Search Results for Job
Imagine you wanted to turn the story of Job into a play, but not a historical play. You have no interest in telling the old story of a man who was robbed and suffered. You’re much more meta than that. No, you want a gospel play. You want to tell the good news story of Jesus using characters from the story [...]
Is Job a Type of Jesus?
The Bible contains pictures of Jesus on every page. Indeed, one of the reasons why I enjoy reading the scriptures, is they reveal much about the character of Christ. But what about the story of Job? Where is Jesus in that? A couple of readers suggested that Job represents Christ in this story. I have to confess, [...]
Did God ruin Job? (Job 2:3)
Pop quiz: Which Biblical character has attracted the most comments on this blog? Yes, it’s Job, which tells me that the story of Job-who-lost-everything is one of the most divisive in scripture. For the past eight years, I have maintained that God was not complicit in the ruin of Job. God did not rob him, kill [...]
Did God Hand Job Over to Satan? (Job 2:6)
God good; Satan bad. That’s deep revelation, yet many don’t know it. They think a good God does bad things and that he sometimes employs the devil to do his dirty work. Take the subject of sickness, for instance. When we get sick it’s natural to ask, how did this happen? Did I catch a bug? Did I eat [...]
Does the Lord Bring Trouble? (Job 42:11)
A few readers have asked for my thoughts on this “troublesome” passage: All (Job’s) brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a [...]
The “Patience” of Job
The Bible is full of humor and wisdom and if you don’t believe me, read this: As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. (James 5:11) This verse makes me laugh and [...]
Job’s Grace Encounter
Tradition teaches that Job endured unimaginable suffering with poise and noble patience. He was a giant of the faith who never said anything wrong, and he is a great example for us all to follow. Baloney. Read the Bible and you will see that Job was a self-righteous whiner who complained to high heaven. He blamed [...]
Ten Little Known Facts About Job
Many people consider Job a great man and a champion of the faith. Job, you will recall, lost everything (his family, wealth and health), then sat on a dunghill scratching himself with a broken plate while having a theological debate with seminarians. As a result of this rich, life-affirming experience, [...]
“Understanding the Book of Job” by Tom Tompkins
“If you’re suffering, you must have done something bad. God must be punishing you.” That must be one of the oldest lies in history. Here’s another. “God is using these hard times to teach you humility.” These lies can be traced back to one of the oldest and most misunderstood stories in the Bible – [...]
God Doesn’t Do Half-Jobs: Why Partial Forgiveness Is Completely Bogus
There’s a teaching going around that says that God has only half-forgiven us. If it sounds wacky, that’s because it is. But partial forgiveness is what you have if you think there are things we must do to stay forgiven. Sure, Jesus forgave us at the cross, but to stay forgiven we need to forgive others or [...]
What is the New Covenant?
Imagine going through 12 years of school and never being taught how to read or write. Your teachers taught you maths, music and physical education, but they neglected to teach you the basics of reading and writing. That would be a serious oversight. You would leave school illiterate and ill-equipped for life. You [...]
You are not a Doorkeeper in the House of God
“I am a bondservant of the Lord.” So said Paul and every other New Testament epistle writer. Works-preachers ever since have been saying that we are God’s servants who serve so get busy serving. And the result is a flesh-powered, fatigued and fruitless church. You are not God’s servant. You are his [...]
Why We Are Not a Red-Letter Church
“What kind of church are you?” I wasn’t sure how to answer the question. The lady who had rung my office was thinking of attending one of our Sunday services, but she wanted to know more about us. Were we evangelical, charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran or what? It was a tricky question because we were all of [...]
How to Get Wisdom from God?
Wisdom is the ability to make good decisions and sound judgments. Wisdom is knowing how to walk in the favor and will of God. We all need wisdom, especially when we come to the crossroads of life. “Which way should I go?” “Should I take this job?” “Is s/he the one for me?” Wisdom protects us from [...]
What does it Mean to Abide in the Vine?
Abiding in the vine is the antidote to independence, and the remedy to barrenness. Every believer knows these words of Jesus. “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). But what did he mean and how do we do it? Jesus gives us this word-picture: I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in [...]
