Did you know that January 20 is National Tulip Day? Mars Hill Examiner is celebrating it and I hope that you will too. In honor of National Tulip Day we will take a brief look at the tulip.
Of course TULIP is an acrostic representing profound Biblical truth known as the Doctrines of Grace.
T-Total Depravity
This does not mean that man is as bad as he can possible be, but that he is sinful in his entire being. We are born sinners and our very nature is therefore sinful. Man is dead in his sins and unable to choose God. He will freely choose to reject God because his will is in bondage to sin. Because of our sin we are under God's wrath and on the road to hell. (Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:9-12, Ephesians 2:1-3)
U-Unconditional Election
Since we are not capable of choosing God because we are dead in our sins, by his grace God has chosen to save a people for himself, the elect. God chooses to save people based on his will and purpose. It is not based on anything the human being does or will do. God chooses his elect solely by his grace. God freely chooses whom he will save. (Acts 13:48, Romans 9:11-16, Ephesians 1:4-5,11-12)
L-Limited Atonement
This could also be called definite atonement. Jesus came to save his people from their sins. Christ died to pay for the sins of believers only, he did not pay for the sins of all people. If he paid for the sins of all people then no one would still have to pay for their sins. All people would then be saved, that is universalism. Christ actually accomplished salvation for his people, he did not just make it possible for all people. (Matthew 1:21, John 10:11,14-15,24-26, Ephesians 5:25-27)
I-Irresistible Grace
Since we are dead in our sins and unable to choose God we can only come to him by his grace. He must make us alive or regenerate us. God must draw us to himself. After God causes us to be born again we will respond in faith and repentance. Once we have gone from being spiritually dead to being spiritually alive we will freely choose God. All people God chooses to save will respond to him with saving faith because he always accomplishes his purpose. (John 6:37,44,63-66, Acts 11:18, Ephesians 2:1-9)
P-Perseverance Of The Saints
God preserves his people and none of them will fall away. True Christians will not fall away because salvation is the work of God from beginning to end. This does not mean that anyone who makes a decision for Christ is once saved always saved. Only true Christians are eternally secure and they will persevere to the end. Anyone who falls away was never a true Christian to begin with. (John 6;37,39, John 10:27-29, Romans 8:29-39)
Salvation is totally the work of God from beginning to end. It is by his grace alone. If salvation was dependent upon the human being at any point it would no longer be by grace. It is not God and man working together to accomplish salvation but the work of God alone. Therefore the glory belongs to God alone. God does not try to save all people and fail to do so. He saves all he has chosen and always accomplishes his purpose.
Who would have thought that there would be a national day celebrating the Doctrines of Grace?
Friday, January 19, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018
When Christians Disagree
How should we react when professing Christians disagree on an issue? Should we consider each other fellow Christians? Should we worship separately? Or is it an issue that is really not that significant? Placing the issues into three different categories can be helpful.
Tier 1
Disagreements on issues in this category will require that we not worship together. Also disagreements on issues in this category will not allow us to consider those who disagree to be fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 1 issue is the deity of Christ. If one does not believe that Jesus is the only, unique Son of God he cannot be considered a true Christian. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be viewed as fellow Christians.
Tier 2
Disagreements on issues in this category may require that we worship separately but we can still consider each other fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 2 issue is baptism. Some hold to infant baptism and others hold to believers baptism. Baptists and Presbyterians may worship at different churches but they can still consider each other fellow Christians.
Tier 3
Disagreements on issues in this category do not require us to worship separately. Also we can consider each other fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 3 issue is whether one holds to a pretribulation rapture or not. Disagreements over details of the end times does not require us to worship separately and we can most definitely consider each other fellow Christians.
I must thank Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for this basic layout.
Tier 1
Disagreements on issues in this category will require that we not worship together. Also disagreements on issues in this category will not allow us to consider those who disagree to be fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 1 issue is the deity of Christ. If one does not believe that Jesus is the only, unique Son of God he cannot be considered a true Christian. Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be viewed as fellow Christians.
Tier 2
Disagreements on issues in this category may require that we worship separately but we can still consider each other fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 2 issue is baptism. Some hold to infant baptism and others hold to believers baptism. Baptists and Presbyterians may worship at different churches but they can still consider each other fellow Christians.
Tier 3
Disagreements on issues in this category do not require us to worship separately. Also we can consider each other fellow Christians. An example of a Tier 3 issue is whether one holds to a pretribulation rapture or not. Disagreements over details of the end times does not require us to worship separately and we can most definitely consider each other fellow Christians.
I must thank Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for this basic layout.
