Showing titles in Salvation Theory

Chapter one of this text provides a general introduction to the five points of Calvinism and for the acrostic, TULIP. The intent, whenever possible, has been to share direct quotes from Pastor John Calvin on each of the points as a way to let him speak for himself. When that was not possible, the intent was to find and present consensus on the given point by other professing Calvinists. Their comments were provided along with the Bible verses that they had used to defend their position. The main premise of Calvinism is that God chooses those who will be saved and those who will be lost. So ...

The Parables of Jesus, the fourth volume in the series Sermons by Saint Gregory Palamas, covers the parables of the Publican and the Pharisee, the Prodigal Son, the Second Coming, the Unforgiving Servant, the Marriage Feast, the Sower, and of Lazarus and the Rich Man.

One cannot study the opening chapters of the book of Genesis without getting into some very weighty issues. There is, of course, the first chapter that talks about Creation. But there are also other issues as well. For example, who wrote the book of Genesis? Not everyone will agree that it was Moses. Plus, when, if he did write it, did he actually write it? As will be seen in that part of this text, the higher critics have argued against Moses for a reason that will be shared at that time. But other critics have also argued against Moses, as being the author of the first five books of the ...

Longtime pastor Douglas Wilson takes a hammer to some of our very favorite graven images, and (surprise, surprise) we've set up display cases for most of them in our churches: liturgy, tradition, systematics, infant baptism, and that crafty old Baal doctrine. Alongside a critique of philosophical assumptions about human nature, dualism, and grace, Wilson stresses the unavoidable and absolute necessity of individual hearts being born again. He concludes by laying out the case for the church.

When a crisis hits, does doubt arise? Does uncertainty ever threaten your faith in God’s promises? Or do you sometimes wonder whether his promises can be trusted? Perhaps you know about God, but are you confident that you really know him? Without a Doubt is for anyone who wrestles with the certainty of their faith or if the promises of Christianity are true. Pastor Dean Inserra lays out what the Bible teaches about how to have saving faith in God. You’ll learn the clear truth about who a Christian is - and who a Christian is not.

Human belief is a gift of God that acquaints people with something God already did. People do have faith, and they do have wills, but the believing and the willing originated outside themselves. Belief is a gift that follows salvation; it does not precede it. So no one should think: I did it! The startling result? We are not saved because we believe; we believe because we are saved.

We’ve all felt the weight of shame and brokenness. We long for a fresh start, but what we need most is the ability to see ourselves through God’s eyes of grace. New York City pastor Chris Durso believes grace is the central message of all Scripture. While there have been some daring heists and cunning capers throughout history, this book is about the greatest heist the world has ever seen...a daring raid where God’s son took back what the enemy had stolen, freeing us from the power of shame, sin, and Satan.

We've boiled down the message of Christianity to being imperfect people who have been forgiven. But what if the message isn't just about what Christ has done for us - forgiving our sins so we can go to heaven one day - but also about what he has done to us? Life is filled with shame, guilt, sin, and hurt. These things have convinced us that we're flawed, we're not enough, and that something is uniquely wrong with who we are. And quite honestly, we look to Christianity for help and the message we often hear leaves us disappointed, doubtful, and disillusioned.

Discover the magnitude of God's grace and how it can impact your life! Grace is one of the most phenomenal, yet least understood, gifts we receive from God. Grace does more than just allow you to be forgiven of your sin - it empowers you to overcome sin! To many, grace is just a doctrine, a spiritual concept. But as you will discover in listening to this audiobook, grace is so much more. Grace is unreasonable; it is so miraculous that we cannot make sense of it intellectually. Instead, we must ask God daily to help us walk in a childlike faith so we can simply receive his grace.

In this candid book based on his own struggle with doubt, John Ortberg traces the line between belief and unbelief and finds that it's less a dividing line between hostile camps than a razor's edge that runs through every soul. His findings point toward the relief of being totally honest. Doubt … Questions … Honest faith … Outrageous hope … It's a chain reaction that can actually strengthen our relationship with God, and that, says Ortberg, is cause for celebration.

