Tag Archives: Creation

More on the Christological Fallacy

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More on the Christological Fallacy by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 3:10pm I. HERE ARE REFERENCES to the Christological fallacy taken from my systematic theology, “The Faith Once for All.” The first is from the section on “The Normative Source for Theology” (pp. 24-25): The WHOLE Bible is our norm for theology, and not just the life and teachings of Jesus. It was never Jesus’ purpose simply to be a source and norm for truth, knowledge, ethics, or theology. The main purpose of Christ’s incarnation and work was to redeem mankind from sin through the atonement … Continue reading →

Is 1 Tim. 2:12 a Concession to Culture?

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Is 1 Tim. 2:12 a Concession to Culture? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 3:05pm THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP to my recent note on women preachers. One respondent asks, “Would it not be appropriate to acknowledge the cultural context of Paul’s writing? Paul was writing in a time when it was culturally inappropriate to do as Paul said. However, in a cultural setting that would accept a woman’s wisdom and speaking ability, wouldn’t it be acceptable to allow a woman to preach? “I mean in 1 Corinthians 11 Paul says that it is disgraceful for a … Continue reading →

Women Preachers

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Women Preachers by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 1:20pm A RECENT REQUEST: “I have a question about women preaching. I have always been taught that this is the man’s job. I guess what I do not understand is how some people feel so strongly one way about this issue, and others feel so strongly another way, but both feel that they are doing God’s will? Where do you draw the line?” MY REPLY: I draw the line where Paul draws it in 1 Timothy 2:12 – “But I do not allow a woman to teach or … Continue reading →

Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 14:34

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Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 14:34 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 8:02pm A RECENT REQUEST ASKS, “Could you point me to some literature regarding Paul’s intent with his comment in 1 Corinthians 14:34 and what we are to make of it today? I am just now beginning a study on this and wanted a place to begin. Also, what is your take on this text?” MY REPLY: The place to begin on this or any similar text is at this web site: www.cbmw.org . This is the site for a scholarly evangelical non-feminist organization (for which … Continue reading →

“Common Grace” in Calvinism

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“Common Grace” in Calvinism by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, September 25, 2009 at 9:17am A STUDENT WRITES, “Calvinists talk about ‘common grace.’ The idea seems to be that whatever joy we experience in this life is attributed to God’s grace. I don’t remember you mentioning this in Doctrine of Grace. Do you agree with this notion?” MY REPLY: Not all Calvinists see eye-to-eye on the “common grace” concept. One of my Westminster Seminary professors, Cornelius Van Til, was its main defender. I do mention this concept in my grace course but do not dwell on it. See the section … Continue reading →

Sons of God and Daughters of Men in Genesis 6

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Sons of God and Daughters of Men in Genesis 6 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 3:43pm Sons of God and Daughters of Men in Genesis 6 I HAVE RECEIVED this inquiry: “A member of my church has grabbed onto some strange teaching that all centers on the interpretation of Genesis 6, that the ‘sons of God’ are fallen angels and that the giants in the land are half man, half demonic beings basically, and that the ‘seed of Satan’ still exists today. He weaves this together with lots of Scriptures that include in the end … 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 →

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 →

Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit

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Jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 9:22am ONE OF MY FB FRIENDS asked this question: “Is this statement true: ‘Jesus’ strength does not come from His individual power, but from His relationship with the other persons of the Trinity.’ I am hesitant to say it because I want to exalt Christ, and yet the Bible speaks of Him going about in the power of the Spirit.” IN MY ANSWER I SAY that this is true, but I would say it like this: “Jesus’ strength comes NOT ONLY from … Continue reading →