2 Response Videos from Steven Kozar on the Roundtable Discussion

Over at The Messed Up Church YouTube channel, Steven Kozar has produced two response videos in regards the Roundtable Discussion between Sam Storm, Michael Brown, Jim Osman, and Justin Peters.

This first video is regarding a "prophecy" about the weather and Mike Bickle:

The second video is a response to Storms and Brown being shown proof men like Todd White are fabricating miracles:

 

The Roundtable Discussion with Osman, Peters, Storms, and Brown

This roundtable discussion with Jim Osman, Justin Peters, Sam Storms, and Michael Brown is in regards to what makes one a false teacher and the continuation of the sign gifts of the Spirit:

Sam Storms on What You Should Know About The Gospel

The “gospel” is the gloriously great good news of what our triune God has graciously done in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to satisfy his own wrath against us and to secure the forgiveness of sins and perfect righteousness for all who trust in him by faith alone. Christ fulfilled, on our behalf, the perfectly obedient life under God’s law that we should have lived, but never could. He died, in our place, the death that we deserved to suffer but now never will. And by his rising from the dead he secures for those who believe the promise of a resurrected and glorified life in a new heaven and a new earth in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever.

The gospel is fundamentally about something that has happened. It is an accomplished event, an unalterable fact of history. Nothing can undo the gospel. No power in heaven or earth can overturn or reverse it. But as a settled achievement it also exerts a radical and far-reaching influence into both our present experience and our future hopes. Central to why it is the “best” news imaginable is that the glory of what God has already done in and through Jesus transforms everything now and yet to come.

This gospel is not only the means by which people have been saved, but also the truth and power by which people are being sanctified (1 Cor. 15:1-2); it is the truth of the gospel that enables us to genuinely and joyfully do what is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ. Thus we must never think that the gospel is solely for unbelievers. It is for Christians, at every stage of their lives. There is nothing in the Christian life that is “post” gospel!

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the gospel is the gravitational center of both our individual experience and the shape of local church life. We see this in numerous biblical texts. For example, the gospel is Christocentric: it is about Jesus, God’s son (Mark 1:1; Rom. 1:9). Both Mark (Mark 1:14) and Paul (Rom. 1:1; 1 Thess. 2:2) describe it as the gospel “of God” insofar as he is its source and the cause of all that it entails. Humans do not create or craft the gospel: they respond to it by repenting of their sins and believing its message (Mark 1:15) concerning what God has done in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The gospel, then, is “the word of truth” that proclaims our “salvation” (Eph. 1:13). It is marked by grace (Acts 20:24), which is to say it is the message of God’s gracious provision, apart from human works, of all that is necessary to reconcile us to himself both now and for eternity. Indeed, the gospel is the foundation, pattern, and power for how we respond to unjust suffering (1 Pet. 2:18-25; 3:17-18), the way we relate to our spouse (Eph. 5:25-33), how we use our money (2 Cor. 8:8-9; 9:13), the manner in which we forgive those who’ve sinned against us (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13), and the zeal with which we serve others (Mark 10:43-45; 1 John 3:16-18). This “good news” of what God has done in and through Christ’s death (1 Cor. 2:2) and resurrection (2 Tim. 2:8) brings peace (Eph. 6:15), life, and immortality (2 Tim. 1:10) to those who receive it.

These truths are of paramount and eternal importance, for to “distort the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7) or to preach one that is “different” from or “contrary” to what the apostles made known (Gal. 1:6-7) is to come under a divine curse (Gal. 1:9).

So, how does the gospel change us? Of what practical, daily importance is it? Tim Keller reminds us that many Christians live in an “if / then” relationship with God. If I do what is right, then God will love me. If I give more money to missions, then God will provide me with a raise at work. If I avoid sinful habits, then I will be spared suffering and humiliation. It’s a conditional relationship that is based on the principle of merit.

The gospel calls us to live in a “because / therefore” relationship with the Lord. Because we have been justified by faith in Christ, therefore we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Because Christ died for us, therefore we are forgiven. Because Christ has fulfilled the law in our place, therefore we are set free from its demands and penalty. This is an unconditional relationship that is based on the principle of grace.

The gospel is rooted in the call of Israel and is consummated in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, who is the fulfillment of the types and shadows of the old covenant. As such, the gospel must never be thought of as an abstract, a-historical idea, as if it were disconnected from or unrelated to the concrete realities of life on earth. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are thus to be seen as the pivotal chapter in the unfolding story of God’s redemptive purpose for humanity.

