Posts with the tag: Dirk Warren
Did Job CAUSE His Satanic Attacks Through Fear?
Way back in the ’80s I heard a minister claim that Job opened the door to the devil’s extraordinary attacks through fear (Job 1-2), which he argued is backed-up by this statement from Job: “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” Job 3:25 This is still taught today […]
What Is LEGALISM and Its Four “Limbs”?
Here’s a summary of general legalism and its four “limbs”: General Legalism refers to legalism in general. It’s an obsession with legalities and could just as well be described as law-ism or rule-ism. It’s the emphasis on the outer at the expense of the inner. As such, outward conformity to the letter of the law […]
What Is the “BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE” in Malachi 3:16?
Let’s read the verse in question: Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll [book] of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. Malachi 3:16 Contextually, Malachi was saying that the LORD had not forgotten “those […]
How Can You HEAR FROM GOD?
The Bible reveals seven general ways that you can hear from the LORD and discern Divine will on a matter: 1. Through the Holy Scriptures The Judeo-Christian Scriptures are said to be “God-breathed” and therefore it’s “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every believer has an anointing to receive […]
Why Did Jesus Say THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR?
Both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ preached that the kingdom of heaven or the kingdom of God was near: 1In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 3:1-2 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the […]
What Happens to the SPIRIT at the Second Death?
Addressing the death of an unredeemed person, Ecclesiastes 12:7 says “the spirit returns to God who gave it.” “Spirit” here refers to the “breath of life,” aka the animating life force from God, noted in what theologians call ‘the creation text’: And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into […]
Are Believers the RESULT OF a Covenant or IN COVENANT?
There’s this teaching going around that believers are not in a covenant with God but, rather, are the result of the covenant between Abraham and the LORD (Genesis 12:1-3 & 17:4-5). A minister can be observed teaching this in this 7.5 minute video. He is correct that believers in Christ are the product of the […]
Why DIDN’T Catholics Want People Having Access to Scripture?
Historically, Catholic leaders have curiously objected to people having access to the Holy Scriptures. For instance, when the codex book form replaced the scroll, and parchment made from sheep or goat skin replaced papyrus, the Catholic Council of Toulouse, France, 1229, forbade anyone who was not a priest from owning a translation of the Bible […]
The Origin of the MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
It helps to understand what’s happening in the Middle East by examining where this ongoing conflict started, as revealed in Scripture. Abram, who was soon renamed Abraham, found favor with the LORD and God viewed him as a friend (Genesis 12:1-7 & James 2:23). He was promised that his descendants would be “a great nation” […]
Did PAUL’S MESSAGE Contradict Jesus & James’ Gospel?
Here’s the argument in question: The book of James declares works, the keeping of the commandments, as part of the process of justification. From James’ point of view, salvation is by faith plus works. This contradicts Paul’s salvation by grace through faith and not of works. Actually, there is no contradiction. Let me offer plain […]
What Are the APOCRYPHA and PSEUDEPIGRAPHA?
The books contained in the apocrypha (ah-POK-rah-fah) & pseudepigrapha (soo-doh-PIG-rah-fah) are noncanonical writings from the intertestamental period, or “400 silent years,” between the Old and New Testaments; and up to 300-400 AD. ‘Apocrypha’ means “hidden away” while ‘pseudepigrapha’ means “false writings,” mostly because the claimed author of the text is not the actual author. Some of what these books say […]
Did Israel Have a QUEEN in Biblical Times?
Yes, in Judah during the time of the divided kingdom, as observed here: 1When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. 2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal […]
Are There Different Kinds of GRACE?
This verse is relevant to the question: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 The Greek word for ‘grace’ is charis (KHAR-ees), which means “grace, favor, kindness.” There are different kinds of charis depending on the […]
CAIN’S WIFE and Issues of INCEST
Cain was the first child of Adam & Eve, the primordial parents of the human race (Genesis 4:1). After Cain reached adulthood, Scripture says: Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. Genesis 4:17 […]
What Is “the Mountain of the LORD’s House” in Isaiah 2:2?