Surveys indicate that 84 percent of Christians have a misunderstanding of the true meaning of the word righteousness. Referring to God's restoration of our sinfulness and not personal piety or some code of moral purity, pastor Chris Seay offers that Jesus came to breathe life and light into the depths of all darkness. This gospel that lives according to the ways of Christ is the true Christianity. It gives us a new way to see the world and brings God's restoration to marriages, to the sick and diseased, even to the environment....

How do I know I have been forgiven? What if I am not perfect? Does God forgive terrible things I have done to others? What if I keep sinning? Is there forgiveness for my addictions? Is there an unforgivable sin? How can I forgive myself? As Christians, we think we know everything about God, sin, and salvation. You may be surprised to find that some of the things you have learned all your life may not be entirely right. It may be time to challenge your old ideas about what the Lord can do for you. The Biblical teachings about God’s love and forgiveness are much better than imagined. You ...

Honestly, what is the real truth of salvation? What must we really do to obtain eternal life? In the book The Salvation Equation, Gabriel Ansley Erb answers these questions very clearly through a simple equation. The equation was born out of God’s message behind the Israelite’s story of bondage in Egypt, deliverance through Moses, and wilderness journey to a promised land, which is the anointed message Gabriel received from God on December 8, 2007.

In this audio Bible study, author and pastor Jay Kim guides small-group members through Paul's letter to the believers in Colossae, revealing what his words meant to his original readers . . . and how they apply to us today.

Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology “A Comprehensive Guide to the First Five Books of the Bible” Are you ready to embark on an enlightening journey through the foundational texts of the Bible? "Understanding the Pentateuch: Foundations of Biblical Theology" is your ultimate guide to unlocking the profound mysteries and timeless teachings of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This indispensable resource delves into the heart of biblical theology, offering fresh insights and academic rigor that will captivate scholars, students, and curious ...

SIX DANGEROUS LOVE AFFAIRS God's Word says that His love is the highest attribute given to mankind. It is greater than faith and hope. God’s unconditional, self-sacrificing, and crazy love is one of the nine “fruit of the Holy Spirit.” It is the very character of God, for God is love, and it takes God to love God. I love Him because He first loved me. God’s love is crazy, relentless, inescapable, and all-powerful. Have you ever wondered if we're missing it? DIFFERENT LOVE AFFAIRS: There are many varied distinctions in the use of this great word. Many so-called "love affairs" are no ...

Some people think that salvation is merely about meeting the minimal entrance requirements needed to get into heaven when they die. But that’s not how Jesus talked about it. Rightly understood, salvation is an invitation to know God and to experience his presence, favor, and power starting right here on earth. Best-selling author John Ortberg dispels the myth that eternal life is something we can only hope to experience after we die; recaptures the New Testament definition of salvation, eternal life, and the Good News of the Gospel; and explains what it really means to be a disciple.

As Christians, “blessing” pervades our everyday lives―from testimonies recounting God’s provision, to praise songs, to wishing someone well. The term has been so integrated into our everyday vocabulary that it is rarely considered carefully.

Many of us believe that in order to please God, we have to be perfect. It’s an easy lie to buy into. In a culture that emphasizes accomplishment and ever-higher goals, we feel driven to do more, achieve more, be more. And we get caught up in the unforgiving treadmill of self-imposed rules, believing that we should, we need to, we must. The result? Anger, frustration, and anxiety that keep us far away from the life of peace that Jesus promised.

What does it mean to accept God’s grace? New York Times best-selling author Max Lucado believes, “When grace happens, generosity happens.” God’s grace is always there, ready to do wonders in your life. In Grace Happens Here, you’ll learn how to accept His grace and forgiveness and how to extend the same blessing toward others.