Review : WHO CAN BE SAVED? Reassessing Salvation in Christ and World Religions by Terrance L. Tiessen How will God judge those, before and after Christ, who throughout their lives and through no fault of their own never heard the divine revelation God has entrusted to his covenant people? In this exciting new book, Reformed theologian and gracEmail subscriber Terrance L. Tiessen counters head-on this question which always seems to surface among thoughtful and sensitive believers who consider deeply the implications of the gospel and of Christian witness. As a Reformed Christian, Tiessen … [Read more...]
The Purpose and Duration of Spiritual Gifts
by Edward Fudge Copyrighted 2006 by Edward Fudge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Approaching this subject Many of us have encountered extremes in attitude regarding the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. Some have been self-promoting, proud, divisive. Some have shut the door to the Holy Spirit and pulled the welcome mat inside. One author addresses both errors in his metaphorical book title Fire in the Fireplace. We humans tend to react by going to opposite extremes. Instead of … [Read more...]
The Law of Moses and Modern Tort Law
by Edward Fudge, M.A., J.D. Copyright 2006 by Edward Fudge All Rights Reserved INTRODUCTION As ancient Israel prepared to enter its Promised Land, the aged Moses addressed the people in what would prove to be his farewell speech. He rehearsed their rescue from Egyptian slavery, their wondrous passing through the Sea to safety and their marvelous provision during 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Most of all, he urged them to remember and to observe God’s laws once they had settled in the new land (Deut. 1-33; especially chapters 1-5). This law would provide a structure for … [Read more...]
“Security,” “Warnings” and the Gospel
By Edward Fudge “...[you] who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." --1 Pet. 1:5, KJV. ((Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New International version.)) Peter speaks here of the Christian's salvation and of his security. He mentions its certainty ("[you] who are kept by the power of God") and its conditionality or means ("through faith"). How do we put these two elements together? There are two traditional answers. The Calvinist reads the words, "kept by the power of God," and preaches security. The … [Read more...]
Suffering, Success and “The Day of Salvation”
"Suffering" and "success" do not appear often together in public today -- and often not in the church -- but they do in the Bible. In this article, which was first published in PresentTruth magazine (Vol. 42, June 1978), Edward shows how human desperation and powerlessness provides the opportunity for God's saving activity -- and how these counterparts are central to the gospel itself. Also available in pdf format: Suffering, Success and "The Day of Salvation" In this day of "success"-oriented religion focused on fleshly desires, human efforts and carnal pride, the story of Paul and his … [Read more...]
What Calvinism and Arminianism Have In Common
Lost in a thicket of Arminian and Calvinist debate, we sometimes lose sight of the grand truths we hold in common... By Edward Fudge Some Christians focus on points about which believers differ. Edward focuses on what they share in common. There is no getting around the fact that Calvinists and Arminians understand scriptural teaching in ways which are humanly irreconcilable. Yet even they share far more truth in common than either side frequently thinks. This article by Edward was first published in Christianity Today magazine. Also available in pdf format:What Calvinism and … [Read more...]
The Saving Love of God
by Edward Fudge (Also available in pdf format: The Saving Love of God) Sometimes the most powerful messages are also the most simple. This gospel article looks at two texts in the gospel of John which even children can understand, but which adults will never completely fathom. As Jesus presents it, God's love is passionate, personal, powerful, perpetual, profuse, perilous. Originally published in Wineskins, November/December, 1999. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Such a simple … [Read more...]
POWER FROM ON HIGH
Power from on High: Baptism in the Holy Spirit Nearly 2,000 years ago the Holy Spirit was poured out on God's people, on the Day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter 2. Today there is much confusion about Pentecost and the "baptism of the Holy Spirit." In this very careful Bible study, Edward discusses the need for Pentecost, the background of Pentecost, the blessing of Pentecost, the diversity of Pentecost and an invitation to Pentecost. Whatever your Christian background or present fellowship, you'll be blessed by this powerful and personal message from Scripture! Also available in … [Read more...]
Review of John Sanders
NO OTHER NAME: An Investigation into the Destiny of the Unevangelized by John Sanders Thoughtful Christians often wonder concerning the final destiny of those who, through no fault of their own, do not in this lifetime hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many believers assume that all such persons will certainly be lost. Evangelical scholar John Sanders says we ought not to be so sure. We must affirm that salvation is only through Jesus Christ, he insists, but that does not necessarily mean that everyone saved by Jesus has heard of Jesus. In this article, published in the Journal of the … [Read more...]
13 Lessons on the Holy Spirit
LESSONS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT by Edward Fudge LESSON 1 of 13 GOD'S SPIRIT IN THE WORLD BEFORE JESUS The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament __________________________________ Spirit of God = God's powerful active presence in the world. __________________ 1. To create and to overpower chaos. Genesis 1:1-2ff 2. To animate all living beings. Genesis 6:1-3 Job 33:4 Psalms 104:27-30 3. To govern/care/direct. a. history and the nations. Isaiah 48:16 context (the world). Zechariah 4:1-6 (Israel and others). Isaiah 34:16-17 (Edom). b. the faith-community. Nehemiah 9:19-20, … [Read more...]