Category Archives: Grace

Wayne Jackson, John Calvin, & God’s Grace, part 2

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Episode 438: Two-for-Tuesday! I once again take up brother Wayne Jackson’s article “John Calvin and Grace” from his publication Christian Courier and read what Calvin on each verse Jackson cites in a single paragraph – John 3.16, 1 Timothy 2.4, 2 Peter 3.9, 1 John 2.2. Since Calvin was mentioned but none of his work quoted or dealt with, I thought it fair if Calvin got a fair hearing. We have got to do better with our scholastic endeavors!

Wayne Jackson’s article: https://christiancourier.com/articles/john-calvin-and-grace

Wayne Jackson, John Calvin, & God’s Grace

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Episode 437: The late brother Wayne Jackson was a prolific writer, both of books and for his publication Christian Courier. One of his articles, “John Calvin and Grace,” came across my radar providentially in recent days. However, I was disappointed with the level of engagement with Calvin’s actual writings and arguments. In this episode, I explore the sections in Calvin’s writings which should have been addressed, including from Calvin’s Institutes, his commentary on Titus 2.11, and identifying the distinctions Calvin made concerning God’s grace.

Brother Jackson’s article: https://christiancourier.com/articles/john-calvin-and-grace

Total Depravity Debate Review

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Episode 436: I have been waiting for a church of Christ representative to take up the challenge of responding to a Reformed representative on the doctrines of grace. So I was excited when I saw that Aaron Gallagher from the Gospel Broadcasting Network and Trey Fisher from the Parish Reformed were having public discussions/debates first on baptism (4 discussions/debates) and now on Total Depravity. Unfortunately, for Fisher, Gallaher rag-dolled him for reasons I explain in the lead-up of today’s program. But then I put myself in Fisher’s shoes and offer my own opening statement followed by a couple of answers to a couple questions Gallaher posed to Fisher. Why is it that the church of Christ preacher, yours truly, is able to offer a better opening statement & more cogent answers to the questions posed than the Reformed guy? Tune in as I offer my review of the debate.

Total Depravity/Are babies born innocent? Public Discussion/Debate with Trey Fisher & Aaron Gallagher

Portraits of Grace (7): Judgment & Restoration of Moab

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Episode 368: God calls Moab “my washbasin,” that is, the place where He washes His feet. They were a Gentile nation, not part of God’s covenant, & prideful people. Yet God shows grace first to a widow from the washbasin in the book of Ruth, then the whole nation of washbasin dwellers in Jeremiah 48. Tune in as I explore the grace which is present even in a relentless proclamation of judgment upon the nation.

Today in Church History: Henry Dunster resigns as president of Harvard (1654)

Question of the Day: Why do my prayers not get answered?

Portraits of Grace (6): A Tale of Two Sinners

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Episode 367: Genesis 38 is a chapter of the Bible we tend to steer clear of due to its mature content. There is sin in just about every verse of this chapter. Where is God’s grace in all of this? “But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Tune in as I take a look at this chapter & how God’s grace even reaches a man like Judah.

Today in Church History: English Parliament takes up a bill banning clergy from governmental positions (1641)

Question of the Day: How big is heaven?

Portraits of Grace (5): A Tale of Two Graces

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Episode 366: The story of Joseph in Genesis eats my lunch each time I read it. Joseph blows me away. He is a young man who does not have a Bible, grows up surrounded by family which has all kinds of issues, comes of age in a grossly idolatrous land (Egypt), and yet he never loses focus on God. Tune in as I walk through Joseph’s story & what he teaches about being gracious to others.

Question of the Day/Church History: Did the Jews successfully kill Lazarus as they intended (John 12.9-11)?

Portraits of Grace (4): What Is & What Should Never Be

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Episode 365: Warning: Explicit Content. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God uses graphic language to describe his broken relationship with Israel. After He tenderly nursed her, bountifully lavished her with gifts, & graciously married her, she used his gold, silver, & clothing to pay men to sleep with her. It is a grotesque portrait, yet it is a gracious picture because of how God responds after his bride’s faithlessness. Tune in to see God’s grace in Ezekiel 16.

Today in Church History: Teresa of Avila Dies (1582)

Question of the Day: Will we know our loved ones in heaven?

Portraits of Grace 3 – The World’s Best Love Story

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Episode 364: The story of Hosea is the tragedy of a broken marriage, both of the prophet of God & of God Himself. How can there be grace in such a sad, sordid story? Tune in as we find the grace of God behind the scenes & in the shadows of a loving husband’s actions toward an unloving wife.

Today in Church History: George Whitefield preaches his last sermon (1770)

Question of the Day: Are there degrees of punishment in hell?

Portraits of Grace (2): The World’s Weakest Strongest Man

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Episode 363: As we continue our stroll through the gallery of grace which is the Old Testament, we come upon one of the more tragic figures: Samson. Of course, we typically do not think Samson as tragic; he’s a character we teach the children about with his incredible feats of strength. He reads more like a superhero than a sad story. Yet it is true. Samson’s story is a sad one. How is God’s grace on display in the life of Samson? Tune in as I explore how can use someone as flawed even as Samson.

Today in Church History: C.S. Lewis comes to believe in Jesus (1931)

Question of the Day: Are there degrees of reward in heaven?

Portraits of Grace (1): In the Beginning

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Episode 362: When God chooses to disclose Himself & reveal His nature, He chooses grace as one of the primary, if not the primary, characteristic. Grace is a New Testament word, but it has Old Testament roots. In this episode, I explore those roots as we begin to stroll through the gallery of grace which is the Old Testament. We will also see from a very common story the gracious nature of God.

Today in Church History: Cyprian Beheaded (258)

Question of the Day: Do we go straight to heaven or wait for judgment when we die?