The gospel is not what God requires. The gospel is what God provides. There is of course, an intrinsic demand built into the gospel. The good news that is proclaimed calls for a response of faith and repentance. But our faith and repentance are not themselves the gospel. Our personal testimony is not the gospel. We cannot be the gospel but we bear witness to it. This means that the gospel is not an imperative, demanding things you must do. The gospel is an indicative, declaring things God has done. Again, of course we do things because of the gospel. But our doing things isn’t itself the gospel.

The gospel is not about human action. The gospel is about divine achievement. Or again, the gospel is about God’s provision, not man’s response. The gospel is not a moralistic Do! The gospel is a merciful Done! There are undoubtedly multiple consequences of the gospel that extend beyond its impact on the individual and his relationship to God. The gospel invariably issues a call for human action. Among the implications or results of the gospel are the cultivation of humility (Phil. 2:1-5), the pursuit of racial reconciliation (Eph. 2:11-22) and social justice (Philemon 8-20), a commitment to harmony and peace among men (Rom. 15:5-7; Heb. 12:14), and the demonstration of love one for another (1 John 3:16, 23). But we must never confuse the content of the gospel with its consequences, or its essence with its entailments.

Finally, whereas the gospel is God’s redeeming act in Jesus on behalf of sinful men and women, we must not overlook the fact that it is only because of the gospel that we have a sure and certain hope for cosmic transformation. The good news of God’s saving act in Christ is thus the foundation for our confidence in the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom (1 Cor. 15:20-24), the end of physical death (1 Cor. 15:25-26; Rev. 21:4), the defeat of Satan (John 16:11; Col. 2:13-15; Heb. 2:14; 1 John 3:8), the eradication of all evil (Rev. 21:4, 8), and the removal of the curse that rests on our physical environment and the consummation of God’s purpose for all creation in the new heavens and new earth (Rom. 8:18-25).

Source: 10 Things You Should Know about the Gospel by Sam Storms

Sam Storms On What 10 Things You Need To Know About Repentance

(1) Genuine repentance begins, but by no means ends, with heartfelt conviction of sin. That is to say, it begins with recognition, which is to say, an eye-opening, heart-rending awareness of having defied God by embracing what he despises and despising, or at minimum, being indifferent towards, what he adores. Repentance, therefore, involves knowing in one’s heart:

“This is wrong.”
“I have sinned.”
“God is grieved.”

(2) To truly repent one must also confess the sin openly and honestly to the Lord. We see this in Psalm 32 where David describes his experience following his adultery with Bathsheba. When he finally responded to the conviction in his heart it resulted in confession with his mouth.

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. . . . I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin’” (vv. 1-2,5).

(3) When one truly repents there is an awareness that the sin committed, whatever its nature, was ultimately against God alone. In Psalm 51:4 David declared: “Against you [God], you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”

(4) Although repentance is more than getting something off your chest or “out of your system,” there is in it a true feeling or sense of remorse. If one is not genuinely offended by one’s sin, there is no repentance. Repentance is painful, but it is a sweet pain. It demands brokenness of heart (Ps. 51:17; Isa. 57:15) but always with a view to healing and restoration and a renewed vision of the beauty of Christ and forgiving grace.

(5) Biblical repentance must be distinguished from worldly or fleshly repentance. Nowhere is this difference more readily seen than in Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 7:8-12. Paul had written what we call his “severe” letter to the Corinthians. It was “out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears” that he penned this obviously painful missive (2 Cor. 2:4). He evidently spoke forcefully and unequivocally about the nature of their sin and the need for repentance. In doing so, he ran the risk of alienating them and ending all hope for future fellowship. Whereas he initially regretted having to write it, he later rejoiced,

“not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God” (2 Cor. 7:8-12).

(6) In true repentance there must be repudiation of all sins in question and active practical steps taken to avoid anything that might provoke stumbling (cf. Acts 19:18-19). I.e., there must be a deliberate resolve to turn around and walk away from all hint or scent of sin (Ps. 139:23). Paul writes: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14). If, in our so-called “repentance”, we do not abandon the environment in which our sin first emerged and in which, in all likelihood, it will continue to flourish, our repentance is suspect. To say much the same thing, there must be heart-felt reformation, which is to say, an overt determination to pursue purity, to do what pleases God (1 Thess. 1:9).

