Category Archives: Index

Let’s get back to where we started: grace and baptism. Here’s the difficult thought that we need to wrestle to the ground: How can grace forgive sin (including doctrinal error — but not a lack of faith in Jesus) and … Continue reading →

Let’s talk about justification by faith. What does that mean? We’ve talked at length about faith, but not justification. But doesn’t it just mean “saved”? No, it does not. Rather, it means — The acquittal, or declaration of being righteous, … Continue reading →

I have a confession to make. For decades, I was convinced that grace does not extend to baptismal error. After all, faith is non-negotiable. Why shouldn’t baptism be the same? Not too many years ago, it became obvious to me that … Continue reading →

Grace is not an easy concept for most people. To some, it sounds like what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called “cheap grace.” From his The Cost of Discipleship, cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline. … Continue reading →

[An extra post at no extra charge!] Judging from the comments, it would be helpful for me to lay out what I teach about baptism again. It’s not complicated, but because it’s unfamiliar to most within the Churches of Christ, … Continue reading →

In recent discussions about baptism, I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I believe that God’s grace will cover baptismal error. Grace will not, however, cover the absence of faith in Jesus. I had hoped that the doctrine of grace … Continue reading →

[This is a bit long but doesn’t easily break into pieces. Next post will be Friday (Lord willing), to give time to reflect (and watch football. Roll Tide!)] Long-time reader Royce asks in a comment, True repentance means one turns … Continue reading →

3. Does the “gospel,” as the term is used in the Gospels, include water baptism? No. “Gospel” in the Gospels is a reference to the good news promised by the prophets of the Old Testament, and there is no mention … Continue reading →