Episode 446: I continue my take down of the late brother Cotham’s article “The New Birth #3” from this month’s issue of “Seeking the Old Paths.” We also show how Cotham revives an illustration used by Alexander Campbell in his debate with Nathan Rice and how Rice improved and answered the illustration with his own. Finally, an answer to the objection that ought implies can.
Category Archives: Theology
Operation of the Holy Spirit, pt.1
Episode 444: The latest issue of “Seeking the Old Paths” hit my mailbox earlier this week. The cover article, “The New Birth #3,” caught my eye. Tune in as I take down this article’s deficient understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in conversion or regeneration.
The Time I Got Written Up by a Brotherhood Publication
Episode 440: It has been nearly a decade since it happened, but I was written up by a divisive preacher in a church of Christ publication. I’ve never talked about it…until now. The controversy centered on an illustration I used to illustrate a sub-point of a major point toward the end of the last of three sermons I preached in October 2013. Tune in as I address the circumstances leading up to the publication of the article as well as the content of the article.
Wayne Jackson, John Calvin, & God’s Grace, part 2
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
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
The Revenge of Conscience, part 3
Episode 422: Following Budzisewski in The Revenge of Conscience, I continue to give examples and explain the function of guilt, guilty feelings, and guilty knowledge at an individual level at at a societal level, even impacting the zeitgeist. These include gender, sexuality, marriage, and more.
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The Revenge of Conscience, part 2
Episode 421: I walk through Romans 1.18ff in order to demonstrate the offended conscience and how fallen humans in rebellion do not get better but double down on their sin. Following Budzisewski in The Revenge of Conscience, I continue to give examples and explain the function of guilt, guilty feelings, and guilty knowledge at an individual level at at a societal level, even impacting the zeitgeist.
The Revenge of Conscience, part 1
Episode 420: God has built into every human a mechanism whereby behavior is deemed moral or immoral. Such moral judgment, first, is rooted in natural law, i.e., what we cannot not know since it is, at some level, known by everyone, and second, functions as a moral common sense at both a societal level as well as a personal level. Following J. Budzisewski in his book The Revenge of Conscience, I breakdown what guilt, guilty feelings, and guilty knowledge looks like and begin to give examples.
God’s Freedom & Human Willing
Episode 412: Took time to provide an account of the nature of the will, both human will and God’s will. Broke down an Edwardsian model of thew will: nature –> desire –> will. More on divine foreknowledge as it relates to God’s power in relation to the created order. Defined will as “the mind choosing,” which is Jonathan Edwards’ definition also. Then explored the question, “How do you know you believe in Christ?” Spoiler: it’s related to the will.
I Know What You Did Next Summer, pt. 3
Episode 410: Any model of divine foreknowledge must flow consistently through Christ & the cross. In this episode, I unpack my critique of how Greg Boyd, from an open theist perspective, explains Acts 4.27-28 and argue in favor of God’s exhaustive providence, especially pertaining to the crucifixion of Christ. Then, we’ll take a peek at 1 Peter 1.20 to see further how God’s foreknowing of Christ, including his death & resurrection, informs divine foreordination.
Live from the Pulpit 