Monday, December 18, 2017
A Tribute To R.C. Sproul
R.C. Sproul (1939-2017) one of the greatest theologians of our time died a few days ago. He was an intelligent man with the ability to teach others. I learned much from him through his books. While many in the church were giving us bad theology, a different gospel, positive thinking, or just plain nonsense, R.C. Sproul was giving us Biblical Christianity. He had a good sense of humor but he was serious about God. If only more people in our time would get serious about God.
R.C. Sproul was in the tradition of the Reformation, a classic Protestant. Of course in the Reformation, Biblical Christianity was recovered. Sproul taught Reformed theology to many people including myself. He held that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. He emphasized the sovereignty of God, the holiness of God, and the total depravity of man.
Salvation is totally the work of God because man is incapable of saving himself. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And it is all to the glory of God alone.
I would encourage everyone to read his books and to listen to his teaching. R.C. Sproul will be missed, but he has gone to be with the Lord and that is far better.
R.C. Sproul was in the tradition of the Reformation, a classic Protestant. Of course in the Reformation, Biblical Christianity was recovered. Sproul taught Reformed theology to many people including myself. He held that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. He emphasized the sovereignty of God, the holiness of God, and the total depravity of man.
Salvation is totally the work of God because man is incapable of saving himself. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And it is all to the glory of God alone.
I would encourage everyone to read his books and to listen to his teaching. R.C. Sproul will be missed, but he has gone to be with the Lord and that is far better.
Monday, November 27, 2017
The Verse That Refutes Mormonism
Actually the entire Bible refutes Mormonism, but it can be refuted by just one verse from the Bible.
(Isaiah 43:10) "You are my witnesses, declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." (ESV)
Mormonism is perhaps the most polytheistic religion in the world. The Mormons believe in an infinite or unlimited number of gods. They believe that individuals can become gods through obedience. They also believe humans can become gods of their own planets. Mormons believe that God was once a man who became a god. They believe that God had a father and a mother, and that he has a wife. The Mormons do not believe that God is eternal, but they do believe that matter is eternal.
When we look at the last part of Isaiah 43:10, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me", it is quite obvious that Mormonism is in direct contradiction with the Word of God. The Bible teaches that there is one God and besides him there is no other. There were no gods before the LORD and there will be no gods after him. There is one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Trinity. They are not three different gods as the Mormons teach.
Mormons are told that they can become like God. Where have we heard this before? In Genesis 3:5 the serpent (that is the devil) told Adam and Eve, "you will become like God." Of course the devil deceived Adam and Eve with the ultimate lie. They did not become like God but plunged the whole human race under the sin curse. Desiring to be a god is not a good desire at all, it is actually outright rebellion against the one, true God.
Mormonism is not Christianity at all. In fact Christian apologist James White even says that Islam is closer to Christianity than Mormonism is. Mormonism is a false religion founded by a false prophet named Joseph Smith (see Deuteronomy 13:1-7). Christians should not consider Mormons to be fellow Christians. Mormons are terribly deceived and in rebellion against the one, true God. Isaiah 43:10 clearly exposes Mormonism as a heresy.
(Isaiah 43:10) "You are my witnesses, declares the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me." (ESV)
Mormonism is perhaps the most polytheistic religion in the world. The Mormons believe in an infinite or unlimited number of gods. They believe that individuals can become gods through obedience. They also believe humans can become gods of their own planets. Mormons believe that God was once a man who became a god. They believe that God had a father and a mother, and that he has a wife. The Mormons do not believe that God is eternal, but they do believe that matter is eternal.
When we look at the last part of Isaiah 43:10, "Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me", it is quite obvious that Mormonism is in direct contradiction with the Word of God. The Bible teaches that there is one God and besides him there is no other. There were no gods before the LORD and there will be no gods after him. There is one God in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), the Trinity. They are not three different gods as the Mormons teach.
Mormons are told that they can become like God. Where have we heard this before? In Genesis 3:5 the serpent (that is the devil) told Adam and Eve, "you will become like God." Of course the devil deceived Adam and Eve with the ultimate lie. They did not become like God but plunged the whole human race under the sin curse. Desiring to be a god is not a good desire at all, it is actually outright rebellion against the one, true God.
Mormonism is not Christianity at all. In fact Christian apologist James White even says that Islam is closer to Christianity than Mormonism is. Mormonism is a false religion founded by a false prophet named Joseph Smith (see Deuteronomy 13:1-7). Christians should not consider Mormons to be fellow Christians. Mormons are terribly deceived and in rebellion against the one, true God. Isaiah 43:10 clearly exposes Mormonism as a heresy.
