Ancient Truth

The great reformer Martin Luther taught classes in Saxony at the University of Wittenberg. An assignment for one term was the Epistle to the Romans. Luther had long struggled with the idea of earning one's way to heaven via the many meritorious works of Roman Catholicism. Moreover, he was heavily influenced by the teachings of Augustine and believed in the bondage of the human will. Luther's big problem was reading Romans through the glasses of contemporary problems (like Romanism's sale of indulgences, simony, etc.) and not understanding the book in its original setting or context. Paul was not dealing with the kinds of meritorious works being promoted in Luther's day. Rather, he was talking about the Judaizers who insisted on binding parts of the law of Moses on Gentiles (esp. circumcision). "Works of the law" have to do with those works among Paul's opponents in his own time. Luther arrogantly added "allein" (alone, as in "justified by faith alone") in his translation of Romans 3:28. It is not in the Greek. It was not in the Latin. It was added by Luther himself. This translation error has vitiated the entire Reformation. Paul isn't against any and all human effort, just the Judaizers.

From a physical standpoint, the shed blood of Jesus during his crucifixion at Calvary is not a pretty scene. On the other hand, it is the most precious event in all history.

Many confidently believe in the perseverance of the saints doctrine as articulated by Augustinian-Reformed Theology. Their preacher assures them that once you are saved you are always saved, no matter what. Salvation in that scheme is unconditional. But the entire Book of Hebrews belies that belief. It is preeminently the book about conditional salvation. It is the Book of Ifs.

Will good moral (and religious) persons be found in hell? If so, how can this be? Is it enough merely to be good? No. One must be washed in the blood of Christ. Let's learn how that happens.

The only hope for salvation from sin is the blood of Jesus. Has the merit of Christ's death at Calvary already been applied to the whole human race? Is universalism true? No. Has it been applied only to the "elect?" Is Calvinism true? No. It can potentially be applied to anyone who makes contact with it. But how contact the blood? At which point is the sinner saved?

Good King Josiah of Judah was a major reformer. He helped get rid of pagan accretions to worship (idolatry), immorality, and effected a back-to-the Bible campaign. As commendable as his reform efforts were, they were too little, too late. Is this or fate today?

October 7 was a fateful day for many innocent Israeli families. Islamic terrorists from Gaza maimed, killed and kidnapped persons for no other reason than their ethnicity or nationality. Was this horrible event predicted in the Bible? Do prophecies point to the modern state of Israel and such horrendous events? Let us examine this question candidly.

Did Jesus command baptism? Yes, Matthew 28:19-20. Ought I obey Jesus? Yes. We're already pretty close to the inevitable conclusion that obedience to Christ, including to the command to be baptized, is essential for salvation. But suppose there is another way. Maybe one could be saved without obeying Christ's command. Do we think so? And if so, which commands are optional and which are not?

It is controversial to ask about this issue. Do women have the biblical right to impart religious instruction in a formal way (public discourse) where men are present? Should we seek an expanded role for women in today's church?

Who killed Jesus? Why?