Tag Archives: Religion

DOES GOD CARE HOW WE VOTE?

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DOES GOD CARE HOW WE VOTE? A sermon preached by Jack Cottrell at First Church of Christ, Greendale, IN, May 22, 2016. Just so there is no misunderstanding, I am NOT posing the question, “Does God tell us FOR WHOM to vote?” I will not be revealing some secret method for discovering a hidden message tucked away in texts about TRUMPets or HILLs or any such things. Also, what I am saying here applies not just to voting for president, but to voting at all levels; and it applies not just in the U.S.A. in 2016 but to all times … Continue reading →

Can a Christian Who Falls Away Ever Become Saved Again?

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Can a Christian Who Falls Away Ever Become Saved Again? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at 3:49pm QUESTION: I understand that a true, saved believer can “fall from grace” and become lost; but can such a person ever return and become saved again? Does not Hebrews 6:4-6 suggest that a person who falls away can never again be saved? ANSWER: The idea that a fallen-away sinner can never again be saved has brought much anguish to many sincere people. It is also a false doctrine, one that is based mainly on a seriously-false translation of the … Continue reading →

Can a God of Love Be a Jealous God?

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Can a God of Love Be a Jealous God? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 3:23pm QUESTION: If God is love, why does He say He is a jealous God? ANSWER: One of the biggest mistakes made in reference to God’s nature is to assume that LOVE is His primary attribute, the one over-arching, all-inclusive attribute that must somehow include all other attributes. This false presupposition seems to underlie this question, i.e., isn’t jealousy somehow inconsistent with love? How can love express itself in jealousy? One of my main theses with reference to God is that … Continue reading →

“Religion” vs. a Relationship with God

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“Religion” vs. a Relationship with God by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 11:21am QUESTION: What do you think of this statement? – “Religion is a worthless, man-made idea; but having a relationship with God means discovering the satisfaction in Him to be so great that it grants you the WILLINGNESS to turn away from sin.” ANSWER: Whether this statement is valid or not depends first of all on how you are defining “religion.” In its most generic definition, religion IS one’s relationship with whatever is considered to be deity. If this is the starting point, then … Continue reading →

What Is Baptism for the Dead?

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What Is Baptism for the Dead? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:42pm QUERY: What is your interpretation of the baptism of the dead? MY ANSWER: This question refers to Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 15:29, “Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?” What does Paul mean? I begin by citing one of my best commentaries on First Corinthians (F. W. Grosheide): “Vs. 29 is one of the most difficult passages in the New Testament. Interpretations abound … Continue reading →

Acts 22:16 and Baptism

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Acts 22:16 and Baptism by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 12:59pm A RECENT INQUIRY: Some Bible versions [e.g., Holman Christian Standard Bible] are translating Acts 22:16 as, “Be baptized and wash away your sins BY calling on his name.” This is different from other versions and can be construed differently in meaning. Can the Greek be translated that way? What is the more accurate translation? And, does the ending relate to what’s happening in baptism or is it a separate action? Thanks for your input. MY REPLY: It is true that a Greek participle can have … Continue reading →

The Wonders of Christmas: 1 Timothy 1:15

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The Wonders of Christmas: 1 Timothy 1:15 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, October 16, 2009 at 9:58am [This note sheds some light on a previous note, “Can Christians Be Called Sinners?” Also, this note is not addressing any specific issue. It is just a Christmas devotional thought. It also works as a sermon outline!”] THE WONDERS OF CHRISTMAS: 1 TIMOTHY 1:15 To children,Christmas abounds with wonders. How can reindeer fly? How does Santa know if they’ve been good or bad? How can he visit the whole world in one day? How can a fat man come down skinny chimneys? … Continue reading →

The Cane Ridge Phenomena

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The Cane Ridge Phenomena by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 3:27pm I RECEIVED THIS QUESTION: One of the first events in the history of the Restoration Movement was the Cane Ridge [KY] Meeting in the early 1800s, where about 20,000 people gathered for revival. During this revival many strange and possibly frightening activities took place, described as “exercises” in various forms. Witnesses describe people fainting, barking, dancing, laughing, and ultimately “jerking.” This last exercise involved individuals with feet planted on the ground moving in strange ways, making large 180-degree “jerks,” i.e., touching the forehead and then … Continue reading →

WHY DO CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS?

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WHY DO CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8:37am SHOULD CHRISTIANS PRAY FOR FORGIVENESS? AN INQUIRER WRITES: “We are studying prayer in our small group. I remember a conversation that came up in one of our classes in Bible college. Since Jesus has already died for our sins, do we ask for forgiveness in a prayer, or do we simply just thank God for having already forgiven us of our sins? Do we make a request or just say ‘Thank you’?” MY REPLY: First, you would not say it this way: “Since … 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 →