Category: Dispensationalism
Is the Pretribulation Rapture Biblical? by Brian Schwertley
Although the pretribulation rapture doctrine is very popular and is even considered so crucial to Christianity that it is made a test of a person’s orthodoxy in some denominations, Bible colleges and seminaries, the exegetical and theological arguments used by its advocates are all classic cases of forcing one’s theological presuppositions onto particular texts (eisegesis). The purpose of this brief study is to show that the pretribulation rapture theory is not plainly taught or directly stated in any place in Scripture, cannot be deduced from biblical teaching, contradicts the general teaching of the Bible regarding Christ’s second coming and was never taught in any branch of the church prior to 1830.
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Category: The Word of God
KJV vs. NIV - Which Bible? by Ronald Cammenga
The matter of which Bible translation is to be accepted by and used among the people of God is a matter of highest priority. For centuries the King James Version was the undisputed version of choice among English-speaking Christians. In the last several decades, however, several other English translations have appeared, all of them vying for acceptance on the ground that they are an improvement over the KJV.
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Category: Five Points of Calvinism
The Five Points of Calvinism by W.J. Seaton
There is scarcely another word that arouses such suspicion, mistrust, and even animosity among professing Christians as the word Calvinism. And yet much of the zeal that is levelled against this system and those who hold and preach it is most certainly a zeal which is not according to knowledge.
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Category: Creeds & Confessions
Charles Finney vs. the Westminster Confession by Michael S. Horton
The most famous evangelist of the nineteenth century declared that The Westminster Divines had created "a paper pope" and had "elevated their confession and catechism to the Papal throne and into the place of the Holy Ghost."
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Category: Biographies
The Life and Ministry of Richard Baxter by Lynell Friesen
It was on the 12th of November, 1615, that Richard was born to Beatrice Adeney and Richard Baxter in his mother’s home at Rowton in the County of Shropshire. “The year after he was born William Shakespeare died, and twelve years before his birth Thomas Cartwright, the great puritan leader of Elizabeth’s reign had died.”
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Category: Charismatic Movement
Holy Spirit Baptism: Seven Easy Steps? by Donald Macleod
What are we to make of the claim that Holy Spirit baptism is given only to believers who fulfill certain conditions? The famous American evangelist, R.A. Torrey, devoted two whole chapters of his book The Holy Spirit: Who He Is and What He Does to expounding these conditions.
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Category: 3. Limited Atonement
Limited Atonement (John 3:16) by Thomas R. Thompson
Is it possible that the most famous Universal Atonement verse actually teaches a Limited Atonement? Most Christians have memorized John 3:16 from an early age. Most Christians also believe that John 3:16 teaches that Jesus died for the sins of everyone who has lived, or will live.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
Tongues-Nonsense and Martin Lloyd-Jones by Ronald Cooke
In his zeal for revival, Martin Lloyd-Jones failed to give a proper contextual exegesis in his explanation of “sign gifts”—and thereby gave credibility to the Charismatic movement.
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Category: Amillenialism
Amillennialism: Part I - Introduction by Anthony Hoekema
My discussion of the amillennial understanding of the millennium will include the following topics: the interpretation of the book of Revelation, the interpretation of Revelation 20:1-6, a look at two Old Testament passages commonly viewed as predicting an earthly millennial kingdom, a brief sketch of amillennial eschatology and a summarizing statement of some of the implications of amillennial eschatology.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
The Charismatic Movement: A Biblical Critique by Brian Schwertley
The Charismatic movement is one of the most popular and growing forces within Christendom today. The major doctrinal distinctives of the Charismatic movement—the baptism in the Holy Spirit, tongues-speaking, prophecy, the gift of healing and the emphasis on having a personal experience—are primary reasons for the movement’s growth and popularity.
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Category: The Church
Conflict Resolution in the Church: A Study of Matthew 18:15-16 by Brian Schwertley
Professing Christians desire peace in the body of Christ. Many acknowledge that peace and purity can only be maintained through biblical church discipline. Matthew 18:15ff is a crucial passage for preserving the peace and concord of believers, because in it, Christ sets forth the steps necessary for dealing with sin between believers. Although this portion of Scripture is often referred to in our day by believers, it is seldom followed by church governors and members.