“You Shall Surely Die”
Once upon a time you were spiritually dead. Then you met Jesus and now you are spiritually alive. Or so the story goes. Like many religious phrases the idea that we were spiritually dead makes sense until you start asking questions like “what is spiritual death?” and “why isn’t spiritual death mentioned [...]
How to Walk in the Spirit
You were designed to be spiritual. You were created to walk in the spirit. Yet many people walk after the flesh. They make judgments based on what they hear, see, and understand, rather than listening to what their spirit is sensing the Lord is saying. To be led by the Spirit is to live with our eyes fixed on the [...]
Can you Trust ChatGPT to Teach You about Grace?
ChatGPT, an A.I.-based chatbot that was released in November 2022, may be the biggest technological breakthrough to affect the church since the invention of the printing press. What does it do? It answers questions and writes essays. It also writes sermons, lessons, prayers, lyrics, dissertations, movie scenes, [...]
The True Meaning of Holiness
When I was a teenager, I was involved in a band with some church friends. There were four of us in the band and I played the keyboard. One day, I got in an argument with the guitarist. It was an argument that Christian musicians have been having for centuries. My friend: “We’re a Christian band. We should [...]
Is a Silent Wife a Gift from the Lord?
Recently in New Zealand, there was a job advertisement calling for a couple to manage a holiday camp. According to the ad, the ideal wife would have knowledge of Microsoft Office, know how to work the telephone, and be “of a quiet disposition.” The implication was that vocal or outspoken wives would not be [...]
Original Sin is Unbiblical
The doctrine of original sin is one of the most damaging lies ever inflicted on the human race. Developed by Tertullian and popularized by Augustine, original sin says we all inherited Adam’s fallen nature. There is no question that sinners have a sinful nature and that we all need to be saved from sin, but [...]
How Do We Keep the Word of His Perserverance?
You know that warning about not adding words to the Bible? I think of it whenever I read passages like this: You have kept my command to endure patiently… (Revelation 3:10a) That’s from the NIV translation and it conveys the idea that you have been commanded to endure life’s struggles with fortitute [...]
Paul’s Review of The Passion Translation
Several years ago, readers started telling me about this new Bible called the Passion Translation. “It’s fresh. It’s brilliant. Check it out.” The buzz reminded me of the excitement we felt when the Message Bible was published in the 1990s. So I went to Amazon and bought this new Bible. Only I got the [...]
Why Aren’t All Healed? (And Other Questions I’ve Been Asked)
I love a good question. I love questions so much, I wrote a book full of them. What’s so great about questions? As I say in that book, Questions are stepping stones to revelation and doorways to discovery. A good question can take you places. It can free you from unhealthy mindsets and set you on the path to [...]
How Does a Husband Act Like a Head?
Here’s a line you may have heard: “God has ordained the husband to be the head of the marriage, which means he’s in charge.” The first bit is biblical; the second bit is not. Headship, in a Biblical sense, has nothing to do with superiority or being in charge. The Greek philosophers taught that men were [...]
Six Signs of a Self-Righteous Mindset
Self-righteousness is the worst disease to ever afflict the human race. Self-righteousness will keep you from grace and lock you out of the kingdom. For this reason, great preachers like Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon made a habit of preaching against self-righteousness. But do you know what [...]
When Jesus Speaks Harshly
Since I preach grace, I am often hit with the accusation that I have not read the harsh words of Jesus. The argument seems to be that because Jesus spoke harshly to the Laodiceans, Sardians, etc., he’s not as gracious and loving as I make him out to be. Like the Hulk, Jesus has an angry side that grace [...]
5 Myths about God’s Forgiveness
No religion preaches the complete forgiveness of sins like Christianity. You might say it’s one of our unique selling points. So why do we do such a bad job with it? We tell people God may forgive them if they say the right words and keep on the straight and narrow, and then we try and pass off this awful [...]
He Who Sows Sparingly
The church does a lot of things well, but one area where we sometimes drop the ball is money. I have seen rich leaders use threats to extort money from poor people. I’ve encountered churches that publicly name and shame non-tithers. And I know struggling families that borrow from loan sharks to pay their tithes [...]
