Paul

Did Paul Preach a Different Gospel?

March 3, 2022 // 10 Comments

Read the New Testament and you might come away with the idea that there is more than one gospel. The very first words of the New Testament in the King James Bible are, “The Gospel According to Matthew.” Read on and you will also find the gospels according to Mark, Luke, and John. In the Gospels of Matthew and [...]

Seven books for Christmas 2015

December 2, 2015 // 15 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve recommended some good vacation reading here on E2R. Here are six diverse books I have recently enjoyed The Apostle: A Life of Paul, by John Pollock (2012) This biography of the apostle of grace is a treasure. It makes the stories of Acts come alive and gives the reader a rich [...]

Before and After

April 16, 2011 // 4 Comments

Before he was saved, Paul was a Pharisee (Php 3:5), and like any Pharisee he would’ve prayed the prayer seen on the left (source: Encyclopedia Talmudit, Vol.4, Jerusalem 1956, p.371). Religious pride feeds itself by drawing lines between us and them. It says, “Thank you God that I am not like other [...]

Acts 21:17-26

February 16, 2011 // 20 Comments

If I told you there was a New Testament believer who esteemed the law, made offerings at the temple, and circumcised at least one of his friends, you might think, “there goes someone who needs to hear about the grace of God!” Yet the apostle Paul did all these things. Why? To win Jews to Christ… Though I am [...]

Acts 15 – Grace defeats law in Jerusalem

February 13, 2011 // 16 Comments

For hundreds of years, James the apostle has been given a bad rap. He’s been dismissed as an apostle of works and a primitive Christian who didn’t know grace. I have never heard anyone say that James preached pure grace. As far as I know, I may be the only one banging this drum. But think, for a moment, about [...]

Did James understand grace? 6 reasons to say yes!

February 9, 2011 // 43 Comments

Your opinion of James matters a great deal. If you think James was confused about the gospel of grace, then you might as well throw your Bible away. If James was preaching a different message from Paul, then the NT writers are a house divided. And if the writers of the Bible do not agree with each other on basic [...]