Tag Archives: Faith Once for All

Are Demons Active Today?

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Are Demons Active Today? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 8:26am QUESTION ABOUT DEMONS: Where does the Church of Christ (nondenominational) stand on the issue of demonic activity in modern times? Does demonic possession exist only in Catholic lore and legend, or does our fellowship also believe in its possibility, but not enough to ever really mention it? If you could refer me to any reputable reading on the matter, I’d be deeply appreciative. MY REPLY: There is no unanimity on this issue within Restoration Movement circles today. In earlier times, including my student days, the … Continue reading →

A wrong view of law and grace

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A wrong view of law and grace by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, September 18, 2009 at 12:41pm TODAY I RECEIVED the following (edited) inquiry: “In a Bible study, a member asked me about (I can’t recall the exact names, but I believe she said) ‘star, morning and evening’ dispensations. I don’t recall the exact terms. A previous minister had taught on these dispensations. I know he is a Premillennial Dispensationalist. Is this part of dispensational theology, or am I forgetting something? I can’t find any reference to these in the Bible, and neither could I find them in your … Continue reading →

Are we justified by Christ’s LIFE or by his DEATH–or both?

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Are we justified by Christ’s LIFE or by his DEATH–or both? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 10:27am HERE IS ANOTHER QUESTION I received recently: “I have been following a discussion on a Calvinist blog re: the ‘active obedience’ view of the atonement. I read your section in ‘The Faith Once for All’ [p. 323], wherein you call this a ‘serious error.’ I’d be interested to know why this is such a serious error, i.e. what it in fact might lead to. Thanks for any help.” HERE IS MY REPLY: I usually speak of Christ’s “active … Continue reading →

Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Deity of Christ

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Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Deity of Christ by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 3:40pm AN INQUIRER laid the following scenario before me, asking for some advice: “”I had a visit from a Jehovah’s Witness today. He claims Jesus is not God. He cites John 1:1 from his JW bible — “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” (The NASB does not include the article “a”.) Is the insertion of the “a” a deliberate attempt to serve their purpose; or what? “”He quoted Colossians 1:15 as … Continue reading →

What about Norman Geisler’s Systematic Theology?

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What about Norman Geisler’s Systematic Theology? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 1:47pm Someone asked me for my opinion of Norman Geisler’s four-volume systematic theology. My opinion of Geisler in general is that he is a much better apologist than theologian. I like his works in the area of apologetics quite a bit and have made use of them often. I don’t agree with him on some things, e.g., his attempt to explain the presence of evil in the world (without evil we could not appreciate the good). Still, I don’t use any of his apologetics … 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 →

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 →

Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only

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Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 3:11pm TODAY I HAD A QUERY about baptism in the name of “Jesus only.” The inquirer asked me to “cite some resources regarding baptism in Jesus’ name (only),” since “recently there have been quite a few folks who have been asking about it.” In fact, “three of our folks recently went to a [Oneness Pentecostal] service…, were taught baptism in Jesus’ name, accepted rebaptism, and now claim tongues and the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” The following is my answer: WHAT’S WRONG WITH … Continue reading →

Original Sin and the Incarnation

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Original Sin and the Incarnation by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, September 3, 2009 at 10:07am SOMEONE asked me this series of questions: How does an Augustinian (e.g., Calvinist) correlate original sin and the incarnation? Can Jesus be fully human and miss out on original sin? Can his work of redemption be complete if he is not like us in every way (except for sin, of course)? HERE IS MY REPLY: The issues here are these: if all human beings are infected with original sin, and if Jesus is truly a human being, how can he himself AVOID being infected … 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 →