Three Treats for the Feast of Ascension
Forty days after Easter brings us to the Feast of Ascension. Which means that people all over the world are today celebrating the ascension of Jesus into heaven. I’ve been thinking about the post-Easter period because I’ve recently added several hundred verses to the Grace Commentary, many of them having to [...]
Four People You Should Never Listen To
On the day Jesus died, he encountered opposition from four powerful men. These authority figures represent the types of people who will seek to frustrate God’s plan for your life. We can learn a lot from how Jesus responded to these four men and his responses to each. 1. Annas the false father The first [...]
What Burdens Does Jesus Place On Us?
Thyatira is considered one of the bad churches in the Bible. You may recall they had allowed a woman called Jezebel to preach and she led some of the believers astray. So Jesus sent them a letter where he basically says, “I’m going to deal with this.” He ends his letter with this: I place no other [...]
What a Difference a Word Can Make
We Christians are very good at drawing bad conclusions from good scriptures. This happens when we read a verse out of context. Sometimes it can happen because we miss one single word. Misread the Bible and you’ll end up with all sorts of screwy ideas. You’ll think we cleanse ourselves by confessing sins or [...]
Why the Woman of Proverbs 31 May Not Be Your Ideal Wife
Many men and women have a mental list describing their ideal partner. “She’s got to be a good cook, enjoy watching sports, and not be a nag.” “He’s got to have a steady job, a nice car, and a mother who lives far away.” Some even invoke a Biblical basis for this sort of wish list. “Proverbs says, [...]
Women Pastors in the Bible
What is a pastor? A pastor is a shepherd. That’s what the word literally means. A pastor is someone who tends and guides spiritual sheep. Can women pastor? Let me answer that question with a better one: If God has gifted and called a woman to pastor, should we oppose him? Here’s another: Since God empowered [...]
How to Rule and Reign Here and Now
Do you know that in Christ you are royal? Most Christians do not know they are kings. They think that are going to be kings – one day, maybe, after Jesus returns – but they do not know that Jesus has empowered them to rule and reign here and now. “One day I will be crowned but for now I am merely a humble [...]
Are Women More Easily Deceived?
Here’s a question for your next Bible Study class: Why do female witches outnumber male witches twenty to one? Odd question? King James didn’t think so. When he wasn’t overseeing the production of the Bible that bears his name, James was interrogating women he believed were witches. James was obsessed with [...]
What Makes a Great Christian Movie?
I recently turned 50, and to mark the occasion I ranked my all time top 50 movies. Every guy has a list of his favorite five or ten movies. I wanted to go all the way to 50 baby! It turned out to be a worthy challenge because there are so many great movies. In the end, I listed 100 movies (my top 50 + 50 [...]
How D. L. Moody endured his most frightening crisis
The world is in lockdown, which makes it a great time to read. We may not have jobs, movies, sport, and takeout food, but we still have books. Thank you, Jesus. I’ve been reading a biography on D.L. Moody, the great American evangelist. I have no doubt that the present crisis would not have troubled him [...]
A free study guide and a sweet treat!
Hi friends, I have TWO exciting book announcements to share with you. 1. The Chocolate Gospel ebook is now on sale My latest book, The Chocolate Gospel, has just gone live on Kindle. You can also get it for your Android device and in PDF form here. If you missed out on the Kickstarter project, you will not be [...]
Ten Birthday Candles: E2R’s Most Inflammatory Articles
Escape to Reality is turning ten next week! To mark the occasion I could list the ten most popular articles, but that would be boring. I’d rather list the ten most inflammatory articles, the ones that lit a fire and got people talking. Think of these as ten candles atop the cake of nostalgia. 10. The [...]
Hot Potatoes
Here are some hot potatoes we’re not afraid to touch: Am I completely forgiven? Can divorced people remarry? Can unbelievers take communion? Did God really hand Job over to Satan? Does God kill babies? Does God love me when I sin? Does God make me sick to teach me things? Does Jesus want me to sell my [...]
Endorsements
I have known Paul for about 20 years. He is a man of immense integrity and humility. When he writes something he means it! Many are looking for truth they can rely on. In this book, Paul delivers this big time. Read and be in awe of how good God is! ~ Rob Rufus, senior pastor, City Church International, Hong [...]
