Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt

Some people teach that when an abuse victim is rebuking the abuser, the victim must do so in a way that shows evident love and respect for the abuser. Is that teaching in the Bible, or is it a doctrine which people have invented? Let me show you an example of that teaching. I adapted… Continue reading Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt

For sheep who are stepping forward as shepherds

Here are tips and encouragement for sheep who are stepping forward as shepherds. God's word urges us to grow into maturity in Christ: until we every one (in the unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God) grow up to be perfect in the maturity of the fullness of Christ; so that… Continue reading For sheep who are stepping forward as shepherds

What is the purpose of marriage? Is it to display Christ’s love for the church?

The Bible says the purpose of marriage is: the mutual help of husband and wife (Gen 2:18), the preventing of uncleanness (1 Cor 7:2,9), the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue (Gen 1:28). (As is summarized in the Baptist Confession of Faith 1689, chapter 25, paragraph 2.1) Some have extended the third point by… Continue reading What is the purpose of marriage? Is it to display Christ’s love for the church?

Is marriage a Gospel ordinance? Does Ephesians 5 relate to unequally yoked marriages?

UPDATE  Sept 2021:  I have come to believe that Jeff Crippen does not practise what he preaches.  He vilely persecuted an abuse victim and spiritually abused many other people in the Tillamook congregation. Go here to read the evidence. Jeff has not gone to the people that he spiritually and emotionally abused. He has not apologised to them, let… Continue reading Is marriage a Gospel ordinance? Does Ephesians 5 relate to unequally yoked marriages?

Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone — a sermon by Dr R Scott Clark

[August 27, 2022: There have been some changes made to this post. For more information, read the Editors’ notes at the bottom of the post. Editors.] Using the text Ephesians 2:1-10, Dr R Scott Clark calls out lots of heretical views that are current today and are recycled versions of heresies the church has refuted in… Continue reading Salvation by Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone — a sermon by Dr R Scott Clark

Things I Wish You Understood: An Open Letter to Ministers From a Family Violence Survivor (via TGC Australia)

This stupendous article by an anonymous woman was published yesterday at The Gospel Coalition Australia. Things I Wish You Understood: An Open Letter to Ministers From a Family Violence Survivor To the ministers of the church universal I am a family violence survivor. It seems weird to me to say that, because my experiences don’t… Continue reading Things I Wish You Understood: An Open Letter to Ministers From a Family Violence Survivor (via TGC Australia)

Dear Church: Stop Trying To Convert Wolves — by Jimmy Hinton

There was a recent article published at The Gospel Coalition titled Beware of Broken Wolves [Internet Archive link]. While I [*Jimmy Hinton] appreciate the notion that we need to beware of wolves, this idea that wolves are broken is something that has permeated the church and has no biblical basis. We have spoken to dozens… Continue reading Dear Church: Stop Trying To Convert Wolves — by Jimmy Hinton