Following the inauguration of President Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, I wrote a gracEmail urging Americans of all parties to unite behind him so far as their convictions allow, but especially to pray for him and all others in positions of power. Nearly 60 of you responded, most affirming the basic message. I also mentioned in passing that I did not support "the gay agenda." (I have since deleted that phrase.) Five readers questioned the use of that phrase. One person denounced my "hate message" and "poison-pen gay-bashing notes," called me an "idiot" and warned of "a special place in hell … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2012
WARM AND FUZZY
A reader says he has "serious doubts" about the gracEmail which counseled a couple in search of a church home. "Finding a place you feel comfortable will not be the answer," he wrote. "Above all you will have to follow God's will and his word. Sitting in a chicken house will not make you a chicken and sitting in some church that makes you feel warm and fuzzy will not make you a Christian. Where do you preach and worship? I hope you remember that your answers to people will be held to your account." * * * Good brother, I did not say one should look for a place that makes you feel warm and … [Read more...]
STRAIGHTENING ME OUT
A gracEmail subscriber tells me it is his God-given duty to straighten me out, saying: "You are good at answering questions that have no biblical language such as 'is baptism necessary.' How about this one: 'Is baptism for the forgiveness of sins?' Why don't use use the words of the apostles to answer the questions about baptism instead of your own words? You never have answered my questions about whether Naaman was required to dip seven times before being clean. Are you going to dismiss his command because Abraham or Moses was never told to do it?" * * * I answered the question "Is baptism … [Read more...]
LITTLE GRAY SQUIRRELS
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "You get a question, then answer it like this: In the first paragraph you say, lawyer-like, 'It might be this way.' In the second paragraph you say, 'It might be that way.' In the third paragraph you say, 'Love, joy, grace, Jesus and little gray squirrels.' Why can't you just say 'Yes' or 'No?'" * * * On some subjects, as least, I plead guilty as charged. For the record, I began preaching and teaching Scripture in 1961 and was not licensed as an attorney until 1988. However, for 27 years I was often accused of talking like a lawyer, even when I had no thought … [Read more...]
YOU KNOW BETTER
A church acquaintance with whom I grew up in North Alabama nearly a half century ago wrote recently to tell me that I am preaching "another gospel" which is no gospel at all, for which I will be eternally lost, and that he knows that I "know better" than my expressed convictions on a variety of religious issues. * * * This unhappy gentleman is representative of a category of people who place their hope in a particular religious organization or in a system of man-made doctrine and whose allegiance naturally follows their hope. Missing is an understanding that Jesus really is our Savior, that … [Read more...]
HALF TRUTHS OR HOLY TRUTH?
A gracEmail subscriber writes: "What you say are Bible truths but they are not all of the truth. In addition to belief, immersion is necessary for salvation. To preach a half truth is to preach a lie. I am sorry for all the elders who invite you into their flock. I pray for those who will be subjected to your false teaching. There comes a time when a man needs to be rebuked and reproved. I am trying to do that in a spirit of love and concern as your very soul is at risk." * * * I do appreciate your concern for me and your desire to speak in a spirit of love. However, I fear that you are … [Read more...]
GRACE-ONLY NOT CLUTTER
A gracEmail subscriber complains that I am "cluttering up" his email with my "grace-only teaching." * * * I do not use the term "grace only," but I am glad that you did, because it states an important truth. That truth is that we sinners cannot, through any amount of effort, obedience, good intentions or good works, ingratiate ourselves to God, place him in our debt, or create a situation which requires God to treat us well because of something we did first (Rom. 11:33-36). In this most elementary sense, we are set right with God on the basis of "grace only" -- both now and in the Day of … [Read more...]
WHAT IS THE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT?
An agitated Christian Church preacher responded as follows to a notice about my book, THE FIRE THAT CONSUMES. "Jesus made a pronouncement of sorts about hell, and I suggest that you and this growing number of 'scholars' you mention familiarize yourselves with it. It's found in Matthew 25:31-46 in the New Testament, a book written by God. What is it about the word aionios [eternal] that you don't understand?" * * * The purpose of THE FIRE THAT CONSUMES (the title comes from Hebrews 12:29 and Deuteronomy 4:24) is to search the Scriptures, and it examines about 1,000 verses from Genesis to … [Read more...]
A CRITIC HAS HER SAY
A Christian sister responds to a recent gracEmail as follows: "You claim to be a member of the Church of Christ but often have much different views, many closer to certain denominations. I'm curious as to why you claim to speak as an expert, as if you somehow have your finger on the pulse of all of the autonomous sections of the Church of Christ. If you don't agree with the beliefs of the Church of Christ, instead of stirring up arguments, why not find a denomination that is better suited to your own personal beliefs? You are not the judge of anybody. I am a child of God and your criticisms … [Read more...]
CONFESSING & BELIEVING
Romans 10:9-10 says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Since we can add nothing to Jesus' saving work, a gracEmail subscriber asks whether this is a formula for gaining access to heaven. * * * This gospel promise concludes a discussion concerning the uselessness of seeking right standing with God through our own efforts rather than by trusting in what God has done for sinners in Jesus Christ. The first approach pursues God's approval (righteousness) "by works"; the second pursues it "by … [Read more...]