You are a King (so act like one)
Did you know that you are called to be a king? It’s true. God told Abraham he would be “the father of many nations and kings will come from you.” Abraham’s offspring—the children of the faith—are meant to be kings (see Gen. 17:6, 16). This means you. Jesus the King has made you both a king and a [...]
The High Cost of Free Grace
The gospel of grace is not a philosophy to debate or a lifestyle to adopt. Grace is the power of God that saves those who receive it. Grace is God blessing us for no other reason than he loves us. The good news reveals that the grace that sets us free is entirely free – there’s nothing to pay because Jesus [...]
Why did Jesus send letters from heaven?
The letters from Jesus found in Revelation 2 and 3 contain two things everyone of us needs to navigate life’s trials: a picture of Jesus and a promise from Jesus. When you’re going through hard times, you need to see Jesus, who is above your circumstances, and when you’re battling fear and anxiety, you need [...]
Merry Christmas from the White House
I will not be sad to see the end of 2018. I don’t know about you, but this has been a year of low-level stress for us. Nothing major. Just a lot of rotten wood and asbestos in our house that had to go. And a roof, several walls, a few floors, and all the windows. We’ve had months of dust and disruption and [...]
Are these the Very Last Days?
UPDATE: This offer has now closed. My thanks to all who signed up. Missed out? There are still plenty of good reasons for signing up on Patreon. Are these the very last days? They are if you want to get your name in my new book, Letters from Jesus. Aargh! Groan. Sorry for the click-bait title. But I have to ask [...]
Is God the Author of Evil?
Whenever I tell people that God-is-all-the-time-good, I am invariably rebuked by those who say he isn’t. And they’ve got the scriptures to prove it. Job 1:21 says God robbed Job 1 Samuel 2:6-7 says God makes people poor and kills them Exodus 4:11 says God gives people disabilities Isaiah 45:7 says God is the [...]
Every Knee Shall Bow: Was Paul a Universalist?
Here’s a verse to fire the imagination: It is written: “As surely as I live,” says the Lord, “Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.” (Rom. 14:11) What picture comes to your mind when you read these words? Some see this verse as pointing to universal salvation. “Everyone who [...]
The One about the Millstone and the Sea
A pastor makes an announcement: “Great news, church. Our kids’ program is growing and we need teachers. If you have a heart for teaching children, let me know. But take care, if you do a poor job, God will punish you. It would be better for a millstone to be hung around your neck and for you to be drowned in [...]
Did Peter Preach Conditional Forgiveness to Simon the Sorcerer? (Acts 8:22)
If God loves you, God forgives you, and God loves you indeed! God’s forgiveness is revealed in the matchless and unrepeatable sacrifice of the One who died for all sin. In Christ, you are eternally and unconditionally forgiven. Good news, no? It’s a liberating truth, yet many haven’t heard it. They’re [...]
The Day and the Hour
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. (Matthew 24:36) The disciples thought that the temple would come down when Jesus returned at the end of the age. To them, these events were connected. But history shows they are not. The temple has come down, [...]
What is the Prayer of Faith?
Much of what passes for prayer is wishful thinking. “Oh Lord, please heal Mary.” I’m sure you can, Lord. I just don’t know if you will. “I beg you to heal Tom.” But if you do, no one will be more surprised than me. You can pretty much guarantee these sorts of prayers won’t change anything [...]
Satan Desires to Sift You
Here’s a verse that frightens many people: Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. (Luke 22:31) Here are three conclusions people draw from these words of Jesus: Satan needs permission to attack us God gives Satan permission to attack us God and Satan are colleagues in the business of [...]
What Makes a Church a Family?
The gospel of grace has exploded over the past few years. Ten years ago you probably hadn’t heard of Joseph Prince, Andrew Wommack, or Escape to Reality. But today many people are preaching grace, writing about grace, singing about grace, and walking in grace. Now there are countless sermons, books, videos and [...]
How your Bible may be ruining the Gospel
My wife is a good cook. She does a Danish roast with crackling pork and all the trimmings that is second-to-none. In fact, she is preparing a sumptuous roast dinner as I write. I’m practically drooling on the keyboard. Knowing that my wife is a good cook, which of these two sentences do you prefer? 1. Camilla [...]