(7) There are any number of reasons why people, especially men, find it difficult to repent. For example, Satan and the world system have led them to believe the lie that their value or worth as men, indeed, as human beings, is dependent on something other than what Christ has done for them and who they are in Christ by faith alone. If a man believes that other people hold the power to determine his value or worth, he will always be reluctant to reveal anything about his inner life that may cause their estimation of him to diminish.

8) One’s sincere pursuit and faithful embrace of repentance leads to the greatest blessing of all: forgiveness! Blessed is the man whose transgressions are “forgiven” (v. 1.). The word literally means “to carry away.” David’s sin, my sin, your sin, is like an oppressive weight from which we long to be relieved. Forgiveness lifts the burden from our shoulders. Blessed is he whose sin is “covered” (v. 1). It’s as if David says, “Oh, dear Father, what joy to know that if I will ‘uncover’ (v. 5) my sin and not hide it, you will!” David doesn’t mean to suggest that his sin is merely concealed from view but somehow still present to condemn and defeat him. The point is that God sees it no more. He has covered it from all view. Finally, blessed is that man or woman, young or old, whose sin the Lord does not “impute” or “count” against them (v. 2). No record is kept. God isn’t a spiritual scorekeeper to those who seek his pardoning favor!

(9) Our refusal to repent can often result in divine discipline. As David reflected on his sin and the season during which he kept silent, he portrays the impact of his transgression in physical terms.

“For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer” (Psalm 32:3).

(10) Finally, the principal reason we are slow to repent is that we simply don’t understand the gospel and its implications for personal identity and spiritual value. Here is how Gavin Ortlund put it in a recent blog post:

“The gospel alone can free us for honesty, ownership, and admission, because the gospel alone destroys the sting and judgment associated with criticism. The gospel takes away the fear that drives defensiveness and frees us to openly admit our shortcomings. The gospel says, ‘in the place of your deepest failure and shame you are loved most tenderly.’ The gospel says, ‘your deepest fears were already born by Christ.’ The gospel says, ‘your sins were exposed and dealt with at the cross. The battle is already over.’”

You can read the article in its entirety here

Book Review: Practicing The Power by Sam Storms

There is a great debate in the church today over spiritual gifts. Some have said that gifts such as speaking in tongues, and healing have ceased. Others proclaim they are still active in the church today. There are a few who believe the spiritual gifts, as shown in the early church, are still here but we must approach them with discernment.

A few years ago, I had the change to review John MacArthur's Strange Fire which is his manifesto on why the Apostolic gifts as show in the book of Acts has ceased. Many Christians agreed with MacArthur while others dismissed his claims. Sam Storms, who is a Calvinist pastor in Oklahoma City, OK, believes that the spiritual gifts as shown in the early church are alive and well, which he has taken the time to write about them in his latest book, Practicing the Power: Welcoming the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Your Life.

Storms hopes that when people read this book, they will walk away with a better understanding of the spiritual gifts. When it comes to spiritual gifts, we must proceed in studying them with caution because we can either enter into orthodoxy or heresy regarding them. Storms writes that Christians should seek what spiritual gift God has given them, which is something I agree on. Every believer must seek to see what God has for them in the ministry of the church.

He goes on that we must not neglect prayer and fasting in the search of our spiritual gifts. In addition, prayer and fasting are disciplines that Christ himself commanded for us in the gospels. Storms spends three chapters on prophecy. How the church should identify it, how they should practice it, and how to use it in the context on their local church.

The ideal that the Apostolic gifts has stopped is called Cessationalism, which Storms lists 12 reasons why it is a bad idea on being one, while he listed 12 good reasons to be a continuationist, which are those believe those gifts continue in the church today. I must admit, he gives some compelling arguments.

As I read this book, I was on the fence regarding spiritual gifts and whether or not they are still in the church. I still believe they are, but I am cautious about it considering a lot of false "prophecies" I have heard in my early days as a Christian. Just as Strange Fire gave MacArthur a voice in why the Apostolic gifts has ceased, Practicing The Power has given Storm a voice on why they are still in the church.

Thanks Booklook Bloggers for letting me review this book.

God's Timing Is Not Our Timing

Have you ever prayed for something and it does not happen until later on? I know for many of us that has happened and other times it happened immediately. We expect God to do great things, but we want it on our time.

We live in a fast food mentality world where we want it now. We don't like waiting. Why do you think people at Wal-Mart are not happy when there are only three checkout lines opened when the store is full?

