Tag Archives: Religion

Is the Bible Revealed, Inspired, or Both?

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Is the Bible Revealed, Inspired, or Both? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 1:56pm A RECENT QUESTION: “I’m going through ‘The Holy Spirit’ with a church group right now. I realize that not all of the Word is given to us through special revelation. Would it be fair to say, however, that technically all of Scripture is revealed since revelation is both specific and general?” MY REPLY: First let me refer you to my book, “Power from on High: What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit” (College Press, 2007, 506pp.), which has a long chapter … Continue reading →

Forgiveness in the Old Testament

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Forgiveness in the Old Testament by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 1:32pm HERE’S A QUESTION ABOUT FORGIVENESS: In your Romans commentary (Vol. I, p. 264) you say that the sins of OT saints were not just “rolled back” until Jesus’ crucifixion, but that the certainty of Jesus’ propitiatory sacrifice enabled God to forgive the sins of OT saints even during the OT era. What, then, is Isaiah referring to when he says in 22:14: “Till your dying day this sin will not be atoned for.” What is the sin? Why was it not forgiven during their … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

What about Rebaptism?

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What about Rebaptism? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:02pm THE QUESTION OF REBAPTISM On Aug. 26 I received the following query about whether a “rebaptism” would be advisable in the questioner’s case. I thought my response might be of interest. (I have the writer’s permission to use this.) QUESTIONER’S QUERY. I would like to go over some basic background information that may help you better understand my dilemma. I was raised in a home where there was no strict doctrine. Though my mother had grown up in church, our family did not regularly attend for … Continue reading →

Occult Practices in the Bible

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Occult Practices in the Bible by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Sunday, August 23, 2009 at 7:35pm In a few weeks I will begin teaching a Wednesday-night series of lessons at my church on “demonology and spiritual warfare.” One major factor in spiritual warfare is resisting the temptation to become involved in occult activities, which always have been and still are a major weapon of demons. The following is an outline of the three main kinds of occult activity, and the Biblical teaching regarding each. I’m not sure how all aspects of my outline will show up in the FB format. … Continue reading →

Did Jonah die in the fish’s belly?

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Did Jonah die in the fish’s belly? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, August 21, 2009 at 10:26am A preacher friend sent me this request: ” In graduate studies this past week, the professor asserted that Jonah had actually died in the belly of the big fish and was three days and three nights in Sheol per his prayer he prayed [Jonah 2:2]. … When Jesus says in Matthew that he will be three days in the earth just as Jonah was three days in the belly of the big fish, there is no assertion to the fact by Jesus … Continue reading →