New Grace Books
Books are listed in order of publication (newest first). Authors/publishers, want to see your book listed on this page? Submit your details here. Praying the Word of Grace, by Jonah Priour (Dec 2022) This book is filled to overflowing with the riches of God’s grace found in the pages of Scripture. For years, I [...]
Isaiah 45:7 – Does the Lord create evil?
Whenever I tell people that God is good and he is not the One making them sick nor is he responsible for the bad things going on in the world, I can guarantee that I will get two cynical responses. (1) “Tell that to Job,” and (2) “That’s not what is says in Isaiah 45.” As I have looked at the foolish [...]
Is Grace a License to be Lazy?
One of the complaints made against the gospel of grace is that it promotes sin and slothfulness. Those who say such things know little about the grace of God that empowers us to reign in life. Elsewhere I have addressed the misperception that grace is a license to sin. Today I want to look at its evil [...]
No More Lonely Love Songs
Union with Christ is the number one reason why we have it better than those who lived before the cross. Back then they wrote love songs about yearning and absence. Who can forget these classics? “I looked for the one my heart loves but I could not find him” (Song of Songs 3:1–2). “I opened to my beloved, [...]
Happy sixth birthday (and a free book for you!)
Escape to Reality is six years old today – hooray! – so this seems like a good opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the past and future of the blog. Since our last birthday I have published 58 new articles. The most popular was “The 9 lies of religion.” That one was fun to write, but my favorite [...]
The Parable of the Two Sons
From time to time people ask me to write about the parables of Jesus. This is something I enjoy doing because I love the parables. The parables of Jesus are launch pads to revelation and if we have ears to hear they reveal the wisdom of God. Especially this one: What do you think? There was a man who had two [...]
The Gospel of Elihu
The problem with manmade religion is that it views the Bible in a distorted way that glorifies self and diminishes grace. This can be seen in the way religion portrays Job as a good guy and God as a bad guy who sends the devil to do his dirty work. Contrary to popular opinion, Job was not a giant of faith but a [...]
Is Satan God’s Sheepdog?
The Book of Job is one of the most amazing stories in the Bible, but we read it wrong two ways. First, we elevate Job into some kind of faith hero. Second, we think the devil is a sheepdog sent by the Lord to do his dirty work. This crazy notion is based on the following passage: Then the Lord [...]
Sowing, reaping and the golden rule
From the beginning of time there have been two worldviews, two trees, and two ways live. One is karma (you reap what you sow), and the other is grace (you reap what someone else has sown). This world runs on karma: Do good, get good. Do bad, get bad. But the kingdom of God runs on grace: God is good to you. [...]
Did Jesus put price tags on forgiveness? (Matthew 6:14-15)
The gospel that Jesus revealed declares that God loves you like a father, he holds nothing against you, and he longs for his sons and daughters to come home. It’s the good news an orphaned world desperately needs to hear. So why did Jesus say this: For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your [...]
Is Forgiveness Like a Debit Card?
Are you completely forgiven or partly forgiven? It’s a simple question that reveals whether you appreciate all Christ did for you on the cross. Recently I heard a critic of the grace message say two contradictory statements: Christ paid for your complete redemption (amen!) but you are not completely forgiven [...]
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
In Luke 15 and 16, Jesus tells five parables in a row. The first three are about lost things; a sheep, a coin, and a son. The last two are about lost lives; a shrewd manager loses his livelihood and a rich man loses his life. 1. Story of the lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7) 2. Story of the lost son (Luke 15:8-10) 3. [...]
The 9 Lies of Religion
“I came into the world to testify to the truth,” said Jesus. “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (John 18:37). Strong words, Jesus. Put them on your Facebook page and you’ll get flamed. “Jesus, how dare you claim to have the inside track on truth? Why must we take sides? How ungracious. How [...]
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1–8)
The strangest parable Jesus ever told was about a man who cheats on his boss and is then praised for doing so (see Luke 16:1–8). The parable of the shrewd manager (or the unjust steward) is puzzling. What is Jesus trying to tell us? That it’s okay to cook the books, diddle the figures, and engage in [...]
