Government’s Role in Health Care

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Government’s Role in Health Care by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 10:35am I recommend the reading of an essay on “The Ethics and Economics of Health Care”, by John W. Robbins, found at http://www.trinityfoundation.org/latest.php . Here is a story included in that essay: Now let me turn from the New Testament to American history with a story about Congressman Davy Crockett from his biography, The Life of Colonel David Crockett. Crockett, as a member of the House of Representatives, once voted to give $20,000 to the homeless victims of a fire in Georgetown. One of Crockett’s … Continue reading →

How can 1 Kings 15:5 say David did not sin except in Uriah’s case?

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How can 1 Kings 15:5 say David did not sin except in Uriah’s case? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 8:41am An inquirer asked about 1 Kings 15:5, which reads (in the ESV), “David did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.” Verse 3 could also be noted, which says that David’s heart was “wholly true to the LORD his God.” This seems to say that David never sinned … Continue reading →

Does God Have a Sense of Humor?

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Does God Have a Sense of Humor? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 8:11am One facebooker wonders (questions) whether God has a sense of humor. This could be taken in different ways. If one means, is he a comedian or joke-teller or practical joker, the answer is probably NO. If one means (as another facebooker puts it), does he have a sense of irony as some answers to prayer seem to suggest, the answer is a definite PROBABLY. If one means, does he ever do or experience something akin to human laughter, the answer is certainly … Continue reading →

A note on Psalm 105:18

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A note on Psalm 105:18 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 3:47pm A friend writes: “I was listening to a tape of Joyce Meyers. She read from her Bible Ps. 105:18, which is referring to Joseph. Her version said this: “The iron entered into his soul.” I tried to look it up in my Bible, and that version didn’t imply that meaning. Mine says ….his neck was put in irons. Now, I checked on Blue Letter Bible, and the only versions that listed it the way Joyce Meyers read it, is Young’s Literal Translation and Darby … Continue reading →

“Once Saved, Always Saved????”

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“Once Saved, Always Saved????” by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:54pm Someone told me that he is in discussion with an elder in a local church who is caught up in the “once saved, always saved” doctrine. He asked if I can give some help. On this subject I recommend an OOP book by Guy Duty, “If You Continue”; and Robert Shank’s “Life in the Son.” I also have dealt with it a bit in my “The Faith Once for All,” in the chapter on “Assurance of Salvation,” and in my new book on grace, “Set … Continue reading →

“Second Work of Grace”

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“Second Work of Grace” by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 2:06pm I HAD A REQUEST about Wesleyanism: “The Wesleyan church believes there are two forms of grace. I don’t understand this. Their doctrine is similar to the Christian Church. Can you help me understand this?” MY REPLY: Wesleyanism includes those groups growing out of John Wesley’s teaching: Methodist churches, Holiness churches, and many Pentecostal churches. This theological school is similar to the Christian Church (Restoration Movement) in one main way: it is non-Calvinist, or Arminian; it accepts truly free will in human beings. In many other … Continue reading →

Calvinism summarized

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Calvinism summarized by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 1:15pm Someone writes, “I have been following the modern reformed church for some time now as a means for modeling a church plant. I see great success in converts and in the growth and life of the church through modern reformed preaching and practices (not to be confused with emergent church). The one thing I am struggling with is [how to] pick between the theological schools of thought called Calvinism and Arminianism. Can you clarify the key differences, or point me to a book that would be helpful … Continue reading →

More on Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only

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More on Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 4:24pm This is a follow-up to my earlier note on “Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only.” One of the comments that followed that note was by Tom Lawson; see that note for its content. Then another comment was added by Titus Chapman, as follows: “tom its not as clear to me maybe you can explain it to me. I have not found anyone who can use other scriptures or examples for bapt ecpt mt 28 19 to explain why it … Continue reading →

OT Judicial Killings

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OT Judicial Killings by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 3:20pm I received this query via e-mail: “A friend questions the morality of a God who condemns sin, specifically murder, yet orders mass killings in the Old Testament. In addition, this friend questions the morality and contradiction of a God who would sentence one to hell for disobedience. All of which is the end result of so-called liberal Christianity that has rejected the Bible as the Word of God. “I have concluded that God sentencing one to hell is a direct result of the holiness of God … Continue reading →

Trinity vs. Modalism & Tri-theism

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Trinity vs. Modalism & Tri-theism by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 2:17pm TOM LAWSON (0/9/09) to Jack Cottrell I think classic modalism is fraught with heretical issues – central being the denial is the distinct existence of God as Father, Son, and Spirit as deity at the same time(s) and for all time. But popular (not theologically well understood) Trinitarianism has produced a number of serious and heretical perspectives. Many do come close to (if not embrace) the kind of Tri-theism we are accused of holding by Muslims and Arians. When I mention, in theology of … Continue reading →