The same it true with God. We want Him to act now. We don't like waiting for Him yet there are several passages in the Psalms that says wait on the Lord.

Recently, Sam Storms addressed this very issue about God's timing is not our timing:

The God of the Unlikely Time

Often our schedule and God's seem out of sync. He acts earlier than we had expected, or later than we had hoped, or when it seems most awkward and inconvenient. The result is that sometimes we are impatient with God or choose to act impetuously, while on other occasions we are lazy and inactive.

I suspect that's how the Israelites must have felt as they stood on the banks of the Jordan River, prepared to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. They learned a lesson there that all of us must learn sooner or later. The lesson is simply that the God we love and serve is often the God of the unlikely time.

When the two spies returned from Jericho, Joshua received the news he had been waiting for: "And they said to Joshua, 'Truly the LORD has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us'" (Josh. 2:24). But God then forced them to stand and watch the raging waters of the Jordan River for three days! The torrent was unabated. They could only look across the rising waters into Canaan, on the other side. The river seemed utterly impassable. Their long journey to the Promised Land appeared to have ended just short of their goal. Why did God bring them to the edge of the river and compel them to look with longing and frustration at the land he had promised to their forefathers? His reason seems clear: to drive home to their hearts the seeming impossibility of tomorrow!

God compelled them to wait three days to allow their feelings of helplessness and hopelessness and inadequacy to reach the highest level possible. He forced them to wait until the waters of that river had risen to such a height that virtually all hope had been washed away.

A Lesson in Faithfulness

We often find ourselves asking, What does God expect of me? What does he want? The answer is that he wants a people who will faithfully respond to his call to act in the pursuit of his promises, even at the most unlikely time.

Perhaps you are only moments away from seeing the fruition of a dream that you've nurtured for years. Perhaps there is some massive problem that is on the verge of being solved, or a fractured relationship that is close to being healed, or a lifelong prayer that may finally be answered. God may be speaking to you in much the same way that he was speaking to the Israelites, saying, "Stand up! Be firm in your faith! The day of inheritance is here. The moment for fulfillment has arrived. As difficult as it may be for you to understand, I've actually chosen this challenging and demanding moment precisely because it affords the greatest opportunity for my power and love to be seen when I finally step into the situation and bring it all to pass!"

This is adapted from When God's Timing Is Not Our Own which is also adapted from the ESV Men's Devotional Bible

Podcast Wednesday: Sam Storms, Warcraft, Theological Issues, and more

Dave Jenkins speaks with Sam Storms on his book regarding J.I. Packer

These Go To 11 talks about Christianity and Guns

The Regular Reformed guys talk with Carl Truman on Celebrity Pastors

Popcorn Theology reviews Warcraft

Jason Allen, Bruce Ware, and Owen Strachan speak on Top Theological Issues Facing the Local Church

Episode 92 of the Happy Rant deals with Men Singing in Church, Awful Kids, and Favorite Cartoons

Did Jesus and Paul Preach the Same Gospel? from the Gospel Coalition

Around The Web-May 6, 2016

Reformed Theology & John 3:16 by Burk Parsons

10 Things You should Know about Penal Substitution by Sam Storms

Four Steps to Kill Nagging Sins by Gavin Ortlund

WTS Books has a sale going for John Piper's latest book as well as other titles

You have until Monday to enter for a chance to win in the second Pastor's Library Giveaway

Brian Cosby on the Doctrine of Predestination

4 Megachurch Pastors to Host Talk Show Coming to Fox This Summer

Why the Ascension of Jesus Matters to You by Russell Moore

5 Ways the Ascension Benefits You by Steve Mathewson

Crisis in American Democracy by Albert Mohler

R.C. Sproul speaks on Martin Luther as he came the doctrine of Justification by Faith from reading Romans 1:17:

Around The Web-February 12, 2016

Westminster Bookstore is offering the Crucial Questions booklets at a good affordable price

Is Church Membership Really Required? by Ricky Jones

Does Sin Cause Sickness? by Sam Allberry

Dave Jenkins and Jason Garwood on the importance of mentorship

We are not Saved by our Enjoyments of Him, but by His Efficacy for Us by Sam Storms

Do Church Elders Have to Agree on Everything? by Jonathan Leeman

Jared C Wilson, Shane Barnard, and Matt Boswell discuss gospel-shaped worship

In this "Look At The Book" video, John Piper shows us that Jesus suffered to keep us from sinning.



