Previously, I discussed my reading of Romans 8.29-30, which I read as separating God's foreknowledge from his sovereign choice (predestination) to preserve those who will respond to him in faith. As I read it, this rules out double predestination, which is the idea that God chooses, predestines, renders certain BOTH the individuals who are the … Continue reading Why I Am Not a Calvinist, pt 2: Double Predestination and God’s Love
Knowing God
The Holy Spirit pt 3; Daniel’s Observations
There was some discussion on Facebook regarding the original post in this series. Daniel Bartholomew offered several perceptive comments about how the Spirit acts. Biblically speaking, God's power is often manifested in deeply, deeply flawed individuals. Think David. Lot, called "righteous". Noah. Even Saul displayed the work of the Spirit. There does seem, Biblically speaking, … Continue reading The Holy Spirit pt 3; Daniel’s Observations
“His Mercy Is More”
I just heard this song; not new, but new to me. Love this. LOVE it. What love could remember, no wrongs we have done Omniscient all-knowing, He counts not their sum Thrown into a sea, without bottom or shore Our sins they are many, His mercy is more What patience would wait, as we constantly … Continue reading “His Mercy Is More”
Stillness & Being
The picture is an iPhone pano of the scene I've been staring at for the past hour; the Adriatic Sea off Rovinj, Croatia. The picture doesn't do justice to Rovinj, one of my favorite places on earth, and a truly beautiful city. But I think it captures something of the immenseness & the always-changing yet … Continue reading Stillness & Being
Atonement, pt 2
Why did Jesus die? What did his death achieve? When we attempt to answer those questions, we are discussing "atonement". These questions have spawned a great deal of discussion over the past 2,000 years. Different Bible writers, including Jesus himself (I call Jesus a “Bible writer” because he is the source of the material attributed … Continue reading Atonement, pt 2
Atonement pt 1: Why Did Jesus Die?
I'm going to "geek out" on theology for the next few days. Consider this a cheap and amateurish introduction to systematic theology. I've been meaning for some time to publish the following material, which I originally presented at Stijena Spasenja ("Rock of Salvation"), an Evangelical Pentecostal congregation here in Zagreb. Why did Jesus die? What … Continue reading Atonement pt 1: Why Did Jesus Die?
Accountability Questions for Spiritual Adults
I am taking these questions from the HC podcast "Housechurch+" from 26 September 2016. The hosts are leaders in Prairie Alliance Church, Portage, Manitoba. I am posting with their permission. Their identities don't really affect the impact of the material, but I think one of them is Chris Kehler (I'm not sure) and I haven't … Continue reading Accountability Questions for Spiritual Adults
Good Friday / Dark Saturday Thoughts
Last night (Friday night), BIZG and our Center for Biblical Research joined with Biblija365 to present a public reading of scripture for Good Friday. It was a beautiful event, with classical guitar & vocals accompanying the reading. At the event, I was struck by how we weren't very good at Good Friday in American churches; … Continue reading Good Friday / Dark Saturday Thoughts
Dark Saturday
Today, among the ashes we wait. ... Tomorrow we celebrate, For he has risen, And everything is changed.
Circleslide 