Monday, November 20, 2017
God Of Salvation
(Psalm 68:19-20) "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Our God is a God of salvation, and to GOD, the Lord, belong deliverances from death." (ESV)
In their immediate context these verses refer to God's preservation and protection of Israel. He daily bears Israel up. He saves them from their adversaries and gives them victory over their enemies. At the same time these verses also point to an even greater salvation accomplished by the Lord. God will save his people from their sins.
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
The words "For God so loved the world" would have been a shocking statement at this time. God chose to save a people for himself composed not only of Jews but also of Gentiles. God's people is no longer just Israel but his people are from all nations now. God sent his only, unique Son (Jesus) to save his people from their sins. Whoever believes in him (trusts in him alone) for salvation will have eternal life, that is eternal blessing. Whoever rejects Jesus will perish, that is suffer eternal judgement.
All humans have sinned against a holy God and have therefore incurred the wrath of God. God sent Jesus to save us from the wrath to come. Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of his people and provided them with his perfect righteousness. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.
This salvation is completely the work of God. We contribute nothing to the accomplishment of our salvation. It is totally by grace, our works cannot merit salvation. One must realize he is a sinner, he must repent of his sins and trust in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other paths lead to hell.
In their immediate context these verses refer to God's preservation and protection of Israel. He daily bears Israel up. He saves them from their adversaries and gives them victory over their enemies. At the same time these verses also point to an even greater salvation accomplished by the Lord. God will save his people from their sins.
(John 3:16) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (ESV)
The words "For God so loved the world" would have been a shocking statement at this time. God chose to save a people for himself composed not only of Jews but also of Gentiles. God's people is no longer just Israel but his people are from all nations now. God sent his only, unique Son (Jesus) to save his people from their sins. Whoever believes in him (trusts in him alone) for salvation will have eternal life, that is eternal blessing. Whoever rejects Jesus will perish, that is suffer eternal judgement.
All humans have sinned against a holy God and have therefore incurred the wrath of God. God sent Jesus to save us from the wrath to come. Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of his people and provided them with his perfect righteousness. Christ was raised from the dead victorious over sin, death, and the devil.
This salvation is completely the work of God. We contribute nothing to the accomplishment of our salvation. It is totally by grace, our works cannot merit salvation. One must realize he is a sinner, he must repent of his sins and trust in Christ alone. Jesus is the only way to heaven, all other paths lead to hell.
Monday, October 23, 2017
Martin Luther And The Bible
Before the Protestant Reformation the Bible had been obscured and was not readily available to the people. It's authority, sufficiency, and clarity had all been diminished. But as the Reformation started in 1517 this all began to change. The Reformers, especially Martin Luther, did much to recover the supreme authority of the Bible.
The Roman Catholic Church viewed the Bible as authoritative but not as the ultimate authority. The tradition of the Catholic Church was also seen as authoritative. It was Scripture as interpreted by the pope and the bishops. In effect this made the Roman Catholic Church the supreme authority.
It was Martin Luther, a German monk who took his stand against papal authority. Luther pointed out that popes and councils had often erred and contradicted each other. He insisted that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority because it alone is the word of God. For his courageous stand Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. Luther would become the father of Protestantism.
At the time the Bible was not readily available to the people in their own language. It was primarily in Latin. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, the language of the people. Before translating Luther listened to the German people intently to get the sense of the language of the common people. He sought to make his German translation of the Bible readable as well as accurate. Martin Luther began his translation of the New Testament in 1522 and finished the entire Bible in 1534. Luther and his colleagues, including Phillip Melanchthon went back to the original languages of Hebrew and Greek for the German translation. Previously scholars had primarily relied on the Latin Vulgate. With this German translation the people could now read God's word for themselves.
As the Bible was recovered in it's original languages some significant errors were found in the Latin. Genesis 3:15 was said to be a prophecy about Mary but Luther correctly interpreted it as being about Jesus. Another was Matthew 4:17 where the Latin translated it as "do penance", but Luther rightly discovered that it should be "repent" instead. Also Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He saw that we are declared righteous and not made righteous. Martin Luther used the literal method to interpret Scripture instead of the allegorical method employed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Modern evangelicals should be grateful to Martin Luther for many things. He recovered the gospel of by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. He recovered the truth that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. It is authoritative, sufficient, and clear. We should thank God that he used a man like Martin Luther to bring about such great change. Modern Christians would do well to learn from and about Martin Luther and the other Reformers.
The Roman Catholic Church viewed the Bible as authoritative but not as the ultimate authority. The tradition of the Catholic Church was also seen as authoritative. It was Scripture as interpreted by the pope and the bishops. In effect this made the Roman Catholic Church the supreme authority.