Let’s read the full passage: 1This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3Many peoples will come and say, […]
What Is “THE GOLDEN RULE”?
What we call “the golden rule” applies to the general guideline on how we should treat other people: “In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” […]
What Makes a Believer a “LEGITIMATE CHRISTIAN”?
Occasionally you’ll come across people who have a list of doctrines that they deem mandatory for being a “legitimate believer.” This is fine if the list is comprised of actual core truths of Christianity, but not if the doctrines are peripheral and therefore unessential. So, what makes a legitimate Christian according to the God-breathed Scriptures? […]
What Did Paul Mean By “Having the Same SPIRIT OF FAITH”?
Here’s the verse in question: It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 2 Corinthians 4:13 Paul was partially quoting Psalm 116:10 wherein the unnamed writer knew from a recent life-or-death situation that the LORD answers when believers call in faith […]
Should Church Leaders Be Corrected Privately or Publicly?
Since the Word of Truth is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 2:15 & 3:16), let’s see what it says on this particular issue: 17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18For Scripture says, “Do […]
Was There a LUCIFERIAN FLOOD Before the Noahic One?
There are some Christians who believe that the creation account of Genesis 1-2 refers, more specifically, to the restoration of physical creation after a great cataclysm between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2. These folks believe there is a great gap of time between these first two verses of Scripture — perhaps billions of years — and […]
How to Discern OPINION and FACT in Theology
‘Theology’ means the study of God. In Christian theology, how do we distinguish what’s true and what’s not true concerning anything related to God and the things of God, including Church doctrine and practice? Is it “all just opinion,” as I heard someone argue? Absolutely not. Notice what the Bible says: 16All Scripture is God-breathed […]
Why Did Jude Quote ENOCH?
Let’s look at the passage in question: 14Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners […]
What Is GLORY? Are There Different TYPES OF GLORY?
Light or splendor is what I immediately think of when I think of ‘glory.’ Both the Greek word and Hebrew word for ‘glory’ bespeak of God’s splendorous intrinsic substance or essence and the perfection or excellence thereof, whether moral or otherwise. It’s basically the opposite of darkness or sin. You could say ‘glory’ involves all the attributes related […]
Responding to TRAGEDIES and SUFFERING
Tragedies are a constant in “this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). Christ commented on their reality and the difficult questions they provoke in Luke 13:1-5. C.S. Lewis said, “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in […]
Was Abimelech Technically the First King of Israel?
To answer this question, let’s consider the key verses: Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelech king. Judges 9:6 After Abimelech had governed Israel three years, Judges 9:22 Abimelech (or Abimelek) was one of the sons of Gideon, who […]
Does Isaiah 19:19-20 Support Pyramidology?
So-called Christian pyramidology suggests that the Great Pyramid of Giza is “the Bible in stone” concerning God’s plan for the ages and interpreting events of the end-times. Let’s read the passage to see if this is true: 19In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. 20It will be […]
Is the NEW JERUSALEM Cube-Shaped or Pyramid-Shaped?
The New Jerusalem is currently in Heaven, as shown in Hebrews 12:22. Revelation 3:12 reveals that this massive city will “come down out of heaven from God” at some point and the timing of this transition is revealed in Revelation 21:2 and 21:10 to be the eternal age of the New Heavens and New Earth. The shape […]
Why It’s Not Good to OVER-PRAISE Your Spiritual Mentor
There’s a place for honoring your spiritual mentors in light of this passage: 12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each […]
Is the Saying “CLEANLINESS Is Next to Godliness” Biblical?
You’ve probably heard the saying “cleanliness is next to godliness.” A friend of mine lived on campus at Liberty University, the Baptist college founded by Jerry Falwell, and he said the staff would cite this proverb to motivate the students to keep things tidy and clean, including their personal hygiene. Is this saying true? Let’s […]
Is the One Who Led You to Christ Your “Spiritual Parent”?
This question is based on Paul’s statement to the Corinthian believers here: 14I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge […]