “Ecclesiology” literally means the “study of the church.” What is the church? How does it live in community? What does the church do? Who are its members? How big or small was it in the NT? Where did it meet? In this post I also briefly look at modern church structure and the NT roles of overseers, pastors, and elders and other leaders.
2 Life of the Church
God’s Son is the Lord of the church. He sends his Spirit to all believers, as they gather together. His presence is in the assembly. The Spirit inspired Scripture, which the church should study, deriving doctrine from it. The Spirit will also inspire praise and worship in the Son’s community. Finally, this post has a table of the famous “one another” verses.
3 The Healthy and Unhealthy Church
Churches need to discover what the signs of a healthy or unhealthy church are. It is difficult to achieve a healthy church and maintain it over the years. Is there any hope for unhealthy churches?
4 The Healing Church
This post is a biblical theology discussion on healing today. If you are fighting for your or someone else’s healing, I counsel you to skip this post. Read it later when the outcome of your fight is final, and you need to understand what the Bible really teaches about healing.
5 The Church Is the New Temple of God
The church is consecrated to God. Therefore, it is sacred to him because he imputes sacredness to it. His Son saved and redeemed it. It is the new sacred temple. It replaces and fulfills the Old Testament tabernacle and temple.
6 Sacred Elements for the Church
Now we come to worship and ministry in the church. This post is written for churches that see oil, baptismal water, and communion elements as strictly symbolic. These elements are ordinary and common objects for eating and other purposes at home. But how do they become sacred for ministry in the church?
7 Communion in the Church
When the bread and wine (or grape juice) are consecrated through prayer, they are sacred in God’s sight. He imputes holiness to them. In this post we look closely at this doctrine and review the basics of communion.
8 Water Baptism in the Church
We do a basic overview of the subject. Also, we answer such questions as these: what does baptize literally mean? Can infants be baptized, biblically speaking? What about adults being baptized twice? Does water have regenerative power? What does it mean for water to be sacred? Continue reading
9 Praise and Worship in the Church
These edifying activities can be practiced either alone or in the church service. They are means of grace towards more intimacy with God, redirecting our focus from ourselves and towards God. Yet the Psalms also permit us to express our hearts.
10 Apostleship
I include this post in Theology 101 and Ecclesiology because people need this teaching now due to an off-balanced and misguided movement called the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).
11 Two Genuine Apostles
Apostles are appearing everywhere in modern American churches and around the globe, particularly in Africa and Latin America. What are apostles? What are they supposed to do? Do churches today misapply the title, or are they correct?
12 Prophets and Prophecy
Prophets are proliferating today, so this topic needs its own post. Who are they? Do they understand prophecy before they exercise it? Do they need to be a part of a local church, or can they become independent? What happens when their prophecies fail? How do we judge the prophets and their prophecies?
13 The Church and Civil Government
There is a lot of confusion about the interrelations of these two God-ordained entities. Can we get clarity?
14 The Church and Postmodernism
This gigantic movement continues unhindered. What is it? How does the church reply? The post unabashedly has a definite point of view. As we move along, I ask questions and challenge Postmodernism.
15 The Church and World Religions
I taught world religions at various community colleges for a number of years, and here are some of the lessons I learned, boiled down. These religions reflect people’s search for God in their fallen state. What did they discover?
16 The Church and Islam
This post will defend the West, but please realize that the West is not identical with the church and the church is not identical with the West. However, Christianity built the West or at least provided the environment for it to be built. We need to preserve our high quality of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
17 The Church and Israel
Confusion has dominated the Western world in regards to Israel. Today antisemitism has spread around rapidly like an evil virus. So what does the Bible say about Israel in the OT and the land of Israel today and the church?
Sec. 11, 1 Eschatology, Doctrine of Last Things: New Testament Basics
This post launches a new section of Theology 101. Start here. What did Jesus and the apostolic community really believe about the Second Coming, according to the New Testament? Did they believe in a pre-tribulation rapture and then a Second Coming? Or did all of them have a simple and streamlined and consistent and unified view of the end?
2 The Olivet Discourse
Normally I would not include a detailed exegesis (close reading) or discussion of the Olivet Discourse in Theology 101: the Basics. But maybe I can bring clarity to a complex issue, if not for popular Bible prophecy teachers, then maybe for a new generation of leaders. All by God’s grace and will.
3 Dispensationalism, Tribulation, Return of Christ, and the Millennium
There are five main views on the millennium (thousand-year reign of Christ), in relation to the “rapture” and the great tribulation. Then let’s examine the Second Coming. We also very briefly look into dispensationalism.
4 Introduction to the Doctrine of Final Judgment
Final judgment will come after the Second Coming. Then what? Continue reading
5 Final Judgment on the Basis of Good and Bad Works and Words
Out of his great love for people, God in his mercy is forewarning everyone, whether the redeemed or unredeemed, that this judgment SHALL happen, based on their good or bad deeds and good or bad words. The Scriptures are unambiguous about it. How do we prepare for it? God offers solutions before we all face it.
6 Final Judgment and Children
When children have saving faith, the issue of where they go after they die disappears. They go to heaven. Instead, we are talking about infants and older children whose saving faith is unclear or nonexistent. What will happen to them?
7 Final Judgment and People Who Never Heard the Gospel
God is loving and merciful, but how far do those attributes go at final judgment? Let’s explore this complex issue.
8 Introduction to the Doctrine of Hell and Punishment
Let’s say that final judgment is over. What happens to the unredeemed? Can we know for sure?
9 Three Theories on Hell and Punishment
What will happen to your kind and generous but unredeemed grandmother after she is judged? Will she burn in hell-fires in eternal conscious torment bobbing up and down in the lake of fire next to Hitler, Stalin, and Mao? Terminalists or conditionalists or annihilationists (all three terms mean the same doctrine) and universalists say no. There are better Scriptural options, they say. I offer my opinion at the very end.
10 Final and Total Victory of God over Evil and Then Comes His New Creation
This is the last post in the Eschatology section of Theology 101. The book of the Revelation reverses Genesis. This doctrine is glorious.
Sec. 12, Conclusion to Theology 101: The Basics
To spot a counterfeit bill. experts are first trained to see the true one. When we learn the basics of theology, we can detect false doctrines. So the whole purpose of the long series is to help God’s Son’s church live in truth and avoid falsehoods and walk in love.
Addendum: Tables for Theology 101: The Basics
This post is for your convenience.
An Angel Helps Peter Escape from Prison
Bible Study series: Acts 12:6-19. He went to Mary’s house and knocked, and the servant girl Rhoda answered the door. She told those in the house praying for Peter that he was outside, but they did not believe her.
Many Jews Do Not Believe, but Many Others Do, though in Private
Bible Study series: John 12:37-43 Many did not believe, but some rulers did, but they did not confess in public because they were afraid of the Pharisees and kicked out of the synagogue.
Jesus Commissions the Twelve
Bible Study series: Luke 9:1-6. He loves people and wants to reach them with his disciples. He was also training them to go out into all the world (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8).
Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection, in Mark’s Gospel
Bible Study series: Mark 10:32-34. Jesus understood his ultimate mission. He was ready.
Plucking Grain on the Sabbath
Bible Study series: Matthew 12:1-8. Did they really break the Sabbath or just the traditions built around it, functioning like a wall to protect it?
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 