The Doctrine of Salvation
The articles included here concern salvation, both the initial experience and the ongoing life as a believer. The initial post on this page is a part of the systematic theology class I taught a few years ago. I also have available a short summary of my beliefs concerning the doctrine of salvation.
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The Doctrine of Salvation - June 27, 2018
The doctrine of salvation encompasses our initial salvation experience, our ongoing walk with Christ, and our final deliverance from the fate of this world.
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Forms of Prayer: Text Messaging, Email, and Face to Face - February 6, 2012
What form does you prayer take? Is if like text messaging, or maybe emails? Or do you take the time to sit at his feet and just be with him?
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The Call of Abraham and His Response of Faith - January 13, 2015
Genesis records for us the call of Abraham. While little is know of his background. He responded to God and was considered righteous.
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Arminianism: Atonement for All - August 25, 2017
The atoning sacrifice of Jesus was made for the sins of the whole world. But that atonement is only effective to those who believe.
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Arminianism: It’s All About Grace - September 19, 2017
God's grace, or favor, impacts our lives in a number of different ways. God's grace enables us to believe. It enables us to be saved. It enables us to live holy and godly lives. It enables us to serve within his church. While some talk about different types of grace, as…
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The Doctrine of Election: Who Are the Elect? - February 8, 2019
The doctrine of election is one that can be contentious within the body of Christ. Election is clearly taught in the Bible. But what does it mean? This post will look at some key words in the debate and how they are used in both the Old Testament and the…
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For God So Loved the World: But Who Is the World? - March 15, 2019
And John makes it clear that God loves the world. Not just some people who are in the world. But he has a love for everyone. And Jesus came to be the savior of everyone. And all who will believe in him will experience that salvation he offers. Those who…
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What Is Biblical Faith: A Study in Hebrews 11 - April 12, 2019
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith (Eph. 2:8a)." No matter how you understand faith, it is clear that it is instrumental in our salvation; we will not be saved without it. But what is this faith that plays a part in our salvation? Hebrews 11…
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Defining Eternal Life: Who, What, When, and How - May 3, 2019
Eternal life as defined in the New Testament is much more than just living forever. Eternal life is relational. It is knowing the triune God.
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What Must I Do to Be Saved? Believe in Jesus! - June 28, 2019
What must I do to be saved? This is the most important question a person can ask. And the answer? Believe on, put your trust in, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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The Doctrine of Prayer: What Is Prayer? - September 6, 2019
The doctrine of prayer looks at what the Bible has to say about prayer. Why do we pray? Does it accomplish anything? What is its purpose?
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Is the Cross Enough for Our Salvation? - November 29, 2019
The cross is essential to our salvation. But is it enough? The cross represents forgiveness. But that is only the beginning of a new life in Christ.
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Who Is Drawn by the Father in John 6? - January 31, 2020
Do all that are drawn by the Father actually come to the Son? Or does the Father drawn some who resist his drawing and reject the Son?
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Reconciliation and Forgiveness in the Bible - February 7, 2020
Reconciliation and forgiveness can be challenging for most of us. So what instruction does the Bible give us concerning these two things.
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Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart: Who Was Responsible? - February 14, 2020
What does the Bible mean when it says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Was Pharaoh an innocent pawn in God's game? Or was he complicit in the hardening.
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Why Was Jesus Crucified? The Foolishness of the Cross - February 21, 2020
Why was Jesus crucified? As a ransom and penalty for our sin. But God also choose to use the foolishness of the cross to save those who would believe.
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Apostasy: Is It Possible to Fall Away from the Faith? - March 6, 2020
How should we respond to the warnings against apostasy in the Scripture? Is it possible for a true believer to fall away and be lost?
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What Does the Bible Say About Heaven - April 10, 2020
Heaven is a common term in our vocabulary today. And one that is found throughout the Scriptures. But what does the Bible have to say about heaven?
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Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree – Matthew 21:18-22 - May 1, 2020
One of the stranger stories in the gospels concerns Jesus cursing a fruitless fig tree. What is the point of this account? Why is it in our Bibles?
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What Does It Mean To Enter Into God’s Rest - May 15, 2020
The author of Hebrews holds out the promise of entering into God's rest. But what is this rest? And how does one enter into it?
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The Doctrine of Hope: What Is Our Hope As Believers? - May 22, 2020
The doctrine of hope is an important one for believers. Hope is the earnest expectation of what God has in store for us. And hope holds us steady today.
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Tithing: Should New Testament Believers Tithe Their Income? - June 19, 2020
Tithing was a requirement under the Old Testament Law. But is it still a mandate for New Testament believers? Do we have an obligation to give financially?
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Salvation: A Gracious Gift of God, Received by Faith - June 26, 2020
Salvation is a gracious gift of God. There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve it. We can only accept this gracious gift of God by faith.
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Follow the Way of Love: the Most Excellent Way - July 31, 2020
The 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians describes the most essential element of our Christian walk; the way of love. Without it, nothing we do has value.
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Life in the Garden of Eden: Then and Now - September 18, 2020
The Bible pictures humanity beginning in the Garden of Eden. And it looks to Christ's work on the cross to return us to that Garden.
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Living Faithful to God in the Midst of a Godless World - September 25, 2020
One of the challenges facing believers today is our relationship with the world around us. How do we live faithfully to God in a pagan world?
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Walking With Christ: Backpacking as a Model - October 2, 2020
The Scripture uses many metaphors to describe walking with Christ. I have found that backpacking works well for me in describing that walk.
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Don’t Envy the Prosperity of the Wicked – Psalm 73 - October 9, 2020
Do you ever find yourself envying the prosperity of the wicked? If you do, you are not alone. But consider their fate, and rejoice in God.
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Holiness: Being Holy. And Being Made Holy. - October 16, 2020
Holiness is not just something expected of some believers. All of us who belong to Christ are holy, and are expected to live holy lives.
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What the Bible Says About the Evil in the Spiritual Realm - October 23, 2020
This post is looking at what the Scripture says about the spiritual realm. And, especially, at evil in the spiritual realm.
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The Importance of Being Faithful Until the End - October 30, 2020
Repeatedly the Scripture exhorts us to remain faithful to the end. The life of King Asa is a lesson on failing to do that.
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You’re Never Too Old to Be Used by God - November 13, 2020
Are you ever too old to be of service in God's kingdom? The story of Moses would tell us that we are never too old, no matter our age.
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God, Israel, and the Nature of Free Will - November 20, 2020
What is the nature of free will? Is it an illusion? Are our choices made for us by outside forces? Or can we actually make real decisions?
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The Book of Job: A Lesson About Suffering - December 4, 2020
The book of Job is about suffering. Why do we suffer? God's answer to Job is that it is often beyond our understanding.
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Abraham’s Test: The Sacrifice of Isaac As a Burnt Offering - March 5, 2021
God called Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. What was Abraham's test all about? Was it for God's benefit? Or Abraham's?
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What Does the Bible Say about Circumcision? - March 12, 2021
What role does circumcision play for a follower of Jesus? It is still a practice that we should follow? Or is it unnecessary today?
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Participating in the Divine Nature – 2 Peter 1:3-4 - March 19, 2021
What does it mean to participate in the divine nature? How do we go about doing that? And what are these promises that enable this life?