A student who studies American culture in graduate school is called an Americanist. After much thought, I have concluded that I am a kingdomist because I belong to the spiritual kingdom of God. It is my top priority, my entire life. I am also a gospel globalist. The gospel first. But this does not make me an enemy of the American republic. I want to influence it. Let me explain.
The New Apostolic Reformation is sometimes called the Second Apostolic Age. What is this new movement? Is it valid, Scripturally? Let’s look into this.
Bible Study series: Mark 10:1-12. God himself set up marriage. We trifle with it to our own hurt.
It is rooted in Scripture and therefore very valuable today. It is also easy to understand.
The statement is the original and is available at other websites. I copy it into my website, in case external links go dead. I briefly offer my opinion at the very end.
Some corners of the church treat the Bible disrespectfully. It is no longer authoritative, so church leaders allow relationships that are unbiblical, like same-sex marriage. They themselves have become the ultimate authority, not God’s word. This is wrong.
He is the founder of the channel The Remnant Radio. He produced a thirty-eight minute video about testing prophecy. In this post an outline and commentary are provided for your convenience. Then I offer my brief critique.
This is a minute-by-minute summary of highlights of the conversation between four people: Heather Schott, Les Cody, Jaco Booyens, and Dr. Brown, at Mercy Culture Church. I did the difficult chore of listening to them so you don’t have to slog through 3:27:06. You can read this summary faster than listening to the video.
Just how does one get saved, anyway?
In a new report, the eyewitness testimony is massive and for me decisive. Awful things happened under his leadership.
Warning: this post discusses adult topics but in a pastoral and redemptive way. The topic of possible restoration is very complicated, Let’s proceed with caution and depend on the Scriptures.
He claims that God spoke to him that a demonic spirit named “accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10) will take down righteous men. No. Righteous men have nothing to fear from ordinary Christians who are called to expose deeds of darkness (Eph. 5:11). Would God speak a misinterpretation of this verse?
This is a huge problem in the church, particularly the charismatic branches. .
I found it, but I’m not sure what to make of it. Maybe the readers can take a look at it and draw their own conclusions.
Yes, I believe I should offer my opinion on this global matter. My website covers current events. It is part of my calling. Here are the main facts and allegations in this complex and developing story. This post will take a shorter time to read than the long and numerous videos on YouTube! This post is regularly updated. So check back.
It’s time to put an end to a church leader accused of abuse from manipulating Matthew 18. He wants the victim of his abuse to confront him one on one, alone.
The New Apostolic Reformation is sometimes called the Second Apostolic Age. What is this new movement? Is it valid, Scripturally? Let’s look into this. Continue reading
Many Renewalists believe apostles do exist. But should there be restrictions? An old-fashioned Bible study to answer the question. I also discuss elders and overseers and pastors and other leaders in relation to the push for installing apostles today. This post has been thoroughly revised, due to further study.
It was published by BILD International, 2022. I also glance at his 2014 self-published booklet An Anthology of Essays on Apostolic Leadership, published by createspace.com, and at the website US Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (USCAL), which he modified from C. Pater Wagner’s International Coalition of Apostles. Continue reading
The subtitle reads: Biblical Government for Biblical Power (Regal, 2006). When we bring back apostles to lead the church today, we will see mighty moves of God. Let’s look into this thesis. Continue reading
The subtitle reads: The Foundation of the Church: Biblical Leadership for the 21st Century (Regal, 2000). Let’s find out what he says, and then define apostle and prophet biblically. Continue reading
The subtitle reads: How the New Apostolic Reformation Is Shaking Up the Church As We Know It (Regal, 1999). Let’s look into it even at this late date because it is still a primary source and influence on the NAR. And let’s see if we can define the terms apostle and apostolic biblically.
No doubt dozens of professional theologians have thought of this before. But it struck me just recently.
Some interpreters say it is a model prayer, so we should not repeat it rote. In my view, you can pray this short prayer word for word, or you can use it as a prayer guide.
You can certainly pray this prayer word for word if you like. But other interpreters say we should base our prayers on each line, but put our prayer in our own words. That is, it’s a model prayer.
Here are my observations from my own experience.
An online statement, though overall benefitting the body of Christ, defines apostle in a dangerous way. It is titled NAR and Christian Nationalism and was issued October 10, 2022. (Updated on Oct. 8, 2025)
Should you take the plunge? I remember hearing an interview on the radio with a Muslim, a few years ago.
Did Jesus indirectly endorse same-sex marriage by his silence on it? I teach briefly and realistically on sex in this post, so immature readers should not click on it. Parallel passages in Matthew’s and Mark’s Gospel are looked into here.
What about eunuchs in Matthew 19:10-12? Does the Bible endorse trans surgery? Does being “born” a eunuch imply same-sex attraction?
The devoted followers of various leaders will post comments excusing the excesses and bad theology and defective Bible interpretation. Here are the most common excuses and my replies to them. I also cover where the unsoundness may come from.
You may not see it, but Progressive Christianity is not the right path for you. Here are signs that you are putting yourself at risk of going past what is written in Scripture. Solutions are also offered here.
