Summary

I believe justification is by faith alone. It is the gift of God, where the righteousness of Jesus Christ is imputed to sinners by faith. Nothing we can do, even in a state of grace, can earn any aspect of our salvation. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God," But what about James 2:24? "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." How can these 2 concepts be reconciled?

Resources

Catholic Answers Website

The Council of Trent. Session 6

The God Who Justifies by Dr. James White.

The Doctrine of Justification by A.W. Pink

The Necessity of Justification by Michael Horton (YouTube Video)

My Friend’s Podcasts

“Andrew’s Daily Five” - Music countdowns. A great way to discover music, both new and old!

“Walk With the Word” - Learn to deepen your Bible study as you walk through the Bible verse by verse.

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

I briefly overview the Roman Catholic idea of justification. Then I share some history of Martin Luther, leading up to his discovery of the Bible's true meaning of the "righteousness of God". Our righteousness is imputed to us because of the perfect work on Jesus Christ. Our eternal punishment for sin was paid by Jesus on the cross, but His life of perfect obedience is positive righteousness also reckoned to our account. We stand before God and He declares us righteous, not because of our own good works, but because of the works of Jesus Christ.

Resources

Catholic Answers Website

"Faith Alone" quotes from early church fathers

How Can I Be Right With God? by R.C. Sproul

The Roman Catholic Controversy by Dr. James White

My Friend’s Podcasts

“Andrew’s Daily Five” - Music countdowns. A great way to discover music, both new and old!

“Walk With the Word” - Learn to deepen your Bible study as you walk through the Bible verse by verse.

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

This begins our long series on Roman Catholicism vs Protestantism. It all starts with justification. How is sinful man made right with God? For Roman Catholics, it is faith plus works. For Protestants, it is by faith alone. I discuss the Roman Catholic methods for attaining justification. This includes baptism to wash away Original Sin, but also includes Penance or Confession for the forgiveness of future sins. I also discuss Indulgences and the Treasury of Merit. The corrupt selling of indulgences was the inspiration for Martin Luther to pen his famous 95 Theses.

Resources

Catholic Answers Website

Indulgentiarum Doctrina

My Friend’s Podcasts

“Andrew’s Daily Five” - Music countdowns. A great way to discover music, both new and old!

“Walk With the Word” - Learn to deepen your Bible study as you walk through the Bible verse by verse.

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

I conclude the mini series on Calvinism and Arminianism by giving some encouragement for all Christians, warnings for each side, and walkthrough the basics of salvation as presented in Titus 3.

My Friend’s Podcasts

“Andrew’s Daily Five” - Music countdowns. A great way to discover music, both new and old!

“Walk With the Word” - Learn to deepen your Bible study as you walk through the Bible verse by verse.

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

I take the role of an Arminian and defend the beliefs of Arminianism. Because the previous episodes explain Calvinism, I use the common Calvinist acronym, "TULIP", to organize today's arguments.

Resources

"Against Calvinism" by Roger Olsen

"For Calvinism" by Michael Horton

"Grace, Faith, and Free Will" by Robert Picirilli

"The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" by Lorraine Boettner

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay  (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

This is the 2nd part of my recording where I discuss the TULIP acronym commonly associated with Calvinism. Next week, I will assume the viewpoint of the Arminian and compare / contrast the Calvinist and Arminian positions. My goal in these episodes is to accurately explain both sides, promote unity among Christians on both sides of this argument, and encourage Christians to search out answers from the Bible.

References

"The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination" by Lorraine Boettner

"Chosen by God" by R.C. Sproul

"The Potter's Freedom" by James White

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay  (Sponsor/Commercial)

Summary

I explain the 5 Points of Calvinism commonly known from the acronym "TULIP". This episode is the first half a recording in which I walk through an explanation of the 5 Points of Calvinism. I am assuming a Pro-Calvinist viewpoint and simply explaining what Calvinists believe. Later in this series, I will take a Pro-Arminian viewpoint and explain what Arminians believe.

Resources

1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith (Modern English)

Westminster Confession of Faith

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Commercial / Sponsor)

Summary

Does God predestine who will be saved or is it the free will choice of every person? Over the last several centuries, this is one of the main debates within the Christian community. In this episode, I tell my story as I grew up in a Christian environment and encountered these different theological beliefs.

Debates and Sermons

Debate (Michael Brown vs James White)

Twin Truths (Sermon by John MacArthur)

John MacArthur Q&A Clip

Paul Washer (Sermon on Ezekiel 36)

Matt Chandler sermon "God is for God"

Books

Chosen By God (RC Sproul, Calvinism)

Chosen But Free (Norman Geisler, Arminianism)

The Potter's Freedom (James White, Calvinism)

Against Calvinism (Roger Olson, Arminianism)

For Calvinism (Michael Horton, Calvinism)

Grace, Faith, Free Will (Robert Picirilli, Arminianism)

The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination (Lorraine Boettner, Calvinism)

Arminian Theology (Roger Olson, Arminianism)

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Music by JuliusH from Pixabay (Commercial)

Summary

I share my morning routine and give you some tips to grow in your knowledge of the Bible in 2022.

Resources

YouVersion Bible App (This is what I use for my Bible reading plans)

Below are several of my favorite Bible based podcasts. I did not include links because it will vary depending on the app you use to listen, but all of these should be available on any podcast platform. (They are in no particular order...)

"Truth For Life" by Alistair Begg

"The White Horse Inn"

"Renewing Your Mind" by R.C. Sproul and Ligonier Ministries

"The Table Podcast" by Dallas Theological Seminary

"Grace to You" by John MacArthur (He also has a separate app that is a great resource to find sermons on specific Bible passages.)

"The Village Church" by Matt Chandler

"Unbelievable?" by Justin Brierley (He hosts radio style debates between Bible scholars. Lots of well-known scholars on this podcast.)

"The Dividing Line" by James White

"Denton Bible Church" by Tommy Nelson

"Gospel in Life" by Tim Keller

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)

Summary

I discuss some of the basic goals of Bible translations and offer advice on how to select a good translation for yourself.

Resources

BibleGateway.com

Blue Letter Bible

Logos Bible Software

Music

Music by MichaelKobrin from Pixabay (Intro/Outro)