R.C. Sproul on the ultimate source of power in the universe.



Okay, for a little bit of humor, when you are on Family Feud, if your teammate gets something wrong, saying it another way does not work.

Book Review: Packer on the Christian Life by Sam Storms

It was the summer of 1999 before my senior year of college where I was at a Sunday School class where the College/Single Adult Pastor recommended to me a book called Knowing God written by J.I. Packer. He said it was one of the most richly, deep theological books he has ever read. After his recommendation, I went to the Baptist Book Store, which is now Lifeway, and purchased a copy of the book. I am so grateful for that pastor's recommendation because it is one of my go-to books on the character of God. It is also one of my underlined books in my library.

There have been other books written by Packer that have greatly impacted me over the years such as Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God and In My Place Condemned He Stood that he wrote with Mark Dever. There have not been many books written on Packer, however, Sam Storms has written a book which is part of the "On The Christian Life" series on Packer and his theology called, Packer on the Christian Life.

Storms begins the book with a look at the man, Packer, himself. Storms wrote about his family background and start in ministry. Storms also writes about what Packer taught throughout his Christian life. Storms wrote about what Packer believed about the Bible, holiness, indwelling sin, and discerning the will of God. Of course Packer has mentioned these areas in other books he has written over the years.

If you love J.I. Packer, this book is definitely one that you should read. I am glad that Sam Storms wrote this book. There are many things that we can learn from Packer, not just in his writings, but also his life. It is also a good thing to read about Christians, who have gone before us, which is interesting because Packer is still around today.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

Around the Web-September 25, 2015

How to Use a Study Bible by Andy Naselli

Study Bibles as Theological Tool Kits by Justin Taylor

Same-Sex Marriage is An Opportunity for the Gospel by Jeff Dodge

Why Don’t Protestants Have a Pope? by Kevin DeYoung

9 Things You Should About Pope Francis by Joe Carter

What Won't Be In Heaven by Sam Storms

Francis Chan on why we need the Bible.

The Blessing of No Condemnation is Reserved

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1

Paul does not say Christians are free from condemnation because they are sinless; it is because they are in Christ. "No condemnation" is not a universal blessing. It is reserved for those who have been united spiritually with Christ through faith. We must be careful to resist the false sentimentality that beckons us to give false assurance to non-Christians simply because they are sincere, nice, religious, or believe in God.

To be "in Christ" by faith alone means, among other things, that his righteousness has been reckoned or imputed to you. It means you are united with him in a spiritual covenant. It means there is an almost indefinable mystical oneness or spiritual fellowship with the Lord that you share every moment of life. To put it as simply as possible, to be "in Christ" means you are saved by him and are in vibrant spiritual union with him.

Sam Storms, Kept For Jesus

No Condemnation Must Precede The Battle

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1

"No condemnation" must precede our battle against sin if it is to empower our battle against sin. God's declaration of "No condemnation" must come first and thus enable and energize our transformation into righteousness-loving, Christ-exalting people. The divine declaration must come before the human transformation. Being right with God must precede doing right for God.

Sam Storms, Kept For Jesus

Sam Storms on Eternal Security

Justin Taylor sits down with Sam Storms to talk about eternal security and his upcoming book, Kept For Jesus: What the New Testament Really Teaches about Assurance of Salvation and Eternal Security.



Books by Sam Storms:

Tough Topics: Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions

Kingdom Come: The Amillennial Alternative

The Hope of Glory: 100 Daily Meditations on Colossians

Chosen For Life: The Case for Divine Election

Sam Storms Preaching On Self-Control

A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls (Proverbs 25:28)

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another (Galatians 5:13)

Around The Web-January 3, 2014

Texas Mayor Declares 2014 The "Year of the Bible."

Christian singer Natalie Grant will host a new dating reality dating show called, It Takes a Church on Game Show Network

Mennonite Church USA Ordains First Openly Homosexual ‘Pastor’

Girl Scouts Suggest Abortion Activist Wendy Davis for “Woman of the Year”

Sam Storms reflects on 40 years of pastoral ministry as he shares what he wish he knew when he first started

Recently, Desiring God posted their top videos of 2013, which most of them feature John Piper. One of the videos with Piper is him answering the question: "Have You Exorcized A Demon?"

Is It Okay To Complain In Prayer?