Progressives deny the full authority of Scripture, particularly about sex and personal conduct. It restricts their style. They characterize a love for Scripture as “bibliolatry.” Continue reading
How much do progressive pastors and other leaders rule the church on these complex issues? How much are they changing the King’s original intent for his kingdom?
I would be derelict in my duty as a teacher not to discuss this very biblical truth.
Bad public leadership requires public correction and rebuke. I hope this post is redemptive, not condemning. It’s a call to repentance. After you read it, check back regularly. I update it, as issues come up.
Only one is the right source.
Is tithing demanded of the New Covenant believer after the cross? Or does the New Testament teach something better? This is an old-fashioned Bible study.
What makes a healthy disciple? This list is simple and uncomplicated.
These events happened a mere few years after the Great Commission and the Ascension. The earliest church is the gold standard. Let’s see what we can learn from them in two passages, Acts 2:43-47 and 4:23-31.
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?
Not every corner of the American church, but large sections are unhealthy, particularly in the Renewal Movements.
What are they? What are their motives and purposes? How do we discern the differences, when they seem so similar?
Life is getting strange with the onslaught of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The issue of the Nephilim is “enormous” and “gigantic” in the American church right now. Can giants be edited through AI and faked and published on youtube and other platforms? Some youtube teachers and prophets claim that they actually do appear, apart from AI.
This post covers questions like, who were the OT prophets, contrasted with the prophets of today? Does America have a special covenant with God, as ancient Israel did? How did the NT writers handle prophets and their prophecies? What about inaccurate prophecies? Is decreeing the same as prophesying? Can we decree Scriptures at will? (I updated this post.)
Many Renewalists say yes for prophecy. The biblical evidence favors them. Now what about prophets? (I have recently updated this post yet again, on December 11 29, 2024.)
Renewalists believe these gifts are for today. This is an old-fashioned Bible study, word by word. line upon line. I thoroughly revised this post.
Certain interpreters of those verses in the title have restricted women’s full participation in the teaching ministry. But are these restrictions truly biblical? Let’s take a deeper look at the verses. (I updated this post yet again.)
How restrictive are those verses in the title? Does the Greco-Roman household offer any guidance for reading them? What about other verses in the New Testament relating to women’s ministries? (I updated this post yet again!)
Let’s allow the clarity of Scripture to overturn needlessly complicated eschatological (end-times) interpretations that have dominated American Christianity for many decades. Further, is this replacement the same as the church replacing Israel? Read the post to find out. And look at the photos, too! (I updated this post with verses from Acts.)
Sometimes the church can be self-righteous and condemn a sinner in the name of holiness, ignoring mercy. Or it can be permissive in the name of mercy, ignoring holiness. I updated this post.
A commenter asked if a person can be saved without believing in the Athanasian Creed.
Yes, Jesus really did teach us to pray like this. His teaching was clear and simple. Let’s follow his instructions.
The disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith. His answer was startling (as usual). Yes, Jesus really did teach us to pray this way.
Matthew 6:16-18: Fasting is a powerful spiritual weapon like no other. Let’s learn from the Lord who fasted forty days and forty nights. I also include a brief study of fasting in other verses.
Some Christians bind Satan and loose angels. They base this on Matthew 18:18. But is this verse correctly interpreted? Also, how does the church discipline wayward members? And what does it mean when Jesus taught that where two or three are gathered in his name, he’ll be there among them? (Bonus: watch how a careful reading of the Greek text takes down word-of-faith, decree-and-declare exaggerations.)
Why is this biblical fact so important? Short post here.
We could use some good news nowadays. The following news links certainly count as the best.
The Scripture is Matthew 23:8-12. Some translations make it seem as if Jesus forbids calling men ‘teachers’ in his kingdom community. But what did he really say?
This post is a biblical theology discussion. If you are fighting for your or someone else’s healing, I advise 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. (I updated this post yet again. In this post, I also answer whether healing is in the atonement.)
The only reason this verse has become controversial and complicated is because complementarians (those who restrict women’s full participation in ministry) have made it controversial and complicated. But Romans 16:7 is straightforward and clear and easily translated. (I updated this post yet again.)
This is a biblical theology discussion. If you are fighting for your or someone else’s healing, I advise you to skip this post. Read it only when the outcome is final, and you have unanswered questions about what the Bible really teaches.
The context says that “things” means “works.” Here are commentaries and my take on this issue.
Youtube critics daily, it seems, call for the blood of Christian prophets who are mistaken about some of their prophecies. The critics read Deuteronomy 13 and 18 and sarcastically demand the death penalty for their ministries. But what did Paul say about their mistakes? Let’s do a side-by-side comparison of the OT and the NT.
We cannot answer all the questions in this overview, but we can exegete the Lord’s Supper in its original context in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This post also looks very briefly at 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 and 11:23-34 and John 6:35-59. Then, what do various churches teach about the Lord’s Supper (or Communion or Eucharist)? I am here to learn. I updated this post with information that startled me. I also learned something new from Exodus 12:14. Once more I updated this post!