Can Divorced People Remarry?
Hmm, that’s a tough one. Let me see. Can sinners be forgiven? Can runaways come home? Can crooks get a second chance? Can the broken be made whole? No, it’s not a tough question. It’s an easy question. Of course divorced people can remarry! These questions are only tough because religion has told us that [...]
Labor to Enter his Rest
The other day a strange man approached a young girl and offered her candy if she would get in his car. Thankfully, the girl knew all about stranger danger and quickly walked to a shop where she was safe. I know you’ve heard this sort of story before but this was different for us because it happened on our [...]
Scripture Index
Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation .Old Testament This index is updated every month or so. Don’t miss out [...]
Keep plowing or die! (Luke 9:62)
Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62) Is Jesus calling you to a life of unswerving service? Is he saying, “You’re here to work and work hard”? Well if he is, then he’s contradicting what he says here: Come to me, all you [...]
Is it wrong to ask God for forgiveness?
“Beware the grace Pharisees who jump on you if you dare to ask God for forgiveness. They will say you’re operating in unbelief and legalism.” This claim is sometimes made against those who preach grace. Because we say God has forgiven all your sins, apparently it’s wrong to ask him to forgive you. [...]
Herod’s death and the wrath of God
The Old Testament writers record a brutal history of divine wrath that came to an abrupt end at the cross. Before the cross, wrath was poured out on… – a world hell-bent on violence and self-destruction (Gen 6:13) – Sodom and Gomorrah on account of their “grievous sin” (Gen 18:20) – the [...]
Three books on parenting
Recently, I have read three books on parenting. One of them was good, one was not so good, and the third was a surprise. Let’s start with the good one. Grace-Based Parenting, by Tim Kimmel Dr. Kimmel observes that many parents are motivated by fear rather than faith when it comes to raising their children. This [...]
Are there degrees of judgment?
Jesus once told a parable about servants getting beaten up and cut to pieces by their master. It sounds like a sadistic version of Downtown Abbey. And it’s a story that fills many Christians with terror: That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will [...]
How to Teach the Gospel of Grace
I know a church where the pastor preached a series of sermons simply titled “Jesus.” For several weeks he expounded on the character of Christ and what he has done for us. It was brilliant. It was heavenly. But then he stopped. The series came to an end and the pastor began a new series. I don’t remember [...]
“The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones
A question I am often asked is, “What grace resources are available for children?” It seems there are hardly any. In Sunday School children are much more likely to learn about Christian values or the Ten Commandments than they are the unconditional love of their heavenly Father. This should trouble every [...]
Questions ain’t questions
Growing up in Australia, I was used to seeing trucks from a company called “Soils Ain’t Soils.” Strange name for a company but I get it. They’re saying there are different types of soils, and some soils are better than others. The same could be said of questions. Perhaps you’ve noticed an upsurge in the [...]
10 Reasons Why the Doctrine of Inclusion is not Good News
I love the gospel. It’s the best message I’ve ever heard. But to appreciate the positive, sometimes you have to highlight the negative. To help people understand the good news, sometimes you have to tell them what the good news is not. And inclusionism is not the good news. If you’ve just joined us, [...]
The Gospel in 10 sound bites
People sometimes ask me why I wrote The Gospel in Ten Words. I tell them it was like having an unplanned baby. I never meant to write that book. It just sort of happened. I actually set out to write a different book but I got distracted by a question: Who are you in Christ? Most Christians don’t know. “Who am [...]
Faith is a Rest
The gospel declares God’s grace comes through faith. So if you wanted to undermine the gospel, there are two ways you could do it: 1. attack grace – put price tags on it or obscure it by referring to it as a mere “doctrine”2. attack faith – either make it a work or diminish it, belittle it I usually [...]
Disqualified for the Prize?
I’m a bit of a runner. Last year I clocked up 500 miles in runs around my neighborhood. No marathons or ultras or anything like that. Just regular 5 mile runs and the odd 10k race. I’m not particularly fast and I’m not going to win any gold medals, but I am pretty confident that my physical discipline is [...]
