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Category Archives: Index
Parenting: Parental Guidance Required Video from the University Church of Christ
Our preacher, Shon Smith, wrapped up an excellent series on parenting Sunday. His sermons may be downloaded. He introduced the final sermon with this video — Notes on inside jokes: * The skinny guy in the office is Shon. * … Continue reading
Posted in Parenting, Uncategorized
Tagged All
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The Fork in the Road: Moral vs. Positive Law: Baptized into Christ
Argument 3. It would be a mistake, of course, to discuss morality without discussing Christology. We are baptized “into” Christ. We become a part of his body on earth. We are transformed by the Spirit into his likeness. Therefore, acting/becoming … Continue reading
Perseverance: A Reply to Randall
Randall challenged me to re-open the discussion on the perseverance of the saints (POTS) or “once saved, always saved.” Historically, the Churches of Christ have rejected this view uniformly, but now there is movement in some circles toward a more … Continue reading
Posted in Perseverance, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Church of Christ Links, perseverance of the saints, POTS
375 Comments
The Fork in the Road: A Reply to John, Part 2 (Regarding Confession and Forgiveness)
Many in the Churches of Christ have taught that, while baptism forgives our former sins, future sins are forgiven by a three-step process — 1. Confess the sin to God (1 John 1:9). 2. Repent of the sin. 3. Ask … Continue reading
Posted in Fork in the Road, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Baptism, Church of Christ Links, confession
11 Comments
Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan: The Good Samaritan
RVL tells the story of being in class in a Jewish university. The rabbi taught the Parable of the Good Samaritan, as taught by Rabbi Yeshua (Hebrew for “Jesus”), and he declared this the greatest parable ever told! The Jewish … Continue reading
Posted in Faith Lessons by Ray Vander Laan, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Faith Lessons, Good Samaritan, Ray Vander Laan
8 Comments
The Fork in the Road: A Reply to John, Part 1 (Regarding Hebrews 10)
[A comment I made yesterday, edited a tad, and moved to be a main post.] John wrote, Jay, [His laws of pardon are] [r]epentance of sin, confession of fault, and prayer to God for forgiveness. 1 John 1.7 is a … Continue reading
The Fork in the Road: The Nashville Tennessean Weighs In
A week ago, Bob Smietana, a reporter for the Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, emailed me, asking for an interview for a story he was working on regarding the progressive Churches of Christ. I tried to set up a time, but … Continue reading
The Fork in the Road: Rich’s Question
Rich asked, When I think of the concept of law within the Bible I think of anything I must obey. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” I equate the generic term ‘law’ with ‘commandments’ whatever they may … Continue reading
Posted in Fork in the Road, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Church of Christ Links, K.C. Moser, Law
27 Comments
The Fork in the Road: Moral vs. Positive Law: Those led by the Spirit aren’t under law
Argument 2. In Galatians, Paul continues to explain why obedience to the positive command of circumcision is pointless. (Gal 5:18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Now, we try take this statement, turn … Continue reading
Posted in Fork in the Road, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Church of Christ Links, Galatians 5:18, Holy Spirit, Law
64 Comments
The Fork in the Road: Moral vs. Positive Law: Love Fulfills the Law
I contend that Benjamin Franklin has it exactly backwards: moral law is higher than positive law. Indeed, I question whether God even makes positive law any more. Argument 1. (Rom 13:8) Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt … Continue reading
Posted in Fork in the Road, Uncategorized
Tagged All, Benjamin Franklin, Church of Christ Links
20 Comments