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Category: Christology
The Person Of Christ According To The New Testament by Benjamin B. Warfield
It is the purpose of this article to make as clear as possible the conception of the Person of Christ, in the technical sense of that term, which lies on—or, if we prefer to say so, beneath—the pages of the New Testament.
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Category: Christology
Jesus Christ the Son of God by Theodore Beza (1519-1605)
The following article by Theodore Beza was taken from chapter three (sections 16-26) of his book The Christian Faith, translated into english by James Clark (Focus Christian Ministries Trust, East Essex England, 1992). This book was a "best seller" during the Protestant Reformation, and appeared in 1558 under the original title of Confession De Foi Du Chretien.
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Category: Christology
The Divine and Human Nature of Christ by Herman Bavinck
The testimony which, according to Scripture, Christ has given of Himself is developed and confirmed by the preaching of the apostles...
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Category: Biographies
Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: His Life and Ministry by Sir Fred Catherwood
With the death of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a great pillar of the 20th century evangelical church has been removed.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
The Cessation of the Sign Gifts by Thomas R. Edgar
Referring to the charismatic movement Hollenweger states that "in the not too distant future there will be more Christians belonging to this type of Christianity than to the Anglican community. They will number almost as many as all other Protestants together." He feels that the numerical and perhaps the spiritual center of Christianity will shift to "Indigenous Non-white" or "Third World Pentecostal" churches. The validity of such a prevalent force is an issue that cannot be ignored.
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Category: Puritans & Puritanism
The Puritan Approach to Worship by J. I. Packer
It is sometimes said that evangelicals are not interested in worship. If by worship one means the technicalities of liturgical study, this may be true. But I do not suppose that I am the only evangelical who finds that the actual exercise of worship, the deliberate lifting of one's eyes from man and his mistakes to contemplate God and his glory, grows increasingly precious as the years go by, and brings solace and refreshment to the spirit in a way that nothing else can do.
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Category: Christology
The Person of Christ by A. A. Hodge
It is the grand distinction of Christianity that all its doctrines and all its forces centre in the Person of its Founder and Teacher. In the case of all the other founders of philosophical sects and religions, the entire interest of their mission centres in the doctrines they teach, the opinions they disseminate.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
Try the Spirits - A Reformed Look at Pentecostalism - Part I by David J. Engelsma
By this time, it is evident to all that the charismatic movement (or, neo-Pentecostalism) is no vagrant breeze wafting through the Protestant churches, but a mighty wind blowing steadily in these churches. Nor does this surprise us. Religion, like nature, abhors a vacuum. Bereft these many years of doctrine solid, expository preaching and thorough doctrinal instruction, the churches are exposed to the inrushing stream of mysticism.
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Category: Puritans & Puritanism
The Character of an Old English Puritan, or Non-Conformist by John Geree
The Old English Puritan was such an one, that honored God above all, and under God gave every one his due. His first care was to serve God, and therein he did not what was good in his own, but in God’s sight, making the word of God the rule of his worship.
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Category: Five Points of Calvinism
The Fundamental Principle of Calvinism by Henry Meeter
The significance of John Calvin for the modern era is vividly described in these words: “The sixteenth was a great century. It was the century of Raphael and Michelangelo, of Spenser and Shakespeare, of Erasmus and Rabelais, of Copernicus and Galileo, of Luther and Calvin. Of all the figures that gave greatness to this century, none left a more lasting heritage than Calvin.
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Category: The Gospel
Decisional Regeneration by James E. Adams
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that the new birth is so important that no one can see heaven without it. Mistakes concerning this doctrine have been very destructive to the Church of Christ.
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Category: The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Christian by R. A. Finlayson
Here we study the subjective work of the Holy Spirit that perfects and consummates His objective work. He works in us what was wrought by Christ for us, and in the case of the believer the operations of the Spirit are effectual.
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Category: Biographies
Benjamin B. Warfield - Biographical Sketch by Samuel G. Craig
Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield was born at "Grasmere" near Lexington, Kentucky, November 5, 1851 and died at Princeton, New Jersey, February 17, 1921.
