Gospel Living

“So you’ve become convinced that the Bible supports gay marriage. You’ve studied the issue, read some books, looked at the relevant Bible passages and concluded that Scripture does not prohibit same-sex intercourse so long as it takes place in the context of a loving, monogamous, lifelong covenanted relationship. You still love Jesus. You still believe the Bible. In fact, you would argue that it’s because you love Jesus andbecause you believe the Bible that you now embrace gay marriage as a God-sanctioned good. As far as you are concerned, you haven’t rejected your evangelical faith.” Read the rest at TGC .

Pastor Matt Slick published why we should avoid Joyce Meyer's teaching.  In short, he highlights the following from her teaching: Jesus stopped being the Son of God. Jesus was born again. Jesus paid for our sins in hell. Jesus went to hell in our place and was tormented. If you don't believe Jesus went to hell, you cannot be saved. We are called little gods. Joyce Meyer said she is not a sinner. The host of hell were literally on Jesus and were laughing. Joyce Meyer gets revelation knowledge. And, of course, there's the simple fact that Joyce Meyer is a preacher. In summary, she's a false teacher and a false prophet.   Check her out over at CARM .

The Muslim world begins Ramadan at sundown on Saturday, June 28.  As they do, it's an opportunity for Christians to pray for their brothers and sisters living under Islamic rule. Open Doors published a list of specific prayers Christians can pray during the 30-day cycle.   View or download the PDF here .

Yes, people are still asking this question.  If you have not read the book, or if you have and are looking for a good review, check out Challies' 17-page review .

(Preached on June 15, 2014 at Cornerstone Church of Savannah ) Mark Lowry will always be remembered best for the new Christmas classic, “Mary, Did You Know?” as well as his time with the Gathers. Back in the nineties, he also toured with his comedy routine, which included his recollections of certain fundamentalist preachers’ obsession with 1 Corinthians 10:13, that it is a shame for a man to have long hair. Lowry’s response was along the lines of, “ It says it’s a shame, not a sin. A lot of things are a shame. It’s a shame that it’s too hot in here… makes you glad that you’re not going to Hell! ” Every Christian faces the temptation to major on the marginal, to ignore the forest for a few verses, to build and refine teachings from scant biblical support. Driving off the road into the other temptation would be ignoring what the Bible does say because we think it’s not a big deal. Being biblical is not just believing what the Bible has to say, but balancing ourselves according...

Dr. Bill Barrick answered two questions we've all had concerning salvation: Where does the OT talk about giving the nations an opportunity to repent?  Is faith in the OT based upon what a person understands about God? Pre-Mosaic or Mosaic, could they truly understand the Jesus of the NT or have enough knowledge of the Messiah? How were people saved from pre-Flood to prophetic times? Want to know the answers?  Find them out on his blog post .

Baptism introduces us into the life of the triune God, and incorporates us into Christ’s body, the Church, which gives us a share in his dying and rising. Justified and sanctified by baptism , we are able to give praise and worship to God. Through the Holy Spirit received in baptism , the Christian is able to recognize and receive the teaching of the apostles and, through the means of grace (the sacraments), strive to obey all Jesus commanded, especially to serve him in the poor. Emphasis added.  The Very Rev. Thomas A. Baima, S.T.D., Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Graduate School of Theology, University of Saint Mary of the Lake, Mundelein Seminary.  "From the Horse's Mouth: What is the Meaning and Purpose of Baptism?" Creedo Magazine . Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2014, 8.  Available online at  http://www.credomag.com/issues/Churchy%20Gimmicks.pdf . By way of the best contrast presented in the article, consider the Anglican position: For Anglica...