Yearly Archives: 2011

INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE, PART TWO: WHAT IS AT STAKE?

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INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE, PART TWO: WHAT IS AT STAKE? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 4:01pm THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE: DOES IT STILL MATTER? JACK COTTRELL – CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY – APRIL 2011 PART II. WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS MATTER OF INERRANCY? Does the inerrancy of Scripture still matter? The answer is yes. But what exactly is at stake here? We need to say, first of all, that the issue is not necessarily salvation. One can have saving faith in Jesus without accepting inerrancy, even though there is some inconsistency involved when this happens. … Continue reading →

INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE, PART ONE: HISTORICAL DATA

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INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE, PART ONE: HISTORICAL DATA by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 3:59pm THE INERRANCY OF SCRIPTURE: DOES IT STILL MATTER? JACK COTTRELL – CINCINNATI CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY – APRIL 2011 PART I. SOME HISTORICAL DATA Let’s begin with some history. Inerrancy was the general belief of Christendom from its beginning. In the early second century Clement of Rome (ch. 45) said, “Look carefully into the Scriptures, which are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them.” In the mid-second century Justin Martyr (“Dialogue … Continue reading →

ARE BABIES BORN IN ORIGINAL SIN?

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ARE BABIES BORN IN ORIGINAL SIN? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 10:01am QUESTION: A friend of mine argues that babies are born in sin. She uses some specific Bible verses for this: Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:23, and Romans 5:12-19. She especially emphasizes Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned . . . .” Since it says “all,” she says it must include babies. Do these texts really teach that babies are born sinful? ANSWER: I have written quite a bit on this. For Romans 5:12-19, see my commentary on Romans, published by College Press. See also … Continue reading →

Brian Jones’ Book, “Hell Is Real (But I Hate To Admit It)”

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Brian Jones’ Book, “Hell Is Real (But I Hate To Admit It)” by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 1:14pm Brian Jones, minister at Christ’s Church of the Valley (Philadelphia), has written a book on the reality of hell, soon to be published by David C. Cook. I was asked to write an endorsement blurb for it and was glad to do so. Here is what I wrote: “I like several things about this book. First, it takes the Bible seriously, especially its teaching on the subject of hell. In a time when many are trying to … Continue reading →

WAS JOHN’S BAPTISM “FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS”?

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WAS JOHN’S BAPTISM “FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS”? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 6:48pm QUESTION: Mark 1:4 says that John’s baptism was “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Now, if those baptized by John had their sins forgiven there, how can John’s baptism be any different from the Christian baptism that began on the Day of Pentecost? Also, if people could receive forgiveness through John’s baptism, then why did Jesus have to die on the cross? ANSWER: There are two questions here; we will take the second one first. Let’s grant for … Continue reading →

IS BAPTISM A NEW CONDITION FOR SALVATION?

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IS BAPTISM A NEW CONDITION FOR SALVATION? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 3:45pm QUESTION: In your book, Set Free! What the Bible Says About Grace (pages 216-217), you say that baptism is a “new condition” for salvation. Was there any custom of baptism among the Jews, or any other people, prior to its introduction by John the Baptist? I know that the Jews practiced purification rites where they immersed themselves in water. Was this a shadow of salvation baptism to come? ANSWER: Lots of water ceremonies and baptism-like ceremonies existed around the time of the … Continue reading →

Did Jesus’ Power To Work Miracles Come from the Holy Spirit?

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Did Jesus’ Power To Work Miracles Come from the Holy Spirit? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:13am QUESTION: I have a question about Jesus’ ability to perform miraculous deeds. Do you think that He had this ability of His own accord, or did He need the Spirit’s empowerment to be able to do such things while on earth? Is this a “false choice” question? I know that Jesus surrendered some of His divine prerogatives (Phil. 2:5ff.), but He certainly didn’t cease being God. While on earth, though, did He need the Spirit’s empowerment to do … Continue reading →

OUR AUTHORITY: SCRIPTURE OR EXPERIENCE?

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OUR AUTHORITY: SCRIPTURE OR EXPERIENCE? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 1:38pm QUESTION: How do we know God is in control? We say, during tough times, that “He is on the Throne.” But the question always haunts us: “If God is really in control, why is the world in such a mess? Why are all these bad things happening in my life?” How can we be sure He is really reigning over all things? ANSWER: How we answer this is the ultimate test of whether we really believe the Bible is our final authority or not, … Continue reading →

A Sort-Of Philosophy of Teaching

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A Sort-Of Philosophy of Teaching by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 7:44pm I have been a professor of theology for nearly 44 years. I have had a lot of time to think about the best way to “teach Bible doctrine” to my students. Long ago I decided that the best method is to communicate (by lecture) what the Bible itself teaches, subject by subject. This is similar to how sermons are preached, except in the classroom we are able to welcome student questions and input. Over these years I have heard my share of criticism for … Continue reading →

If Jesus Is God, Why Did He Not Know the Time of His Second Coming?

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If Jesus Is God, Why Did He Not Know the Time of His Second Coming? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 2:02pm QUESTION: If Jesus is part of the Godhead, i.e., if he is the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity, why did he not know the dates and times suggested in Matt. 24:36 and Mark 13:32? ANSWER: Matt. 24:36 says concerning the day of the second coming, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” Mark 13:32 is the … Continue reading →