Does the church replace Israel? Or is replacement theology partly true and partly false, depending on definitions and contexts? After exegeting a key passage in Romans and looking at others, I finally made up my mind (for what it’s worth).
This is an easy-to-follow word study in Hebrew and Greek, with all the words transliterated into English. And then redemption and ransom are applied to our lives today. Also, was Christ sent to ransom “many” or “all”?
What is justification? Can God declare a guilty man not guilty? How? I updated this post.
A commenter asked if a person can be saved without believing in the Athanasian Creed.
This is an old-fashioned Bible study. Let’s learn the basics of this major theme in all of Scripture. It’s the most important one of all. It is definitely multi-faceted!
Grace is multi-faceted in Scripture. So together let’s study what it means. We also review some basic theology.
This is a study on “many” in Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 (The Son of Man ” gives his life a ransom for ‘many'”). We can further ask, did Christ die only for the elect (limited atonement) or for all and everyone (unlimited or universal or general atonement)? To answer those questions, I also review other atonement passages.
Since it is a Calvinist doctrine of salvation and it is growing, I have decided to cover this topic. I write to learn.
People struggle with their identity in Christ. Satan and their own minds tell them they are no good, because they have sinned too many times for God to forgive them. They are worthless and useless to God and his mission for them. However, here are verses that proclaim who you are “in him” or “in Christ”. (I often also include other prepositions.) Let these biblical truths enter your heart and mind and reject the self-destructive thoughts. Renew your mind with Scripture!
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.)
In this context, ‘divine, hard determinism’ means the people had no choice but to believe and be saved. God ‘appointed’ them to eternal life. In other words, are Calvinists right to use this verse as one of their most important prooftexts? (I updated this post.)
You must be born again. But what does that mean? Does anything result from rebirth? Or do we just stay the same? I also cover Romans 7:13-25. (I updated this post.)
This is about God’s foreknowledge, choice, predestination, and human freewill. If we have the right perspective, we can reach sensible conclusions. (I updated this post.)
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!
This post looks at the major Scriptures about the atonement. It also asks whether the atonement is for everyone or for just the elect.
It is important to distinguish law from the gospel. If we don’t, we’ll get confused about how to walk the walk.
I used to teach world religions for a number of years. I learned that even though many people never got the chance to hear the gospel, they still lived impressively moral lives. What happens to them at judgment?
Grace means God’s unmerited, unearned favor. But once you have experienced it, you must show it.
This is important for our walk with God. Don’t get them confused!
What are the theories? Are some better than others? Update: I added a long summary table of the theories.
Start with this post, if you want the Bible basics. It will boil things down and clarify them. Key Hebrew and Greek words, too.
How can we proclaim it if we don’t know what it is? After a basic definition offered just below, the gospel also has multiple parts to it. Let’s see what they are. (I recently updated this post.)
God initiates. We respond. We need both passages to clarify and balance out the other one. This is an old-school exegesis (pronounced EX-uh-gee-sus or ex-uh-GEE-sus), which means a close reading or analysis of a text.
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?
It is a widely used (and abused) biblical word. What does it really mean?
This is an easy-to-follow study of some key Hebrew and Greek words, all transliterated into English.
God didn’t move. We did. Now he is wooing us back.
Ever since the Enlightenment (1600-1800+), modern man does not like the bloody elements of Christianity, the blood that was shed on the cross. This man knows best, right?
Postmodern man after the Enlightenment (1600-1800+) does not like the bloody part of Christianity. Of course this man is shortsighted. This post answers the question and lays out the efficacious benefits of the blood of Christ for our salvation. It also answers whether it is biblical to “plead the blood.”
When we experience salvation, we respond to it in our daily lives. How do we and should we respond?
Who brought it about? How did salvation happen? Do we play our part to receive it?
Read the Scriptural answer.
The Scriptures use metaphors or imagery to describe salvation.
Does it merely mean “changed mind,” or does it go deeper?
If you sin regularly, this post is for you. God hurls your sins into the sea and remembers them no more. An old fashioned word study and basic Bible study, with lots of biblical verses put in an easy-to-read format.
What does the term mean and not mean? An old-fashioned Bible study offered in a Q&A format.
A thorough study that I hope clarifies this issue.
The parable may not cover the titled theological dispute in detail, but many interpreters believe it does. So let’s explore.
In the old days, this used to be called the “perseverance of the saints” (believers). All that means is the persistence of Christians to keep their relationship with the Lord. So the related question often comes up: Can a truly born-again believer walk away from this relationship?
Can truly born-again believers drift permanently away from or renounce their relationship with the Lord, or are they eternally secure?
It seems confusion dominates discussions about the righteousness of God. Is it imputed? Imparted? When does it mean vindication? Justice? Holiness? Declared not guilty? Putting things right? All of the above? Find out what the Old Testament and New Testament say!
This theory of the atonement or the significance of Christ’s death on the cross has come under attack of late. And maybe some sermons and illustrations of it have been out of line. But this theory of the atonement is still biblically valid. Here’s why.
Critics say: “God sent his Son to the cross and poured his just wrath on him? Would any loving Father do that? It’s cosmic child abuse!” True or a misunderstanding?
Paul begins and ends each letter with grace. Great for your personal edification or a series in a Bible study or sermons.
What are those alternatives? Only one man, inspired by the Spirit, turned the problem and solution on its head.
Hint to its meaning: Think about it and take it on credit.
The New Testament issues all sorts of commands and imperatives that many of us can’t live up to. What then?
What does “being justified” mean? Acquittal in law court, put right in a covenant, or both, or what?
Some believe that in the epistle to the Romans Paul promises salvation through good works. The answer is not as clear as some interpreters claim.
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 