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Category: About Revival
Jonathan Edwards on Corporate Prayer For Revival by Jonathan Edwards
A Humble Attempt to Promote the Agreement and Union of God's People Throughout the World in Extraordinary Prayer For a Revival Of Religion And The Advancement Of God's Kingdom On Earth, According To Scriptural Promises And Prophecies Of The Last Time.
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Category: The Church
The Devil and the Church by E.M. Bounds
The 'gates of hell shall not prevail' against the Church. This promise of our Lord stands against every Satanic device and assault: But this immutable word as to the glorious outcome does not protect the Church from the devil's stratagems which may, and often do, pervert the aims of the Church and postpone the day of its final triumph.
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Category: Family Worship
The Importance of Family Religion: Chapter 1 Section 1 by S.G. Winchester, A.M.
The head of a family sustains to his household the threefold relation of a king, a prophet, and a priest. As a king, he rules his house, and administers its government. As a prophet, it is his business to impart suitable instruction to his children and servants. And as a priest, he should conduct the worship, and lead the social devotions of the family.
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Category: Marriage
Duties of Husbands and Wives by Richard Steele
Marriage is the foundation of all society, and so this topic is very important. Explaining marital duties to you is much easier than persuading you to do them. Conform your will to Scripture, not vice versa. Take Ephesians 5:33 to heart.
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Category: Dispensationalism
The Application of the Scriptures: A Biblical Refutation of Dispensationalism by Arthur W. Pink
Having written so much upon both the inspiration and the interpretation of Holy Writ, it is necessary, in order to give completeness unto the same, to supply one or two articles upon the application thereof.
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Category: Puritans & Puritanism
Why We Need the Puritans by J. I. Packer
The answer, in one word, is maturity. Maturity is a compound of wisdom, goodwill, resilience, and creativity. The Puritans exemplified maturity; we don't. We are spiritual dwarfs.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
Church History and the Tongues Movement by George W. Dollar
Advocates of the tongues movement rely upon two sources for their arguments. First of all, there is an appeal to instances of speaking in tongues in the New Testament and, secondly, late nineteenth-century and twentieth-century instances on a widespread scale are given large place in arguing for the present-day resurgence of this apostolic gift.
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Category: Amillenialism
Amillennialism: Part III - A Brief Sketch of Amillennial Eschatology by Anthony Hoekema
I would like at this point to counteract the negativism of some amillennial eschatologies by sketching briefly some positive affirmations made by amillennialist theologians.
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Category: Biographies
Personal Narrative of Jonathan Edwards by Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards' own account of his early years and testimony to his own saving faith in Christ.
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Category: About Revival
What is Revival? by Martin Lloyd-Jones
We can define it as a period of unusual blessing and activity in the life of the Christian Church. Revival means awakening, stimulating the life, bringing it to the surface again. It happens primarily in the Church of God, and amongst believing people, and it is only secondly something that affects those that are outside also.
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Category: Christology
The Triple Cure: Jesus Christ - Our Prophet, Priest and King by Kim Riddlebarger
The diagnosis is not very good: we are ignorant, guilty, and corrupt. As a litany of biblical texts reveals, we find ourselves as fallen sinners ravaged by this threefold consequence of our sins.
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Category: Doctrine of God
The Biblical Doctrine of the Trinity by Benjamin B. Warfield
The term "Trinity" is not a Biblical term, and we are not using Biblical language when we define what is expressed by it as the doctrine that there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence.
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Category: Christian Parenting
The Duties of Christian Parents by J. C. Ryle
We live in days when there is a mighty zeal for education in every quarter. We hear of new schools rising on all sides. We are told of new systems, and new books for the young, of every sort and description. And still for all this, the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go, for when they grow up to man's estate, they do not walk with God.
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Category: Charismatic Movement
When Will the Gift of Prophecy Cease? by F. David Farnell
In discussing the cessation of New Testament prophecy, two essential areas should be examined. First, prophecy's miraculous nature must be stressed. Second, strategic arguments demonstrate that the gift of prophecy, like the other miraculous gifts of apostleship and tongues, has ceased.