Sam Storms:

J. I. Packer defines “complaint” in prayer as “a kind of speech that blends lamentation (raging, glooming and despairing over what is bad, frustrating and hurtful) with supplication (begging and pleading that someone will do something about it)” (Praying 190).

But is it ever permissible to “complain” to God in prayer? Or should the believer gird up his loins, grit his teeth, and keep his mouth shut? More than permissible, it is often essential. If you doubt the legitimacy of godly complaint, take a moment and consider these expressions found in the psalms:

“O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes” (Psalm 6:1-7).

“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2).

“But I call to God, and the LORD will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice” (Psalm 55:16-17; see also Psalms 38, 79, 88).

“And so our complaint prayers,” says Packer, “are not mere self-centered whining that life has not treated us right. Instead, our compalints are those of dependent children, running in fear and in hurt to our almighty Father, who rules all things. God, if he chooses, will relieve our pain. And if, for nurture’s sake, he chooses not to do so, even then we are to snuggle and nestle into his arms, knowing that Father God loves us, hears our complaints and will love us now and forever” (Praying, 204).

Check out these books by Sam Storms:

Tough Topics

Chosen For Life

Hope of Glory

Book Review: Tough Topics by Sam Storms

It is no question that there are many things in Christianity that some just cannot get a grasp on. There are many questions to the Christian faith that has caused some pastors to become too scared to address. Some pastors want to teach on the issues of Christianity that are easy and make a good sermon, especially a quick one when they put off studying at the last minute. Yet, it is the job of all Bible teachers, not just preachers, to address this hard issues and study them as best we can.

Sam Storms in Tough Topics talks issues he has encountered over the years he has been in ministry. The goal of this is not to attain knowledge, but to worship God. Storms goes on to say that "we need to wrestle with the hard texts and the tough topics in Scripture. Only then will our thinking skills be honed, our minds expanded, our spirits enriched, and our hearts filled with joy and delight to understand the mysterious ways of our great God and Savior" (pg. 13).

The subtitle of the book says that Storms addresses "Biblical Answers to 25 Challenging Questions." Those 25 questions are:

1. Is the Bible Inerrant?

2. What Is Open Theism?

3. Does God Ever Change His Mind?

4. Could Jesus Have Sinned?

5. What Did Jesus Mean When He Said, “Judge Not, that You Be Not Judged”?

6. What Is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?

7. Does the Bible Teach the Doctrine of Original Sin?

8. Are Those Who Die in Infancy Saved?

9. Will People Be Condemned for Not Believing in Jesus though They’ve Never Heard His Name?

10. What Can We Know about Angels?

11. What Can We Know about Satan?

12. What Can We Know about Demons?

13. Can a Christian Be Demonized?

14. Does Satan Assign Demons to Specific Geopolitical Regions? Are There Territorial Spirits?

15. Can Christians Lose Their Salvation?

16. Does Hebrews Teach that Christians Can Apostatize?

17. Will There Be Sex in Heaven?

18. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today?

19. What Is Baptism in the Spirit, and When Does It Happen?

20. Should All Christians Speak in Tongues?

21. What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?

22. Is There Healing in the Atonement?

23. Why Doesn’t God Always Heal the Sick?

24. What Is Legalism?

25. Are Christians Obligated to Tithe?

Storms goes through each of these issues Biblically in a way that the average church attender will be able to understand. At the end of each chapter, Storms gives a list of books to read that goes deeper in the issues he is addressing. I appreciate Sam Storms writing this book for Christians will be introduced to the subjects that many Christians just do not understand. This is a book also for preachers and teachers to use as a reference in addressing these tough topics.

Thanks Crossway for letting me review this book.

Quotes from Sam Storms

I have been reading Sam Storms' devotional, The Hope of Glory, which is 100 meditations on the book of Colossians. If you follow me on Twitter and/or Facebook, you might have notice that I will leave quote from Storms and they are from this book. I want to share a few quotes that I have underlined in the book:

No matter where you are geographically and physically, what you are spiritually will never change. You may be at work, at play, overseas, under the weather, out of money, but you are always and unchangeably in Christ.

The grace of God...is the power of God's Spirit converting the soul.

Grace...is not the only divine act by which God initiates our spiritual life, but also the very power by which we are sustained and nourished in, and proceed through, that life. The energizing and sanctifying work of the indwelling Spirit is the grace of God.

The holy hostility and righteous indignation provoked by our sin has been forever satisfied in the sufferings of Christ Jesus.

We love the Scriptures because they lead us to Christ.