What about Hell? 10 things to know
A few people have asked for my views on hell. I have never written on hell before. Like the weather on Uranus, hell is not a subject I think much about. I’m unlikely to come up to you at a party and say, “Hey, what about hell?” Hell is just not on my radar. But I appreciate that hell has become something of [...]
Can Unbelievers Take Communion?
Communion ought to be a time of celebrating Christ’s finished work on the cross. It ought to be a time when we proclaim his victory over sin and sickness. Yet for many, communion is a time of navel-gazing self-examination. It’s a time of asking, Am I good enough for God? Am I worthy? Jesus said “take this [...]
“Confronting the Error of Hyper-Grace” – a response to Michael Brown
In a recent CharismaNews article, Dr. Michael Brown confronts what he calls the “dangerous error” of the hyper-grace movement. He describes the foundational doctrines of this movement as follows; (1) we have been made righteous by the blood of Jesus, (2) all our sins have been forgiven, (3) the Holy Spirit [...]
How to Stand Secure on God’s Promises
Ever broken a promise, failed to keep your word, or been late for an engagement? Of course you have. Now you know why many Christians are worried sick that they may disappoint God. After all, isn’t the Bible full of exhortations to hold fast, continue, and endure to the end? Uncertainty is a faith-killer. If [...]
Eternal Security Scriptures
Below is a list of every scripture guaranteeing the eternal security of the believer. This list is a work-in-progress. Feel free to submit scriptures we’ve missed. – Old Testament (n = 9) – New Testament (n = 132) Don’t forget to check out the “what about” [...]
Why do people still die?
Death is sin’s wage, so if sin has been dealt with at the cross, why do people still die? Good question! I’ve seen sick people healed by the grace of God. I’ve seen deaf ears and blind eyes opened. But everyone still dies. Why is that? If Christ’s sacrifice undid Adam’s sin, why do people still die? If [...]
Is God Sovereign?
A friend of mine lost several million dollars in a bad investment. He is well into his seventies and this was his retirement money, so this was a big blow. What happened? He took some bad financial advice and put his money where he shouldn’t have. But my friend doesn’t see it like that. He told me, “God is [...]
Where was God in the Connecticut School Shooting?
Yet another school shooting has resulted in the loss of innocent lives in America and now questions are being asked: Where was God? Why didn’t God stop this? Why didn’t God protect the lives of those 20 children? For a grieving parent, these are normal questions. When you have suffered the greatest loss any [...]
Would you free a slave? Would you feed a child?
If you lived in the 1850s during the time of slavery, and you had the resources to purchase and liberate slaves, would you do it? Would you go to the slave markets and buy people in order to give them their freedom? Would you buy orphaned slaves and set them up with new and loving families? Of course you would. [...]
God Accepts You (Even if No One Else Does)
In this world acceptance comes at a price. If you want to be accepted you have to perform, you have to deliver, you have to shine. You have to be first in and best dressed. You have to close the deal and make the sale. You have to woo the girl and win the crowd. You have to dazzle the customer and impress the [...]
“The Ragamuffin Gospel” by Brennan Manning
Several years ago I attended an Easter Service where communion was to be served. Prior to distributing the cup and the bread a lady got up and read from Brennan Manning’s book The Ragamuffin Gospel. She read the part where Manning describes how Jesus overturned the customs of the day by dining with anyone who [...]
Which Bible do you trust?
A few days ago on E2R’s Facebook page, I posed the following question: “What translation of the Bible do you reach for first?” There are plenty of great Bible versions out there but I wanted to know, which Bible do you prefer? I had a reason for asking this question which I will get to in a minute, but I [...]
Six Books for the Holidays
I have spent the past ten weeks writing a book. (More on that in a later post.) Now we are about to take a family holiday which means I am on the hunt for some good holiday reads. Do you have any? Six books I won’t be taking with me – since I have just finished reading them – are the books you see below. [...]
Why Was the Seventh Day Holy?
When God made the heavens and the earth, everything he did was good. And yet none of the six days of creation was considered holy. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy. (Genesis 2:3) Have you ever wondered about that? God made the stars and planets and it was good – but not holy. God made the [...]