Episode 455: I continue my reading of select excerpts from John Owen’s magisterial work Communion with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We venture from part 2 to part 3 and begin working through communion with the Holy Spirit. We make it to part 3, chapter 3.
Tag Archives: Holy Spirit
Operation of the Holy Spirit, pt.2
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.
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.
The Benedict Option
Episode 361: For a few years now philosophers and social commentators have been advocating the Benedict Option for Christians in response to the rise in secular influence and moral depravity in America. What is the Benedict Option? Tune in as I examine what this is, where it comes from, and if there is a better option for Christians in America today.
The Benedict Option for Evangelicals
The End of the Moral Majority?
Today in Church History: The First Official Act of the Continental Congress (1774)
Question of the Day: Do I have to be baptized to go to heaven?
The Devil’s Trick
Episode 351: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.” But how would he do that? How would the devil trick the world into believing that he does not exist? Tune in as I explore this question.
Today in Church History: Felix Manz becomes the first Anabaptist martyr, drowned in the Limmat River for rebaptizing Christians as adults (1527).
A World of Evil
Episode 258: The Supreme Court ruled on Hobby Lobby’s case. It has been interesting to hear the dissent from secular progressives on this ruling, especially the claim that now a boss is imposing their religious convictions on employees. Really? What does it REALLY look when a boss imposes their religious beliefs on employees? Tune in as I discuss this, plus…
Is it just me or does anyone else find it coincidental that the same week gay pride events are being held in America, parts of Iraq and Syria are declared an Islamic state? If that is not a contrast in countries I do not know what is. Here in the states, freedom has been hijacked to such a degree that immoral behavior is literally paraded down Main Street. There in the Middle East, a self-proclaimed religion of peace rapes and murders women for not paying a tax. The world over evil abounds.
The Bible says, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14.34). When a nation or people put into practice and keep the word of God, it is a blessing. As the Psalmist says, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (33.12). However, whether that nation of people be Hebrew, American, or Islamic, sin is a black stain on any people. So we see two very different yet equally sinful situations on opposite sides of the planet. “‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked’” (Isaiah 48.22).
What leads to this? The abandonment of God’s word. In America, secular progressives have sought to legislate God’s word out of schools, buildings, and monuments. In the Middle East, the Koran is the religious book of choice and any other alternatives are ruthlessly eradicated. In both nations there is famine in the land, “not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8.11). “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord” (Jeremiah 22.29, ASV). “For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26.9). And with righteousness comes exaltation.
Upon the Rock #2 – The Son of God
Episode 216: Join in as I walk through the second lesson of the Upon the Rock Bible Study. Who is Jesus? Why is He so special? We will examine several texts which address these and other questions. Below is the downloadable worksheet.
Question of the Day: By what will we be judged?
How to be Happy (Men)
Episode 213: After 75 years of research and over $20 million spent, researchers have discovered how men can live happy lives. The study can be boiled down to two factors: don’t abuse alcohol and cultivate relationships. Tune in as I show how we did not need a 75 year, +$20 million project to figure this out.
Question of the Day: How are Christians different than non-Christians?
Thanksgiving
Episode 211: Tomorrow is a national holiday whereupon we give thanks for a variety of reasons and blessings. Tune in as I share some of the things I’m thankful for and why it is so important we be grateful people.