Search Results for Job

Forgiven, reconciled, and saved?

March 13, 2012 // 38 Comments

The world sure is a strange place. Just when you think you’ve seen everything, something new hits you on the side of the head. When I was growing up, the number one theological question was this one: “Once saved, always saved?” People who asked this question wanted to know whether it is possible for a [...]

Is Jesus the savior of the world?

March 7, 2012 // 72 Comments

I know, it’s a dumb question. And yet among Christians this question – Is Jesus the Savior of the world? – leads to two radically different answers: (1) Yes – all can be saved (2) Yes – all are now saved Between these two answers lies one of biggest debates raging on Gracebook, sorry [...]

The Greatest Law Preacher

January 14, 2012 // 105 Comments

“Don’t stray too far from the red letters,” is a piece of advice often given to new preachers. It means, stay close to the teachings of Jesus and you can’t go wrong. It sounds good, but it’s bad advice. Everything Jesus said was good, but not everything he said is good for you. Read the red letters of [...]

Endure hardship? Or thresh mountains?

December 31, 2011 // 41 Comments

A few days ago, a house on the Sunshine Coast in Australia was destroyed in a fire that was possibly started by faulty Christmas lights. A family of five were sleeping inside at the time but only the father managed to escape the flames. The neighbours found him in the driveway “burnt from head to toe” and [...]

“He Loves Me” by Wayne Jacobsen

November 15, 2011 // 10 Comments

He Loves Me: Learning to Live in the Father’s Affection

How do you tell an unbeliever about the gospel? There are two basic approaches. The first approach, which is based on fear, poses hypothetical questions like, “If you were to die tonight, do you know where you would go? You could go to hell!” I don’t doubt that this approach is effective in getting people [...]

Star Trek and the great commission: 12 parallels

September 8, 2011 // 14 Comments

Today, 8 September, is the 45th anniversary of the first regular episode of Star Trek. How could I pass up an opportunity like this to talk about one of my all-time favorite TV shows? But Paul, aren’t you supposed to be writing about Bible stuff? What does one of the most culturally influential TV shows have to [...]

How to Walk After the Flesh in 20 Easy Lessons

August 11, 2011 // 68 Comments

If you’ve ever taken children to the zoo, you will know that the big animals tend to be more popular than the small ones. Elephants, rhinos, and tigers get more attention than otters, turtles, and geckos. And so it is with works of the flesh. Ask any churchgoer to list the works of the flesh and they will [...]

Wommackisms – Top 20 Andrew Wommack Quotes

July 11, 2011 // 304 Comments

If you’ve ever heard Andrew Wommack speak, you will know that he is one unique hombre. I’m not just referring to his theology – there’s a growing number of people preaching pure grace these days. I’m referring to the way he speaks. I say this with the utmost respect, but Wommack has mastered the art of [...]

I believe, help my unbelief

June 16, 2011 // 89 Comments

Imagine you had a successful ministry that saw you healing the sick and casting out demons everywhere you went. Then one day a father brings his son to you, the boy has a seizure right in front of you, and you can’t heal him. How would you react? Would you; (a) conclude that it’s not God’s will to heal all [...]

“What’s So Amazing About Grace?” by Philip Yancey

May 24, 2011 // 11 Comments

I only just got around to reading Philip Yancey’s 1997, award winning book, What’s So Amazing About Grace? When a friend gave me this book several years ago I mistook it for another book I thought I had already read it. But a few weeks ago I picked it up, got whacked in the guts by the story at the start of [...]

What is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

April 21, 2011 // 208 Comments

I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin. (Mk 3:28-29) Although many fear that they have done unforgiveable things, Jesus said that there is only one unforgiveable sin, and [...]

Chop Off your Hand?! Was Jesus Serious?

April 7, 2011 // 80 Comments

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole [...]

Who killed Herod?

March 1, 2011 // 86 Comments

In the past week numerous websites have declared that Christchurch’s recent earthquake was God punishing the city for its sin. But as I explained elsewhere, God’s remedy for sin is not earthquakes, hurricanes or terrorism. God dealt with all our sin at the cross. If God used natural disasters to judge cities, [...]

The Christchurch Earthquake: 4 questions Christians can answer

February 22, 2011 // 70 Comments

An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck my hometown at 12:51pm this afternoon. I don’t live in Christchurch anymore, but I heard about it within 10 minutes. We were on our way to Auckland airport at the time. Christchurch had a major quake last September and about a thousand aftershocks since then, so I didn’t [...]

Book Reviews

February 15, 2011 // 107 Comments

Below are some outstanding books reviewed here on E2R. Clicking on a cover will take you to the relevant post… Recommendations I am often asked to recommend books to those who are new to the gospel of grace. I recommend all of the books above, but if you’re in a hurry, check out this list of [...]