There is a teaching circulating through the American church, particularly in the prophetic community, that prophets (and others) can “exercise” the “seven spirits of God.” What about this?
This post has been thoroughly revised and updated. The verses we will look at describe male elders and overseers and pastors and elderly widows. Both men and women took care of the churches. Just like the men, the elderly women functioned as pastors, elders, and overseers throughout their redeemed lives, because they were those things. Scriptures: 1 Timothy 5:2, 9-10, 3:1-7, 11-13, 5:17; Titus 1:5-9; 2:3-5; 1 Peter 2:25, 5:1-5.
Included in this post are the link to his video testimony, the transcript of the video, and my embedded comments.
Update: June 7, 2024. What does baptize literally mean? Can infants be baptized, biblically speaking? What about adults being baptized twice? Questions like these are answered point by point.
An old-fashioned Bible study is offered here, countering a desperate misinterpretation from certain Bible interpreters who seek for more money.
God’s New Covenant plan is much better than an obsolete, national, theocratic tax designed to support an obsolete, national, religious system.
These are more commonly known as ‘tongues.’ Here some of the biblical basics.
An old-fashioned Bible study here. There is a lot of confusion in certain quarters of the global Renewal Movement about what revivals involve. How can we clear up the confusion? What did Paul really teach in 1 Corinthians 14? Are we willing to obey his teaching or just run roughshod over it?
In the current confusion in society, we need clarity. The Bible still has wisdom to teach us, if we listen.
In the book of Acts, they dropped dead. Why? To understand what happened, it is important to keep the Old Sinai Covenant and the New Covenant separate.
Updated: Here are twenty-nine objections in a list that complementarians (restrictionists) raise. Replies are given to each one. Many important verses are discussed here, like Genesis 1-3, Galatians 2:28, Ephesians 5:22-24, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Peter 3:1-7, 1 Corinthians 7, 11:2-16, and Acts 6:5.
This post is an old-fashioned Bible study, offering a clear understanding of the church.
What should worship look like, biblically, in a church service? What are its component parts? Is the church today imbalanced by omitting some things? Included here is a teaching about prayer and intercession, based on the Lord’s Prayer.
Renewalists have a robust and biblical pneumatology (doctrine of the Spirit). The church is a living organism, and the Spirit is guiding it. But the church is made up of individual believers. The Spirit works in them too.
Yes, women really did function in Christ’s five gifts to his church, his temple, to build it up: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors-teachers. Check out the evidence. (I updated this post.)
One older commentator says the prohibition in those verses seems “absolute.” Yet how do we properly read them?
What if 1 Timothy 2:11-15 is not about women teaching and dominating men at church? What if it is about a husband and wife at home? Or does the house church merge the domestic and public spheres? What would that mean for church policy and women teachers out in public?
The title could also be “Is God Bound to Obey Our Decrees?” That’s what certain teachers seem to say. Let’s look into this subject.
It is also called the Lord’s Table, Communion, Messianic Passover, and the Eucharist. What does it mean? How should we celebrate it?
John 6 and Jesus’ teaching about his body and blood and bread and manna from heaven is very symbolic. How should we interpret it, as it relates to the Eucharist or the Lord’s Table or Communion?
Let’s look at the key verses in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and 1 Corinthians. It is a review for my own introductory education. Call it “Divorce and Remarriage 101.”
These verses are very sobering. What do they mean in your life and mine?
Some say yes. What are the historical and social context of three key passages?
I tell my story: Not my racism, but my ancestors owned slaves. Most importantly, what do the Scriptures say about atonement?
How are they defined? How many people belong to them?
Why do we need it? Why must we not skip it for very long? A Bible study here, with the famous “one another” verses included.
How does the Bible describe it? We need to know, so we can fit into God’s plan with other believers.
Certain Christians downplay Scripture. But it is better to say that this book, full of revelations and wonderful teachings, should occupy the top spot in our gatherings. Here’s why.
Renewalists believe that all the gifts of God mentioned in the New Testament are for today. They flow from God and are exercised through the Spirit and grace and a yielded, eager heart when the need arises. Let’s study the ones in Romans 12:6-8.
It is very sad on a human level. But what is the answer biblically? Is there hope?
A small percentage of people are anxious about this, but what does the Bible say? Can people commit this sin today?
The Greek texts actually call it ‘languages.’ What should we call it today?
The Bible is clear that this wonderful gift has divine purposes. What are they?
Deliverance and maintaining lasting freedom from satanic oppression includes these essential ingredients.
You have to avoid those things. Here’s why.
In this post, growth is defined by reaching people and converting them and an increase in church attendance, not birthrate or immigration. Measured in that way, Christianity is the fastest growing religion in the world, without a close second. Periodically updated.
The statement of faith at the website is the Apostles Creed and the Statement of Faith of the National Association of Evangelicals. The other two historic statements commented on in this post also make up the other portions of this website’s Statement of Faith.
Here is a list of the principal works referenced or used at this site. More will be added as time goes on, so please check back.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 