It was Martin Luther, a German monk who took his stand against papal authority. Luther pointed out that popes and councils had often erred and contradicted each other. He insisted that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority because it alone is the word of God. For his courageous stand Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church. Luther would become the father of Protestantism.
At the time the Bible was not readily available to the people in their own language. It was primarily in Latin. Martin Luther translated the Bible into German, the language of the people. Before translating Luther listened to the German people intently to get the sense of the language of the common people. He sought to make his German translation of the Bible readable as well as accurate. Martin Luther began his translation of the New Testament in 1522 and finished the entire Bible in 1534. Luther and his colleagues, including Phillip Melanchthon went back to the original languages of Hebrew and Greek for the German translation. Previously scholars had primarily relied on the Latin Vulgate. With this German translation the people could now read God's word for themselves.
As the Bible was recovered in it's original languages some significant errors were found in the Latin. Genesis 3:15 was said to be a prophecy about Mary but Luther correctly interpreted it as being about Jesus. Another was Matthew 4:17 where the Latin translated it as "do penance", but Luther rightly discovered that it should be "repent" instead. Also Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He saw that we are declared righteous and not made righteous. Martin Luther used the literal method to interpret Scripture instead of the allegorical method employed by the Roman Catholic Church.
Modern evangelicals should be grateful to Martin Luther for many things. He recovered the gospel of by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. He recovered the truth that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority. It is authoritative, sufficient, and clear. We should thank God that he used a man like Martin Luther to bring about such great change. Modern Christians would do well to learn from and about Martin Luther and the other Reformers.
Monday, October 2, 2017
A Wild Boar Loose In The Vineyard
In 1520 Pope Leo X exclaimed, there is a wild boar loose in the vineyard and he has trampled the gospel underfoot. This was one of the most ironic statements in history. The wild boar that Pope Leo referred to was Martin Luther (1483-1546) a German monk who would rediscover the Biblical gospel and lead the Protestant Reformation. In Actuality it was Pope Leo X and the Roman Catholic Church that had trampled the gospel underfoot.
The Roman Catholic Church had obscured the Bible and because of that it had obscured the gospel. With its sacramental system and the sale of indulgences (basically buying salvation) the Catholic Church had corrupted the gospel. In the Roman Catholic view it was God and man working together to accomplish salvation. Grace was seen as an aid or help for a person to achieve salvation. It was faith plus works, Christ plus your own accomplishment. There could be no assurance of salvation, a person had to depend on his own righteousness.
After studying the Bible, particularly Romans Martin Luther had a breakthrough. He came to see that Romans 1:17 was referring to a righteousness from God. We can never be good enough or righteous enough to earn our own salvation. Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One is justified by faith apart from works. To justify means to declare righteous, not to make righteous. To be right with God we must have what Luther referred to as an "alien righteousness", a righteousness outside ourselves. It is the righteousness of Christ that we need.
Christ takes our sin on himself and gives us his perfect righteousness. Luther rightly saw grace as God's unmerited favor toward us. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is the work of God alone.
For daring to question the authority of the Pope and the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, Martin Luther was excommunicated and declared a heretic and an outlaw. But Luther rightly saw that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority and recovered the true gospel.
Justification by faith alone
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 3:21-28
2 Corinthians 5:21
Galatians 2:16
Ephesians 2:8-9
Philippians 3:9
The Roman Catholic Church had obscured the Bible and because of that it had obscured the gospel. With its sacramental system and the sale of indulgences (basically buying salvation) the Catholic Church had corrupted the gospel. In the Roman Catholic view it was God and man working together to accomplish salvation. Grace was seen as an aid or help for a person to achieve salvation. It was faith plus works, Christ plus your own accomplishment. There could be no assurance of salvation, a person had to depend on his own righteousness.
After studying the Bible, particularly Romans Martin Luther had a breakthrough. He came to see that Romans 1:17 was referring to a righteousness from God. We can never be good enough or righteous enough to earn our own salvation. Luther rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. One is justified by faith apart from works. To justify means to declare righteous, not to make righteous. To be right with God we must have what Luther referred to as an "alien righteousness", a righteousness outside ourselves. It is the righteousness of Christ that we need.
Christ takes our sin on himself and gives us his perfect righteousness. Luther rightly saw grace as God's unmerited favor toward us. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is the work of God alone.
For daring to question the authority of the Pope and the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, Martin Luther was excommunicated and declared a heretic and an outlaw. But Luther rightly saw that Scripture alone is the ultimate authority and recovered the true gospel.
Justification by faith alone
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 3:21-28
2 Corinthians 5:21
Galatians 2:16
Ephesians 2:8-9
Philippians 3:9
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