Tag Archives: Theology

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 →

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 →

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 →

More on Original Sin

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More on Original Sin by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 9:13am This is a follow-up discussion growing out of my earlier note on “Original Sin and the Incarnation.” My friend Tom Lawson makes some interesting observations, and I give a response. (OS=original sin) TOM LAWSON: In discussing OS, I come back to the old debate if post-fall humanity was born with a nature damaged in any degree that resulted in a tendency toward sin and whether this was universally reversed at the atonement? Pelagius, if accurately represented in the extant (and biased) material would seem to … 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 →

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 →