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Category: Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism: Part I - Millennial Views Prior to the Rise of Dispensationalism by Mark Sarver
It is scarcely possible that those who labor in the gospel will be able to escape the necessity of ministering to those who have been influenced by modern dispensationalism. We live in an era flooded with dispensational preaching, books, schools, and even study Bibles.
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Category: Presbyterianism
What is Presbyterianism? - Part 1 by Charles Hodge
We are assembled this evening as a Presbyterian Historical Society. It has occurred to me that it would not be inappropriate to discuss the question, What is Presbyterianism? You will not expect from me an oration. My object is neither conviction nor persuasion; but exposition. I propose to occupy the hour devoted to this address in an attempt to unfold the principles of that system of Church polity which we, as Presbyterians, hold to be laid down in the word of God.
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Category: Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism: Part III - The Development and Spread of Dispensationalism in America by Mark Sarver
During the Great Awakening (1725-1760) in America, postmillennalism was given fresh impetus, especially by Jonathan Edwards. This optimistic expectation of future gospel triumphs, given new life due to the present gospel triumphs, fit in well with the American Puritan conviction that the colonists were a chosen people and their commonwealth a "city set upon a hill."
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Category: Dispensationalism
C. I. Scofield by William E. Cox
The father of dispensationalism, Darby, as well as his teachings, probably would be unheard of today were it not for his devoted follower, Scofield. The writer became increasingly aware of this fact as he did research for this book. Darby's books are gathering dust on the shelves of the comparatively few libraries stocking them. Information concerning him is scarce indeed.
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Category: Spiritual Growth
The Necessity of Sanctification: A Brief Refutation of the Carnal Christian Heresy by Brian Schwertley
Today's main heresy regarding sanctification completely divorces sanctification from justification in such a manner that the necessity of sanctification in the Christian life is completely denied. Sanctification is said to be optional for believers. This is the heresy of antinomianism. The ancient form of antinomianism was Nicolaitan Gnosticism. The modern form that plagues "evangelicalism" is dispensationalism.
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Category: The Lord's Supper
An Overview of The Lord's Supper by Charles Hodge
In the Lord's Supper we are said to receive Christ and the benefits of His redemption to our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. As our natural food imparts life and strength to our bodies, so this sacrament is one of the divinely appointed means to strengthen the principle of life in the soul of the believer.
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Category: The Gospel
The Carnal Christian by Ernest C Reisinger
Many who regularly occupy church pews, fill church rolls, and are intellectually acquainted with the facts of the gospel never strike one blow for Christ. They seem to be at peace with his enemies. They have no quarrel with sin and, apart from a few sentimental expressions about Christ, there is no biblical evidence that they have experienced anything of the power of the gospel in their lives.
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Category: Church Officers
Apostles And The Apostolate In The New Testament by Robert Duncan Culver
A number of currents of thought in contemporary church life invite fresh attention to the precise nature and purpose of the New Testament apostolate. Some Roman Catholics and "charismatics" are presenting new ideas about revelation.
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Category: Amillenialism
Amillennialism: Part II - The Interpretation of Old Testament Prophecy by Anthony Hoekema
There is a basic difference in the method of biblical interpretation employed by premillennialists and amillennialists. Premillennialists, particularly those of dispensationalist persuasion, are committed to what is commonly called the “literal’ interpretation of Old Testament prophecy.
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Category: Preaching & Preachers
A Little More Exposition - A Little Less Exhibition by John W. Weidert
Dealing with real issues and needs in the local church, John Weidert, provides some practical insight into the oft forgotten role of the pastor as "expositor".
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Category: Family Worship
Family Duty: A Father's Duty to His Family in General by John Bunyan
He that is the master of a family, he has, as under that relation, a work to do for God; the right governing of his own family. And his work is twofold. First, Touching the spiritual state of it. Second, Touching the outward state of it.
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Category: Amillenialism
Revelation Twenty - Introduction by William E. Cox
Without agreement on some basic premises, there can never be a proper exegesis of any passage of Scripture. Therefore, before beginning the actual exegesis of Revelation 20, we make the following observations.
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