Book Review: Compassionate Calvinism by Sam Cole

Ever heard of cage stage? I am sure you have especially if you are engaged with social media. Cage stage is this zeal of sharing your newfound (for lack of a better term) theology and want to share it so you can prove everyone wrong.

Some people just post on social media without considering being gentle nor exercise self-control when engaging in an online debate. This is most true with Calvinists. They have a tendency to develop some form of cage stage even they have embraced their theology. Sadly, most of them have not grown out of it. 

In Compassionate Calvinism, Sam Cole dives into the doctrines of grace and how we can explain it them, as the subtitle of the book says, without being a jerk. Let's face it. Some Calvinists can be very unkind while discussing doctrine with them.

This book goes over Calvinism and the important doctrines that affirm. Those doctrines include total depravity, sovereign grace, election, the atonement, and the perseverance of the saints. This is not a systematic theology book, but just a basic introduction to Calvinism.

What makes this book unique, it does discuss doctrine, but it goes over how we can discuss it with others. Whether we are in defending what we believe or just simply sharing them with someone who is curious about Calvinism. We can discuss Calvinism without going into cage stage mode which ends up with being arrogant, or even a jerk (there's that word again). 

This book is one I would recommend for those who are new to Calvinism to help them understand the doctrines of grace and how to effectively communicate them charitably.

I received this book from G3 Press in exchange for an honest review. 

Pastoral Conversations on Spiritual Warfare

This is a 2-part discussion between the pastors of Kerrville Bible Church on the subject of spiritual warfare.

Joel Beeke: “Follow Christ in This Prayer” (John 17): Anthony Burgess on the Unity of the Church

A Discussion Exposing the Orthodox Church's False Gospel

In this episode of the Redeeming Truth Podcast, Jon Benzinger is joined by Hal Hays in exposing the false teaching of the Orthodox Church.

Recommended Resources:

I highly recommend Hal's book, Are You (Biblically) Orthodox?

Discussions Centered Around Thomas Aquinas

I am sure by now you have heard a man who once held Reformed Theology has become a Roman Catholic whom he gave credit to the writings of Thomas Aquinas, a well-known Roman Catholic scholar. There have been many Protestants who have embrace Aquinas's teachings without cross over to Roman Catholicism which is very concerning. 

There have been discussions on the matter, and I want highlight three from Iron Sharpens Iron Radio:

Dr. Jeffrey C. Waddington on “The Debate Over Retrieving Thomas Aquinas for Reformed Theology”

Jeffrey D. Johnson on “A Critical Appraisal of Thomas Aquinas”

David Reece on “One Reformed Pastor’s Critique of the Rising Alignment with the Theology of Thomas Aquinas”

Jim Osman and Justin Peters talk with Gabe Poirot

Not too long ago, I shared the video to Justin Peters and Jim Osman addressing Gabe Poirot's trip to heaven. Before their conversation, Justin mentioned that Gabe reached out to him saying they want to talk about what he said. Both Jim and Justin agree and here is the video.

Doug Geivett and Holly Pivac Discuss Francis Chan's Apology

In a blog post, Francis Chan apologized for endorsing Mike Bickle. In this video, Doug Geivett and Holly Pivac discuss this apology and other issues with Chan.

*This video is audio only.*

Jonny Ardavanis: Does the Bible Permit a Woman to Preach?

Scott Aniol: That They May All Be One—John 17

Jesus Saved Us from the Wrath of God

On this Good Friday morning, reflect on the fact that Jesus died not only to save you from your sins. Jesus died to save you from the wrath of God.

Surely our griefs He Himself bore,

And our sorrows He carried;

Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken,

Smitten of God, and afflicted.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our peace fell upon Him,

And by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).

Jesus took the just punishment in our place that brought us peace.

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him (Romans 5:9).

This passage is one that is not often mentioned because we do not like the idea of God being a wrathful God. Yes, God did show His love by Christ dying for us, but Christ's death saved from the wrath of God. To those who are saved, we are appointed not to received wrath, but to obtain salvation (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

Brothers and sisters, rejoice for we have been spared from the wrath of God because of the death of Christ. 

Justin Peters and Jim Osman Addressing the Latest Trip to Heaven

Gabe Poirot was in a skateboarding accident that left his in a coma for 18 days. After he recovered, he claimed he spent those days in heaven. The question is, did he really go heaven while in a coma. In video, Justin Peters and Jim Osman break down Poirot's claims.

*There is an upcoming video of Poirot speaking with Osman and Peters about this video and giving his account of what he believed he witnessed*

Tony Wood: Preaching Legalists Out Of Church

Dave Jordan: Winning the Battle of the Mind

Peter Goeman: Was Jesus Jewish? Does it Matter?

Mike Gendron: Do Catholics Have an All-Sufficient Savior?

Scripture is Sufficient

Modern tongues are not the gift as clearly described in the Bible. The confusion surrounding the gift of tongues today stems from a failure to define it biblically. Once we do, the clear difference between biblical tongues and the modern counterfeit becomes unmistakable. The Apostles, those with them in the upper room, and those the Spirit sovereignly gave the gift to in the early church age spoke known languages. 

Today’s tongues are linguistically not languages at all. The Apostles never taught people to seek the gift or “fake it until it happens” as some teach. Today, people are coached into speaking modern-day tongues. The Apostle Paul clearly said that not all believers speak in tongues. Sadly, many Christians today are told that everyone can and should speak in tongues. The Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, insists on interpretation and order. Tongues speaking today are regularly chaotic (the whole church babbling at one time), unregulated, and not tested for accuracy because they are rarely interpreted. "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). God is not the author of confusion. His Word is sufficient.

The Spirit does not contradict the Scriptures he inspired. When we understand tongues biblically, we are freed from false expectations, which lead to confusion and discouragement. Instead, let’s focus on the greater miracle, his all-sufficient Word given to us.

Adapted from A More Excellent Way: A Biblical Guide to 1 Corinthians 12–14: Spiritual Gifts, Tongues, and Worship by Steven Biggs

Suffering Does Not Discriminate

Suffering will come for all of us in various forms. It does not matter how old you are or how mature you are in your walk with Christ. Can you be prepared for suffering? Yes, which is another subject for another post.

Many people think suffering comes to people because of something in their life. Granted, God can use suffering as a form of discipline when someone is wandering away yet there are times suffering comes when things seem to be going right.

Job had everything going for him till God allowed Satan to cause him harm yet under the rule to not take his life. The problem is we think there are some people that do not deserve suffering, which is not true. We all deserve much worse including suffering. 

We have a member at our church who is going through colon cancer right now. In fact, he is one of our pastors. I was having a conversation with a brother in the church; he said that maybe this is happening because of the type of person he is. As one who has been through cancer, I found that a little insulative. When I went through cancer, God used to that to convict me of false teachings that I was following at that time. 

Now there are people who would say that this pastor should not have gotten cancer because of the person he is. Not true. Suffering does not discriminate. Suffering will happen to all regardless of age and spiritual maturity. The church needs to stop thinking that suffering is only for those who are the bottom of the food chain in the church, which is really sad saying that. 

The body of Christ needs to be there for another in the midst of their suffering. We need to stop highlighting certain ones who are going through suffering when there are others going through it as well. Suffering is not discriminatory and neither should be the care the church has for one another. 

Joel Beeke: Soli Deo Gloria

This message took place during the Sola Conference at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, Tx:   

Nathan Busenitz: Solus Christus

This message took place during the Sola Conference at Countryside Bible Church in Southlake, Tx:   

Paul Washer: Is It Well with Your Soul?