Translation

February 14, 2011 // 5 Comments

Want to translate one of Paul Ellis’s books? Read this. Want to translate one of the articles you’ve found here on Escape to Reality? Go for it! You do not need to ask permission. However, please include a link to the original article. And when your article is up, let us know and we’ll advertise [...]

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

February 5, 2011 // 13 Comments

Escape to Reality is one year old today! I started blogging on 5 February 2010 for no other reason than I couldn’t help myself. I had words inside me that needed to get out. I didn’t know if anyone would want to read them, but to those of you who have, thanks! And to those of you who’ve taken the time to [...]

6 Books for Christmas (2010)

December 4, 2010 // 4 Comments

Christmas is the season for giving and that means books! Last night, as a special treat, I got to spend about two hours in Borders. I bought a book for myself and a book to give away. I also read about ten other books but that’s what the armchairs are for right? An Irish poet once said, “books are the [...]

“Grace Walk” by Steve McVey

November 9, 2010 // 10 Comments

Christians are often surprised to learn that they have been mixing law with grace. People have said to me, “I’m not trying to keep the 10 commandments, so why do you say I’m living under law?” I doubt there are many believers who are trying to live by the 10 commandments. Yet the choices many make show [...]

Seven Signs You Might be Living Under Law

November 6, 2010 // 86 Comments

This week I finally got to see the movie, The Book of Eli. If you like stories where a lone man stands up to the wicked while trying to distribute the word of God in a post-apocalyptic world, this is the movie for you. Just don’t show it at your youth group. It is extremely violent. Still, it made me think [...]

“When Heaven Invades Earth” by Bill Johnson

September 8, 2010 // 7 Comments

In 1987 Bill Johnson attended a John Wimber conference on signs and wonders. He left discouraged because those speaking at the conference had fruit for what they believed. All Bill Johnson had was good doctrine. How times have changed! Now Bill Johnson and his Bethel Church are synonymous with the miraculous. I [...]

By Which Gospel are you Saved?

August 11, 2010 // 105 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. Keep reading and you will come [...]

Does God Give and Take Away?

August 2, 2010 // 549 Comments

The whole Bible is good for you, but to understand the written word, you need to know the Living Word. Try to read the Bible without an appreciation of Jesus – who he is and what he has done – and you may end up taking someone else’s medicine. Some verses will appear to contradict others and you will get [...]

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: Five Reasons to Thank Him

July 1, 2010 // 23 Comments

The gospel of grace is underwritten by the most precious commodity in the universe – the blood of Jesus. Some have lost sight of an important truth, possibly the most important truth, which is this: no blood means no salvation. And no redemption, no forgiveness, no sanctification, and no future. Without the [...]

Subject Index

June 23, 2010 // 0 Comments

Click on a link below to be taken to a list of posts about that category. Numbers in brackets are the number of relevant posts. You can also search for posts in the main archive or scripture index. Subject index People index acceptance (6) AD70 (30) anger of God, see wrath announcements (48) art (1) ascension [...]

What Do You Think? Two Must-Read Books about Transformed Minds

May 6, 2010 // 11 Comments

What you think has a great bearing on who you are and what you do. “For as a man thinks, so he is,” (Pro 23:7). Yet an outsider looking at the church would find there are some who don’t seem to think much at all. I’m talking about those who hold to a mindless form of religion, characterized by [...]

Bible Questions

April 30, 2010 // 72 Comments

Got a question about God, the Bible, or life in general? Find answers here: SearchSearch Got a question? Ask us in the comments [...]

Where Does Forgiveness Come From? And Why Does it Matter?

April 19, 2010 // 15 Comments

There are two statements in the Bible that seem to contradict each other: 1. If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Mt 6:14) 2. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13) Did you spot the difference? The first statement says forgiveness starts with [...]

Leadership in The Office: Top 15 Michael Scott Quotes

April 16, 2010 // 3 Comments

One thing that unites most church leaders is an interest in the subject of leadership. Leadership is important, I’ll grant you, but honestly, do we need another leaders’ meeting? Since that day in Miletus when Paul met with the Ephesian elders, leaders have been meeting regularly with other leaders to teach [...]

Easter in Narnia: What Really Happened at the Stone Table

April 2, 2010 // 2 Comments

In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the schoolboy Peter finds himself in two bloodthirsty battles. In the first he fights and slays Maugrim the Wolf, captain of the Witch’s secret police. You’ve got to admire Peter’s courage. One day he’s playing hide and seek in the Professor’s house, the next [...]

Getting Caught by Your Calling

February 3, 2010 // 4 Comments

Christians in their twenties often struggle with the issue of God’s calling, as in, what does God want me to do with my life? I’m a big believer in reflection and taking time out to think over such matters, but often this leads to paralysis. Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll meet young Christians [...]